I Got Hit by a Drunk Driver in Arizona – Now what?
There are over 220 million licensed drivers in the continental United States. That many people on the road runs the inherent risk of many accidents occurring. Unfortunately, many accidents are due to drunk driving. Here are more alarming statistics regarding accidents in the U.S.:
- Nearly 40,000 fatal car accidents occur annually
- More than 90 Americans are killed EVERY DAY in car accidents
- The MOST COMMON cause of fatal accidents is due to drunk driving, a whopping 40%!
- Every year, approximately 2 million drivers sustain permanent injury
If you were hit by a drunk driver, there are vital steps you need to follow in the immediate aftermath.
Call the Police
The most important step is to call the police, if you are able. Notifying the proper authorities of the incident and injury will keep record of the occurrence. Police officers can notify the necessary emergency response team to aid you.
The police will perform a preliminary investigation of the incident and create a police report for your records. It is imperative to inform the police officer you suspect the driver who hit you was impaired at the time of the accident.
Record Evidence
If you have a phone on you, it is important to document any and all evidence available. Take pictures of the final layout of the vehicles, where the collision affected your car, your own injuries and the other car.
Skid marks, recognizable landmarks and anything relevant to the accident itself must also be recorded. This will assist proving your case in court.
Document Information
After recording all evidence, receive necessary contact information from the other driver. This should include their insurance information! If there are witnesses on scene, take down their information as well. They may be called to testify what they witnessed on your behalf.
Medical Assistance
Whether you accept nor deny medical assistance on scene, visit your doctor. Even if the injuries are minor, get a complete physical and possible X-rays to determine if there are any unseen and further injuries.
Sometimes it takes time for the real injury to present itself, such as whiplash. Serious internal injuries may also occur from a drunk driving accident.
Contact an Arizona Injury Lawyer
Were you involved in an accident with a drunk driver? Drunk driving cases in Arizona can be quite complex. The state has some of the harshest DUI punishments in the country, and for good reason. They serve to teach the wrongdoers a lesson and provide compensation to the injured victim.
A reliable, reputable attorney will understand the sensitive nature of these cases. They will help navigate through the legal proceedings and build a case on your behalf. The right attorney will aggressively defend you and help you get compensation to cover your medical bills, loss of work, possible permanent injuries and ongoing injuries.
Contact David Klink today, Arizona Injury Lawyer.
