Content reviewed by:
Alex Shulman
If an impaired driver hits you or a loved one in Orangetown, you may be facing medical bills and time away from work. A drunk driver lawyer in Orangetown can guide your next steps while you focus on recovery.
At Shulman & Hill, we represent injured drivers, passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, and families in cases arising from drunk driving crashes in Orangetown and throughout Rockland County. Our car accident lawyer in Orangetown can help you recover compensation after you’ve been injured. We have over 200 years of combined experience handling cases like yours.
New York DUI Law and How It Affects Your Case
In New York, driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher is illegal, and drug-impaired driving is also prohibited. A criminal conviction is not required to pursue a civil injury claim, but evidence from a criminal case can support your claim.
Civil liability is based on negligence. Impaired driving, failure to yield, speeding, or violating traffic laws can establish fault. Punitive damages may be available in limited cases involving reckless conduct, but they are not awarded in every case.
Our personal injury lawyer in Orangetown can help you recover compensation after you’ve been injured in a crash.
What to Do After a Drunk Driving Accident
Taking the right steps after a crash can help protect your health and your claim. If a drunk driver has caused your injuries, you should:
- Call 911 and request police and medical assistance
- Photograph vehicles, the scene, and visible injuries
- Gather contact information for witnesses and responding officers
- Seek medical care immediately and follow your treatment plan
- Avoid giving recorded statements to the other insurer
- Contact a drunk driver lawyer in Orangetown as soon as possible
Liability Beyond the Drunk Driver
In some cases, liability may extend beyond the impaired driver. New York’s Dram Shop laws allow claims against bars or restaurants that unlawfully served alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person or a minor who later caused an accident.
Social host liability is more limited in New York but may apply when alcohol is provided to minors. Employers may also be responsible if the driver was acting within the scope of employment at the time of the crash.
Evidence That Can Strengthen Your Claim
Strong claims rely on clear evidence connecting intoxication to the crash and your injuries. We may obtain:
- Police reports and incident documentation
- Bodycam, dashcam, or surveillance footage
- Breath or blood test results
- Witness statements
- Vehicle data and crash analysis
Medical records, physician opinions, and employment documentation help establish the full extent of your injuries and losses. Acting quickly helps preserve evidence that may otherwise be lost.
Damages You May Recover
You may be able to recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses and future treatment
- Lost income and reduced earning capacity
- Property damage and out-of-pocket costs
- Pain and suffering, if your injuries meet New York’s serious injury threshold
In cases involving particularly reckless conduct, punitive damages may be available in limited circumstances.
Families may pursue wrongful death claims for financial losses and loss of support under New York law.
Insurance, No-Fault Benefits, and Coverage
New York’s no-fault system means Personal Injury Protection (PIP) typically covers initial medical expenses and a portion of lost wages, regardless of fault.
To pursue compensation for pain and suffering, your injuries must meet the serious injury threshold under New York law. We review your medical records and insurance coverage to determine your available claims.
If the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, your UM/UIM coverage may provide additional compensation.
Deadlines and Legal Timing in Orangetown DUI Injury Claims
Most New York personal injury claims must be filed within three years of the accident. Wrongful death claims generally have a two-year deadline.
Claims involving public entities may require a Notice of Claim within 90 days. Missing these deadlines can prevent recovery, so early action is important.
We also act quickly to preserve time-sensitive evidence such as surveillance footage and vehicle data.
Our Fee Structure for Drunk Driving Cases
We handle drunk driving injury cases on a contingency fee basis. You do not pay upfront legal fees, and our fee comes from any recovery we obtain.
We advance case costs and explain all fees and expenses during your consultation so you understand what to expect.
Our team has recovered over $1 billion for injured clients across New York.
Contact Our Orangetown Drunk Driver Lawyers
If a drunk or impaired driver injured you in Orangetown, Shulman & Hill is ready to help you pursue compensation under New York law. We can investigate the crash, identify responsible parties, and handle communications with insurers.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and discuss your legal options.
