6 Steps to Take When You’re the Victim of a Drunken Hit-and-Run

May 16,2016

The driver of a pickup truck responsible for a drunken hit-and-run in Cathedral City was arrested late Friday night. Police say the driver hit a car at Date Palm Drive and Ramon Road around 10:15 p.m. and fled the scene.

The truck then struck another vehicle a few blocks away, causing the vehicle to crash into a brick wall. One of the occupants of that vehicle reported moderate injuries. Eastbound lanes of Da Vall Road were closed for nearly two hours while police investigated the incident. During the investigation, another vehicle attempted to cross the roadblock. That driver was arrested under suspicion of DUI.

If you are a victim of a drunken hit-and-run, follow these 6 steps to safely address the situation:

If you or someone else is injured, call 911 and seek medical assistance immediately.
Get the license plate number of the vehicle if you’re able to. If you are unable to get the plate, at least jot down what the vehicle looked like and any notable features (for instance, if you were rear-ended, the vehicle that hit you might have front bumper damage).
If you are pulled over in a safe place, stay where you are. If you are in the road, pull over once it is safe to do so.
Once you are safe, stay where you are. Do not attempt to chase after the perpetrator. Getting into a confrontation with the driver of a hit-and-run—especially if that person is intoxicated—is far more dangerous than it is worth.
When the police arrive, be sure to tell them as much information about the accident as possible for the report. If there are any witnesses, let the police know and ask them to also file a report.
Report the incident to your insurance company.

“Drivers need to be sure they have sufficient auto insurance with uninsured motorist coverage to protect them if they are ever in this situation,” said Attorney Walter Clark, founder of Walter Clark Legal Group.

Our firm has been handling personal injury cases throughout the California Low Desert and High Desert communities for over 30 years. With a 95% success rate, the California personal injury attorneys at Walter Clark Legal Group will fight to hold those responsible for your loss accountable and win compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you have been injured in an auto accident and want to discuss your legal options, contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. We have offices in Indio, Rancho Mirage, Victorville, and Yucca Valley and represent clients through the entire California Low Desert and High Desert communities.

DISCLAIMER: The Walter Clark Legal Group blog is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal or medical advice. References to laws are based on general legal practices and vary by location. Information reported comes from secondary news sources. We do handle these types of cases, but whether or not the individuals and/or loved ones involved in these accidents choose to be represented by a law firm is a personal choice we respect. Should you find any of the information incorrect, we welcome you to contact us with corrections.