Wellington Drunk Driving Accident Attorneys
If you or someone you love was hurt in a collision with an impaired motorist, contact Donaldson & Weston to determine the most strategic way to proceed. We have assisted hundreds of accident victims in personal injury cases.
A drunk driving accident is one of those scenarios that you think can never happen to you—until it does. At the end of the day, no one traveling in or near traffic is shielded from these wrecks because an impaired motorist can strike any driver, cyclist, or pedestrian at any time.
The utter senselessness and unpredictability of drunk driving collisions are part of what makes them so tragic. In fact, it is not uncommon for their victims to suffer serious emotional trauma in the wake of the crash.
Because these individuals are especially vulnerable, they deserve to work with only the most caring and compassionate attorneys during the subsequent claims process; however, empathy and warmth are not the only qualities worth valuing in injury lawyers.
Regardless of what you are looking for in legal counsel, you will find it at Donaldson & Weston. Our Wellington drunk driving accident attorneys always approach our valued clients with sensitivity, but we remain tenacious and aggressive when dealing with insurance adjusters and opposing parties. Call 561-299-3999 to schedule a free case evaluation.
The utter senselessness and unpredictability of drunk driving collisions are part of what makes them so tragic. In fact, it is not uncommon for their victims to suffer serious emotional trauma in the wake of the crash.
Because these individuals are especially vulnerable, they deserve to work with only the most caring and compassionate attorneys during the subsequent claims process; however, empathy and warmth are not the only qualities worth valuing in injury lawyers.
Regardless of what you are looking for in legal counsel, you will find it at Donaldson & Weston. Our Wellington drunk driving accident attorneys always approach our valued clients with sensitivity, but we remain tenacious and aggressive when dealing with insurance adjusters and opposing parties. Call 561-299-3999 to schedule a free case evaluation.
What Should I Look for in a Wellington Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer?
Most drunk driving accident victims have never needed to hire a personal injury attorney and therefore do not know what to look for when seeking counsel. Since your family’s financial security is at stake, it’s essential to find the right lawyer to represent you. Some qualities worth valuing in an attorney include:
- Applicable Knowledge: Personal injury law is an incredibly broad practice area, and drunk driving accident claims are especially complicated. For this reason, it’s important to find a firm that has an extensive background handling these types of cases.
- Trial Experience: Most personal injury claims are resolved before reaching court. Since there is still a chance that your case could go all the way to trial, though, you need to hire someone with a background in litigation.
- Accessibility: Questions, concerns, issues, and disputes are inevitably going to arise at every stage of the claims process. When they do, you should not have to play phone tag with your attorney until they are resolved. Fortunately, the initial consultation should tell you everything you need to know about a particular lawyer’s accessibility. Look for someone who provides a direct means of contact—instead of simply referring you to a secretary—and promises to return calls and emails in a timely fashion.
My Injuries Aren’t Serious—Should I Visit a Doctor?
Absolutely. In fact, this should be your top priority after any accident.
You might not think your injuries will require extensive treatment, but symptoms that seem minor could be indicative of a major health issue. For example, it’s not uncommon for a traumatic brain injury to present subtle signs like temporary dizziness, but if left untreated, your condition could worsen. Whiplash and other types of soft tissue damage may also present minor symptoms despite requiring immediate treatment.
You might choose to wait it out and decide later if medical intervention is necessary, but this could jeopardize your personal injury claim. If your condition deteriorates and you need emergency care, the insurance company might argue that your own negligence caused your injury to worsen, and you should therefore be liable for at least a portion of your damages. Also, if you don’t get a prompt diagnosis after the crash, the insurer might contend that your injury was caused by something else.
You might not think your injuries will require extensive treatment, but symptoms that seem minor could be indicative of a major health issue. For example, it’s not uncommon for a traumatic brain injury to present subtle signs like temporary dizziness, but if left untreated, your condition could worsen. Whiplash and other types of soft tissue damage may also present minor symptoms despite requiring immediate treatment.
You might choose to wait it out and decide later if medical intervention is necessary, but this could jeopardize your personal injury claim. If your condition deteriorates and you need emergency care, the insurance company might argue that your own negligence caused your injury to worsen, and you should therefore be liable for at least a portion of your damages. Also, if you don’t get a prompt diagnosis after the crash, the insurer might contend that your injury was caused by something else.
Critical Steps to Take After a Drunk Driving Accident
Besides visiting a doctor right away, there are other steps you should take to avoid unnecessary disputes, delays, and complications. The best way to get personalized advice about your situation is to speak with one of the Wellington DUI accident lawyers at Donaldson & Weston.
In the meantime, here are a few suggestions to help protect your claim:
In the meantime, here are a few suggestions to help protect your claim:
- Write Down What Happened: Your recollection of events might seem clear now, but human memory becomes less reliable over time. You should record what happened in detail as soon as possible. Don’t leave anything out. Make note of what you were doing just before the crash, the injuries you suffered, the statements and actions of the at-fault driver, whether anyone saw the wreck, it’s location, and the weather conditions.
- Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer: Insurance companies typically impose deadlines for notifying them about claims. However, it’s wise to let your Wellington drunk driving accident attorney report the crash on your behalf and handle all future dialogue with the insurer. Otherwise, you might inadvertently provide a recorded statement that can be used against you. If the claims adjuster contacts you at any time, direct that correspondence to your lawyer.
- Disable Your Social Media Profiles: Whether you’re a daily social media user or you rarely log in, you should disable your accounts until your case has been resolved. Otherwise, the insurance adjuster might review your profiles for posts that can be used to challenge your claim. You should also ask friends and family not to post anything about you since the adjuster might also look at the social profiles of people in your network.
- Take Your Healthcare Seriously: The insurance company might track your medical treatment to find out if you’ve missed any doctor’s appointments or failed to fill a prescription. If you do anything that might disrupt your recovery, this may lead to a dispute. Also, do not participate in any strenuous activities if your doctor has advised you not to do so.
