It’s Independence Day. You are relaxing by the pool and spending time with family and friends. The day is now over and you can still smell the sizzling grill and the aftermath of fireworks. You’ve packed your family safely in your car and you are heading home, when suddenly you are struck by a drunk driver. What do you do?
Dangerous Travel
According to South Dakota News Watch, “a new study proves what many drivers and law enforcement officials already believed: that the rate of highway fatalities, including alcohol-related fatalities, rise significantly during the annual Fourth of July holiday across the United States and even more so in South Dakota.”
The same study showed that Fourth of July travel rises by 46% in South Dakota over the holiday weekend. Shockingly alcohol related fatalities rise by 67% in South Dakota, the fourth highest in the country.
How Do You Handle The Situation?
- Make sure that you and your passengers are out of harms way (if you can)
If it’s safe to do so and you aren’t seriously injured, move your car out of further harm’s way, like to the shoulder of the road. If moving your car just isn’t possible, flip on your hazards to warn other drivers that your vehicle isn’t going anywhere any time soon. Check on all the other parties involved, including drivers, passengers, and pedestrians, to make sure no one is hurt.
- Call 911
Even in minor accidents, a police accident report can prove invaluable when dealing with your car insurance company and other drivers. Cooperate fully, but avoid admitting fault or blaming others while at the scene. Let the police objectively judge events and determine who, if anyone, is at fault in the crash.
- Gather info
Try to write down as much info as possible in the accident aftermath, including:
Driver and passenger names
License plate numbers
Insurance info
Makes and models of all vehicles involved
Contact info for any eyewitnesses
Location of the accident
The name and badge number of any responding police officers
- Document the scene
If you have a smartphone with a camera, snap some photos of the accident scene. This will help protect you later.
- Call an attorney
Personal injury cases can get complex if you don’t know all the details of personal injury law. If you would like to enjoy the best odds of success, hire a lawyer to review your case and give you advice.
Doing so is a smart move that protects your rights and gives you a good idea of what will likely happen as your case unfolds. Arming yourself with the right knowledge can give you the required motivation to make the right choice and get the best possible outcome in your case.
Turning to Olivier Miles Holtz
Each choice you make following an accident plays a role in your odds of success and it is critical that you make the right choices. The attorneys at Olivier Miles Holtz will help you navigate the entire process, standing by your side and guiding each step of the law.
