Getting hit by a driver who has been drinking or using drugs is a terrifying experience that happens in a split second. The shock often turns into anger when you realize the person who hit you made a choice to get behind the wheel while unsafe. You might be dealing with injuries, a damaged car, and a lot of questions about what comes next.
You will usually hear terms like DUI, DWI, and DWAI when you look at police reports or listen to news about these crashes. These legal acronyms sound similar. However, they actually mean different things depending on which state laws apply to the specific incident. A lawyer explains the way these charges impact your ability to get paid for your injuries.
Ways a Lawyer Can Help You Build a Case
A legal professional does much more than just file paperwork for you after a wreck. They act as your investigator as well as an advocate to prove that the other driver’s bad choices directly caused your pain. Here is what you should be aware of.
Gathering Important Evidence
Proving fault sounds easy when the other driver was arrested, but civil cases need specific proof to win. Your attorney will pull the police report to see exactly what the responding officers saw and wrote down at the scene.
They work to get camera footage from nearby businesses to study the accident. Moreover, your lawyer collects witness statements quickly beforehand to ensure you get justice.
Handling the Legal System
Criminal courts punish the driver, but civil courts are where you fight for money to cover your medical bills. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that about 30% of all traffic crash fatalities in the United States involve drunk drivers.
A lawyer connects the results of the criminal case—like a conviction or guilty plea—to your civil claim to show negligence. They know how to use the driver’s arrest record to strengthen your position during settlement talks.
Dealing with Insurance Companies
Insurance adjusters often try to settle quickly for a low amount before you know the full cost of your recovery. The CDC notes that crash deaths involving alcohol-impaired drivers cost the United States about $123.3 billion each year in medical as well as other expenses.
Your attorney fights back against these low offers. Their objective is to make sure your future needs are covered. They handle communication to make sure you do not have to stress about saying the wrong thing. Here is what they manage for you.
- Calculating the total cost of your medical care
- Negotiating directly with the insurance adjuster on your behalf.
- Revising your insurance policy for motorist coverage.
- Shielding you from signing releases that limit your rights.
- Demanding compensation for lost wages if you are unable to work.
- Filing a lawsuit when the insurance company refuses to pay the amount you deserve.
Conclusion
Always remember that recovering from a crash is challenging without having to fight a legal battle. A skilled lawyer takes the weight off your shoulders by handling the complex details of your claim.
These lawyers use each piece of evidence to hold the impaired driver accountable. This support gives you the space to focus on healing while they work to get you the justice you deserve.
Summary Box
- Lawyers explain the way specific charges affect your compensation claim.
- Attorneys gather police reports as well as the witness statements.
- A lawyer uses the criminal conviction to prove negligence in your civil case.
- They handle negotiations to prevent you from accepting low settlement offers.
- Your attorney calculates future medical costs along with lost wages to ensure you are fully covered.