Getting hit by a drunk driver can be a chaotic, traumatizing experience for New Jersey victims. Should such a thing happen to you, it’s important that you know what to do immediately afterward.
Immediately after being hit by a drunk driver in New Jersey, call the police. Officers will create a crash report documenting a negligent driver’s intoxication while you get the medical attention you require for your injuries. Then, in the coming days, hire an attorney. Your lawyer can investigate your accident and compile evidence that proves a negligent driver’s fault. Your lawyer can also help you prevent New Jersey’s comparative fault laws from impacting your case. An experienced attorney can then help you navigate a New Jersey lawsuit, at the end of which you can recover substantial economic and non-economic damages against a drunk driver.
Our attorneys are dedicated to helping New Jersey victims hold drunk drivers accountable. For a free case evaluation with the New Jersey car accident lawyers at Legal Care, call today at (732) 838-9769.
What Should I Do Immediately After Being Hit by a Drunk Driver in New Jersey?
Getting hit by a drunk driver can be life-changing for New Jersey car accident victims. Injuries can require expensive medical treatment and compensation for lost wages. That’s why it’s important to take proper steps, like calling the police and seeking medical attention. Doing so can ultimately help you recover compensatory damages against a drunk driver in New Jersey.
Call the Police
The very first thing New Jersey car accident victims should do after being hit by a drunk driver is to call the police. Driving under the influence is illegal, and causing an accident while intoxicated can have serious consequences for a negligent driver. Understanding this, a drunk driver may attempt to flee the accident scene, leaving you unsure of their identity. Calling the police allows New Jersey car accident victims to focus on their injuries after a crash, not the driver responsible for them.
Once they arrive, New Jersey police officers will complete a crash report. In this document, law enforcement officials will include all important information regarding a crash, namely whether or not an at-fault driver was drunk at the time. Police reports can be crucial documents for Jersey City car accident lawyers to refer back to during the course of a lawsuit, so calling the police is vital after a crash caused by a drunk driver.
Visit the Hospital
After being hit by a drunk driver in New Jersey, car accident victims should seek medical attention right away. You should do this, even if you don’t feel badly injured after a crash. Some car accident injuries are not immediately apparent. The trauma of an accident can delay injuries from causing you pain or discomfort. So, even if you appear uninjured, visit the hospital after being hit by a drunk driver in New Jersey.
Seeking medical attention is important for two reasons. First, your health and wellness are of the utmost importance after an accident. Getting the necessary medical care is crucial, so your injuries don’t worsen. The second reason going to the hospital is important is to create documentation of your injuries. A medical professional can assess your injuries and their likely cause. Going to the hospital also demonstrates a drunk driving accident victim’s commitment to recovery, which can be important in a lawsuit for compensatory damages.
What Should I Do in the Days After Getting Hit by a Drunk Driver in New Jersey?
Once you’ve gotten the medical care you need immediately after a New Jersey car accident caused by a drunk driver, it’s time to consider compensation. So, in the days after an accident, hire an attorney.
Within a few days of being hit by a drunk driver in New Jersey, reach out to an experienced lawyer. Your attorney can then investigate the circumstances of your accident and uncover evidence pointing to a negligent driver’s fault.
While you may think a driver being drunk is enough evidence to prove their fault in a New Jersey car accident lawsuit, that’s not always the case. A drunk driver may contribute to an accident. It’s also possible for a driver’s blood alcohol content to have almost nothing to do with a collision’s cause. For example, suppose a drunk driver hit you after they swerved to avoid another driver negligent. Clearly, these cases can become complex quickly.
It’s also important to note that even if a driver was drunk at the time of your accident, that doesn’t necessarily protect you from New Jersey’s modified comparative fault laws. That means, if a defendant can prove you were partially at fault for a collision, you can see your damages reduced in proportion to your percentage of liability. When you hire an attorney, your lawyer can prevent that from happening.
Because many victims may believe drunk driving cases are cut and dry, they may not consider hiring an attorney after a crash. In reality, proving fault is still necessary after a New Jersey drunk driving accident. That is why hiring a Newark car accident lawyer quickly is important. The longer your attorney has to build a case against a negligent driver, the better.
How Can I Recover Compensation After Being Hit by a Drunk Driver in New Jersey?
Generally speaking, New Jersey car accident victims have two pathways to recovering compensatory damages: insurance claims and lawsuits. If your injuries warrant litigation, filing a lawsuit against a negligent drunk driver may be the best way for you to recover the compensatory damages you deserve.
Because of New Jersey’s no-fault insurance laws, victims generally have to file a claim with their own personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, even if a drunk driver caused their injuries. If a drunk driver has liability insurance, you may be able to file a claim with their carrier for compensation. That said, dealing with insurance companies can be difficult, especially if you require economic and non-economic damages. That is why our Paterson car accident lawyers generally advise victims to file a lawsuit against negligent drunk drivers.
In New Jersey, drunk driving accident victims generally have two years to sue after a crash. To recover the damages you deserve in a lawsuit, act quickly and hire a lawyer immediately. The more time your attorney has to build a strong case, the greater your chances of recovering sufficient damages against a drunk driver.
Call Our Lawyers After Getting Hit by a Drunk Driver in New Jersey
If you’ve recently been hit by a drunk driver in New Jersey, our attorneys can help. For a free case evaluation with the Elizabeth car accident lawyers at Legal Care, call today at (732) 838-9769.
