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While there are strict laws in place to discourage anyone from getting behind the wheel while intoxicated, many drivers still take this risk. It’s estimated that drunk drivers are responsible for 30% of traffic-related deaths, and this number appears to be on the rise. 

If you were hurt by a drunk driver, you might not be sure about what to do next. In this article, we explore a few steps you should always take after a wreck:

Seek Medical Treatment 

If you didn’t require urgent care, you might not think it’s necessary to visit a doctor. However, even if you feel fine, it’s important to schedule an appointment as soon as possible after the wreck. Adrenaline can often mask the symptoms of a serious injury, which—if left unchecked—could worsen, leading to additional health complications.

Making sure to prioritize your health could also boost your credibility during proceedings, leaving you less likely to face disputes. Additionally, visiting the doctor will give you access to up-to-date medical records tying your injuries to the wreck. 

Preserve Evidence 

If you were able to gather proof at the scene of the collision, you should save such evidence in a safe place ready to share with your lawyer. This evidence could include surveillance or dashcam recordings, pictures of the accident, eyewitness statements, and copies of the official police accident report. 

 Track Your Damages

Even a minor car wreck can lead to extensive losses, including lost wages, medical bills, and replacement services. As you will only receive compensation for damages you can prove, you must make sure to save copies of any related invoices, receipts, or estimates. It may also help to start logging daily entries in a personal injury journal. This diary could be used to build a case for intangible losses such as loss of enjoyment in life, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. 

Deactivate Your Social Media Accounts 

As part of investigating your claim, the insurance adjuster may dig through your online activity for any posts that could be used as evidence to challenge your credibility. Disabling your accounts can prevent them from accessing such information. However, if this isn’t possible for you, you should at least ramp up your privacy settings to limit who can view what you post. Additionally, you should avoid discussing anything related to your pending claim, your injuries, the accident, your expenses, or social activities. 

Speak to a California Car Accident Attorney Today 

Were you injured in an accident involving a drunk driver? You may be able to recover compensation by filing a personal injury claim against the at-fault motorist and their insurer.  

At Harris Personal Injury Lawyers, we can review your claim as part of a free consultation, during which we can take time to answer your questions and explain some of the strategies we may use to help you achieve a favorable outcome. Contact us today at 1-800-GO-HARRIS or head over to our contact form HERE to set up a case review with a California car accident attorney.