There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that drunk drivers present dangers on the road, as the danger inherent to getting behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol is well-established. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) relays that 28 percent of all traffic fatalities involve impairment. If you’ve been injured in an accident that was caused by a drunk driver, there are specific steps you should take, and they include consulting with an experienced San Francisco personal injury attorney.
Call the Authorities
If you or anyone else has been injured in a car accident, it’s in your best interest to call 911. Obtaining swift medical attention helps to ensure the best possible prognosis. If calling 911 isn’t warranted, call the police instead. The most effective way of establishing the other driver’s intoxication is by having the police verify the fact. Further, many inebriated drivers will attempt to exchange contact and insurance information in an effort to preempt calling the police, but do not fall for this ruse. Establishing the facts with the police is likely critical to your case.
Document the Scene of the Accident
Take pictures at the scene of the accident that illustrate as many of the details as you possibly can. Taking a video of the drunk driver involved can also help establish his or her impairment. The advent of smartphones makes documenting the scene of an accident extremely convenient. If you are unable to accomplish this task on your own, an eyewitness at the scene will likely step in to do so for you.
Gather Contact Information
Eyewitness testimony could prove crucial to your case, so don’t forget to gather eyewitness statements and contact information at the scene of the accident. It’s also important to exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver. Again, if you can’t do this yourself, ask someone at the scene of the accident to take care of it for you.
Follow Your Doctor’s Orders
If you’ve been injured by a drunk driver, the best path forward – for both your health and your personal injury claim – is to follow your doctor’s orders. Your health is far too important not to heed professional medical advice, and adhering to your doctor’s orders demonstrates that your injuries are serious and that you take them seriously.
If You’ve Been Injured by a Drunk Driver, Consult with an Experienced San Francisco Personal Injury Attorney Today
Getting behind the wheel while impaired by alcohol is a dangerous game. Impaired motorists put everyone on the roadway in danger. If a drunk driver leaves you or someone you care about injured, the legal professionals at The Cartwright Law Firm, Inc. in San Francisco are prepared to help. Our dedicated personal injury attorneys take every case extremely seriously, and we are committed to aggressively advocating on your behalf for the compensation to which you are entitled. For more information, please don’t hesitate to contact us online or call us at (415) 851-6486 today.
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