Hit By A Drunk Driver? Follow These Tips To Get Compensated
The process of making an insurance claim when you're in an auto accident can be confusing, and it becomes even more complicated when a drunk driver is responsible. Here are some tips that will help ensure you receive the proper amount of compensation.
Have Police Investigate The Accident Scene
When you are involved in a car accident, it is not always necessary to have the police come to the accident site and make a formal police report. Minor accidents, especially when both cars are still drivable, can be reported on your own time. All you need to do is make sure that you've swapped contact information with the driver, and then you can be on your way.
However, things are different if you suspect the other driver is drunk. You'll need to have a police officer come to the scene of the accident immediately so they can confirm if the driver is actually drunk. They may have them perform a field sobriety test, or take a breathalyzer test. Waiting the next day to file a report means that all of this evidence will be lost, with no way to collect it afterward.
Seek Immediate Medical Help
If you have injuries, it's important that you visit a doctor to be evaluated as soon as possible. The urgency of your visit is the key to demonstrating how serious your injuries are. If you waited several weeks to visit a doctor, it may demonstrate that the injuries were not that serious.
Not only is this a good idea to speed up the recovery process, but it will avoid any doubt as to how the injury occurred. If you waited too long, it's possible that the other driver's insurance company will try to blame the injury on an unrelated event that happened after the car accident. This is not a risk worth taking when so much compensation is on the line.
Document All Losses
Your compensation in a car accident goes beyond your medical and auto repair bills. Consider all related expenses to the accident and keep track of them. Rental cars, cabs, lost wages from work, and durable medical goods can all be included in the compensation that you are requesting.
If you feel like you need assistance with your injury case, be sure to work with a personal injury lawyer from a law firm like Alexander Law Group for assistance. They'll help fight for you throughout the entire process during this legal battle.