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What Happens if a Drunk Driver Injures You?

December 22, 2020
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Driving comes with inherent risks and dangers, but drunk drivers shouldn’t be one of them. We all know that making the choice to get behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol is a potentially deadly choice, but many motorists continue to do just that. If a drunk driver leaves you injured in a car accident, you are entitled to compensation that covers your full array of damages, and an experienced San Francisco car accident attorney will help ensure that this happens.

Drunk Drivers Are Out There

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shares all of the following sobering drunk-driving statistics:

  • Each day, nearly 30 people are killed in drunk driving accidents in the United States. 
  • In 2018, 10,511 people lost their lives to drunk drivers. 
  • 29 percent of all traffic fatalities in 2018 were caused by drunk drivers. 
  • In the most recent year for which data is available (2010), the death and destruction wrought by drunk driving cost our nation $44 billion. 

Drunk drivers are arguably the most dangerous motorists on our roadways. 

Protect Your Health and Your Claim

Every car accident has its own unique set of circumstances, and every car accident claim follows its own unique path. Nevertheless, there are several steps that every accident victim should take to help protect his or her own health and his or her own car accident claim. These include:

  • Seek Immediate Medical Attention – Even if you believe your injuries are minor, seeking medical attention is well advised. The fact is that some serious injuries are silent (don’t present with symptoms) until they become more serious still. By obtaining medical attention early on, you demonstrate that your injuries were caused by the car accident in question and that you take them seriously (the same way the at-fault party’s insurance company should).
  • Don’t Talk about the Accident – If an officer at the scene asks you questions about the accident, you should answer them as directly and as factually as you can (without launching into lavish explanations). It’s easy to become rattled by a car accident, and anything you say at the scene can be leveraged against you later (something insurance companies are especially adept at). Further, staying off social media until your claim is settled or the court has awarded you compensation is also a good idea. 
  • Collect Evidence at the Scene – You’ve been injured by a drunk driver, and you may not be in any condition to gather evidence. If this is the case, it’s very likely that a bystander, a passenger in your car, or someone else at the scene will step in to help. Collecting evidence amounts to taking picture and videos of the accident from every angle (including skid marks and any property damage), snapping photos of anything that may have contributed to the accident (such as the effects of bad weather or anything that may have limited visibility), and gathering eyewitness testimonies (including eyewitness contact information). 

Consult with an Experienced San Francisco Car Accident Attorney Today

At Bogaards Law in San Francisco, our car accident attorneys recognize the difficulty of your situation and are committed to employing the impressive breadth of their experience and skill in dedicated pursuit of the compensation to which you are entitled. To schedule your free consultation, please don’t hesitate to contact us today.

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