Personal Injury Law and Getting Hit By a Drunk Driver - What Should I Know After the Accident?
If you or a loved one has been hurt by a drunk driver, then you have additional rights to compensation which you should be aware of.
Many drivers who are driving under the influence, do not have any automobile insurance.
As long as you have insurance, you will be able to get paid and your insurance company will not raise your rates if the accident was not your fault.
However, it is important to make sure the drunk driver pays for what he or she did.
If you do not have collision insurance for yourself and have a deductible, you can still get this money back from the driver even if he does not have insurance.
When the drunk driver either pleads guilty or is found guilty in court, the judge will hold a special hearing called a sentencing hearing for victims.
The judge will ask if you have suffered any economic losses that are not covered by insurance such as your deductible.
The judge will order the driver to pay you for these losses.
If the driver refuses to comply with the order, the judge then has the authority to revoke the DUI drivers probation and send the driver back to jail.
An experienced personal injury attorney can help you make sure that the judge who is sentencing the driver gives you all the compensation that you are entitled to.
Another thing that you should know is that if you are injured by a drunk driver, you are probably entitled to more monetary compensation than you would be if the driver had been sober.
Insurance adjusters know juries give more money to accident victims hit by drivers who are drunk and are more likely to award extra punitive damages for hurting you.
Even though most accident cases involving DUI drivers do not go to court, having the representation of an experience personal injury lawyer will help you fully maximize the compensation due to you.
What should you do if the drunk driver does not have insurance? There are a number of things to consider in this case.
For example, if the car belongs to someone other than the driver, perhaps the vehicles owner has insurance.
Also if you or your loved one was severely injured or even killed, you may have the right to collect compensation not only from the driver but also from the bar or tavern where the driver took his last drink before the accident.
If the drunk driver was visibly intoxicated and was still served alcohol, the bar or tavern may be financially responsible for the injuries or death caused by that drunk driver.
The situations are very complex legally, and without an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side, you may not know whether or not you have a claim.
Many drivers who are driving under the influence, do not have any automobile insurance.
As long as you have insurance, you will be able to get paid and your insurance company will not raise your rates if the accident was not your fault.
However, it is important to make sure the drunk driver pays for what he or she did.
If you do not have collision insurance for yourself and have a deductible, you can still get this money back from the driver even if he does not have insurance.
When the drunk driver either pleads guilty or is found guilty in court, the judge will hold a special hearing called a sentencing hearing for victims.
The judge will ask if you have suffered any economic losses that are not covered by insurance such as your deductible.
The judge will order the driver to pay you for these losses.
If the driver refuses to comply with the order, the judge then has the authority to revoke the DUI drivers probation and send the driver back to jail.
An experienced personal injury attorney can help you make sure that the judge who is sentencing the driver gives you all the compensation that you are entitled to.
Another thing that you should know is that if you are injured by a drunk driver, you are probably entitled to more monetary compensation than you would be if the driver had been sober.
Insurance adjusters know juries give more money to accident victims hit by drivers who are drunk and are more likely to award extra punitive damages for hurting you.
Even though most accident cases involving DUI drivers do not go to court, having the representation of an experience personal injury lawyer will help you fully maximize the compensation due to you.
What should you do if the drunk driver does not have insurance? There are a number of things to consider in this case.
For example, if the car belongs to someone other than the driver, perhaps the vehicles owner has insurance.
Also if you or your loved one was severely injured or even killed, you may have the right to collect compensation not only from the driver but also from the bar or tavern where the driver took his last drink before the accident.
If the drunk driver was visibly intoxicated and was still served alcohol, the bar or tavern may be financially responsible for the injuries or death caused by that drunk driver.
The situations are very complex legally, and without an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side, you may not know whether or not you have a claim.
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