DUI driver rear-ended me with my cat in the car — lease vehicle, both of us hurt. Where do I start?

I went through something really similar — leased car, rear-ended by someone who'd been drinking, and my dog had to go to the vet afterward. The lease part stressed me out the most honestly. What I learned: the leasing company has a financial interest in the car so they may get involved whether you want them to or not. Make sure you read your lease agreement about what you're required to report and when. Mine had a specific notification window I almost missed.

Do NOT call the at-fault driver's insurance before you've talked to someone who knows what they're doing. Their adjuster's job — full stop — is to minimize what they pay out. They will be friendly, they will act like they're helping you, and they will ask you questions designed to get you to downplay your injuries. Even saying 'I'm feeling a little better' in casual conversation can be used against you later.

Not legal advice, but a few things worth knowing: in most states, a DUI conviction or even an arrest record from the same incident can be relevant to your civil claim, so preserve everything — the police report number, any body cam footage requests, witness contact info if you got it. On the cat: vet bills for an injured pet can sometimes be included in a personal injury claim as property damages, though it varies a lot by state. Definitely worth asking an attorney about before you settle anything. Most PI attorneys do free consultations.

Please don't skip that orthopedist appointment even if you start feeling better before then. With rear-impact collisions, adrenaline and inflammation can mask how bad things actually are for several days. I've seen patients think they were fine at day three and then really struggle at week two. Get everything documented at every appointment — what hurts, where, how it affects your sleep and daily activity. That record matters.

On the lease question — typically the leasing company is listed as the vehicle owner on the title, so the property damage claim may technically run through them or alongside you depending on your lease terms and your state. Your own collision coverage (if you have it) might also come into play. It's a bit tangled but a PI attorney who handles auto cases will have seen this before, it's not unusual. Also: get a copy of the police report as soon as it's available. In most jurisdictions you can request it online within a few days of the incident.

I just want to say — dealing with your own pain AND worrying about your cat at the same time sounds absolutely exhausting. I hope her vet appointment goes okay tomorrow. Please make sure someone can drive you if you're still on muscle relaxers, and try to actually rest. Everything else can wait a day or two while you take care of yourself.

Here's my short list: (1) Get the police report. (2) Take photos of everything — your car, your injuries, even your cat if she's visibly bothered. (3) Keep every receipt and medical record from day one. (4) Don't post about this on social media. (5) Talk to a PI lawyer before you talk to any insurance company. That's it. Everything else flows from those five things.

Quick question — did you get the names and contact info of any witnesses at the scene? With a DUI arrest you're probably in decent shape evidence-wise, but independent witnesses who aren't you or the other driver can make a big difference if things get contested down the line. Also, how are you getting around right now — did you arrange a rental yet? Most policies have rental coverage and you shouldn't be out of pocket for that.