The erratic movements and high speeds typical among drunk drivers increase roadway risks for everyone. Lawful drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians cannot always avoid collisions with intoxicated drivers. Any evidence you captured at the accident scene could help a car accident lawyer Las Vegas hold the negligent drunk driver accountable for your damages. 

In the first moments after a crash, you could be in pain or at least mentally rattled. You might not be thinking about whether the other driver has been drinking. However, driver intoxication is a distinct possibility. According to the Nevada Department of Public Safety, drivers impaired by drugs and alcohol were involved in 334 deadly crashes in Clark County from 2016 to 2018. 

Unless you are the victim of a hit and run, you might get a chance to evaluate the other driver’s condition. Common signs of intoxication are:

• Staggering
• Swaying
• Slurred speech
• Bloodshot eyes
• Dilated pupils
• Dazed mental state

Although injuries could account for these symptoms, you should bring any of these warning signs to the police’s attention. If traumatic injuries do not hinder you, you should follow these essential steps after getting hit by a drunk driver. 

1. Call the Police

Call 911 and state that you need assistance at your accident scene. The report written by the responding police officer will likely contain important information relevant to your upcoming insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit.

Law enforcement wants to arrest and prosecute individuals who drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Officers are well trained in how to identify intoxication. Should they arrest the driver, the resulting criminal case could enable a car accident attorney Las Vegas to prove that the person’s negligent and illegal actions injured you.

Suppose, for some reason, police do not come to your accident scene. In that case, you can still make an official Incident Crime Report to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department or other local authorities. A car accident lawyer Las Vegas can prepare your report and highlight your suspicions about a drunk driver. 

2. Move to a Safe Area

If your vehicle is still operational, you should move it off the road unless your injuries prevent you from doing so. This action helps to reduce the risk of obstructing traffic and causing additional collisions. 

3. Try to Keep Driver at the Scene

Everyone involved in a motor vehicle accident has the responsibility to stay at the scene and exchange contact and insurance information. A drunk person, however, may want to leave right away. Remind the person of the legal duty to stay. Leaving an accident that caused injury may be prosecuted as a felony. If the driver insists on leaving, try to get a picture of the vehicle and its license plate. Give this information to the police when they arrive. 

4. Inform Police About Your Suspicions

A driver worried about being caught for drunk driving may try to control the conversation with the police. That person might even try to blame you for the crash. Car accident lawyers Las Vegas strongly advise people never to admit fault at an accident scene. Instead, you should clearly state your suspicions that the person is intoxicated. 

5. Collect Evidence

As with any accident, you need to obtain the name, contact information, driver’s license number, and vehicle insurance policy from the other driver. You must also give this information to the other party. You may also ask witnesses to provide statements and contact information. On top of gathering essential contact and insurance details, you can take pictures of:

• Accident location
• Your injuries
• Vehicle damage

6. Get Medical Care

Even if you think that you are unhurt, you should still allow paramedics to evaluate you. Afterward, you should visit a clinic or emergency room. Some car accident injuries, even serious ones, do not manifest for a few hours or days. Medical records associated with your accident are vital when a car accident lawyer Las Vegas wants to document your medical condition and health care expenses. 

7. Inform Your Insurer

Your insurer requires that you report all accidents related to your policy. If the drunk driver who hits you lacks insurance coverage, you may need to file a claim under your policy’s uninsured or under-insured coverage. 

8. Consult a Lawyer

Even if you are a victim injured by a drunk driver, insurance companies want to avoid paying large settlements. The insurer for the drunk driver may try to assign fault or a portion of fault to you. Your insurer may deny your claim for a variety of reasons. A car accident attorney Las Vegas can defend your interests and even advance your case to the courtroom if an insurer does not offer a reasonable settlement. 

The car accident lawyers Las Vegas at Moss Berg Injury Lawyers routinely collect settlements for victims whose lives have been turned upside down by negligence. As you heal from your injuries, we can take on the burdens of documenting your accident and negotiating or litigating your settlement. For a free consultation, contact our office today.