Each year, many people across the United States enjoy a three-day weekend to celebrate Labor Day. This holiday weekend marks the unofficial changing of the seasons, and many families see this as the opportunity to have a barbecue, boat outing, or camping trip. Some people use the long weekend as an excuse to stay out late on Sunday night and have drinks with friends since they don’t have to work on Monday. 

No matter how you plan to celebrate this national holiday, you should be aware that drunk driving accidents spike on Labor Day weekend each year, just as they do on most holidays. While law enforcement tries to increase their presence on the road to enforce impaired driving laws and arrest drunk drivers, many drivers who are intoxicated end up causing serious accidents and injuries to others. If you suffer injuries because of a drunk driver over Labor Day (or any time), you want to seek help from an experienced drunk driving accident lawyer in Los Angeles. 

How to Know if You were Hit By a Drunk Driver

If another vehicle suddenly crashes into your car, it can be unnerving. You might need immediate attention from emergency medical personnel and an ambulance ride, so you might not have a chance to observe anything else at the scene. If you can stay at the scene, consider the following:

• Notice whether the other driver is stumbling, slurring words, showing signs of confusion , or has other signs of intoxication
• Never confront a possibly intoxicated driver, as they might be aggressive and you cannot predict how they will react
• Call 911 after the crash and allow the police to arrive and interview the driver

Part of an officer’s job at an accident scene is to determine whether one or more drivers violated the law. If they have probable cause to believe a driver is drunk, they should make an arrest, and if the driver is convicted of driving under the influence, you can use that in your injury claim to prove the driver’s fault.   

Your Rights as a Drunk Driving Victim

Drunk drivers should be held accountable for any and all harm they cause, though this requires action on the part of the injured accident victim. An attorney can help you prepare and file an insurance claim or an injury lawsuit if needed. You should be focused on your medical treatment and recovery, while your lawyer handles the entire process of seeking compensation. Common damages in drunk driving claims include:

• Medical expenses
• Lost income
• Pain and suffering
• Mental trauma
• Permanent disability or disfigurement

Contact a Los Angeles Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Today

At Jahrmarkt & Associates, we hope that everyone in the LA area has a fun and safe Labor Day weekend with friends and family. If your weekend happens to be disrupted by any type of accident and injury, you should not delay in seeking legal guidance from a Los Angeles injury lawyer you can trust. Contact us for a free case evaluation to learn how we can help.