Alcohol and driving simply don’t mix. Drinking impairs a motorist’s vision, judgment, and reaction time so severely that they have little opportunity to prevent a serious collision. How can injured victims protect themselves after a drunk driving accident? Knowing how to move forward with a personal injury lawsuit is critical to overall recovery. Taking certain steps improves your chances of protecting your rights. Our skilled Kansas City drunk driving accident attorneys offer these suggestions to get started.
Contact the Proper Authorities
Never hesitate to call 911. First, there’s no way of knowing how serious your or the other driver’s injuries might be, so everyone needs medical attention right away. Second, law enforcement needs to assess the scene and put together a report detailing statements from both involved parties, as well as witnesses, about what happened during the accident. This can help determine liability and fault.
Additionally, drunk driving is a crime. The authorities can detail in their police report if the other motorist was impaired and whether they passed a drunk test. If not, they should be held accountable civilly and criminally for their negligent actions.
Exchange Important Information
If you or another person can obtain contact information quickly, this will help your drunk driving accident case. You’ll need details such as driver’s license, insurance information, vehicle make, model, and license plate, as well as any eyewitness contact information. The attending officer might record some of this in the police report, but you and your attorney can proceed with the claim more quickly if it’s all readily available.
Take Pictures of Important Factors
If you’re able to, try to take pictures of:
- Your injuries. Broken bones, lacerations, and other wounds can be used as evidence that you were harmed as a result of the accident.
- Vehicle damage. The location of damages to your vehicle and that of the other driver tells more of a story as to who was at fault for the crash.
- The accident scene. Certain factors may come into play when you file a claim, such as tire marks, broken traffic signals, and other indicators as to what played a role in the wreck.
Speak with a Qualified Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer As Quickly As You Can
Nobody should have to deal with the aftermath of a drunk driving accident on their own, especially when the cause of the crash is a wanton disregard for the safety of others on the road. Your legal counsel can discuss the potential strategies for your case. For instance, you may be able to sue the drunk driver and their insurance company for the damages they caused by driving while intoxicated, but there may be other options available to you as well.