| Drunk driving accidents are unfortunately quite | | | | Before talking with the adjuster about this factor, |
| common. Drunk driving is one of several "outside | | | | research both sides so you know what to say - do a |
| factors" which can sway your personal injury case | | | | search online for studies relating to the dangers of cell |
| decision in your favor - using a cell phone while driving | | | | phone use while driving. The study most likely to be |
| is another outside factor. | | | | used to counter your claim says that only a small |
| Outside factors are the actions of the other driver that | | | | percentage of accidents in North Carolina were |
| didn't directly cause the accident but contributed to, and | | | | caused by cell phone use. The study involves statistics |
| prove, negligence. A drunk driving accident may have | | | | from the 1990's and doesn't show the number of |
| been caused by the driver speeding, failing to signal or | | | | actual cell phone users in North Carolina at that time. |
| running a stop sign. The drunkenness is incidental, but | | | | When drunk driving accidents happen a law has clearly |
| highly relevant. | | | | been broken and charges will usually be made against |
| Because of this, when an accident involves drunk | | | | the driver. That indictment alone should have the |
| driving the drinking is generally considered an intangible. | | | | insurance adjuster hurrying to make an offer. |
| So even if there's no charge of drunk driving, it's | | | | With cell phone use it isn't that easy since many states |
| important to bring up anything alluding to the driver | | | | don't have laws against using them while driving. |
| drinking. For example, smelling alcohol on the driver's | | | | Without the element of a broken law and resulting |
| breath or seeing empty bottles in the car. Emphasising | | | | charges, it may be more difficult to prove the driver |
| these things can help your case. | | | | was using a cell phone. This will come down to your |
| Aside from drunk driving accidents, cell phone | | | | word against theirs, but that's okay. If you know you're |
| accidents are increasingly common. If the other driver | | | | right, then make sure the adjuster realizes that if your |
| was talking on a cell phone when the car accident | | | | claim goes to court, you will demand the other driver's |
| happened, you're likely to win a quick personal injury | | | | cell phone records. This will prove your case. |
| settlement. | | | | If your case involves a drunk driving accident or a cell |
| Cell phones have been proven to cause accidents by | | | | phone accident, make sure to stress it in your demand |
| distracting the driver. Some studies have shown that | | | | to the insurance company. Drunk driving accidents are |
| cell phones are responsible for the same number of | | | | so common that the mere mention of the word 'drunk' |
| accidents as drunk driving. Mentioning this to the | | | | will do most of the work for you. With cell phone use, |
| insurance adjuster will strengthen your case, but they'll | | | | reference at least one study. This'll show the insurance |
| still put up a fight. (There are also studies claiming that | | | | adjuster you know what you're talking about and that |
| cell phones cause very few accidents, but those | | | | your argument is solid. |
| studies can be quite easily debunked.) | | | | |