Drunk driving accidents happen frequently in Colorado and across the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or NHTSA, nearly 37 people are killed in drunk driving crashes every day in the U.S.
In 2021, drunk and drugged drivers killed a total of 253 people in Colorado. This was a 45% increase from 2019. There were 16,213 cases of driving under the influence filed in Colorado in 2022.
These numbers are devastating because drunk driving accidents and the harm they cause are preventable.
What to Do If You are Hit by a Drunk Driver
If you or your loved one are hit by a drunk driver, you may be eligible to file a personal injury claim. Preserving your legal rights in the aftermath of a drunk driving accident requires that you stay calm and:
- Call for police and medical assistance immediately;
- Receive medical care whether or not you feel injured;
- Take photos of the accident scene, weather conditions, any road hazards, skid marks, and vehicle damage. Take photos of visible alcohol bottles;
- Take photos of your injuries;
- Collect the other driver’s information if possible. If not, get pictures of their license plate and allow the responding officer to take down their information;
- Gather any eyewitness contact information and a brief statement of what they witnessed;
- Write down what you witnessed while the accident is fresh in your mind; and
- Ask the responding officer for their contact information and when you can pick up a copy of the police report.
You must receive any medically recommended follow-up and specialty care to support a claim for accident-related injuries.
How a Car Accident Attorney Can Help
You should contact an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible, preferably before you speak with the other driver’s insurance company. A personal injury attorney can offer you valuable advice about the following and more:
- What to say to the other driver’s insurance company;
- The types of compensation to which you may be entitled;
- The effect of a criminal drunk driving case on your civil personal injury claim; and
- The car accident claims process.
Once you retain a car accident attorney, they will correspond with the other driver’s insurance company on your behalf. This will eliminate any possibility that you will misspeak or say something that can be used against your claim.
Statutes of Limitations
There are statutes of limitations or deadlines to sue drunk drivers in Colorado. Your statute of limitations depends on your specific personal injury claim.
If you were the accident victim in your personal injury claim, meaning the drunk driver hit you, then your deadline to file a claim is likely three years from the date of the accident. If you are seeking damages on behalf of a deceased loved one, your statute of limitations will vary.
Always have your case reviewed by a car accident attorney to find out your statute of limitations.
Contact an Experienced Denver Car Accident Attorney Today
If a drunk driver hit you or killed your loved one, call Dulin McQuinn Young. We want you to receive the best and most experienced legal representation possible.
Dulin McQuinn Young has fought to hold dangerous drivers responsible for their actions for more than two decades. We have a successful reputation and a proven trial record.
Contact Dulin McQuinn Young in Denver today to learn more about our services. Your consultation is complimentary.