You may follow every traffic rule in the book while using your best judgment to drive in a safe manner, but certain issues may arise that can place you and your family in harm's ray. While shocking for many people to learn, 28 people die in the United States every day due to a vehicle accident involving an alcohol-impaired driver. Unfortunately, protecting your vehicle, yourself, and your family is not always possible, so it is important to know what to do in case you are involved in an accident. With his guide, you will know what to do if you are ever hit by a drunk driver.

Contact Emergency Services

In most cases, passersby and other drivers on the road will call 911 after your accident. However, if you do not see other people, make sure to contact emergency services immediately after your accident.

An intoxicated driver may try to handle the situation without authorities, but they may not follow through with promises when they become sober. Be sure to tell the police that you believe the other driver is intoxicated.

A police report is necessary for charging the other driver with driving under the influence, which could be a stepping stone to their recovery. In addition, the police report and DUI charge will ensure you are not liable for any medical expenses and automobile repairs that will be necessary after the accident.

Remain Calm While Assessing the Situation

You may be in a state or shock or panic immediately after the accident, but remaining calm is imperative. If you have passengers in the vehicle with you, speak to them to determine if they have any injuries. If they are unable to speak or move, do not attempt to move them from the vehicle. Reduce the risk of shock by using the following tips:

• Wrap your passenger up in a blanket to keep them warm.
• Apply pressure to any wounds that are bleeding.
• If your passenger is not breathing, administer CPR. It is important to note that you should not move the passenger if you suspect they have a back or spinal cord injury.

Receive Medical Care

You may be suffering with a serious injury even if you feel fine after your accident, so allow the paramedics to spend some time examining you and your passengers. Paramedics can check for injuries that do not show prominent physical signs, such as internal bleeding, sprains, and concussions.

Whiplash is also a common injury, but you may not have symptoms until 24 hours after the accident. Allowing paramedics to stabilize your neck after you are hit by the drunk driver is a great way to prevent the chronic pain of whiplash.

Document Everything

If you are physically capable, spend some time documenting each detail of the accident. Use your smartphone to take photos of damage to both your vehicle and the intoxicated driver's vehicle. Also, take pictures of anything else that was damaged during the accident.

The police will most likely inspect the other driver's vehicle for signs the driver was driving under the influence, but you should also take photos of any signs of drugs and alcohol. If the other driver is exhibiting signs of drug or alcohol use, use your phone to record their behavior.

Contact an Attorney

Consult an attorney at a law firm like Walsh Fewkes Sterba before you talk to an insurance adjuster or agree to any settlements. Attorneys can complete a full investigation of the accident, ensuring the intoxicated driver is charged and held responsible for damage to your vehicle, physical ailments, emotional distress, and all related expenses.    

Accidents can be physically, emotionally, and financially devastating, so it is important to take the right steps after you are hit by a drunk driver. Use this guide, medical professionals, and an attorney to help you after an accident involving a drunk driver.