If you hurt yourself in a car accident and the other driver was drunk, you have every right to seek compensation for the damages you sustain. Generally, in drunk driving cases, the chance of the victim getting a high compensation is much higher than in normal accidents.
However, seeking compensation or filing a case depends upon the law of your state. While seeking financial aid for the loss you sustained after the accident is permitted in every, the law might differ from state to state.
So before making any decision, talk to a car accident attorney in Seattle who can guide you about the laws of a drunk driving car accident and your rights. The lawyer will also ensure you get nothing less than the compensation you deserve.
Nevertheless, below are some essential points to consider for seeking compensation after a drunk driving accident. These points can also come in handy in the future if you land up in a similar situation.
Negotiate with the insurance company
If the drunk driver has an insurance policy, you must take all the details from him to seek compensation from them. In most cases, the insurance company does not back off from taking the matter to court. However, in drunk driving cases, the at-fault driver’s insurance company does not want you to file a lawsuit.
There are several reasons, one being they will have to bear the additional charges of court proceedings and hire a lawyer. Moreover, when the case is suitable, they know the final decision will be in court, and the company might even have to pay you more.
Once the final judgment arrives, the insurance company has no option but to pay you the entire amount decided by the court as compensation. If they fail, they can be charged with violating the law.
What if you are in a no-fault state?
If you talk to your lawyer and discover that you live in a no-fault state, your options might be slightly limited than in other states. In such situations, you will have to claim personal injury protection coverage to compensate for all the injuries sustained in after the car accident. Even if it is a drunk driving case, you will have to go through all the effort to get financial aid to cover your losses after the accident.
However, all the no-fault states have a law for the injured party to claim their liability or personal injury case against the drunk driver. Provided your medical bills reach a certain extent and are severe enough to fit your state’s ‘serious injuries’ term.
