Content reviewed by:
Alex Shulman
A crash caused by an intoxicated driver can leave you dealing with pain, lost income, and questions about what comes next. With over $1 billion recovered, Shulman & Hill Injury Lawyers helps injured people and families pursue claims after drunk driving collisions.
If a drunk driver hit you, you may have the right to seek payment for medical care, missed wages, property damage, and other losses. Our drunk driver lawyer in Long Island handles your entire claim while you recover from your injuries.
You can learn more about how our car accident lawyers in Long Island can help. Call us for a free consultation.
What Makes Drunk Driving Injury Cases Different
A drunk driving crash often involves more than ordinary carelessness. When a driver gets behind the wheel after drinking, that choice can create stronger evidence of reckless conduct and may affect how your case is investigated and presented.
Even when an arrest happens, a criminal case is separate from your injury claim. You can still bring a civil claim for compensation, and the outcome of the criminal matter does not fully decide whether you recover damages.
At Shulman & Hill, our personal injury lawyers in Long Island review police reports, witness accounts, testing records, crash scene evidence, and medical records to build a clear case showing how the intoxicated driver caused your injuries.
How a Drunk Driver Lawyer in Long Island Can Help
After a serious collision, you may be contacted by insurers before you know the full extent of your injuries. We step in to handle those communications, gather evidence, and push back when an insurance company tries to minimize what happened.
A drunk driver lawyer in Long Island can also identify all available sources of recovery. That may include the at-fault driver’s insurance policy, your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, and, in some cases, claims against other parties.
When we represent you, we focus on documenting both your financial losses and the personal effect of the crash. That includes the pain, treatment, limitations, and daily disruption caused by the collision.
Evidence Our Attorneys Use to Strengthen Your Claim
Strong evidence can make a major difference in a drunk driving injury case. While a DWI arrest may help, your civil claim often depends on a broader set of facts showing how the crash happened and how badly you were hurt.
Useful evidence may include dashcam footage, surveillance video, black box data, toxicology results, bar or restaurant receipts, cellphone records, and testimony from witnesses. Medical records also help connect the crash to your injuries and show the treatment you needed.
The earlier this evidence is preserved, the better. Some video is deleted quickly, and witnesses may become harder to locate over time.
Compensation You May Be Able to Recover After Being Hit by a Drunk Driver
A civil claim cannot undo what happened, but it can help relieve the financial pressure caused by the crash. The value of your case depends on the severity of your injuries, the cost of treatment, and how the accident changed your life.
You may be able to recover damages for medical bills, future medical care, rehabilitation, lost wages, reduced earning ability, pain and suffering, and property loss. In fatal cases, surviving family members may also have grounds for a wrongful death claim.
Liability May Extend Beyond the Drunk Driver
In some cases, the drunk driver is not the only party that may bear legal responsibility. New York law may allow claims against other people or businesses depending on how the alcohol was served and the facts leading up to the crash.
For example, a bar, restaurant, or social host may become part of the case in limited situations. These claims are fact-specific and require close review of records, witness statements, and applicable law.
Looking at every possible source of liability matters because serious injuries can exceed a single insurance policy. A fuller investigation may expand the paths available for recovery.
Our Long Island Drunk Driver Accident Lawyers Handle Communications With Insurance Companies
Insurance adjusters often move quickly after a crash, especially when fault seems clear. Even so, clear fault does not always lead to a fair offer.
You may be asked to sign releases, provide broad medical authorizations, or accept a payment before your treatment is complete. Doing so can reduce your ability to recover the full amount you need later.
Our Long Island drunk driver attorneys deal directly with insurers so you can focus on treatment. Our role includes valuing the claim, presenting evidence, negotiating settlement, and preparing for court if the insurer refuses to act reasonably.
Time Limits for Filing a Drunk Driving Accident Lawsuit
New York law sets deadlines for filing personal injury lawsuits and wrongful death lawsuits. For example, you generally have three years to file a personal injury lawsuit. Missing a filing deadline can prevent you from recovering compensation, even when the drunk driver was clearly at fault.
The time limit can vary based on who is involved and whether a public entity may have some role in the case. That is one reason early legal review matters after a crash.
Waiting can also make proof harder to gather. Records may disappear, witnesses may forget details, and insurers may use delays to question your injuries.
What to Expect When You Work With Shulman & Hill
When you contact our firm, we start by listening to what happened and reviewing the available facts. We then explain your options in plain language, discuss possible next steps, and begin collecting the records and evidence needed for the claim.
Throughout the case, we track your medical progress, review insurance issues, and measure how the injuries affect your work and daily life. If a fair settlement is not offered, we prepare to present your case in court.
Our goal is to help you pursue the compensation allowed under New York law while taking pressure off you and your family during a hard time.
Let Our Drunk Driver Attorneys in Long Island Handle Your Case
If a drunk driver injured you or someone you love, you do not have to sort through the legal process alone. A claim may help you recover money for treatment, lost income, and the wider harm the crash caused.
Shulman & Hill represents injured people across New York in serious motor vehicle accident cases. Contact us to discuss your rights and the next steps after a drunk driving crash.
