As a pedestrian in the Bronx, you know you must stay alert, navigating the busy roads filled with many different types of vehicles. Being struck by a vehicle is a traumatizing experience no matter what but learning that the vehicle’s driver was drunk makes the situation even worse.
Drunk driving continues to be a leading cause of accident fatalities
Unfortunately, drunk driving continues to be a major problem. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that there are 29 deaths per day in motor vehicle accidents involving a drunk driver. This equals approximately 1 death every 50 minutes. Young people, motorcyclists and individuals with a prior DUI conviction are more likely to be involved a drunk driving related accident.
If you’ve been hit by a drunk driver, there are several steps that should be immediately taken. Call 911 and the police. Focus on your safety and health first, obtaining treatment for any injuries. File a report with the police and get the names and badge numbers of any police officer at the scene, along with the driver’s insurance and contact information.
After you have treated any injuries and the shock has worn off, contact your insurance company, and make sure they know that the driver who hit you was drunk. Insurance coverage limits may change when this is a factor.
Recovering compensation for your damages
The losses suffered after being hit by a drunk driver can be massive. You may face serious or life-threatening injuries that require extensive medical treatment, or that may result in permanent consequences. You likely cannot afford the cost of the medical treatment, and you may need time off work to heal and recover.
A personal injury claim may help you receive compensation for these things, as well as pain and suffering. Negligence on the part of the drunk driver must be proven to recover damages. Experienced personal injury attorneys know what is involved in pursuing a negligence claim, and can guide you through the process, so you can concentrate on getting better.