1 in 3 traffic deaths involves an intoxicated driver in the US. 46% of driving deaths in Arkansas alone involved alcohol according to the latest County Health Rankings. In addition to that, DUI/DWI incidents also cause severe injuries and property damages.
What can you do if you’re faced with a drunk driver situation? Here are a few tips.
Call the Police
The first thing you need to do after encountering a drunk driver is to call the police. This is not only for your own safety, but also for the safety of other pedestrians and drivers. Moreover, it’s also a matter of safety of the drunk driver in question.
By calling the police, you’ll be ensuring that the accident is documented. This is particularly important if you want to file for a lawsuit or fill out an insurance claim. It acts as an instrumental piece of evidence if you wish to seek compensation for the damages caused.
Furthermore, you’ll also be performing your civic duty by reporting the incident to the relevant authorities. Whether you’ve suffered minor damages or have been severely injured, it’s crucial that you notify the police so that the intoxicated driver can be stopped from getting behind the wheel again. Failure to do so can lead to more DUIrelated accidents and putseveral lives at risk.
Another advantage of calling the police immediately is that they’re fully trained to handle such a situation. They have the tools and the knowledge to recognize a drunk driver and take them into custody. Even if it’s a case of hit-and-run, by informing the police you can ensure that they’re on the lookout for an intoxicated driver in the area.
Gather Relevant Information
Collecting information about the intoxicated driver and the incident is yet another thing that can help you press charges. Try to gather any individual’s names and contact information who may have witnessed the accident. If possible, take photographs of the accident scene, any visible injuries, and of the at-fault driver and their vehicle (especially the license plate).
If you’re not comfortable with obtaining contact or insurance information from the driver directly, you can always wait for the police to arrive and make the necessary inquiry. Also make sure that you write down the claim number of the accident report you filled out. Any additional information that can further help your case, such as the driver’s blood test result or previous conviction record should also be obtained.
Hire a Personal Injury Attorney
Finally, get in touch with a personal injury attorney to help you with your case. An experienced lawyer who regularly deals with personal injury cases will be able to offer you legal advice and explore your options. They’ll help you get the compensation you deserve for the damage caused by conducting thorough investigations, securing evidence, and strengthening your case.
Personal Injury lawyers like Lisa Douglas are well-versed with the strategies used by defense attorneys and insurance companies when it comes to personal injury cases. She’ll use her years of medical legal experience to help you get your rightful compensation.
Contact the Law Offices of Lisa Douglas, Inc in Little Rock, Arkansas now!
