Steps Injured Victims Should Take After a New Jersey DUI Accident
Dealing with the aftermath of any car accident can be overwhelming and confusing. It can be even more frustrating when you find out that the accident was caused by a drunk driver. If you were injured in a car accident by a drunk driver in New Jersey, it’s important that you take certain steps to protect your rights.
Step 1: Report the Accident
There are many reasons to immediately report a car accident. For one, it creates a police report, which may be important in collecting the compensation you need to deal with the accident costs later. In many cases, when you report an accident to the police, they’ll also dispatch an EMS, which can help you receive any medical care you may need.
Finally, if you believe that the other driver may be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, reporting the accident can ensure the safety of other drivers by getting them off the road.
Step 2: Collect Evidence
If possible, it’s never too early to begin collecting evidence from the accident. This includes photographs or videos from the accident scene. It also includes the contact information of any witnesses who may have been there are the time of the accident. You never know who the other driver or your insurance company may try to blame.
Step 3: Notify Your Insurance Company
Many insurance companies require that policyholders notify them of an accident within a short period of time. Failing to do so can void your policy and they may deny coverage.
Step 4: Contact an Accident Lawyer
Navigating a car accident case on its own can be difficult. When a drunk driver is present, it can be even trickier. Contact an experienced personal injury lawyer to discuss your case as soon as possible.
Available Compensation Following a DUI Accident
If you were injured in an accident due to a drunk driver, you may be able to collect compensation for:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Temporary transportation costs
- Property damages
Being in a car accident can be expensive. By working with a personal injury lawyer, you can explore your options and fight for the money you need to recover.
Determining Responsibility Following a DUI Accident
If a driver was drunk, and this led to you being injured, it may be considered negligence. A personal injury case is based on the following elements:
- Legal duty of care: Drivers owe all other drivers on the road a legal duty of care, which means avoiding behaviors that are negligent.
- Breach of duty of care: If a driver is under the influence, they may be responsible for breaching that duty of care through negligence.
- Causation: To be eligible for a personal injury case, the person’s negligence must have been the cause of the accident.
- Actual damages: There also much be actual damages present. This includes costs related to medical bills or property damages.
Work with a personal injury lawyer to determine each of these four important elements. With evidence that supports each of these points, we’ll fight to collect the compensation you need to deal with your injuries.
Contact a Cherry Hill Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Car Accident Case in New Jersey
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a car accident in New Jersey? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. Gelman Law, LLC represents clients injured because of a car accident in Cherry Hill, Camden County, Burlington County, Gloucester County, and throughout New Jersey. Call 856-861-4236 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 850 Rt 70 West
Cherry Hill, NJ 08002.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
