The cheerful nature of the holidays can disappear after a serious car accident. In addition to ongoing injuries and a damaged vehicle, many people are unsure of where to turn for help or what legal options are available to them. If you were hit by a drunk driver over the holidays, then read ahead for the next five steps you need to take to protect your future.
- Get Help Now
Drivers have only a limited time to act after an accident has taken place, and failing to act could result in years of financial problems. No matter when the accident took place, it is important to remember that an attorney might still be able to help you receive the compensation that you deserve.
- Schedule a Full Medical Checkup
Many people tend to shy away from medical treatments after an accident because they don’t want to complicate the issue or they feel as if they were not severely injured. Not only will this mistake make the subsequent case more difficult for the victim, but it could also result in a lifetime of chronic medical problems.
- Contact an Attorney
After receiving medical attention and reporting the accident to your insurance provider, the next step is to contact an attorney. Personal injury attorneys help their clients through the complicated process of creating an airtight case after an accident. Legal representation is especially important during cases that involve intoxicated drivers.
- Write Down Everything That You Remember
These situations are already quite hectic, and many victims will begin to forget smaller details within hours. Most specialists suggest that victims begin writing down everything that they remember immediately after the accident so that their memory is not called into question.
- Avoid Speaking to Others About the Accident
If the accident does escalate into a case, then the other driver’s attorney will dig through your records for information. This is why it is so important to avoid speaking with any family or friends about what has taken place. Anything that you say to them or post on social media could be used against you.
Victims should never have to worry about where they will get money for medical bills, lost wages, and vehicle repairs. Anyone who has recently experienced an accident with a drunk driver must act immediately in order to receive the compensation that they deserve.
Informational Credit:
The information for this article is credited to Portland personal injury lawyers at The Johnston Law Firm.
This article is from Lizzie Weakley, a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. She went to college at The Ohio State University where she studied communications. She enjoys the outdoors and long walks in the park with her four-year-old husky Snowball.
