Drunk driving is an American epidemic. Roughly 4,100 drunk drivers are arrested every night. Even worse, millions of drivers self-report driving under the influence without getting caught. With potentially thousands of unsafe drivers on the road, it’s important that everyone understand what happens when you’re hit by a drunk driver.

Call 911

When you’re hit by a drunk driver, the first thing you should do is check yourself for injuries and call 911. Having police and an ambulance on the scene will allow you and the other driver to get proper medical treatment for any serious injuries. A police officer present can remove the unsafe driver from the road and ensure they don’t cause additional harm.

If the other driver fails to stop, try to remember their license plate number and a description of their vehicle, then report which way they’re traveling. This will help police find them and prevent them from hurting others.

Manage the Situation

While waiting for the police, avoid provoking the drunk driver. There’s no way to know how alcohol is affecting them and whether they’ll be remorseful or aggressive. It’s often best to avoid confrontation and let the police handle matters for you.

For that reason, it’s often wise to get the other driver’s insurance information from the police report rather than risk provoking them. If you fear that the other driver may try to harm you, wait in your car with the door locked until police arrive.

While meeting a drunk driver can be terrifying, it’s important that you don’t take matters into your own hands. Stay calm, wait for police officers to arrive, and then contact your attorney to discuss the next steps.

If a drunk driver struck you or a loved one, our team is here for you. To schedule a free case consultation with an experienced Atlanta personal injury attorney from Goldstein Hayes & Lina, LLC, please call (888) 425-6070 or send us an email.