Dealing with a drunk, high or aggressive Florida driver can be scary but you can take steps to protect yourself and your accident claim.
Being involved in a car accident is always a stressful experience, but even more so when the other driver is impaired by alcohol or drugs or appears to be aggressive and hostile.
When you encounter an impaired or belligerent driver, it can be very scary and dangerous to communicate with them. Unfortunately, situations like these are not uncommon in Florida, which is why you should learn how to deal with drunk, high, or aggressive drivers at the scene of the crash.
If you were involved in a car crash in Florida, schedule a free consultation with our West Palm Beach car accident attorneys to help you deal with the other party involved in the collision, their lawyer, and the insurance company.
Follow these tips if you were involved in a car crash, regardless of whether the other driver is impaired or sober, hostile or friendly:
After the accident, it is essential to contact an experienced car accident lawyer in West Palm Beach to protect your legal rights and help ensure that you are compensated for your injuries and financial losses.
If you believe that the other driver involved in the accident is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, look for the following signs of impairment:
If you notice any of these signs, you might be dealing with a drunk or drugged (stoned) motorist. So what’s the best way to communicate with these unpredictable drivers while maintaining your own safety?
It’s vital to call 911 right away and wait for the police. Drunk and high drivers may get aggressive and hostile after a car accident, which is why you should limit your conversation with the other driver.
It’s never a good idea to confront a motorist who appears to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. They may respond aggressively, putting you and your passengers at risk of bodily injury.
Be polite with the motorist who appears to be drunk or stoned, and avoid blaming them for the accident even if the fault is obvious. Accusing such drivers of being impaired may cause them to become aggressive or even attempt to flee the scene of the crash. If they do flee the scene, do not attempt to chase after them. Remain at the scene to talk to witnesses and gather important evidence.
When the police arrive, they will observe the motorist. If they believe that the driver is under the influence, they may perform roadside sobriety or breathalyzer tests. The driver may be arrested if they refuse to take the test or the test shows that they are impaired.
A criminal arrest and conviction can serve as evidence for your accident claim against the drunk or high driver.
The impaired driver will face criminal penalties for driving under the influence, and their criminal conviction will serve as a key piece of evidence in your insurance claim or injury lawsuit against the driver if you wish to sue them for damages.
Under Section 627.7407, Florida Statutes, you must file a claim with your own insurance company first if you were injured in a car accident. This is known as the Florida no-fault system.
However, you may be able to step outside the no-fault system in Florida and sue the impaired driver if you suffered a serious injury and your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage ($10,000) is not enough to pay for your damages.
Just because the impaired driver who caused your car crash was convicted of DUI does not necessarily mean that you will be fairly compensated for your injury and losses.
Therefore, it’s important to hire a knowledgeable and experienced car accident lawyer in West Palm Beach to help you obtain maximum compensation either through an insurance company or through a personal injury lawsuit against the drunk, high, or aggressive driver.
Our West Palm Beach car accident attorneys at Fetterman & Associates, P.A., can help you seek compensation for damages including:
Discuss your case with our injury lawyers at Fetterman & Associates, P.A., during a free consultation to determine the best approach for pursuing maximum compensation if you were injured in a car crash caused by a drunk, high, or aggressive Florida driver.
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