Content reviewed by:
Alex Shulman
Being injured by a drunk driver is not just a traumatic experience. It is a preventable one, and the person responsible should be held fully accountable. If you were hurt in a drunk driving accident, our car accident lawyer in Manhattan can help you pursue every source of compensation available under New York law.
At Shulman & Hill Injury Lawyers, we fight to hold reckless drivers and the parties who enable them fully accountable for the harm they cause. Contact our Manhattan drunk driver lawyer today for a free consultation. New York, We Got You.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Manhattan Drunk Driving Accident?
When you work with our personal injury lawyer in Manhattan, our goal is to help you get the maximum amount of financial compensation for your accident. Victims of drunk driving accidents in New York may be entitled to a broader range of damages than victims of other types of crashes.
Damages in a drunk driving accident claim may include:
- Medical expenses, including emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, and ongoing treatment
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity if your injuries affect your ability to work
- Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life
- Rehabilitation costs, including physical therapy and long-term care
- Punitive damages, which may be available in cases involving egregious or reckless conduct
The value of your claim depends on the severity of your injuries, the circumstances of the crash, and the available sources of recovery. We work to make sure every element of your losses is documented and pursued.
How New York’s Dram Shop Law Can Expand Your Recovery
New York’s Dram Shop Act allows injury victims to pursue claims against bars, restaurants, and other alcohol vendors that served a visibly intoxicated person who later caused an accident. This law creates a separate avenue of liability that goes beyond the drunk driver themselves and can significantly increase the total compensation available in your case.
To bring a dram shop claim, it must be shown that the establishment continued serving alcohol to someone who was visibly intoxicated at the time. Evidence such as surveillance footage, receipts, witness accounts, and staff testimony can all play a role in establishing that the vendor acted irresponsibly.
How New York Law Defines Drunk Driving and Why It Matters for Your Claim
In New York, a driver is legally impaired when their blood alcohol concentration reaches 0.08 percent or higher. Commercial drivers are held to a stricter standard of 0.04 percent, and drivers under 21 face a zero-tolerance threshold of 0.02 percent. A driver can also be found impaired by drugs or a combination of substances under New York’s DWI statutes.
A criminal conviction or guilty plea by the drunk driver can carry significant weight in a related civil case. While a civil claim operates independently of criminal proceedings, evidence of a DWI charge or conviction can support your claim by establishing that the driver was acting recklessly at the time of the crash.
Our Manhattan drunk driving lawyers will monitor the criminal case closely and use all available evidence to build the strongest possible civil claim on your behalf.
Who Can Be Held Liable After a Drunk Driving Accident in Manhattan?
Liability in a drunk driving case can extend well beyond the driver who caused the crash. Depending on the circumstances, a bar or restaurant, a social host, or even a vehicle owner may share responsibility for your injuries.
The drunk driver is the primary liable party, and their auto insurance is typically the first source of recovery. If an alcohol vendor served the driver while they were visibly intoxicated, that establishment may be liable under New York’s Dram Shop Act. In some situations, a social host who provided alcohol to a visibly intoxicated guest may also face liability under New York law.
Identifying every liable party requires a thorough investigation conducted as early as possible. Our team moves quickly to gather the evidence needed to support claims against all responsible parties.
How Shulman & Hill Handles Drunk Driver Cases in Manhattan
At Shulman & Hill, we approach drunk driving accident cases with the seriousness and urgency they demand. We gather police reports, toxicology records, and surveillance footage, consult with medical professionals, and pursue every available source of compensation.
We handle every case on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. There are no upfront costs and no fees unless we win. Our team keeps you informed at every stage and is available to answer your questions throughout the process.
Our Manhattan drunk driving attorneys will also consult with law enforcement and the district attorney’s office when appropriate, so that developments in the criminal case can be used to strengthen your civil claim.
Why Drunk Driving Accident Claims Are Worth More Than Standard Car Accident Cases
Drunk driving cases often result in higher compensation than other car accident claims because of the aggravated nature of the conduct involved. New York courts may award punitive damages in cases where the defendant’s behavior was particularly reckless or willful, and drunk driving frequently meets that standard.
Insurance carriers handling drunk driving claims are aware of this exposure and may be more motivated to settle, but they will still work to minimize what they pay. Without an attorney who understands the full value of your claim, you may accept a settlement that falls short of what you are actually owed.
Our team knows how to present drunk driving cases in a way that reflects the true severity of the conduct and the full extent of your losses, and we are prepared to take your case to trial if a fair resolution is not reached.
Contact Shulman & Hill After a Drunk Driving Accident in Manhattan
Call Shulman & Hill today to schedule your free consultation and find out what your case may be worth. There is no obligation and no cost to get started. New York’s statute of limitations sets a firm deadline on injury claims, and some avenues of recovery have even shorter windows.
Contact our Manhattan drunk driving accident attorneys today so we can begin building your case.
