How Insurance Companies Handle Drunk Driving Accident(DUI) Claims

Road accidents are scary and can cause severe injuries, property damage, and, at times, legal and financial consequences.

In non-DUI car accidents, you can file an insurance claim on your own or with the assistance of a car accident lawyer, and the insurance company pays it off. But, in the case of a DUI accident, the process of receiving insurance claims is more complex.

Such accidents fall under criminal activity. So, Insurance companies consider various factors before approving the claim and, most of the time, try to deny it.

In this blog, we will highlight how insurance companies scrutinize claims in drunk-driving accidents and why hiring an auto accident attorney can help.

Don’t face insurance companies alone. Let our car accident lawyers fight for your rights

How Insurance Companies Respond to DUI Cases

Insurance companies often use some common tactics to minimize or deny claims.

• They may blame you for being partially responsible for the accident.
• Insurance companies may take unnecessary time to investigate and find loopholes in your case so that you accept a lower settlement.
• They can also claim that your injuries are not as severe as you have mentioned because of the lack of evidence and documents.

Whether you are the victim of someone’s negligence or at fault, insurance providers won’t proceed without evidence.

• They determine fault based on police reports, witness statements, and evidence from the scene.
• They check the blood test results for blood alcohol concentration (BAC) above the legal limit.
• They also check arrest details and DUI charges.

At-Fault Insurance System in California

You might be aware that California follows an ‘at-fault insurance system.’ According to this, the driver responsible for the accident will bear the liability. In a drunk-driving accident, the driver at fault or their insurance provider will pay for the damages. However, it’s not as simple as it seems.

Because the insurance companies of both parties try to prove that the other party is responsible for the accident to mitigate their claims, you must look for an experienced auto accident lawyer in Rio Linda to present your case strongly. However, the insurance coverage depends on the type of policy the at-fault driver carries. In many cases:

• The drunk driver’s liability coverage pays for the other party’s medical bills, vehicle damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
• If your damages are higher than the at-fault driver’s coverage limits, you may need to file a lawsuit to recover additional compensation.
• Some insurance policies do not cover accidents caused due to reckless behavior, like DUI. If the at-fault driver’s insurer refuses to pay, you might have to seek compensation through your own uninsured/underinsured auto coverage.

What If the At-Fault Driver Is Uninsured?

Sometimes, the at-fault driver may not be insured. Then, you are left with a few options:

• Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UMC), as part of your auto insurance policy, can cover medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
• If the DUI has personal assets, you can sue them directly by filing a lawsuit with the assistance of a car accident lawyer in Rio Linda.
• You can also benefit from California Victim Compensation Programs that help victims of violent crimes, such as DUI crashes.

An auto accident attorney can explore all available options so that you receive the compensation you deserve.

Primary Steps You Should Take If a DUI Hits You

Being in a drunk-driving accident is unfortunate and, at the same time, very challenging. However, you can protect your claim if you take the right steps immediately after the accident. Take a look at what you can do to protect your rights:

• Call 911 – The first step is to immediately call 911 to bring law enforcement to the accident scene. The police team documented the accident and tested the other driver for alcohol impairment.
• Seek Medical Attention – You may not feel pain right then, but some injuries can manifest later, so it’s good to have a full medical checkup.
• Gather Evidence – You can gather some useful evidence by clicking photographs of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and any visible injuries.
• Get Witness Information – Gather statements from bystanders to strengthen your claim.
• Contact an Auto Accident Attorney – A skilled lawyer can help you with the claims process and maximize your compensation. They take care of your legal stuff while you concentrate on recovering.

All the steps are important in strengthening your case. Seeking insurance claims and compensation can help you cover medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and, to some extent, pain and suffering and the loss of quality of life.

Contact our legal team for immediate assistance.

Takeaway

DUI accidents leave lasting impacts on victims and their families. It’s a very difficult situation for anyone to handle. Moreover, insurance companies that are supposed to help in tough times by covering damages use tactics to pay as little as possible.

If you or a loved one has been affected by a drunk-driving accident, don’t face the insurance companies alone. The best way to safeguard your interests is to have a skilled car accident lawyer on your side to strengthen your case.

Contact Doyle O’Donnell- The Trusted Personal Injury and Accident Attorney in California for Over 30 Years

If you are looking for an auto accident lawyer in Rio Linda, Doyle O’Donnell is the best.
We understand people's pain, pressure, and inconvenience after an accident. Therefore, we make sure that our clients receive what they deserve. If you or your loved one is also facing the complexities of a drunk-driving accident or any standard accident, contact us at Doyle O’Donnell.

Our team of injury lawyers and accident attorneys in Rio Linda will help see you through the process, as unforeseen bills and injuries can arise in the future. We assist you in dealing with the paperwork, medical bills, and next legal steps to take while you recover.

Call us at 916-892-0754 or mail us at dan@doinjurylaw.com to start the process.