Being hit by a drunk driver can be a traumatic, shocking experience. How you respond in the aftermath could affect your upcoming compensation claim, so it’s important to tackle certain tasks right away, like getting the drunk driver’s information. Start by calling the police, and officers can assist you in handling most situations at the scene.
Immediately after the accident, take photos, speak with eyewitnesses, and accept medical care from the paramedics who may arrive. Within the first few days of a crash, our lawyers can get the police report and start keeping detailed records of your injuries and losses. If you need compensation, our attorneys can also calculate recoverable damages, organize evidence into a compelling claim, and help you navigate a lawsuit against the drunk driver.
Get help with your case from Cap City Injury Attorneys when you call our Texas car accident lawyers now at (512) 612-3110.
What are the First Things You Should Do if You Are Injured by a Drunk Driver in Texas?
The moments after an accident with a drunk driver are crucial for preserving evidence, which is easier when victims immediately call 911 and involve the police.
Get to Safety
The first thing you should do if a drunk driver injures you is prioritize your safety. If possible, move to the side of the road away from moving traffic. Avoid confrontation with the drunk driver, especially if they are belligerent or aggressive. If you can’t exit your vehicle safely without further injuring yourself, wait for emergency personnel.
Call 911
Always call 911 after an accident with a drunk driver, especially if you are at all injured. Drunk driving is illegal in Texas, so you should certainly involve the police so they can document the offense and potentially arrest the driver. If the drunk driver is arrested and convicted for driving while intoxicated, we may use that as leverage during settlement negotiations for your car accident lawsuit.
Gather Information
While waiting for the police to arrive, you can ask any eyewitnesses nearby for their contact information. Drunk drivers may refuse to provide their names and insurance information, and law enforcement can facilitate this exchange upon arrival.
Note the general location of the accident, if you see any security cameras in the area, and anything that the intoxicated driver says about admitting fault.
Take Photos
Photos help us reconstruct accidents and preserve physical evidence, so take as many pictures as possible after an accident involving a drunk driver. Photographing damage and impact points from different angles also helps. Never delete pictures before sending them to our Round Rock, TX car accident lawyers. Even if you think one photo is too blurry, it might be useful, so let us be the judge of that.
Get Medical Attention
You should also immediately seek medical attention. Paramedics may arrive and offer to take you to the hospital. You might be in shock after an accident and not feel pain from injuries, so you should still consider getting checked out by medical professionals, even if you feel fine.
What to Do Within the First Few Days of Being Injured by a Drunk Driver
There’s more to do in the first few days following a car accident with a drunk driver, and our lawyers can also help with these tasks.
Get the Police Report
Within the first few days of a drunk driver hitting you, our lawyers can get the police report for the accident. The crash report will detail what happened and whether the other driver was given a breath test at the scene and was drunk. In the future, we can also obtain any arrest reports and documents related to driving while intoxicated charges to use in your case.
Continue Medical Care
You may have to stay in the hospital for several days if you sustain a bad head, back, neck, or internal injury because of a drunk driver. Continuing your medical treatment is one of the most important things you can do in the days and weeks after a crash, so that you keep building medical evidence our lawyers can use.
Keep Detailed Records
We can also start keeping detailed records in the days following the crash. This prevents you from losing track of certain medical bills and any other damages you incur. You can also start recording your pain and suffering soon after the accident so we have a detailed account of the non-economic damages you incurred.
What to Do if You Need Compensation from a Drunk Driver in Texas?
If you need damages from a drunk driver after a car crash in Texas, you can pursue a compensation claim with our help.
Calculate Damages
If a drunk driver injures you and you need compensation, let our lawyers calculate your damages. We will add up all the bills from hospital visits, doctor appointments, physical therapy sessions, prescription medications, and other medical costs. We can also calculate your lost wages by reviewing your tax returns, paychecks, and employment documentation.
Never forget to evaluate your non-economic damages, which may comprise much of your recovery if you experience significant pain and suffering.
Organize Evidence
You also need to organize evidence and build a case to get compensation from a drunk driver. We can handle obtaining and reading police reports, organizing medical records and bills, requesting income information from your employer, and consulting with experts to reconstruct the accident, building a case that can prove fault.
File a Lawsuit
Victims who need compensation from drunk drivers can get it by filing lawsuits. You most likely have two years to sue a drunk driver for damages in Texas, so do not waste any time after your collision and begin working on your case right away.
Call for Help with Your Texas Car Accident Case
Call the Austin, TX car accident lawyers of Cap City Injury Attorneys at (512) 612-3110 for a free case evaluation.