{"id":353074,"date":"2017-02-10T19:08:09","date_gmt":"2017-02-11T00:08:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/injury\/car-accidents\/hit-by-a-drunk-driver-settlement-basics.html"},"modified":"2023-08-03T11:37:33","modified_gmt":"2023-08-03T16:37:33","slug":"hit-by-a-drunk-driver-settlement-basics","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/car-accidents\/hit-by-a-drunk-driver-settlement-basics.html","title":{"rendered":"Hit By a Drunk Driver: Settlement Basics"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Hit By a Drunk Driver: Settlement Basics<\/h1>\n
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\n By Ty McDuffey, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Katrina Wilson, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

As you slowly regain consciousness on the ambulance stretcher, you begin to realize the extent of your injuries. You can’t feel your legs, for starters, and the paramedics tend to your wounds and check for signs of a concussion. After you reach the hospital, you’re told that you were broadsided by a drunk driver.<\/p>\r\n

While you’re lucky to be alive, you’re also aware of the long road ahead toward recovery. Your mind then wanders to the high cost of hospitalization and ongoing therapy, all while being unable to work. How will you make ends meet after this type of car crash?<\/p>\r\n

The short answer is that insurance should cover most, if not all, of your financial losses, including lost wages. If there’s no doubt that you were hit by a drunk driver, an injury settlement<\/a> will likely be pursued instead of a trial. But to be properly compensated, you’ll want to understand:<\/p>\r\n