Being involved in a serious car accident can significantly alter your life, particularly one caused by a drunk driver. In fact, according to the CDC, in 2016 alone, more than 1 million drivers were arrested for driving under the influence. With the right help from an experienced car accident lawyer, you can get through it and get your life – and yourself – back on the road.

What to Do
First things first, if you’ve been in an accident and you believe the other driver is under the influence of alcohol, contact the police immediately. You’ll want to make sure law enforcement is involved from the beginning to help ensure that everything is recorded correctly. If possible, take pictures of the accident scene, and contact your insurance company to start the claim process.

The Next Steps
Also of utmost importance: make sure to seek medical treatment as soon as possible, even if you think you haven’t been injured. What may seem like a minor muscle ache now may turn into a larger and more painful issues down the line. If you have been injured, seek out an attorney as soon as possible. Ask for recommendations and do your research to make sure your attorney will have your best interests in mind. Particularly with a drunk driving accident, you want someone who has handled this type of case before. A drunk driving accident attorney will have the experience needed to make sure YOUR rights are protected and get you the compensation and care you deserve.
 
The Legal Side
Now for the legal side of things. Drunk driving is a criminal offense, and your attorney should fight for the maximum penalty for the person who caused your accident and injuries due to their intoxication. But a criminal conviction will only put the driver behind bars, and/or enforce a fine and possible loss of their license; you will need your attorney to initiate a civil case for your medical costs, anything your insurance did not cover on your car, and time lost from work.

If you are seriously injured, an Albuquerque drunk driving accident attorney such as Mark Dinelli of the Dinelli Law Firm can be the difference between a settlement that only covers your medical needs, and one that will keep your quality of life needs met. You only have one life. If something happens to cause you injury and distress, put yourself in the best hands possible and let your attorney get your life back on track!