Learn what to do if injured in a drunk driving accident in Everett. If you are injured in a drunk driving accident in Everett, put your safety first by getting medical care, and then report the incident to the police. The police will file a report and gather evidence to prove your case. Document the accident safely and, when possible, take photos of the damage you have before going to the local emergency room for support.
From there, you may have the ability to file a claim against the drunk driver’s liability insurance, file a claim against their assets, or seek compensation from your uninsured or underinsured policy. Speak with an Everett drunk driving accident lawyer about your case.
Get Immediate Medical Care by Calling 911
If you are able to do so, call 911 and tell the dispatcher what occurred in the Everett drunk driving accident. They will provide you with instructions on how to address your immediate needs and what to do until the police arrive to help you. Put your safety and well-being first in all situations. Take the following steps if you can safely do so:
- Make sure the other driver is okay and render help if you can do so. Do not engage if it is unsafe to do so.
- Get the name and contact information of the driver who struck you. Take a photo of their driver’s license and insurance card for your records.
- Take photos of the damage to your car, their car, and any other debris. If you see any evidence of alcohol or drugs and you can safely take a photo of it, do so.
- Tell the police what you saw and what you experienced. Always be factual about what you share and avoid making any statements that could put your case at risk.
- Get to the hospital right away. Do not put off getting medical care even if you feel okay. It is not uncommon for serious injuries to be hard to spot initially.
After going to the hospital, make sure you follow up with medical care providers and specialists. Follow the doctor’s orders. Document all your injuries, missed time at work, and any out-of-pocket expenses you have from the moment of the accident onward.
Now Is the Time to Turn to an Attorney
At this point, you can also set up a free consultation with a car accident lawyer in Everett to help you with the rest of the process. Your attorney will begin to work on your case, including contacting insurance companies and gathering critical evidence as soon as it becomes available.
You do not pay for an attorney upfront, and their legal services and support can be critical in these moments.
For a free legal consultation, call (425) 835-2614
Document Your Injuries and Losses to File a Claim
Work with your drunk driving accident lawyer in Everett to document all of the losses you have. This will take time but should include all the financial implications you face, as well as the physical and emotional suffering. Your attorney will investigate the case to gather data to prove losses. Some of the most common to track and claim include:
- Medical costs associated with the accident
- Lost wages from time missed at work
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma and mental anguish
- Damage to your vehicle and other property
- Loss of consortium
Your attorney will gather evidence to validate each one of these losses and then file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company to recover damages. Your Everett personal injury lawyer will negotiate aggressively on your behalf to get them to settle for all of the losses you have.
Seek Additional Sources for Damages
If the at-fault driver’s liability insurance is not enough to cover your losses, your attorney may recommend taking additional steps to seek compensation. The specifics of how to seek additional compensation depend on your unique situation. Some examples they may recommend include:
- Seek a lawsuit against the party’s assets: This may mean filing a lawsuit to force the liquidation of their assets to pay what they owe. If the drunk driver has assets, this is one route to recover damages beyond what the insurance company pays.
- Seek action against a third party responsible: Under Washington’s dram shop laws (RCW 66.44.200), victims can seek action against a vendor that overserved alcohol to the driver, knowing they were intoxicated, just before the accident. Your lawyer will prove that the bar, restaurant, or other location knew or should have known they were creating the risk.
- File a claim against your uninsured or underinsured policy: This policy is one you purchase yourself to cover your losses when the at-fault party is unable to do so. If you have this coverage, it may pick up where the at-fault driver’s insurance left off.
Your drunk driving accident lawyer in Everett will work closely with you to uncover all possible routes for recovering damages. This means gathering additional evidence and understanding all angles if injured in a drunk driving accident in Everett.
Go to Trial When Necessary
Keep in mind that the criminal aspect of this type of case is not specifically related to the outcome of your civil claim. Most often, the insurance company will settle out of court with you, meaning you do not have to go to trial.
However, if a settlement cannot be reached or you must seek compensation against the driver’s assets, your attorney will represent you throughout a trial. Pursuing aggressive action like this can prove critical in building a strong case and claim for you.
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Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Drunk Driving Accident Attorney in Everett
You did not cause these injuries to yourself, and you do not deserve to suffer for another person’s negligence. Our legal team at Murphy Trial Law becomes your advocate following an Everett drunk driving accident.
Request a free consultation with us now to review your case and claim. Our drunk driving accident lawyer in Everett is the resource you need to get fair treatment for the losses you suffered.
Call or text (425) 835-2614 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form