Maximizing Your Chances of Compensation after a Drunk Driver Accident

 Posted on April 02, 2019 in Car Accidents

Being involved in a car crash can be terrifying. After the accident, an injured person may be left unable to work or enjoy their life and burdened with costly medical bills. If you have been injured by a person who was driving under the influence, you may have an opportunity to recover compensation for your damages through a personal injury suit.

While insurance companies may offer some compensation for a car accident that was not your fault, insurance settlements are often too small to cover all of the damages the injured person endured. Suing the other driver or their insurance company is one way to help cover the costs of missed work, ongoing medical care, and other damages. There are certain steps anyone should take after being injured in an accident. If you plan to pursue compensation, it is even more important that you follow these procedures.

Always Go to the Hospital After an Injury-Causing Accident

Often, a person injured in a car accident does not immediately realize the extent of his or her injuries. Adrenaline and fear can mask the pain and cause an injured driver to underestimate the seriousness of the situation. Unfortunately, without formal medical records describing the injuries caused by the accident, it can be difficult to bring a successful personal injury suit.

Do Not Admit Fault or Apologize

Many individuals are in the habit of apologizing for things that are not their fault. In a personal injury accident, this can be problematic. Offering an apology to the other driver after an accident may seem like a polite gesture, but doing so may decrease your changes of receiving compensation. Your apology may be interpreted as admission of fault for the accident, even though the other driver was drunk.

Keep Detailed Notes of Your Damages

In addition to the official medical records offered by a hospital or doctor’s office, an injured person seeking compensation should keep detailed notes their injuries and medical treatment. Make sure to save names and contact information for any doctors, chiropractors, physical therapists, or other medical professionals visited after the accident. Also, keep receipts for other costs related to your injuries such as medications and assistive devices like crutches. If possible, having photographs of the accident location, vehicle or property damage, and detailed information about the accident can also strengthen your case. Proof of lost wages and opportunities as well as the names and contact information of witnesses to the accident can be greatly beneficial.

Contact a Rockford, IL Drunk Driver Liability Attorney

If you have been injured in a drunk driving accident, call the experienced Winnebago County personal injury attorneys at Mannarino & Brasfield, A Division of Schwartz Jambois. Call 815-215-7561 to schedule a free consultation today.

Source:

https://www.statefarm.com/claims/claims-help/auto/how-to-handle-an-accident