Injured in a Crash Caused by a Drunk Driver

If you are involved in a Hurst auto accident, it is always a good idea to call the police to report the collision immediately so that an official crash screen report can be completed. This is particularly important if you are injured in the wreck – and even more so if the accident was caused by a drunk motorist. Driving while intoxicated is illegal and if it is determined that the at-fault driver was over the legal alcohol limit, criminal charges may be brought against that individual.

Regardless of whether the inebriated driver is charged with a DWI or public intoxication, a civil case can still be brought against them. A criminal charge is designed to punish the offender. A civil case seeks to compensate the innocent victim who has been hurt due to the drunk driver’s negligent actions – you.

Being hurt in a car crash can result in a range of severe injuries. Whiplash, broken bones and blunt force trauma are all common injuries in DFW auto wrecks. Under Texas law, you are entitled to seek compensation to cover your related medical costs and recover any other money which you may have lost as a result of this dangerous driver’s actions.

If you have been hit by a drunk driver regardless of the vehicle (car, pickup truck or motorcycle) it is generally very straightforward to prove to the insurance company that it was their client who was the negligent party. However, you must also prove proximate cause (that the injuries you sustained were actually caused by the crash) and that the injuries you sustained are “qualifying injuries.” This basically means that the injuries you suffered are serious enough to make a claim. This doesn’t mean they have to involve dismemberment, brain damage or a permanent disability, but they do have to be injuries either requiring medical treatment very soon after the accident or that will affect you in your day-to-day life for a considerable time to come.

As a Hurst accident lawyer, I would encourage you to visit a doctor to examine your injuries immediately after the accident. Delaying getting treatment could seriously damage your bodily injury claim later on. Even if you don’t think your injuries are particularly serious initially, it is always worth getting a professional opinion. Not all wounds are apparent straight away.

After you have been hurt in an accident which was not your fault, it is always wise to seek professional advice from a board certified personal injury attorney. To schedule a free, no obligation consultation today, please call the Anderson Law Firm toll free at 800-354-6275 or call locally at either 817-294-1900 or 214-327-800.

Other Articles You Might Be Interested In:

Should You Call Your Own Car Insurance Company If You Have Been Involved in an Automobile Wreck?

Will a Judge or Jury Decide My Car Wreck Case?

DWI/DUI: Criminal Vs. Civil Law

Making a Claim When The Negligent Driver Died In The Wreck

Making a Claim Doesn’t Mean You’re Suing Someone