Drunk driving crashes are different from other types of crashes. Following these steps will help protect your case and your future.
Call 911
One of the first things you should do after a crash is to call the police. If you suspect that the other driver was driving while intoxicated, request that the responding officer performs a breathalyzer test. In Texas, a person is considered an impaired driver when their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) reaches 0.08%. It’s important to get this information on the spot and include it in the police report, as it can be difficult to prove later that alcohol was a factor in the crash.
If a medical emergency team arrives at the scene of the crash, allow them to treat you, even if you do not think you have serious injuries.
Take Photos of the Drunk Driving Accident
If it’s safe to do so, take photos to document as much as you can about the car crash. Any evidence from the scene is better than none, so photos taken using your cell phone camera will work just fine.
Include photos of the specific damage to your motor vehicle, the other car’s license plate, and a photo of the entire scene, and anything else that feels important.
Take Notes
You may be surprised at how quickly memories become hazy—even memories of traumatic events like car crashes! Write down all you can remember about the accident: where you were, what happened, and any damage or injuries that happened because of the crash. Be sure to take note of the at-fault driver’s insurance information. This will be essential to filing a claim against the other driver’s insurance.
Additionally, if there are any witnesses to the crash, ask for their account of the crash and write it down. It’s also wise to write down their contact information. This could be very important in the future to validate your account of the accident, especially when filing a claim.
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