4 Things To Do When You Are Hit By a Drunk Driver

Drivers in South Carolina do not always plan for getting into car accidents. It is rare to have a drunk driver crash into your car, possibly causing serious and debilitating injuries. Getting into any type of collision can be jarring and disorientating. But, victims of drunk driving accidents should take the following steps if they are involved in a DUI accident:

1. Just like any car accident, the first thing to do is to assess the situation and try to get out of harm’s way, if necessary. If you are injured then try to help yourself such as stopping a bleeding wound. If you are able to move and get out of your car, then try to help other injured people get out of their vehicles.

2. The next thing to do as quickly as possible is to call 911 and report the crash. Do this as fast as possible once everyone is safe from harm so that first responders can arrive at the accident scene as quickly as possible. Also, you want the police to get there to investigate the collision, interview witnesses and direct traffic to prevent any subsequent collisions. Another thing the police can do is determine if the at-fault driver was intoxicated when the crash occurred. Police are trained experts at determining sobriety and administering field sobriety tests. The police can also secure any physical evidence of intoxication such as open or empty alcohol containers in the vehicle, breathalyzer results or urine/blood samples.

3. After calling 911 and while you are waiting for their arrival, you should attempt to notice things about the at-fault driver to spot any signs of intoxication. Is the other driver stumbling or falling over? Do you smell alcohol on the other driver? Is the other driver slurring their words or talking incoherently? Is the other driver attempting to hide evidence of drinking such as throwing away beer cans? Did you witness the other driver switch seats with a passenger in order to claim that he was not driving at the time of the crash. You can also use your smartphone to take videos and pictures to show the police evidence of intoxication.

4. The final thing you should do if you believe you were injured in a car crash that was caused by a drunk driver is to contact an experienced DUI crash lawyer. An attorney who has handled hundreds of these types of personal injury claims will be able to protect your rights and win compensation for your injuries and losses.

If you have been injured by a drunk driver, please do not hesitate to contact the lawyers at Steinberg Law firm at (843) 720-2800. We can answer your questions and help you recover the damages to compensate you for your injuries. The initial consultation is free.