If you were injured by a drunk driver in North Carolina, it may feel obvious that the other driver is responsible. After all, if the driver was arrested or charged with DWI, shouldn’t the rest of the process be straightforward?
Unfortunately, that is not always how injury claims work.
A criminal DWI case may punish the impaired driver, but it does not automatically pay your medical bills, recover lost income, repair the disruption to your life, or protect you from the insurance company. For the injured person, there is often a separate personal injury claim that must be handled carefully.
In this video, Kellum Law Firm explains why victims of drunk driving accidents should understand the difference between the criminal case and the injury claim, what the insurance company may still try to question, and why it is important to avoid giving statements or accepting a quick settlement before you understand your options.
If you or someone you love was injured by an impaired driver, our North Carolina DWI accident attorneys can help you understand what may happen next.
Watch the Video: Hit by a Drunk Driver in North Carolina?
This short video explains why a drunk driving crash is not only a criminal matter. For the victim, it may also involve medical bills, lost wages, insurance disputes, and questions about available compensation.
Overview:
Why the Criminal DWI Case Does Not Replace Your Injury Claim
After a drunk driving crash, many injured people assume the criminal case will take care of everything. That misunderstanding can create problems.
The criminal case focuses on the impaired driver’s conduct. It may involve charges, court appearances, fines, probation, or other penalties. But the criminal case is not designed to fully document your injuries, calculate your future medical needs, deal with the insurance company, or recover compensation for the harm you suffered.
Your injury claim is different. It focuses on what happened to you.
That may include emergency care, follow-up treatment, physical pain, missed work, vehicle damage, emotional distress, and the long-term effects of the crash. Even when alcohol is involved, the insurance company may still look for ways to reduce what it pays.
What the Insurance Company May Not Tell You
An impaired driving arrest may be powerful evidence, but it does not mean the insurance company will simply pay the full value of your claim. The insurer may still dispute parts of the case.
For example, the insurance company may question whether all of your medical treatment was necessary. It may argue that some of your pain came from a prior condition. It may claim you waited too long to seek treatment. It may ask for a recorded statement while you are still shaken, uncertain, and not yet sure how serious your injuries are.
In some cases, the insurance company may also make an early settlement offer before you know the full cost of your medical care, lost wages, or long-term recovery needs.
That is why it is important to be cautious. A quick settlement may seem helpful at first, but once a claim is settled, it can be difficult or impossible to come back later for additional compensation if your injuries turn out to be more serious than expected.
One Mistake to Avoid After a Drunk Driving Accident
One of the biggest mistakes injured people can make is assuming that the other driver’s DWI arrest makes the injury claim automatic.
It may help prove fault, but it does not remove the need to document your injuries, follow medical advice, preserve records, and understand what insurance coverage may be available.
Before giving a recorded statement, signing paperwork, or accepting a settlement, it may be wise to speak with an attorney who handles drunk driving accident claims in North Carolina.
How Kellum Law Firm Helps DWI Accident Victims
Kellum Law Firm helps injured people and families understand their legal options after serious crashes, including accidents caused by impaired drivers.
Our legal team can review the facts of the crash, evaluate available insurance coverage, examine the role of the criminal case, help document the full impact of the injuries, and deal with the insurance company on your behalf.
If another driver’s decision to drive impaired caused harm to you or your family, you should not have to deal with the legal and insurance process alone.
Contact Kellum Law Firm today for a free case review. We can help you understand your options and decide what steps may make sense for your situation.
