Getting hit by a driver that is under the influence of alcohol is inherently scary and stressful—regardless of the extent of the damage. If you can remain calm, it will be much easier to take the steps needed to build a strong personal injury claim. Below are a few factors that will help your case. 

A Guide to Drunk Driving Accidents

1. Photographs

Once the police arrive and start directing traffic away from the wreckage, it will be safe to walk around and photograph the scene. Your personal injury attorney will use these pictures to prove both liability and damages during the claims process. 

2. Critical Information 

Get the names and badge numbers of all responding officers so you can locate the police report easily. You should also obtain the names and phone numbers of any eyewitnesses. Finally, ask police for the other motorist’s contact details, insurance information, and driver’s license number. 

3. Medical Attention

If you receive treatment from first responders, you can still visit a doctor after leaving for follow up care. If you do not require care at the scene, it’s still essential to see a physician right away. This will ensure you receive adequate treatment for all injuries, including those that may not manifest symptoms immediately. It will also contribute to the strength of your claim by demonstrating a commitment to mitigating damages. 

4. The Role of the Lawyer

Having reliable legal counsel from day one will prevent you from making any critical mistakes that hurt your claim in the days and weeks following the wreck. Hiring an attorney right away will also give your legal team the chance to gather time-sensitive evidence before it becomes unavailable.

For example, if the accident was captured by nearby surveillance cameras—or the driver was captured stumbling in a parking lot prior to getting behind the wheel—the owner of the footage may not necessarily save it indefinitely. Likewise, dash cam recordings from vehicles that were near the wreck when it happened may only be available for a limited amount of time.

Additionally, if the impaired motorist made social media posts about drinking just prior to the collision, he or she may delete them as soon as it becomes clear there is a pending case. Finally, eyewitness testimony becomes less reliable as time goes on. 

If you were hurt in a drunk driving accident, get in touch with Michael D. Doyle, Attorney at Law. Practicing out of Elyria, OH, this seasoned personal injury lawyer has been in the field for more than 25 years. In that time, he has gained considerable experience in civil litigation, criminal defense, bankruptcy law, and of course personal injury law. To request a free initial consultation to discuss your case, call (440) 323-0001 or fill out the form on his website.