In the United States, drunk driving is unfortunately very common. It’s the cause of thousands of deaths and injuries each year. Over thirty people a day are killed in drunk driving accidents here. If you have been the unlucky victim of one, then now’s the time to act. The sooner you take legal action against the person responsible for hurting you, the better. This post will explore this topic in more detail, telling you how you can get the justice you deserve, as well as explain what the physical and emotional toll of being the victim of drunk driving is.
Find Legal Representation
If you have been the victim of a car accident, you need legal representation. A lawyer’s help is essential as without it, you are not going to get the maximum amount of compensation. They will be able to tell you what the average settlement for a drunk driving accident is in your state, as well as offer insight into the claim process, helping you to get a better understanding of what to expect. When finding an attorney, you need to conduct extensive online research and find one with good reviews and a solid reputation. A lawyer’s reviews will help you to get an idea of what the quality of their service is like. Think about payment, too. Try to find an attorney whose services are offered on a contingency basis. A contingency basis is when you pay for a lawyer’s support after they have won you your compensation, which is ideal for ordinary people who don’t have tens of thousands of dollars to commit to a legal fund.
Obtain Some Evidence
In order to make a claim for compensation, you are going to need some evidence that supports your claim. Ideally, you need photo and video evidence. Photo and video evidence makes it very difficult for somebody to deny responsibility in an accident. Most people accept when they are at fault, though. Be sure to collect the guilty driver’s contact and insurance information. If the police have arrested them for drunk driving, you can get their information from the police. You need to make sure that in addition to getting their information, you get a medical letter that explains your injuries. A medical letter can make your lawyer’s life a lot easier and will make it very difficult for insurance adjusters to argue compensation down.
Physical Injuries
The physical toll of drunk driving accidents depends on the severity of a person’s injuries. The more serious they are, the longer it takes them to recover, and the less likely they are going to be to return to work. Not being able to go to work because of physical injuries can cause a person’s life to deteriorate massively. If they cannot work, they cannot pay their bills, and may even lose their home. Fortunately, it is usually possible to apply for disability benefits. Disability benefits are paid to the victims of accidents, so they can live ordinary lives. In addition to stopping people from working, drunk driving accidents can also prevent them from being able to exercise. An inability to exercise can cause health problems. Being bed bound can also stop a person from socializing with their friends, which can be very upsetting.
Mental Damage
The mental impact of drunk driving accidents can be severe. People who’re unable to live normal lives typically drift into anxiety and depression. Both of these conditions can negatively impact the quality of a person’s life. Fortunately, treating these conditions can be an easy thing to do with the right therapist’s support. Also worth noting is that many people who are involved in car accidents go on to end up developing PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). PTSD can be a little more difficult to treat and is characterized by bouts of intense anxiety, fear, and sleeplessness. The mental damage caused by drunk driving accidents needs to be treated quickly and effectively. If you do not work on your mental health problems, they could get worse. Allowing your mental health issues to worsen is a very bad idea, because then they become harder to treat.
Professional Support
If you have been injured by a drunk driver, the best thing you can do is reach out to either a mental or physical health professional. You could even reach out to both. You will be pleased to know that you will not have to pay your recovery fees yourself. Any medical expenses incurred as a result of your injury will be compensated for by your compensation payment. Make sure that you keep records of any medical bills so that you can claim the money back for them. When looking for a therapist or doctor to help you move on with your life, you need to take care. Make sure you find the most qualified and experienced healthcare professionals you can. Do not waste your time hiring somebody who’s inexperienced or underqualified. A good way to determine a healthcare provider’s suitability is to take a look at their online reviews. Their reviews will give you insight into what the quality of their service is like.
Focus On Recovery
After drunk driving accident, you need to focus on your recovery. One of the ways of focusing on your recovery is to make sure that you still do the things that you like. Do not let your injuries hold you back. If you allow them to keep you down, you won’t ever get better. If you are seriously injured, you will probably need the support of loved ones so that you can recover. If you do not have a strong support network, there are online and community groups geared towards helping people recover from drunk driving accidents, so consider signing up for one. Participating in one of these groups will make it much easier for you to recover and move forwards with your life.
Drunk driving accidents can happen anytime, anywhere. If you have been involved in one, you need to consider the points made here. This post’s guidance will help you to move on with your life and recover from your injuries.