5 Pieces of Evidence to Support Your Drunk Driving Claim

When someone gets behind the wheel while impaired, they’re risking not only their own life, but also the lives of everyone on the road around them. Sadly, that’s still not enough to stop some people.

More than 10,000 traffic fatalities across the country are attributed to drunk drivers every year. Impaired motorists are also responsible for a significant number of injuries, many of which have lasting ramifications for the victims.

If you were seriously hurt in a drunk driving accident and you want to seek compensation for the hurdles you’re facing as a result, you’re going to have to put together a strong claim. This generally starts with compiling evidence, the most important of which will probably include:

1. The Official Police Report

If responding officers conducted any breath tests or field sobriety tests at the scene, they should have recorded the results in their official report, which they should have then filed with their jurisdiction. If you’re not sure how to get a copy of this document, a local personal injury attorney can request one on your behalf.

2. Eyewitness Testimony

Those who were in the vicinity at the time of the wreck—e.g., other motorists, their passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians—may be able to corroborate your assertion that the driver who struck you was drunk. Depending on what they saw prior to the collision and how many details they divulge, their statements could bolster your case considerably.

3. Dash Camera Footage

If the accident occurred in a fairly busy area, there’s a good chance it was captured by at least one dash camera. Even if your own vehicle is not equipped with such a device, one of the passing cars may have had one. Since the footage will eventually be overwritten, though, you’re going to want to reach out to the associated motorists as soon as possible to request copies.

4. Photographs of the Scene

Photographs of the wreckage can play an integral role in the proceedings when it comes time to prove liability. By scrutinizing these images, accident reconstruction experts can often determine what happened in the moments leading up to the crash.

5. Black Box Data

Nowadays, most passenger vehicles are equipped with event data recorders, or what are more commonly called “black boxes.” These devices log all kinds of operational variables, which investigators can review when trying to assign blame. If the data indicates a pattern of driving erratically, for example, it may support your claim that the motorist who struck you was impaired.

Speak with a West Palm Beach Car Accident Attorney

At Donaldson & Weston, we’re proud to help those who have been wronged secure the funds needed to make things right. If your life was forever changed because someone was being reckless, we’ll use all the resources at our disposal to hold them accountable. To schedule your free initial consultation with a car accident lawyer in West Palm Beach, call 561-299-3999 or fill out our Contact Form.