The Right Support System Makes All the Difference
Drunk driving accidents in Federal Way can cause some of the most serious accidents and injuries due to negligence. While taking action right away is important, so is surrounding yourself with support during this difficult time. There are several organizations that offer support, including Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).
However, there is no substitute for having an experienced attorney in your corner. At Ranz Injury Law, we are here to support you during your time of injury or loss. Contact us today at (206) 429-5227 for a free consultation, or find more information on what to do after being hit by a drunk driver below.
Steps to Take at the Time of the Accident
The following steps should be taken at the time of the accident. If your injuries are severe or your loved one lost their life in the accident, some of these steps may not be possible. Just handle as many of them as you can.
The steps to take after a drunk driving accident are:
- Report to the police as soon as possible.
- Seek medical attention.
- Take pictures of the accident scene.
- Get names, addresses, and phone numbers of all witnesses and parties to the accident.
- Get the name, address, and phone number of the other drivers.
- Take pictures of the ID, insurance card, and license plate of other drivers, or write down this information.
- Take note of signs of intoxication in the other driver such as bloodshot eyes, an odor of alcohol coming from them or their vehicle, or slurred speech.
Finally, hire an attorney as soon as possible after your accident. An attorney will be able to assist you with the rest of the steps you should take after a drunk driving accident.
Get a Copy of the Police Report
You should get a copy of the police report in any case, but this is especially important if you were too injured to gather information and evidence at the time of the accident.
The police report will give you several important pieces of information, including:
- The name and contact information of other drivers and witnesses.
- The insurance information for other drivers.
- Any tickets that were issued to the other drivers.
- The BAC (blood alcohol content) results of a breathalyzer test.
- Any other parties or conditions that may have contributed to the accident.
You may have gathered some of this information at the scene of the drunk driving accident, but there is also information on the police report that you have no way of knowing without it. If you have hired us as your attorneys, we can help you get a copy of your police report.
Determine Liability in Your Drunk Driving Accident
You might think that determining liability in your drunk driving accident is going to be cut and dry, but there are a lot of factors involved. For a successful personal injury case, you must be able to prove negligence. This means that you must be able to prove that the other driver was intoxicated and caused the accident.
In addition, the Washington Dram Shop Law makes bartenders and establishments liable for serving alcohol to individuals who are clearly intoxicated. Serving alcohol to minors or intoxicated individuals is prohibited in Washington. It is possible that a lawsuit could be filed against the establishment that served the drunk driver.
Determine Appropriate Compensation
There are a lot of factors in determining compensation in a drunk driving case. Of course, you should be compensated for your medical bills and property damage. However, compensation can go far beyond this. You may also be compensated for your lost wages, future lost income, and other financial hits.
You may also be compensated for things such as pain and suffering. If you lost a loved one to a drunk driver, a wrongful death claim can also include compensation for the loss of a caretaker, loss of household income, and loss of inheritance. It takes an experienced attorney to accurately calculate the compensation you should receive.
File a Personal Injury Claim
You should never leave it to insurance companies to do the right thing. You need to file a personal injury claim against the liable parties to ensure you receive fair compensation. Most personal injury claims are settled out of court, but that doesn’t mean you should handle this step on your own.
As an experienced personal injury attorney in Federal Way, we handle all of the steps of filing your personal injury case. We will handle negotiations and settlements, and help you get the settlement offer you deserve. If necessary, we are not afraid to go to trial to get fair compensation for your losses.
Let Ranz Injury Law Be Part of Your Case
A drunk driving accident can be devastating, and you need the right support system and the right attorney. Let the experienced attorneys and staff at Ranz Injury Law be part of your support system during this difficult time.
We will be able to help you with all of the steps that are required after being hit by a drunk driver in Washington. For more information, or to schedule a free consultation, contact us today.
