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How to Make a Personal Injury Claim if You Are Hit by a Drunk Driver

Boris Dzhingarov

If you or someone close to you has recently been hurt, or worse, due to the actions of a drunk driver, seeking compensation for their negligence is your right and duty. Unfortunately, a lot of victims are misled into being severely under-compensated and, sometimes, they do not even receive any compensation at all because they fail to act. Why it happens is quite understandable, given that the trauma from the accident makes it difficult to make carefully thought-out decisions at that time. However, rest assured that the same should not happen to you if you follow these tips.

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Call 911 or the Local Emergency Line Immediately

If you are conscious and able, turn on the hazard lights and call 911 or the local emergency line as soon as you can. Even if your personal assessment of the injuries received by you does not seem too serious, do not make the mistake of skipping this all-important step of calling for help immediately after. This is important because:

  • The ensuing police report, emergency responders’ report and hospital report will all act as proof later when you file your personal injury claim
  • You could be in shock and not realize the extent of your injuries, or you may have a concussion or TBI
  • Others involved in the accident could be in much worse shape than you, including the drunk driver

Call a Personal Injury Lawyer

After calling 911, call your personal injury lawyer and let them know of the situation as best as you can. If you are in Rhode Island, Marasco & Nesselbush Personal Injury Lawyers can be reached 24/7 on any day of the year. In case your injuries are not serious, they might even be able to guide you into collecting solid evidence (photos and videos of the crash site, damages, injuries, etc.). If you are seriously injured, do not worry about this part just yet, and only call them up when you feel like you are able to do so.

Never Rush into Signing Anything

Lastly, don’t forget about the fact that you have more than enough time to file your case after the accident. It is true that you should act fast and as soon as possible, but it also does not mean you will have to rush with your decision. Rhode Island allows auto accident victims (and personal injury victims in general) to file a case at any point in time, as long as it is within three years from the original date of the accident.

Most states in US allow no less than two years to act, so don’t rush, let the trauma pass over and never sign anything without consulting your personal injury lawyer first. There might be pressure from the other side at times to sign something or the other, but they will mostly disappear when you seek legal counsel.

Every year, thousands of people die in car crashes involving drunk drivers, and more than 100,000+ people are left injured across the States. According to the NHTSA, someone dies in a car crash every 52 minutes, and around 28 people die from drunk driving related accidents every single day of the year on an average. Not all victims or survivors receive the compensation that they deserve, but now you know how to not be one of them.