Las Vegas is the top city for DUI arrests, with an average of 4,311 arrests per year. They are not caught until an accident occurs. Drunk drivers are responsible for a third of all fatal car accidents in the United States, and approximately 10,000 people die each year.
If you are caught driving drunk, you could face serious criminal charges. You can be sentenced to up to a decade in prison or thousands of dollars fines.
Drunk driving accidents can be avoided because there are so many options for transportation if you have too much alcohol (such as cabs or designated drivers or calling friends or family members). Everyone who gets behind the wheel while under the influence of drugs, alcohol or medication knows that it’s illegal. They are therefore responsible for any injuries and deaths that they cause.
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Claim for Compensation
You should be aware of your rights if you or someone you love is ever injured in an accident that was caused by a drunken driver. Victims can sue the responsible party for:
Medical Bills
If the negligent driver is not covered by your medical insurance, you’ll need to sue or file a claim to recover the costs. If the injury is long-term or permanent, you may have to pay for future bills.
Medical payments include copays, medication, therapeutic equipment and physical therapy. They can also cover chiropractic care, mental health care for Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome or psychiatric treatment.
Lost Wages
You may have spent time at the hospital, with doctors, in court and other activities, consuming your sick pay, your vacation time and your hourly wage, if you or a loved one were injured. These costs are deductible in your lawsuit because they were directly related to the accident.
Loss of Ability to Work
A judge or jury can award you your lost wages if you are unable to return to work, or perform the work for which you were trained. The guilty party must pay what you would’ve earned to support your family before retiring.
Pain and Suffering
Losses may be less tangible, but still life-altering for a victim of a car accident that was avoidable. Judges and juries will consider ongoing physical pain, emotional distress and depression, as well as loss of sleep and loss of sleep. They may also take into account the severity of the injury and the expected duration.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are awarded as a way to punish the drunk driver, but also to warn others not to drive while intoxicated.
An Accident Attorney Near Me
You can find a lawyer in your area by searching for “auto accident injury lawyer Las Vegas”. Searching for “auto injury lawyer Las Vegas” will bring up local lawyers. You can also click HERE to get a free consultation.
A Nevada vehicle code attorney will guide you through the entire process. You may not have thought about filing a lawsuit while dealing with the immediate aftermath. The sooner you contact a personal injury lawyer, the quicker they can help you recover the money you deserve to assist with your physical and financial recovery.
What information do I need to collect at the scene?
- The number of the license plate. This is the most important thing you can get! This number can help police track down the driver even if the accident was a hit and run.
- Driver information including name, date-of-birth, and driver’s license number.
- The insurance card contains information about car insurance. The card will not show policy limits but it can show that the policy is active and give you the number to call in order to make a claim. The card should show the policy (which identifies the driver) as well as the vehicle identification number. This card can be photographed using your smartphone.
- Take pictures of both cars from multiple angles, the accident scene (from different angles), any relevant features such as traffic lights or signs and of any injuries.
- You can also get the contact details of witnesses to obtain their testimonies later.
- Written record of all that happened. You can save important details by writing down details as soon as you remember them (or recording everything you can recall).
Final Thoughts
All communication with your attorney should be done through him or her. Do not sign anything, make recorded statements or accept a settlement before consulting your lawyer. The insurance company is looking to turn your words against your. Let your lawyer protect your rights, while you focus on recovering from the effects caused by the drunk driving accident.
The article What every Nevadan should know about drunk driving crashes first appeared on Las Vegas personal injury attorneys.