Construction zone accidents on highways are notorious for the prevalence of accidents involving drivers and their vehicles. They are busy places and require the utmost concentration from drivers transiting these areas.
If a driver is under the influence of alcohol when in a construction zone there is a far higher chance of an accident taking place. Even on a quiet highway free of a construction zone the presence of a drunk driver can be deadly and a serious accident and injuries could take place.
Construction zones are busy and sometimes chaotic places where the degree of attention means that accidents are more likely if a drunk driver is transiting the area. If you have been hit and seriously injured in a construction zone and the accident wasn’t your fault, you may entitled to personal injury compensation from the driver who caused the accident. You may contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your options.
Proving Liability When Hit in a Construction Zone by a Drunk Driver
There is some important evidence you may need in order to prove who caused the dangerous accident in a construction zone. The police will want to know if the accident involved a driver who was under the influence of alcohol as this behavior may be considered to be a criminal offense depending on the amount of alcohol consumed.
You should ask the police officer concerned for a copy of the accident report. You will also need statements, even if they are aural ones, from any witnesses who saw the accident including their contact details.
The next thing you may be required to provide is a medical report from your doctor providing details about the type and extent of your injuries, as well as the likely time it will take to fully recover. Your personal injury lawyer may need a statement showing your wages so a calculation for lost wages can be included in your claim.
The Process For Filing a Personal Injury Claim
Once all the information has been gathered and your lawyer believes you have a strong case to win a claim he or she will present the claim to the at fault driver’s insurance company. Most states have a time limit for such claims so your lawyer may need to consider that as well.
The claim presented may include the following:
- the cost of your medical treatment up to the time of full recovery;
- the cost of damage to your vehicle;
- the value of loss of wages while you recover;
- an amount calculated for your pain and suffering caused by the accident;
- an amount may be calculated for punitive damages if the drunk driver was deliberately negligent.
You May Need a Personal Injury Lawyer
In most situations it’s important to seek assistance from a personal injury lawyer who knows how difficult it is negotiating personal injury claims with insurance companies. An attorney will try to get appropriate personal injury compensation which covers the full cost of your financial hardship. Fill out the Free Case Evaluation on this page to be connected with a lawyer who can assist you in properly filing a claim.
