Being involved in a car crash is never a pleasant event, yet car accidents happen all the time due to various reasons. It is estimated that drivers are usually involved in at least four accidents throughout an average driving lifetime. A lot of these accidents are caused by drunk drivers. Statistics reveal that 29 people die every day in motor vehicle crashes involving drunk drivers in the United States. This data shows us how important it is to practice caution while on the road, but it also makes us think of the steps one should follow in the aftermath of such an event. Here is what you should do after being involved in a drunk driving accident:
Stay at the scene
After the car crash, the first thing you should do is to maintain your calm and analyze the situation. If there is no immediate risk to your safety, you should remain at the scene. Once you have made sure you and any passengers involved are safe; you should contact the police and the emergency medical services. If you can safely assist other people involved in the crash, do so while you're waiting for the first responders to arrive.
Gather evidence
If you are able, gather as much evidence as possible about the accident. Take photos and videos of all the damaged cars, the crash scene, and the injuries suffered by any passengers. When you are involved in a car accident with a drunk driver, this evidence will help determine the accident's conditions and prove very valuable in the accident reconstruction. This will make it much easier to establish blame and file compensation claims against the guilty party. If you can get a video of the drunk driver slurring words, it can help prove drunkenness.
Search for witnesses
The police might not be able to identify all the witnesses at the accident scene. Sometimes witnesses leave the accident's location, so there's no one to provide accurate details about how the car crash happened. You should track down the witnesses and talk to them yourself. Get names and phone numbers so you can gather as much information as possible about the event.
Document the costs of all the damages
Documenting what happens in the weeks and months following the accident is just as crucial as collecting evidence. You should prepare a file with all bills and documents related to the accident and keep it safe. You will need these papers and information if you will be filing a claim, and it is much easier to collect them as they come than to search for them later.
Attend legal proceedings
The drunk driver will probably face charges and will have to go through several hearings and a trial. You may be subpoenaed to be present at the legal proceeding to provide factual testimony. Even though attending court won't be a pleasant experience, it is necessary to be there when subpoenaed for the criminal legal process's smooth running.