Indiana Drugged Driving Accident Lawyers
If a drugged driver caused your car accident and injuries, you may be entitled to substantial financial compensation from an insurance claim or lawsuit. The Indiana car accident attorneys at Custy Law Firm | Accident & Injury Lawyers have in-depth experience helping clients just like you seek the justice they deserve. We’ll create the right plan that meets your legal goals. You can count on us to remain by your side until the very end of your case.
Drugged driving is just as dangerous as drunk driving. When someone gets behind the wheel with drugs in their system, they don’t have the physical or mental capacity to get to their destination safely. If an accident occurs, it typically leads to debilitating injuries and even fatalities.
At Custy Law Firm | Accident & Injury Lawyers, we are uncompromising in our dedication to injured victims. We have worked hard to secure valuable settlements and verdicts for our clients, and we’ll devote our vast resources and top-notch skills to your case.
We are ready to take your call and begin pursuing the maximum monetary award you deserve. Call us today at (219) 286-7361.
The Effects of Drugged Driving
DUI (driving under the influence) refers to operating a motor vehicle:
- With a schedule I or II controlled system in the body;
- With a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08% or higher; or
- While intoxicated by alcohol or drugs.
Most people think alcoholic beverages and illegal drugs, such as meth, are the only substances associated with impaired driving. However, something as simple as an over-the-counter allergy pill can affect a driver and increase the risk of a crash. Although not necessarily illegal, it’s dangerous to operate a car with any type of over-the-counter or prescription drug in the system that causes adverse side effects.
The four main drugs that could lead to a car accident include:
- Doctor-prescribed medication
- Controlled substance
- Marijuana
- Over-the-counter medicine
These all could potentially cause symptoms that impair someone’s driving abilities and put everyone around them at risk of harm. Common symptoms include:
- Loss of coordination
- Blurred vision
- Drowsiness or loss of consciousness
- Decreased sensory perception
- Slowed reaction time
- Inability to focus on the task of driving
- Poor decision-making skills
Even if someone gets medication from their doctor, they should always check the warning label for possible side effects and dangerous reactions if mixed with alcohol or other drugs. Those that could cause drowsiness always state that it would be best to avoid operating a vehicle or heavy machinery after taking it. Warning labels are there for a reason; however, many people don’t pay attention to them. Since common medications seem harmless, some individuals continue to drive with them in their system anyway.
The Do’s and Don’ts of Drugged Driving Car Accidents
If you get hurt in an accident because the other driver was under the influence of drugs, there are some crucial steps you’ll need to take. You shouldn’t wait for days, weeks, or months before beginning your legal case. The sooner you start, the sooner you can recover financial compensation.
Hiring an Indiana drugged driving accident lawyer from Custy Law Firm | Accident & Injury Lawyers should be one of your first steps. We can help you investigate the crash, collect sufficient evidence to prove fault, and negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company. There are strict deadlines for filing insurance claims and lawsuits, so it’s essential that you don’t delay the process.
Step 1: Call 911. Indiana law requires that you notify law enforcement if a car accident causes over $1,000 in property damage, injury, or death. If you leave the scene without reporting the crash, you could face a misdemeanor or felony hit-and-run charge.
Step 2: When the officer arrives, give them your name, contact information, and auto insurance details; however, be sure to keep your summary of the events factual and brief. You don’t want to inadvertently imply fault.
Step 3: Speak to anyone who witnessed the accident happen. Write down their names and phone numbers. They might be able to provide witness statements to the insurance company to confirm who was at fault.
Step 4: Get the other driver’s name, contact details, and auto insurance information.
Step 5: Take photos of the crash scene to use as evidence.
Step 6: Seek medical attention immediately. Get an evaluation of your injuries and follow up as necessary. If the doctor refers you to other providers, follow their orders, and continue treating until they release you from their care.
Step 7: Bring your car to a repair shop for an estimate of the damage.
Step 8: Hire an experienced Indiana drugged driving accident lawyer.
Unfortunately, most people are unaware of what they should avoid saying and doing after a car accident. There are certain actions that could prevent you from recovering the maximum available compensation.
Don’t admit fault. Even if you are unsure whether your actions partially contributed to the accident, you shouldn’t offer that information to the other driver, the insurance adjuster, or anyone else involved. You won’t know who is at fault until the accident is fully investigated. Also, under Indiana’s modified comparative negligence rule, your total compensation could decrease by the percentage of fault you share.
For example, if you incurred $100,000 in expenses but were 20% to blame for the crash, you would only be entitled to a maximum of $80,000 in compensation. Additionally, the 51% rule bars recovery of any amount if it’s discovered that you’re more than 50% responsible.
Don’t sign documents from the at-fault driver’s auto insurance company without giving them to your lawyer first to review. Sometimes, they send waivers to accident victims that prevent them from seeking the maximum settlement amount. They could also ask that you sign authorization forms so they can do an extensive search into your medical background. If they find similar injuries from prior accidents or a preexisting medical condition, they might deny your claim.
Don’t wait too long after the accident to seek medical attention or regularly skip doctor’s appointments. Insurance companies look at gaps in treatment as evidence that there wasn’t an injury or it’s not serious enough to require treatment.
Don’t talk to the at-fault driver’s auto insurance company. The adjuster might call you to discuss your accident and ask for some information. To avoid saying the wrong thing that could negatively affect your claim, give them your lawyer’s name and number. We can handle all communication on your behalf.
What’s the Value of My Case?
When you get hurt in a car accident, there are various damages you could incur from the injuries and while you’re attempting to recover. Damages are all the losses associated with an accident. They fall under two main categories: economic and non-economic. Economic damages are actual expenses, while non-economic damages are intangible losses.
When it comes to motor vehicle crashes, Indiana follows a traditional fault system. That means the person at fault becomes automatically liable for the victim’s damages. Laws require all drivers to carry auto insurance with minimum liability limits. When you file an insurance claim, you could seek a settlement up to the limit listed on their policy. The damages include:
- Medical bills
- Out of pocket expenses
- Lost income and future earnings
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
The monetary value of your case will depend on various contributing factors. The insurance adjuster will review the details of your accident and might use some of the information below to determine a fair settlement amount:
- Type of the injury and how serious it is
- Duration of the recovery period
- Impact of the injury on daily routine
- Liability limit listed on the at-fault driver’s insurance policy
- Total medical expenses
- Any impairment or disability caused by the accident
- Hours missed from work
- Available evidence proving fault
Custy Law Firm | Accident & Injury Lawyers understands the importance of receiving a settlement that compensates for all your damages. You shouldn’t have to pay for anything out of pocket when someone else’s careless actions caused your accident. We’ll aggressively negotiate with the insurance adjuster to ensure they provide a fair monetary award.
Contact Us
Our Indiana drugged driving accident lawyers care about the clients that hire us. We have the knowledge and dedication needed to help you pursue the compensation you deserve. It’s our goal to create a personalized plan that suits your specific needs. Throughout your entire case, we’ll remain by your side to provide guidance and support. You won’t be alone in this fight for justice.
At Custy Law Firm | Accident & Injury Lawyers, we believe it’s important to hold people responsible for their recklessness. Driving under the influence of drugs is something that puts everyone’s life at risk. The other driver involved in your accident knew what they were doing could cause severe harm, but they did it anyway. Our legal team will use the resources, experience, and knowledge they have to build a strong case and help you get back on your feet.
If you were the victim of a drugged driving car accident in Indiana, call us today at (219) 286-7361. We’ll meet you for a free consultation to discuss your case and develop an effective plan of action.
