Memorial Day Weekend is a time for celebrating and honoring the lives of those who fought for our country. Many people choose to celebrate with a few drinks. Unfortunately, some will make the decision to drive drunk. Driving drunk can cause serious accidents that result in life-altering injuries and even death. If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident caused by a drunk driver, you will likely be entitled to recover compensation. Read on to learn more.
Fulfilling the Burden of Proof
If you were injured due to another party’s negligence, you will have to provide proof that this negligence occurred to cause your accident. To do so, you should take the following steps:
- Call 911
- The police can send an ambulance to the scene and conduct field sobriety tests and a breathalyzer test. This will help determine the driver’s intoxicity, which can play a large role in a personal injury case.
- Document the scene
- If possible, take pictures and videos at the scene of the accident. Be sure to document the damage done to all vehicles and property involved.
- Seek medical attention
- You should go to the hospital immediately after an accident occurs. This will ensure that your injuries are properly treated, while simultaneously providing you with proof of the origin and extent of your injuries. This can play a large role in a personal injury case. Before leaving, ask your doctor for a copy of any relevant medical documents.
What are New Jersey’s Dram Shop Laws?
It is important to know that a drunk driver may not be the only person accountable for an accident. It is also possible to hold an establishment responsible if they overserved the driver. Under New Jersey’s Dram Shop Laws, certain establishments may be required to pay damages after an accident if the customer was overserved and went on to injure another person. This may also be the case if the injured party can prove the establishment or host continued to serve the driver while they were visibly intoxicated or under the legal drinking age of 21.
Our firm will fight to recover the compensation you need and deserve to heal from your injuries. Reach out to speak with an experienced and dedicated personal injury attorney today.
Contact our experienced New Jersey firm
If you or someone you know has sustained an injury, whether on the job, on the road, due to a medical professional’s negligence, or otherwise, our firm is here. Rubenstein, Berliner & Shinrod, LLC has helped countless victims of negligence over the years, and we are ready to do the same for you. Contact our firm today so we can get started.
