You know the decades long saying issued by law enforcement agencies throughout the United States: Don’t drink and drive. The timeless words of advice should be expanded to “Don’t drink/use drugs and drive. The fact remains that driving under the influence includes much more than having a blood alcohol content level exceeding 0.08. It also includes driving under the influence of both illicit drugs and/or regulated prescribed medications.
A vehicle accident caused by a drugged driver can lead to considerable damage to your car, as well as several injuries that require immediate medical treatment. Drugged drivers often exceed speed limits, as well as refuse to follow common driving etiquette rules. The key for handling an auto accident with a drugged driver is to know what to do right after the accident unfolds.
The Heart of a Car Insurance Claim
The primary objective of submitting an insurance claim is to present enough evidence to establish fault. It is the job of an insurance adjuster to examine a claim to determine which party caused the vehicle crash. In the case of a drugged driver, establishing fault can be a relatively simple process.
All it takes is the findings of the law enforcement officer who filed the official accident report. Sometimes, an accident with a drugged driver does not reach a clear conclusion. Your insurance company will have a claim adjuster sit down with the representative from the other insurance company to negotiate a settlement that is favorable to both parties.
Finding fault in an auto accident case is crucial because of the expenses associated with a car crash. Medical expenses can soar into the thousands of dollars. It starts with diagnostic tests, followed by extensive treatment and rehabilitation regimens. Add the cost of prescription drugs, and you have a healthcare bill that can destroy your monthly budget. Filing a claim after an accident with a drugged driver helps you recover the costs of expensive medical care.
The Insurance Claim Process
Long before you submit a car insurance claim, you have to collect compelling evidence to convince the claim adjuster for the drugged driver’s insurance company that the drugged driver was responsible for the accident. Calling police to the scene will help you gather the evidence required to file a persuasive claim.
The responding officer will ask both parties questions, and during questioning of the other driver, the police officer might conclude the driver is impaired by one or more controlled substances. With that conclusion added to the official police report, you have the most influential piece of evidence you need for establishing fault.
After organizing the evidence required to convince the other insurer that the drugged driver was at fault for causing the accident, you need to make copies of every receipt that shows how much you paid for medical care and for the cost of repairing your automobile. You cannot expect to receive just compensation, unless you include the documents that prove you paid for certain expenses.
If the accident forced you to miss time at work, then you need to attach documentation that shows how much you lost in wages because of the car crash.
A drugged driver who caused a vehicle accident will retain the services of a criminal defense lawyer. Make sure you are well-represented by scheduling a free initial consultation with a state licensed personal injury attorney.
