Every once in a while, we read a sad story about a drunk driver who got into a wreck and seriously injured or even killed an innocent driver. Drunk driving is an epidemic in Indiana. Since 2003, more than 2,000 people have died on Indiana roads due to drunk drivers. If you or a loved one have become a victim of a drunk driver, what happens after you pick up the pieces after a serious wreck – how do you make your life whole again? You or a loved one may have spent days in the hospital, endured surgeries, broken bones, long recoveries and pain and suffering. The medical bills may be huge, you may have lost wages. You may have future medical expenses and future lost wages.
Drunk drivers have already shown their irresponsibility by getting behind the wheel. If they had car insurance, then the insurance company may try to punish that irresponsibility by refusing to provide liability coverage to pay for all of your losses. This hurts you, because the drunk driver probably does not have the financial ability to compensate you for your losses. If you or a loved one are in a wreck with a drunk driver, it may be necessary to seek an attorney’s assistance in ensuring that you earn a fair recovery. This is because there are less-than-obvious sources for recovery.
One is called Uninsured Motorist’s coverage. Indiana law requires your insurance company to offer you uninsured motorists coverage. It is not very expensive and can be vital if you or a loved one is injured in a wreck with a drunk or uninsured driver. This type of coverage will provide a resource of money to compensate for losses that the drunk driver’s insurance company won’t pay. Review your auto insurance policy today to make sure you have this vital coverage.
Another less-than-obvious source for recovery requires you to ask a question – who supplied that drunk driver with the alcohol? If he or she got drunk at a bar and then injured or killed someone in a wreck, the bar itself may be liable if the proof demonstrates the bar served that person to the point of intoxication. This is commonly called Dram Shop liability. If this happens to you, the drunk driver and the bar that served him certainly won’t cooperate with you in your investigation. This may make it essential to seek out a competent Evansville Injury Attorney to assist.
Salmon & Hewins does not tolerate drunk drivers. If you or a loved one have been injured, of if a loved one has been killed, by a drunk driver, please call to schedule a free initial consultation.
7505 Eagle Crest Boulevard