A drunk driving injury may be minor, such as a sprain or laceration on the forehead. However, a drunk driving injury could also be traumatic and result in life-threatening conditions.
Drunk drivers cause horrific accidents in Maryland and Washington DC. The victims of those accidents can sustain numerous injuries. In some cases, a drunk driving injury can result in permanent disabilities for the victim. Who pays for the victim’s damages in a drunk driving case?
Types of Injuries Caused by Drunk Driving Accidents
A drunk driving injury may be minor, such as a sprain or laceration on the forehead. However, a drunk driving injury could also be traumatic and result in life-threatening conditions.
Examples of injuries caused by DUI accidents include:
- Lacerations and bruising
- Sprains and strains
- Soft tissue injuries or nerve damage
- Traumatic brain injuries and fractured skulls
- Broken bones and fractures
- Neck and shoulder injuries
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Internal bleeding and damage to organs
- Amputations and loss of limbs
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Severe burns
If you are injured in a DUI accident, always seek immediate medical attention for your injuries. Even if you believe you might not be seriously injured, do not state that at the accident scene. It is best to see a doctor quickly and only to discuss your injuries with your physician and your Washington DC DUI accident attorney.
Who Pays My Bills for a DUI Accident Case?
Until your personal injury case settles, you are responsible for paying your bills. Your expenses related to the accident can be included as damages in the personal injury settlement. However, you do not receive any money until the case settles.
Do not rush into a settlement just to receive some money for your claim. Settling a DUI accident case too early could result in losing money. The settlement agreement you sign for the insurance company releases all claims and parties from future liability for your claim. In other words, you cannot try to get any more money for your claim even if you need additional medical care or cannot return to work.
Instead of settling your claim for less than you deserve, talk to a DUI accident attorney in Washington, DC. Make sure that you receive all the money you are entitled to receive instead of rushing to settle your case.
Your attorney files a claim with the insurance company for the drunk driver after your complete medical treatment. If the drunk driver caused the crash, his insurance provider should pay your claim.
However, the insurance company may fight the claim. In that case, your lawyer must provide evidence proving that the drunk driver caused the crash. Being drunk may not be sufficient to prove that the driver caused the accident. Your attorney needs to provide evidence that the driver’s action was the direct cause of the crash, such as driving the wrong way or failing to yield the right of way.
If the insurance company continues to accept liability, your lawyer can proceed with a personal injury lawsuit to hold the driver liable for your damages.
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