What To Do After Being Injured by a Drunk Driver

If you or a loved one were injured by a drunk driver, there are certain things you need to be aware of before taking legal action. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, a driver is legally intoxicated when their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) reaches 0.08% –– but they are breaking the law as soon as drugs or alcohol affect their driving regardless of their BAC. 

Being hit by a drunk driver can be incredibly stressful, especially if you were left with painful injuries and the bills that come with them. If you’re unsure of what to do after being injured by a drunk driver, here are the steps to take. 

Step 1: Treat your injuries

If you are involved in a drunk driver accident in Houston, Texas, the first thing that you must do is seek medical attention. If it is safe to do so, move away from the scene of the accident and call 911 or have someone else call for medical help. 

Your health and wellbeing should be your top priority. No matter how minor or severe your injuries may seem, it is crucial that you see a medical professional who can tend to your injuries and ensure that you are safe and well. Waiting to receive treatment will not increase your chances of reaching a favorable financial outcome should you build a legal case.

 

Step 2: Gather evidence

There are two types of evidence that are critical in drunk driving cases: proof of injury and treatment and the driver’s information. 

Proof of injury

Proof of injury can be documented in the form of medical costs. If you received medical treatment as a result of being injured by a drunk driver, keep a record of any expenses including:

• Hospital costs
• Any treatments or procedures that were administered to you
• Any notes or write-ups made by your doctor
• Medications
• Physical therapy (if necessary)

You should not have to suffer financially due to someone else’s negligence. The drunk driver responsible for your injuries should also be responsible for paying for your medical care. Having this evidence handy can help to prove that you deserve compensation.

Driver’s information

Another key piece of evidence when pursuing a legal claim against a drunk driver is that driver’s information. If after the accident occurs you feel that your injuries are minor enough to gather some evidence before seeking medical attention, get the following information:

• Driver’s name, phone number, and insurance information
• Eyewitness names and information if at the scene
• A copy of the police report from the officer on the scene
• Any evidence that the at-fault driver was under the influence of alcohol. This can be…
  • Photos of alcohol in or around the car
  • Video evidence of the driver showcasing intoxicated behaviors

While the police will typically collect evidence against the driver, it’s important that you hire a Houston car crash lawyer quickly to help you collect the materials necessary to prove your case.

 

Step 3: Contact an attorney 

In Texas, if you are injured by a drunk driver, it is within your car accident victims’ rights to sue the drunk driver(s) and their insurance company to receive compensation for your injuries. In order to do so, you must contact an attorney that you can trust immediately. Drunk driving accident lawyers can help you gather evidence, file a claim against the driver, and negotiate with insurance companies and providers that may stand in the way of you getting the compensation you deserve.

In order to obtain financial compensation for your injuries, you and your drunk driving accident lawyer must establish that the intoxicated, driver responsible engaged in negligent conduct that contributed to the accident resulting in your injuries. You need a serious and trusted attorney to help you with your case so that you and your loved ones can focus on healing from this traumatic event. The top legal team at Grimes & Fertitta is here to fight on your behalf.

 

Injured by a Drunk Driver? Contact Grimes & Fertitta immediately for quality representation.

If you or a loved one were injured by a drunk driver, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Contact a top-rated drunk driving accident lawyer in Houston from Grimes & Fertitta to take on your case. 

With serious cases like these, you cannot just hire anyone to represent you. Hiring just any attorney can result in the drunk driver facing no consequences for their negligence. We are aggressive drunk driving accident attorneys. We are here to fight for your best interest and get the compensation you need and deserve. 

Call Grimes & Fertitta at 713-804-8596 or schedule a free consultation online today to discuss your legal options. 

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