Drinking and Driving Accidents Lawyers

Call 911 right away and get medical help. If you can safely do so, document everything at the scene.

Helpful steps:

• Ask police for the occurrence number and how to get the police report
• Take photos/video of the vehicles, damage, road conditions, and your visible injuries
• Get witness names and contact info
• Write down what you noticed (smell of alcohol, slurred speech, open containers, erratic driving)

People often search “signs of drunk driving” after a crash. Common signs can include swerving, delayed braking, speeding, driving without headlights, confusion, slurred speech, or the smell of alcohol.

You don’t need to “prove” impairment yourself—report what you observed to police and let them investigate.

Yes. A criminal charge or conviction can help, but it isn’t always required for a valid drunk driving accident claim. Civil/insurance claims focus on the evidence of what happened and the injuries you suffered.

This is a highly searched question because victims worry it becomes “my word vs. theirs.” Evidence may include:

• Police reports and officer notes
• Witness statements
• Breath/blood test results (where available)
• Video footage (dashcam, traffic cameras, nearby businesses)
• Crash reconstruction evidence

Acting quickly matters because video footage can be overwritten and witnesses can be hard to track down.

People commonly search “drunk driving accident compensation” and “drunk driving accident settlement.” Depending on your injuries and losses, compensation may include:

• Medical and rehabilitation costs
• Income loss / loss of earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Future care needs
• Out-of-pocket expenses

The value of a claim depends on the severity of injuries and how the collision affects your life.

Call police immediately and get medical care. Try to note the vehicle description, any part of the license plate, and where it went. Look for nearby cameras.

Even if the impaired driver is uninsured or not identified right away, you may still have options. A lawyer can explain the next steps based on your situation.

You should report the collision but be careful with recorded statements and quick settlement offers. Keep it factual and don’t guess. If you’re being pressured to settle early, it’s a good time to get legal advice.

As soon as you’re safe and medically stable—especially if you have serious injuries, missed work, or the insurer is disputing fault or downplaying your injuries. Cariati Law can explain your options in plain language and help protect your claim.