When a person uses alcohol or drugs prior to operating any vehicle, he or she is taking a monumental risk. That one poor decision may lead to severe punishment, like the loss of their driver’s license, or arrest. In the worst cases, the impaired driver may cause an accident that harms—or even kills—another human.
Drivers under the influence of alcohol experience impaired motor skills, and may struggle to control their vehicles or correctly estimate reaction times. Yet while you surely practice smart decision-making and choose to remain safe while driving, you can’t take for granted the fact that other drivers on the road might not be doing the same.
Unfortunately, drunk driving accidents are quite common, and they can have life-altering impacts. News of car accidents with drunk drivers is often noticed in New Orleans.
Being hit by a drunk driver can lead to physical injuries that impact your ability to work and your mental health, possibly resulting in loss of wages, emotional pain, or PTSD. You deserve to be fairly compensated for the dangerous and life-threatening decision that the impaired driver made.
Facts About Drunk Driving in New Orleans, Louisiana
On a national scale, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, alcohol-impaired driving kills one person every 52 minutes and over 10,000 people each year.
Here in Louisiana, operating a vehicle after consuming alcohol or drugs remains a major cause of vehicle crashes, injuries, and fatalities each year. According to the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, more than 40 percent of the motor vehicle crashes in Louisiana in 2017 were alcohol-related, with 311 of those accidents resulting in fatalities. The drug-impaired driving fact sheet by Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention show 12.6 MILLION Americans reported driving under the influence of marijuana or other illicit drugs in 2018.
If you were hit in New Orleans or the state of Louisiana by a driver who you think was drunk or impaired, below are the initial steps you’ll want to take in the aftermath of the accident. While it’s important that you follow these steps, the most important step is to hire Breaux Law Firm to fight for you.
Being hit by a drunk driver is a traumatic experience, and you shouldn’t have to cope with it alone. By hiring our experienced car accident attorneys, you can rest assured that we’ll do everything to protect your rights and to ensure you’re compensated for your medical bills and property damage.
What To Do After a Car Accident with a Drunk Driver in New Orleans?
- There are some important initial steps you need to take immediately after a car accident. First, make sure you’re okay before you stop and assess the damage. Never drive away from an accident, no matter the fault or severity of the accident. Dial 911 or contact the NEW ORLEANS police department. Turn on your hazards, if needed. To preserve the scene, do not move your vehicle until the police have arrived to make their report. It’s extremely important to leave a scene undisturbed after an accident to help determine liability. If the other driver appears intoxicated or under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and seems likely to flee the scene, try your best to take a photo of their license plate. The police or your attorney can run the license plate to gather information about the car and its driver.
It’s very important that the police are involved and that a police report is filed. Do not allow a driver who is under the influence to persuade you against calling the police! When it comes to personal injury claims, the police report is a key document that will be sent to insurance companies in order for liability to be determined.
If possible, take photos of the cars involved and the position the cars are in. When there is photographic or video evidence of an accident, liability can more easily be determined. Exchange contact and insurance information with any other party involved in the car accident. To gather their name, contact information, driver’s license number, vehicle information, insurance company, and insurance policy number, you can take photos of the other person’s documents.
- As soon as possible, notify the driver’s insurance company of your claim and your injuries. Some key information that you will need to provide can be found in the accident report, which you will need to get from the police department.
- Don’t settle with the insurance company right away. The insurance company of the drunk driver may pressure you to settle, but this is often to your detriment. But be careful. Make sure you’ve explored all available insurance coverage and options. By accepting an early settlement, you may be signing a release that prohibits any further claims arising out of the accident. You’ll want to discuss all of your options with your attorney. Sometimes it makes sense to settle, but not always.
- Prepare to get involved in the criminal process. Hiring a personal injury lawyer will help you navigate the steps of the legal process. In Louisiana, the statute of limitations is one year for most injury cases. So, it’s important to hire an attorney immediately for filing a lawsuit if you were in an accident in New Orleans or in other cities of Louisiana.
- If possible, find out where the drunk driver was drinking and track down any witnesses. While the impaired driver is typically at fault, it’s possible that third parties, like a bar or restaurant that continued to serve a visibly drunk customer, may be held responsible, as well. The bar would need to be contacted; the bartender, server, and other witnesses interviewed; and video footage gathered. You’ll need to act fast. Again, an attorney can help you gather the necessary information for your case.
Contact the Personal Injury Attorneys at Breaux Law Firm
Take the time you need to recover, mentally and physically. After the accident and your initial recovery, your next step should be to contact the attorneys at Breaux Law Firm for a free consultation. Car accidents caused by drunk drivers are often serious and injuries and damages can be very devastating.
The New Orleans attorneys at Breaux Law Firm hold decades-long experience and expertise in handling these types of cases. Our attorneys will assess your case and determine how you can receive the best compensation for the damages you sustained when you were hit by an impaired driver. Personal injury lawyers can provide necessary legal advice which can help the process of filing a claim and fighting for that claim. Having someone who understands your case and your rights will ensure you receive all the compensation you’re entitled to.
When you have a lawyer on your side, he or she can help protect you legally by handling all correspondence with authorities, insurance agents and adjusters, and the other driver involved in the crash. You will not pay your attorney for their time; the attorney’s payment will be a percentage of the amount you are awarded.
Being in a car accident is already scary enough, and getting back on your feet should be hassle-free. That is what we strive for at Breaux Law Firm. We’ve been in business for decades and are experienced in personal injury law.
We believe our clients are like family and will fight for you as if we were fighting for one of our own. If you’re hesitant about your claim, give us a call so we can determine what kind of case to develop on your behalf. We will help you file a civil case or petition the courts if need be. Whatever option we choose, it will be to your advantage.
We’re happy to spend the time it takes for you to understand your case and what comes next. Our reputation speaks for itself; we are ready to fight for you. Visit our contact page or call us at (504) 914-7779 to get a free quote or to file a lawsuit if you have been in a car accident with a drunk driver in New Orleans.
