Content reviewed by:
Alex Shulman
Being hit by an impaired motorist changes your life. You may face mounting bills, missed work, and questions about accountability. At Shulman & Hill, our drunk driver lawyers in Huntington help injured people and families pursue claims after alcohol- and drug-impaired crashes, including wrongful death cases.
Our car accident lawyer in Huntington can help you start building a strong case after you’ve been injured. We have over 200 years of combined experience handling cases like yours.
How New York Law Treats Alcohol-Related Crashes
In New York, driving while intoxicated is a criminal offense, but your civil case is separate from any prosecution. You can bring a personal injury claim even if the at-fault driver is not convicted. Civil liability focuses on whether the driver was negligent and caused your injuries.
Evidence of impairment can support negligence. A blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher, failed field sobriety tests, or drug impairment may point to careless driving. Even without a measured BAC, swerving, speeding, or rear-end impacts can show fault.
In rare cases, punitive damages may be available when conduct shows a high degree of recklessness. These damages punish egregious behavior and are different from compensation for your losses. Our personal injury lawyer in Huntington can help you understand the laws.
Who We Help After a DUI Crash in Huntington
Our drunk driver lawyers in Huntington can represent drivers, passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists harmed by an impaired motorist. If a loved one passed away, we guide the family through a wrongful death action while coordinating with the estate representative.
Our team handles the full range of drunk driving accident claims: PIP/no-fault applications, liability claims, uninsured/underinsured motorist claims, and lawsuits when needed. Whether your injuries are orthopedic, head and neck, spinal, or psychological, we focus on the evidence that supports your recovery.
If you were partly blamed, New York’s comparative fault rules may reduce but not block your recovery. We address disputed liability with objective proof and expert analysis.
Evidence That Proves Impairment and Fault in Huntington
Winning a civil case often comes down to proof. We gather police crash reports, body-cam footage, breath or blood test results, and the officer’s observations. Receipts showing recent alcohol purchases or bar tabs can corroborate a timeline.
We also secure medical records that tie your injuries to the crash. Photos of vehicle damage, skid marks, and debris fields help a reconstruction expert explain how the collision happened. When appropriate, subpoenas can be used to obtain video from nearby businesses or traffic cameras.
Insurance Claims and New York No-Fault Benefits
New York is a no-fault state. Most injured people start with a Personal Injury Protection (PIP) claim, regardless of who caused the crash. PIP can cover reasonable medical expenses, a portion of lost wages, and certain out-of-pocket costs. You generally must file the no-fault application within 30 days of the crash.
If you meet the “serious injury” threshold or your losses exceed no-fault benefits, you can bring a bodily injury claim against the impaired driver. That claim can seek pain and suffering and full economic losses not covered by PIP.
You may also have uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/SUM) coverage if the at-fault driver lacks adequate insurance. Our drunk driver lawyers in Huntington can review your policy to identify all available coverage and coordinate the claims so benefits are not left on the table.
Damages You Can Recover in a DUI Collision Case
Compensation in an impaired driving case generally includes medical costs, rehabilitation, assistive devices, and future treatment needs. You can also pursue lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and property damage.
Non-economic losses cover physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. These harms can be substantial in high-impact crashes or when injuries lead to lasting limitations.
If a family member died, a wrongful death case may include funeral costs, medical bills before death, and pecuniary losses to the distributees. We work with experts to calculate both current and future damages.
Time Limits and Steps to Protect Your Rights
Most personal injury lawsuits in New York must be filed within three years of the crash. Wrongful death actions generally have a two-year deadline. If a municipal vehicle is involved, you may need to serve a Notice of Claim within 90 days, with a shorter time to sue. Missing a deadline can end your case.
Shorter timelines apply to no-fault: submit the PIP application within 30 days and follow your policy’s rules for medical billing. Keep every record related to treatment, lost work, and expenses to support your claim.
Right after the crash, get medical care, follow up on all appointments, and avoid discussing fault with insurers before you have legal guidance. Photos, witness names, and any video can be pivotal later.
Working With a Drunk Driver Lawyer in Huntington
Local knowledge helps. Huntington crashes may be investigated by the Suffolk County Police Department, with cases heard in Suffolk County courts. We are familiar with regional insurers, common adjuster tactics, and the providers who treat crash injuries on Long Island.
We work on a contingency fee, so you pay nothing upfront. Our goal is to move your case forward while you focus on your health and family.
Contact Our Drunk Driver Lawyer in Huntington
You did not choose to share the road with an impaired driver, but you can choose how to respond now. Shulman & Hill can guide your no-fault claim, build your liability case, and pursue the full measure of damages allowed under New York law.
Contact us for a free consultation with a Huntington drunk driver lawyer, and let us start building a path toward recovery.
