What Steps Should I Take if I Was in a Drunk Driving Accident?
Have you been injured in a drunk driving accident? If you have, you may be experiencing emotional, physical, emotional, and financial issues. The trauma of a drunk driving accident is massive, and it is not easy to know the steps you should take to handle this and get your life back on track. It’s also essential to know that the steps you take after the drunk driving accident injury make a huge difference in your recovery and legal recourse.
At Cheves Briceno, our personal injury and immigration lawyers in Norcross, Columbus, and Braselton, GA, are here to guide you through this difficult time and help you seek the justice and compensation you deserve. In this blog, we will explore the steps you should take after being injured or suffering damages from a drunk driver.
These are Some of the Types of Injuries You May Have Suffered in the Drunk Driving Accident
Drunk driving accidents often result in severe injuries. As a result of being intoxicated, the driver had impaired coordination and judgment. Some of the common injuries suffered in car accidents include:
Whiplash and Neck Injuries
Do you have neck pain as a result of the accident? The sudden impact of a collision can cause the passenger or other driver’s head to jerk forward or backward, leading to whiplash and other neck injuries.
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Broken Bones
The force of the crash can cause bones to break, resulting in fractures that may require surgery and lengthy rehabilitation. If you have broken bones from the accident, see a doctor immediately as listed below.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
Head injuries are common in drunk driving accidents, ranging from concussions to more severe TBIs that can have long-term consequences. Again, if you have symptoms, this is to be addressed by visiting a doctor.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Damage to the spinal cord can result in paralysis or other neurological impairments, drastically altering the victim’s quality of life.
Emotional Trauma
In addition to physical injuries, victims often experience emotional trauma such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Critical Steps to Take After a Drunk Driving Accident
- Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Your health and safety should be your top priority. Even if you feel fine, it’s essential to undergo a thorough medical evaluation to identify any hidden injuries.
- Step 2: Contact Law Enforcement Report the accident to the police and cooperate with their investigation. A police report will document the details of the incident, which can be crucial evidence in your case.
- Step 3: Gather Evidence Take photographs of the accident scene, including vehicle damage, skid marks, and road conditions. Collect contact information from witnesses, if possible.
- Step 4: Avoid Making Statements Refrain from discussing fault or making statements to insurance adjusters without consulting a lawyer. Anything you say could be used against you in future legal proceedings.
- Step 5: Consult with the Experienced Attorneys at Cheves Briceno It’s essential to seek legal representation from a skilled personal injury lawyer who has experience handling drunk driving accident cases, like our lawyers at Cheves Briceno. We will protect your rights and advocate for your best interests. We also operate only on contingency fee basis, so you won’t have to spend any money out of pocket for us to aggressively pursue your claim.
Types of Recovery for Drunk Driving Accident Damages and Injuries
Victims of drunk driving accidents may be entitled to various forms of compensation, including medical expenses (like coverage for hospital bills, surgery costs, rehabilitation, and ongoing medical care related to the injuries sustained in the accident); lost wages (compensation for income lost due to missed work during recovery, as well as potential future earnings if the injuries result in long-term disability); pain and suffering (damages for physical pain, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life experienced as a result of the accident) and punitive damages (to punish the responsible party the court can award punitive damages to deter them and others from doing it again).
Contact Cheves Briceno for Legal Representation
If you’ve been injured in a drunk driving accident, don’t hesitate to seek help from the experienced legal team at Cheves Briceno. We understand the complexities of these cases and are dedicated to fighting for the rights of injured victims. Contact us today for a free consultation about your drunk driving accident and let us help you navigate the path to justice and recovery.
