When someone gets behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol, they’re putting not only themselves at risk but also everyone on the road around them. In the United States alone, someone dies in a drunk driving accident every 52 minutes.
If you were struck by an impaired motorist, you’re probably entitled to compensation. While filing a claim won’t erase what happened, it could yield the funds needed to carry on and achieve some sense of normalcy in the aftermath.
To ensure your claim gets off to a strong start, take the following steps:
1. Visit a Doctor
Regardless of how hectic your life might be after the accident, it’s imperative to prioritize your health. Even if you were able to walk away from the scene, but still feel painful symptoms, you should seek prompt medical care. Adrenaline can mask all kinds of alarming symptoms, so just because you don’t feel crippled, doesn’t mean you aren’t injured.
Visiting a doctor right away will also serve to legitimize and document your injuries. The associated medical records will ensure a link between the accident and your condition.
2. Start a Daily Journal
Entries about how your injuries are hurting your quality of life will bolster your damages claim. They can also help contextualize your medical records, so even those who are not in the health care field have some understanding of the hurdles you face as a result of the accident.
3. Refrain from Talking About the Drunk Driving Accident on Social Media
Before you turn to your friends or followers on social media for support, consider how your posts could be perceived. If there’s even a chance the content could spun by the insurance adjuster so he or she can question your credibility, it’s best to avoid publishing anything at all.
4. Preserve Evidence You Obtained from the Scene
Did you manage to photograph the wreckage before leaving the area? Were you able to get the names and phone numbers of any eyewitnesses? Was your vehicle equipped with a dash camera at the time of the crash?
If you have any evidence from the scene, compile it as soon as possible, and then make copies to ensure redundancy. Store each set of documents and files in a different secure area until you can give one to your legal team.
5. Consult a Personal Injury Lawyer
The sooner you call an attorney, the sooner you can start building your claim. Enlisting legal help from day one also means you won’t have to correspond with the opposing party at all. You can simply refer the insurance adjuster to your lawyer.
Call (562) 206-1939 to Speak with a Drunk Driving Accident Attorney in Long Beach
Your Injuries Are Personal to Me
For help holding a drunk driver accountable, turn to the Law Office of Michael D. Waks. A top-rated trial attorney, Michael has what it takes to put together tort actions that hold up under even the harshest of scrutiny. To set up your free case review with this drunk driving accident lawyer in Long Beach, call (562) 206-1939 or complete our Online Contact Form.
