Anyone with any sense knows the dangers of drunk driving. Every day, the news is full of stories of people without that sense. Drunk drivers often cause severe crashes and even fatal ones. What should you do if you’re tangled up in one?
What you should do is reach out to John Foy & Associates. Our drunk driving accident lawyers in Covington will listen to your case with compassion and vigorously defend your interests. You deserve all the compensation you can get under the law after a drunk driver hits you.
Why Drunk Drivers Are So Dangerous
Intoxicants alter our perceptions of the world, change how we judge situations, and worsen our reaction times. All three are vital for safe driving. Alcohol is the most common intoxicant that affects driving ability.
You do not have to be at the 0.08 legal limit to see effects. Even a little alcohol can impair a driver just enough to cause an accident. If you’ve ever seen an intoxicated driver on the road, you know how unpredictable they can be.
If you see one on the road, keep a far distance from them and call 9-1-1 to report it. You could save their life and the life of anyone they might crash into.
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What to Do After a Drunk Driving Accident
A drunk driver may attempt to flee after their crash, causing a hit-and-run situation. This can make you feel you have no recourse, but there are things you can do to help the police find the at-fault driver.
Assuming you’re not too injured to do so, call the police and tell them the other driver fled the scene and could be impaired. Then, move your vehicle to a safe location and turn on your hazard lights.
If you can, take a photo of the car with your phone and record any interaction you have with the drunk driver. You can also write your experiences before, during, and after the accident. Take photos of your injuries, the scene, and any vehicle damage as well. Your drunk driving accident lawyer in Covington can use all this information to build your case.
What Can I Recover in a Drunk Driving Accident?
If it can be proven the other driver was intoxicated, then it is extremely easy to prove they were at fault. From there, it’s a matter of calculating all the damages, which your Covington drunk driving accident attorney can do. These are the costs and consequences of your accident that compensation will heal.
Anything with a bill related to your accident can be covered. This includes all medical costs and prescriptions. You can also get repair or replacement costs for your vehicle, and payment for lost wages if you couldn’t work while you were injured.
You may also be eligible for non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, and you may also be eligible for punitive damages. This is a punishment levied by courts against drunk drivers above and beyond damages as a warning for other drunk drivers. Thus, drunk driving accident cases are often worth over $100,000.
How do I Prove the Other Driver Was Intoxicated?
Most often, the officer at the scene will do a breath or blood test on the suspected drunk driver to confirm intoxication. We can get that evidence for your insurance claim or lawsuit. If the driver went to the hospital, they would certainly be tested. Even if the other driver tells you not to, call the police if you suspect intoxication.
If they flee the scene, there are still ways to get the evidence, like writing down your experience. Your description of their behavior may be enough evidence to prove intoxication. Remember, the standard of evidence for civil cases is lower than criminal cases.
If you have the presence of mind to do so, and you aren’t too injured, take photos and video of the scene. You may catch the other driver slurring their speech or acting drunk. That will also improve your chances of proving intoxication.
How Our Drunk Driving Lawyers Help With Your Case
Even as slam-dunk as a positive blood test is for your claim, that doesn’t mean the insurance company will pay for everything you’re owed. If you are severely injured, you may not be able to gather the evidence to make a claim. Our Covington drunk driving accident lawyers can do it for you.
We can use our investigative team to survey the scene, speak with witnesses, pull reports, and more to get what we need for your insurance claim. Also, we know how to negotiate with insurance companies and ensure you’re treated fairly.
Despite how sympathetic your case is, insurance companies are still for-profit companies and will try to pay as little as possible. Turn to John Foy & Associates as your advocate to make sure you get the full value of your case.
Speak With Our Covington Drunk Driving Victim Lawyers
Most accident victims do not have the knowledge or skills to assert their rights to the insurance companies. Let us be your voice. If you or a loved one were a victim of an intoxicated motorist, reach out to the drunk driving accident lawyers in Covington at John Foy & Associates for a free case evaluation or consultation. You can call us or use our online contact form.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form