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Hit by a drunk driver? Know your full range of legal options.

On Behalf of | Jul 3, 2017 | Personal Injury |

Operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol is extremely dangerous, and drunk drivers threaten the safety of everyone nearby them.

If you were injured by a drunk driver in Louisiana, it is important to know your full range of legal options for holding that person accountable and receiving the maximum available compensation for your injuries.

You don’t have to go through this alone.

Even if it’s obvious that a drunk driver’s negligence or recklessness caused the accident, the drunk driver or the insurance company may try to deny responsibility or minimize the amount of compensation you receive. That is why it’s crucial to have experienced legal representation on your side.

A personal injury attorney can handle all aspects of your accident claim, as well as any civil court proceedings that may be necessary. Keep in mind that your accident claim is separate from any criminal charges against the drunk driver, although evidence in the criminal case can also be used to establish the drunk driver’s liability for your injuries.

Your attorney can gather all of the necessary evidence, as well as handle all communications with the insurance company while you focus on healing.

Proving the extent and cost of your injuries

While in one sense drunk driving accidents are pretty straightforward — the fault clearly lies with the drunk driver — these cases can also be extremely complicated. For example, it is important that your accident claim shows not only that the drunk driver was negligent or reckless; it is also important to show the full extent and cost of your injuries.

With that in mind, be sure to get the medical care you need. This is important for your health, and getting appropriate medical treatment also helps ensure that your injuries and their costs are well documented for the purposes of your accident claim.

Don’t take the insurance company’s initial offer.

Remember that you do not have to accept the insurance company’s initial settlement offer. In fact, insurance companies regularly make initial offers that come nowhere close to covering the full cost of the injuries. Instead of accepting the initial offer, talk to a personal injury attorney first.