Anyone can become a victim of a DUI accident simply by being in the wrong place at the wrong time. As such, it’s important to know how to proceed should you be involved in one, and it’s helpful to have an understanding of the damages you can recover if you are involved in a DUI accident. With the help of Pacific West Injury Law, residents in Henderson, Las Vegas, and other surrounding areas don’t have to face the headaches of DUI accidents alone.
What Kind of Damages Can I Recover After a DUI Accident?
There are many types of damages a victim may be eligible to recover after a DUI accident, though the most common ones include the following.
Medical Bills
In the aftermath of a DUI accident, many victims face a mountain of medical expenses, even if they don’t notice or feel their injuries right away. Medical bill damages can help cover the costs of injuries that occurred during the accident as well as care and rehabilitation afterward.
Pain and Suffering
One of the most common types of damages victims can receive is pain and suffering, which takes into account the emotional and physical traumas that are often involved in these types of accidents. People who suffer from broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, internal organ damage, headaches, and other physical symptoms, as well as a post-traumatic stress disorder, insomnia, and other emotional symptoms may be entitled to receive pain and suffering damages.
Lost Wages
If the emotional or physical injuries you suffered as the result of a DUI accident have impaired your ability to work, you may be eligible to receive lost wages damages. These can help cover the funds that you would normally accrue from your job. These types of damages may also include a reduction in future earnings if your injuries result in permanent mobility issues that will prevent you from returning to your job or the workforce in the foreseeable future.
Wrongful Death
Sometimes injuries from DUI accidents result in fatalities, and family members may be able to receive wrongful death compensation. This type of damage can help with the lost wages of the deceased individual, as well as the emotional pain and grief suffered by those they left behind.
Victims of DUI accidents may be eligible to receive one or a combination of damages, and your lawyer can help you understand which ones you may be most likely to qualify for.
What Should You Do After a DUI Accident?
The actions you take immediately after a DUI accident can play a major role in the amount and types of compensation you may be entitled to receive. In order to set yourself up for the best possible scenario in the aftermath of an accident, we recommend taking the following steps:
Seek Medical Care
If you or a loved one has suffered severe injuries after a DUI accident, call for help right away to get the injured person the medical attention they need right away. There are many types of injuries that are common to DUIs and regular car accidents that get worse with every passing minute, so time is of the essence when dealing with injuries from car accidents.
When medical care is needed, be sure to take detailed notes about the injuries that were suffered, the treatments that were needed, and the expenses that resulted from them. Thorough documentation can be used to provide evidence in a case, and the more information you take down, the better chance your lawyer has of proving fault and helping you get the compensation you need to cover medical costs.
Report the Accident
Immediately after an accident has occurred, and those who need medical attention have received it, those still at the scene must report the accident to the authorities. Police reports are important in that they provide a third-party account of what occurred at the scene, and it can be nearly impossible to get compensation from a DUI case or other car accident if a police report was never filed.
This is a vital step, and it’s important to call the police as soon as possible. Do take money or agree not to report the accident if the other party makes an offer; in fact, limit your communication with the other party as much as possible to avoid mistakes that may negatively affect your case.
While you are waiting for the police to arrive, take photos, videos, and notes at the scene of the accident, and collect the contact information of any witnesses that may have to provide statements down the line.
Contact a Trusted Attorney
Contact your attorney as soon as possible after the accident to see whether you have a case to file a lawsuit. DUI cases can be complex and challenging, but having the best team of knowledgeable and experienced lawyers on your side can set you up to get the maximum compensation you are entitled to.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for DUI Accidents in Nevada?
It can be difficult to carry out everyday tasks while recovering from a DUI accident, but it’s best not to put off contacting your attorney, as Nevada law only allows someone to file a suit within two years of the date of the accident. That might sound like a long time to fill out some paperwork, but there are many factors that can go into a suit that can drastically delay the process.
Get Help from the Best with the Attorneys at Pacific West Injury Law
If you have been involved in a DUI accident, don’t wait to connect with a trustworthy car accident lawyer until it’s too late. Contact Pacific West Injury Law today to set up a free case review to see if we can help you with your DUI accident case today.
