Content reviewed by:
Alex Shulman
When drunk drivers cause collisions in NYC, our team at Shulman & Hill Injury Lawyers can step in and help the victim seek justice. We believe in holding at-fault drivers accountable in civil cases and pursuing fair damages for our clients.
You can rely on our New York drunk driver accident lawyers to put you first and address all of your legal needs. We have over 200 years of combined legal experience and stand ready to handle insurance negotiations or a lawsuit on your behalf.
Contact us now for a free initial consultation to learn how our New York City car accident lawyers can assist with your legal needs.
Why Choose Our Drunk Driver Accident Lawyers in New York?
Shulman & Hill serves clients in all five boroughs. We are New York’s premier personal injury law firm, fighting to recover compensation and get justice for our clients hurt by another’s carelessness and recklessness. This includes building civil cases against drunk drivers who cause collisions and injuries.
Every case is personal to us. We fight for the financial recovery our clients need and deserve. You can rely on our New York personal injury lawyers to address your concerns and to stand up for your rights.
We Have a Reputation for Success
Our case results reflect more than $1 billion in recoveries, based on the unique details of our clients’ cases. We may be able to manage your case and seek compensation, no matter the complexity. We often accept difficult cases other firms may not.
We Work on a Contingency Basis
We are a contingency fee firm, so we do not charge upfront or out-of-pocket fees. Instead, we use firm resources to handle your case and pay all necessary costs. Our clients only pay attorney’s fees if we win compensation for them.
Our Services After a Drunk Driving Accident
If we represent you, you should expect our team to:
- Provide regular case updates
- Answer questions and address concerns
- Offer guidance and legal advice
- Protect your right to pursue fair compensation
- Meet all applicable deadlines
- Manage communication with the insurance company and other parties
- Negotiate with the insurance company to reach a fair offer
- Navigate the process according to the plan developed
There is no reason to wonder about your options or try to navigate a liability claim on your own. We represent victims of drunk drivers hurt in NYC and will fight for the money you need and deserve.
Drunk Drivers Have an Increased Risk of Causing a Crash
When a driver gets behind the wheel after drinking, the risk of a collision increases significantly. According to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) report on alcohol and driving, alcohol affects driving in several ways, such as:
- Impairing judgment and decision-making
- Blurry or double vision
- Increased difficulty in color distinction
- Slowed reaction time
- Poor coordination
Drunk driving leads to serious crashes, including fatal ones, nationwide. To this end, NYC plans to advocate for legislation lowering the legal limit from .08 to .05%. This threshold applies to drunk driving criminal cases, called DWI in New York.
It has little to do with the civil case our attorneys may file against the at-fault driver. However, our civil attorneys can use the evidence from police and the criminal trial to support our case in civil court.
Let a New York Car Accident Attorney on Our Team Seek Damages on Your Behalf
When one of our personal injury attorneys represents a car accident victim in NYC, we may pursue a range of expenses and losses to reimburse them for their damages. This compensation varies from case to case but often includes the following:
- Medical bills
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Vehicle repairs
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
We also represent clients in wrongful death cases. If your loved one passed away from accident injuries, our New York drunk driving accident attorneys can assess your options and discuss how to hold the drunk driver accountable.
Drunk Driving Accidents and No-Fault Insurance
Many victims hurt by drunk drivers believe they only have one option after a crash: Their personal injury protection (PIP) no-fault policy. However, this is not always the case. Our lawyers often file liability insurance claims and lawsuits on behalf of clients hurt in collisions in NYC.
When a serious injury occurs, we may be able to help pursue additional compensation, including economic losses beyond your no-fault policy limits and non-economic damages. In NYS, to recover beyond basic economic loss and pursue damages for pain and suffering, you will need to prove that your injury qualifies as a “serious injury” under New York law.
Our lawyers can discuss with you whether your injuries may qualify as a “serious injury” and pursue additional damages beyond no-fault insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions After Drunk Driving Accidents
Our New York drunk driver accident attorneys can answer any questions you have after a crash, including:
What Evidence Will Help With Your Drunk Driving Accident Case?
The evidence available to show what happened in your case may vary greatly from what we use to document other similar cases. Our attorneys know where to look for evidence. We obtain, analyze, and organize it to support our claim and lawsuit.
Some common evidence in DWI crash cases includes:
- The accident report filed by police, including any citations given
- Evidence in the DWI case against the driver
- Eyewitness statements
- Video or photos from the scene
- An accident scene survey
- Accident reconstruction
- Physical evidence
- Relevant medical records
- Expert testimony
- Documentation of damages
Our law firm can immediately investigate your drunk driving accident and get to work on your personal injury claim while you focus on your recovery.
How Much Compensation Will I Get for My Economic and Non-Economic Damages?
Without first investigating the crash and documenting your damages, there is no way to know how much your accident case is worth. We know this is a common question during initial consultations, but unfortunately, there is no accurate early answer. We need to assess your situation before estimating a value for your personal injury case.
Will I Get Punitive Damages?
You may receive punitive damages after a DUI accident in some cases. These damages punish the party responsible for a collision, and they only become available if the at-fault party exhibited unusually high levels of negligence or misconduct.
We can help you determine if you qualify for this form of compensation for your civil claim in New York City.
What Are Common Injuries After Drunk Driving Crashes?
Some of the most common injuries associated with auto accidents are:
- Neck injuries and spinal cord injuries (SCIs)
- Head and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
Make sure you get immediate medical care for any injuries caused by your crash to strengthen your drunk driving claim.
How Long Do I Have to Get Compensation After a Drunk Driving Accident?
Like other states, New York sets a deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit. This deadline is known as the statute of limitations. Under CPLR § 214, crash victims generally have up to three years to sue.
Those filing a wrongful death lawsuit usually have two years to file, according to EPT § 5-4.1. However, exceptions can alter these deadlines.
Don’t wait to discuss your case with us and learn how we may be able to help you. Evidence may disappear in the weeks after a collision, so hiring a lawyer to manage your case early on is a good idea. Our team is here for you when you need us.
Talk to Us After a Crash Caused by a Drunk Driver in New York City
You can rely on our team at Shulman & Hill to assist with all your legal needs after a collision. Our New York drunk driver accident attorneys can step up to handle your claim. We‘ll fight to help you make a full financial recovery when you turn to us for help.
