What are the best things to do if I am involved in a Tennessee auto accident and the other driver was drunk?

If you are the victim of a Tennessee drunk driving accident, there are several important factors to consider. Because of the nature of this crime, and because the legal system is complicated, you should consider the following:

When the accident occurs, you should immediately call the police if no one else has. Be sure the dispatcher knows you suspect a DUI. It is very important for law enforcement to be on the scene as soon as possible. They will need to collect evidence, run sobriety testing on the other driver, and gather witnesses.
If anyone in your vehicle was injured or even killed, you must be sure to contact a Tennessee auto accident attorney as soon as possible. By doing so, you are protecting your rights and your future medical bills, pain and suffering.
Understand that if the other driver had a blood alcohol content (BAC) over the legal limit of .08, the State may choose to file criminal charges against him or her. However, criminal trials punish the guilty according to state law; they do not represent your losses.
You and your attorney must file civil charges against the drunk driver in order to get restitution. A civil trial is completely separate from a criminal trial and the outcome of one does not affect the outcome of the other.

As Tennessee personal injury lawyers, we regularly see the results of drinking and driving. In fact, an average of one third of all auto accident fatalities are caused by drivers who are impaired. Call us in Memphis at Greer Injury Lawyers today toll free at 888.470.9143 to request a free case consultation.