New London Drunk Driving Accident Injury Lawyer

New London Drunk Driving Accident Injury Attorney

Being in any kind of car accident can be jarring, terrifying, and overwhelming, but it can be especially upsetting when you are the victim of a drunk driving accident. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to see justice done in the event of such an accident, which is why pursuing accountability in civil court may be a good option for you. You need the right kind of help. A trusted New London, CT, drunk driving accident injury lawyer can help you take action.

You should reach out to the legal team at Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-at-Law to put together a strong case against a drunk driver who caused an accident and led to your injury. Whether you were hurt along I-95 or near Bank Street, having an experienced New London drunk driving accident injury attorney can often make a significant difference for a favorable outcome.

What to Do After a Drunk-Driving Accident

According to the Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety (DADSS), roughly 32% of all car accidents in the country involve drunk drivers. Connecticut alone reported over 8,500 DUI accidents throughout the state between 2021 and 2023. Your situation isn’t rare, and taking certain steps to assist with proper documentation can really help your case when the time comes to file a claim. Here are some steps you can take after a drunk-driving accident:

• First, you need to prioritize your safety and the safety of your passengers. Call 911 immediately. While you’re waiting for law enforcement and EMTs to arrive, check yourself and everyone else for injuries. First responders can assess the situation when they arrive, including gathering evidence of drunk driving through field sobriety or breathalyzer tests.
• Make sure you get medical attention from the EMTs, even if you don’t think you’re injured. Adrenaline from the accident could be masking an injury, or it could be internal. Later, be sure to get checked out at a hospital by a doctor who can give you a thorough examination. Strong medical documentation can help your claim.
• If you’re injured in a drunk driving accident in New London, you may be taken to the nearest emergency room. That is usually Lawrence + Memorial Hospital, Pequot Health Center, or Westerly Hospital, depending upon which trauma center you are closest to at the time of the accident.
• Be sure to document every inch of the scene, including your injuries, your passengers’ injuries, the damage to your car, road conditions, and more. Speak to witnesses, get insurance and contact info from the other driver, and make any notes of the driver’s behavior, such as slurred speech or the smell of alcohol.
• Make sure you get a copy of the accident report for your records and notify your insurance company about what happened. Be careful not to admit any degree of fault for the accident, don’t speculate, and don’t let them record you without consulting a New London personal injury lawyer.

The Drunk Driving Accident Injury Claims Process

Every driver on the road has a responsibility to drive with care and handle their vehicle safely. According to data from the NHTSA, about 34 people in the United States die each day from a drunk-driving accident. In Connecticut, in 2023, 113 people were killed in drunk-driving crashes.

By choosing to drive while intoxicated, that driver is putting every single person on the road, drivers and pedestrians alike, in real danger. Upon hitting you, they have put themselves in a precarious situation, and you are within your rights to pursue damages against them. Here are some of the most important steps in the claims process following an accident:

• First, you need to contact a lawyer. This should be the very first thing you do after the accident. Your lawyer can confirm that your case is strong and backed up by evidence. Depending on the drunk driver’s prior criminal record and the circumstances surrounding your accident, they may be held without bail while awaiting trial.
• You need to be able to prove driver negligence in order to justify a personal injury case. In many situations, proving that they were drunk may not be enough, even if they were charged with a DUI. You still have to prove that they caused the accident. You have to prove they had a duty of care, that they breached it, that your injuries were the cause of that breach, and that they caused you damages. Your lawyer can assist.
• Never accept a settlement offer without consulting a lawyer. You may be contacted by the drunk driver’s insurance company, and they may propose a low settlement offer in the hopes that you take it and they can close the case. Have your lawyer communicate with them and provide a counteroffer. You should not have to take less than you deserve.
• If the drunk driver who caused your accident is convicted of a DUI, it can strengthen your case substantially. Their insurance company can often fight hard to avoid a drunk-driving case ending up in the courts, and a jury often sides with the victim. Still, a settlement out of court can be simpler, quicker, and much less of a hassle for you. If your damages are more than the state’s limits for a payout, a trial may be the right choice.

Hire a Drunk Driving Accident Injury Lawyer

Depending on the details of your case, you may be seriously injured and in no state to lead a personal injury case. When you hire a drunk driving accident injury lawyer, you have an experienced advocate who can take charge on your behalf and make sure you aren’t taken advantage of. The longer you wait to hire a lawyer and file a claim, the harder it can be to gather evidence, secure witness statements, and seek accountability.

At Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-at-Law, we have spent decades earning a respected reputation in eastern Connecticut, including recognition by Best Lawyers. Reach out to our firm today to discuss your case with our skilled and compassionate legal team in New London to find out more about how we can help.

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