Injured By Someone That Was Driving While Intoxicated? Know What To Do
If you are driving your vehicle and are hit by a driver that you suspect is intoxicated at the time, it may leave you wondering what you should do in this situation. Here is what to know about dealing with an auto accident related injury with a driver that is under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
What Do You Do When You Suspect Intoxication?
Any time that you have a suspicion about the driver of the other vehicle being intoxicated, then you should notify the police to come to the scene of the accident as soon as possible. The other driver may need to take a field sobriety test or be given a breathalyzer test from an officer to verify if there is anything in their system that could have altered their driving. Having that information on record and in the police report will help strengthen your case and reduce your level of fault when it comes to mediation and agreeing on compensation for your injuries.
What Will Happen if the Other Driver Is Convicted For Driving While Intoxicated?
Know that your injury case is going to change drastically if the person was convicted for being intoxicated while driving. Your lawyer can help you bring a civil lawsuit against the driver to receive more compensation for your injuries due to how they were caused. If the evidence is not collected at the time of the accident to prove that the other driver was intoxicated, it will simply become your word against theirs. That's why it's so important to get law enforcement involved so that they will be convicted in court with the proper evidence.
How Does A Lawyer Help Resolve An Injury Caused By Driving While Intoxicated?
Your lawyer is going to help make your lawsuit viable through the process of discovery. For example, if the car accident happened with a commercial vehicle, you may need assistance looking into things like what sort of drug testing was done by the employer. If you do not know how to conduct this investigation, you'll be losing out on evidence that can help increase your compensation. Don't assume that you do not need a lawyer because the use or drugs or alcohol should make your case a clear win.
Meet with an auto accident lawyer if you are involved in an accident with a driver that is intoxicated. They'll review your case and let you know if they want to take you on as a client and help you win the compensation you deserve.