The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that there are 135,300 crashes in Florida every year involving alcohol, which unfortunately amounts to 49,100 injuries and 1,191 fatalities. In Tampa, it’s estimated that DUI-related accidents account for 13% of all collisions, which is an unfortunate figure for the Sunshine State. If you’ve been hit by a drunk driver in Tampa, Florida, follow the steps outlined below.
Get to a Safe Place
If you’re able to get out of your car safely, then do so and find a space to wait that’s away from the road. Once you’re there, get in contact with the police and take a moment to internally process any injuries you may have.
Wait for the Police
At first glance, your collision may just feel like any other, which is why the police will need to conduct a thorough investigation for evidence of drunk driving. Luckily, they have experts that can analyze the scene for markings and commonalities with other DUI accidents.
When they arrive, you must tell them as much as you can about the incident because their investigation will act as evidence when you’re claiming compensation. Once the police say it’s okay to leave, make sure you have the incident number, which you’ll need when dealing with insurance companies and communicating with our Tampa car accident lawyers.
Have a Medical Assessment
Regardless of how you feel at the scene, it’s important to have a thorough medical assessment as soon as possible. This is an essential step because you will need evidence that you were checked out if you want to file a successful compensation claim, so make sure you collect relevant documentation and records.
Contact a Monge & Associates Accident Attorney
You will likely be going through a lot of emotions following the accident, but you must act fast and get in touch with your attorney. We have over 30 offices spread across 18 states, including Tampa, Florida; Phoenix, Arizona; Cincinnati, Ohio; and Nashville, Tennessee.
Following your free consultation and agreement of services, we’ll conduct a thorough investigation to find out what happened and determine which party was at fault. As well as this, we’ll liaise with insurance companies and other entities to make sure they’re spoken to with proper legal candor.
Claim Compensation for Damages
Once we’ve finished our investigation, we’ll put together a reasonable and attainable figure to cover all damages, and we won’t stop fighting for you until we have an agreeable rate of compensation. The types of damages we factor into your drunk driving compensation claim include:
- Medical treatment
- Physical damage
- Loss of earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Additional financial strains
- Punitive damages
In most drunk driver compensation claims, a settlement is reached before going to court. However, you may need to attend court to give evidence in the police’s legal case against the perpetrator. No matter what happens, we’re here to help you every step of the way.
If you or a loved one has been injured in any type of accident, call now for a free consultation on 800-421-0174.