Drunk driving is, devastatingly, one of the most prevalent forms of dangerous driving in the United States. Over the years, this habit has not waned even one bit. In fact, it seems to have gotten worse, even with the advent of safe driving technology such as automatic vehicle proximity and speeding alerts. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly 30 people are killed each day in collisions with drivers that are under the influence of alcohol.
This is the equivalent of someone losing their life every 50 minutes. If you were the victim of an accident due to a drunk driver, experienced Dallas drunk driving accident attorneys will aggressively work with you to pursue legal action to resolve your incurred expenses. Here’s what to know about filing a claim after an accident with someone who was drinking and driving.
Filing a Claim After a Drunk Driving Accident
After you’ve been in a drunk driving accident, you must know what to expect when initiating the process of filing a claim. Just like any other car accident, it is critical that you gather all possible documentation to thoroughly represent all events that transpired before and during the crash. The potential damages you can claim from this type of incident are as follows:
- Property damage: The losses incurred by this incident are not restricted to your vehicle alone. This may include any belongings inside as well. Get estimates on the costs of the items in the vehicle’s cabin that were damaged to file this type of claim properly.
- Medical expenses: It is critical that you seek medical attention in the moments immediately following your accident, and even in the weeks afterward. Victims are often unaware of the extent of injuries, and a physician will be able to assist in pointing these things out. Additionally, the medical documentation acquired from your visit is critical to the details of your case when filing a claim against a drunk driver. The guilty party will be responsible for covering these bills.
- Lost wages or reduced earning capacity: Some injuries result in victims becoming paralyzed, which can affect their professional life so profoundly that they are unable to earn the same wages as before. This devastation must be addressed by the negligent party.
- Pain and suffering: Not all injuries are physical. Some are emotional or psychological, and they are just as deserving of compensation. If you have experienced symptoms of PTSD or similar mental health conditions after your crash, you are eligible to file a claim of this kind.
Now that you know what types of claims you can file after being hit by a drunk driver, you must know how to proceed.
Further Details to Know When Filing a Claim
As the victim of a car accident, it is your responsibility to prove the negligence of the drunk driver. Filing a police report, for example, is critical to collecting evidence of their blood alcohol content (BAC) at the time of the crash. You must also demonstrate that the driver had a duty of care to you, that they breached that duty of care, and that this breach was the direct cause of your incident. All of this and more can be achieved with the help of an experienced car accident lawyer. If you’re ready to open your case and procure the compensation you need for recovery, get in touch with a lawyer today.
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