Every time someone gets behind the wheel after drinking, they put themselves and others at risk. They may speed or drive recklessly and cause accidents, and you may suffer serious injuries as a result.

If you were injured in a drunk driving accident, here are some steps you can take to protect your rights and obtain the financial compensation you deserve:

  • Call the police — You should always call the police after an accident, but it's particularly important if you suspect that alcohol was involved. The police will not only create an accident report, but they will also investigate whether the other driver is under the influence. This will give you valuable evidence to support your personal injury claim later on.
  • Gather evidence at the scene of the accident — If you're able to, take pictures of the damage to both vehicles as well as any visible injuries you or your passengers have sustained. It's also important to get contact information from any witnesses who saw what happened.
  • Seek medical attention — Getting medical attention should be your top priority after any car accident. In addition to making sure you get the treatment you need, seeing a medical professional will allow you to document your injuries, which will help support your personal injury claim should you file one.
  • Contact an experienced personal injury lawyer — Once you've gathered evidence at the scene of the accident and have taken care of your immediate medical needs, it's time to contact a personal injury lawyer who has experience handling cases involving drunk driving accidents and can help you navigate the legal process as well as get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

If the drunk driver is found to have one or more prior DUI convictions, this could make your case for damages even stronger. A history of past DUIs shows that the other driver’s actions are part of a pattern of behavior, not a one-time mistake. Furthermore, punitive damages may even be warranted. Punitive damages are intended to punish the driver and deter others from engaging in similar behavior, not to make the injured party whole. While no amount of money can undo the harm that has been caused in a drunk driving accident, compensation can help ease the financial burden and provide some measure of justice so that you can move forward with your life.

Jason & Bradley, LLC helps Atlanta clients with their personal injury claims. Contact us to set up a free consultation by calling 404-297-9933 or by filling out our online form.