If you’ve been in an accident involving a drunk driver, there are steps you can take to help protect both you and your legal rights.
A DUI accident lawyer at Morris Injury Law is your best defense and offense against at-fault parties. Because of our dedication to helping victims recover, we are available 24/7 to answer your calls.
Notify Authorities And Render Aid
Nevada law requires that drivers involved in a crash resulting in property damage, personal injury, or death report the accident to the nearest authorities. If the driver is unable to do so right away because of their injuries, then they (or someone on their behalf) must do so within a reasonable time after the accident. Drivers involved in an accident also have a responsibility to render aid. “Hit-and-run” drivers may be guilty of a felony or, in some cases, a misdemeanor.
Don’t Make Statements Of Admission
After a jarring accident, it’s easy to make harmless statements like, “Sorry. I didn’t see you,” or things of that nature. You may not mean these as an admission of fault. You could also be so disoriented after the accident that you don’t realize you said it. But these harmless statements can potentially make it more difficult to prove that the accident wasn’t your fault. Expect that the police, the insurance company, and the at-fault party are going to remember what you said. The insurance company and at-fault party, in particular, may try to use these statements against you to save them money. These statements may not be fatal to your claim against the at-fault driver, but they can create an uphill battle for you.
Best practice is to communicate with the police and stick to the facts. Insurance companies and at-fault parties may try to take your commentary or subjective comments out of context and use it against you.
At Morris Injury Law, we pride ourselves on advocating for victims of car accidents. A drunk driving accident attorney at our firm can help you by tailoring a case strategy to help overcome these types of hurdles. Our diligence and excellence has earned us a spot on the National Trial Lawyers’ Top 40 Under 40 list.
Seek Medical Attention
Seeking medical attention right away protects your physical health and your legal rights. Some injuries may not show up right away after an accident, developing gradually. Symptoms of traumatic brain injury, nerve damage, soft tissue injuries, and back injuries, for example, can show up hours or days after the accident. Having an initial doctor’s visit, even if you don’t think you’re injured, helps accurately show the progression of your injuries. It helps you show a causal link between the accident and the personal injuries you’re experiencing.
If there are missing links in the chain from the accident to your injury, the insurance company and at-fault party may use this to attempt to discredit your claim. They may say that because you weren’t seen by a doctor right away, your injuries must not be “that bad.”
Morris Injury Law can help you investigate and prove your personal injury claim against the at-fault party. We understand that symptoms can develop gradually, but that doesn’t mean that the accident wasn’t the cause. We thoroughly review all medical and other records to help ensure that your injuries are accurately represented. Furthermore, we regularly go up against these faceless insurance companies. We’ve successfully fought back against the tactics they and opposing parties use to try to prevent victims from getting the compensation they deserve.
Follow Your Doctor’s Recommendations
Make sure to follow your doctor’s recommendations. If your doctor says that you should have two weeks of bed rest, then two weeks of bed rest is what you should have. Your doctor’s recommendations are in the medical records, which are also available to the insurance company.
Believe it or not, some insurance companies hire investigators to watch victims of drunk driving accidents. Let’s say that the medical records indicate that your doctor told you to take that two weeks of bed rest. An investigator may go by your house to look for instances where you were, for example, barbecuing in your front yard. They may use this evidence to try to rebut your personal injury claims.
The initial doctor’s visit sets the foundation for the personal injury claim. Following your doctor’s recommendations helps make sure that there are continuous links between the accident, your injury, and your compensation claims.
A drunk driving accident lawyer can help you prove and preserve your claim for personal injury damages.
At Morris Injury Law, we understand that you’re hurting, financially and physically, and need compensation to move forward. We take the time to listen to your story, understand your priorities, and develop a case strategy that suits your situation. We do everything in our power to fight for victims regardless of the challenges the case presents. You and your family’s best interests guide our approach and determine how we proceed.
Keep Accurate Records
Keeping accurate records is also essential to strengthening your case. Try to save all accident- and injury-related receipts and documents. Your drunk driving accident attorney will use these and other evidence to evaluate your claim. Plus, having accurate records creates a cohesive paper trail. After all, you’ll need this paper trail to help prove your claim against the at-fault driver.
At Morris Injury Law, we know what evidence to look for and have handled numerous car accident cases in the Las Vegas area. We have the experience and the know-how to tirelessly search for all records that may help you win your case.
Contact A Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
Victims of drunk driving accidents don’t have to go up against the insurance companies and responsible parties alone. Nor should they. Drunk driving attorneys help victims effectively pursue justice and secure the compensation they deserve.
Insurance companies are less likely to take your claim seriously if you don’t have an attorney. That’s not how it should be, in a perfect world. But that’s the unfortunate truth.
Unlike the insurance companies, a drunk driving accident attorney works for you.
Morris Injury Law handles personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. We understand the financial, physical, and emotional burdens placed on accident victims. The last thing we want to do is to add to that burden. That’s why we won’t charge you a penny in legal fees upfront. In fact, we don’t receive any money from you whatsoever unless we win your case and you receive a payout. We receive our legal fees out of the settlement check based on a set percentage that you and us agree on when you hire us.
