New Year’s Eve is a time when celebrations and renewed energy find their ways into the world. Unfortunately, it’s also a day when many people carelessly over imbibe and get behind the wheel, causing many accidents, injuries, and deaths each year.
If you’ve been hit by a drunk driver, it’s important to heed these steps:
1. Hire an attorney
You don’t want to battle a drunk driver on your own. The legal process can be incredibly complicated (and time-consuming). If you don’t have the experience of a skilled attorney representing your interests, you could find yourself on the losing end of an already bad situation.
Your Albuquerque drunk driving accident attorney may be able to help you recover:
- Lost wages if you’re unable to work
- Medical costs if you were hospitalized or need to seek help from medical professionals such as chiropractors and physical therapists
- Pain and suffering and/or emotional distress
- Compensation for damages to your vehicle or personal property
The sooner you have the Dinelli Law Firm on your case, the sooner we’ll be able to help you navigate the necessary steps you need to take to get the justice you deserve.
2. Seek medical attention
Some injuries are obvious; if you broke a bone or saw blood, you know you received an injury. However, not all injuries are readily apparent. For example, whiplash often shows up some time after accidents occur, and something as seemingly minor as a bruise could ultimately turn into a painful situation that prevents you from working down the road.
It’s important to seek medical attention right away, even if you don’t think you got hurt. Having records that you sought treatment in the very beginning can help your attorneys fight for your rights if something does go awry later. The longer you wait, the more difficult it can be to prove any subsequent injuries were related to the crash.
3. Don’t accept anything from insurance companies
Insurance companies will often offer some form of compensation early in the process. The amount is typically far below what victims are actually owed, and if you accept this amount, you likely won’t be able to pursue more funds later on. Don’t accept anything from an insurance company until you’ve consulted with an experienced car accident lawyer who can help you fight for what you’re owed.
The Dinelli Law Firm is based in New Mexico, and we’re dedicated to helping our clients achieve the best possible results when it comes to their cases. Reach out to us for a free consultation and learn how our Albuquerque DUI attorneys can help you!