This Is What to Do If You’ve Been Hit By a Drunk Driver in Atlanta, GA
Every day in the US, about 37 people die in drunk driving accidents.
Driving under the influence of alcohol is incredibly dangerous, and no one should ever do it. Unfortunately, some people still do, and it makes them far more likely to crash. If you’re hit by a drunk driver, there are certain things you should do straight away.
Keep reading for a rundown of what you should do if you’re hit by a drunk driver in Atlanta.
Call the Emergency Services
The first thing you should do if you’re involved in a drunk driving accident is cal 911. It’s critical that you stay at the scene until they arrive. Let them know if anyone needs medical care, as this could be urgent.
When the police arrive, be cooperative and answer any questions they have. This will all go into their report, which could be an important piece of evidence for any insurance claim or lawsuit you file. Giving a copy of the report to a drunk driving lawyer will help a lot with your case.
It’s also worth documenting as much information as you can yourself. Take pictures/videos, and get the contact details of any witnesses.
Seek Medical Attention
You might need medical treatment at the scene, but even if you don’t, you should still seek medical attention as soon as you can afterward. It’s not uncommon for people to be injured in car accidents and not notice it until days or even weeks later.
If you leave an injury untreated, it can get much worse. It’s best to see a medical professional as soon as you can so they can verify you’re uninjured. If they do find that you have an injury, they’ll be able to start treating it straight away to prevent it from getting worse.
Talk to Your Insurance Company
Once you’ve been checked by a medical professional, you should contact your insurance company and inform them of what’s happened. This will get the claims process started.
Georgia is a comparative fault state. As such, you can file a claim with your own insurer, the at-fault driver’s insurer, or both. Even if you were partially at fault, you can still seek compensation.
The relevant insurance companies will look into the incident. The other driver’s insurer might try to undervalue your claim or pressure you into accepting an early settlement. Bear in mind that if you accept this, you won’t be able to seek further compensation later.
Find a Drunk Driving Accident Attorney
You can then file a drunk driving lawsuit, so you’ll need to hire a drunk driving accident attorney. When doing this, you should look for an attorney that has dealt with similar cases before.
The more evidence your attorney has, the better chance they’ll have of success. If you took pictures or videos at the time of the accident, your attorney will be able to use them to support your case.
Finding a Lawyer After Being Hit by a Drunk Driver
Make sure you follow the steps above if you’re hit by a drunk driver. To file a lawsuit, look for a reliable, experienced drunk driving accident attorney.
Bey & Associates has over 20 years of experience in personal injury cases in Atlanta. Take a look at our Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer page to find out more about how we can help you today.
