Accident with a Drunk Driver | Lawyers in Manhattan
If you suffered injuries in an accident with a drunk driver, you have rights. Our team represents victims hurt in these crashes in Manhattan. We often help collision victims seek justice and hold the at-fault driver accountable in a civil case.
A Manhattan car accident lawyer from our Shulman & Hill team represents victims of drunk driving accidents. If you suffered injuries in a crash, we may be able to recover fair compensation for you. Call us today at (555) 555-5555 for a free initial consultation with our team.
Shulman & Hill Fights to Recover Compensation for Drunk Driving Victims
Shulman & Hill has a long history of recovering compensation for clients hurt by another party’s careless or reckless actions. Our case results show we have won more than $250 million, including many recoveries for victims of serious injury crashes in Manhattan. We know how to build a case to hold a drunk driver legally liable in civil court or negotiate a fair settlement with their insurance company.
Shulman & Hill is New York’s premier personal injury law firm. We earned this reputation by treating every client like they are a part of our family. Every case is personal to us. We represent our clients based on contingency fees, so we only charge the client attorney’s fees after we close the case and recover compensation for them.
Our attorneys handle even the most complex and difficult cases. We often accept cases other firms will not—and win. We may be able to help you pursue compensation in your case. One way to find out is to let our team assess your options during a free initial consultation.
Fault and Liability in a Drunk Driving Crash in Manhattan, New York
When a driver acts carelessly or recklessly behind the wheel, it may cause a collision. This scenario is even more likely when that driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Unfortunately, drunk driving crashes are common in New York City. The New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) reports that almost a third of all collisions statewide involve drunk drivers.
Drunk driving is especially dangerous because of the ways alcohol affects the body. According to the NY Courts, any amount of alcohol may affect your judgment and coordination and could reduce your ability to operate a vehicle. Driving near or over the legal limit could result in a driver with impairments such as:
- Poor coordination
- Reduced alertness
- Blurred or double vision
- Altered depth perception
- Impaired judgment
- Extended reaction time
While drunk drivers could face driving while intoxicated (DWI) charges, these proceedings in criminal court do little to help victims struggling to heal from their injuries and pay the related bills. This financial recovery comes from the civil case against the driver.
New York requires drivers to carry no-fault auto insurance that pays to cover basic losses and expenses following a crash. However, there are often other options to pursue compensation, too. Our team can assess your next steps for free, so consider contacting us today to get started.
Seeking Compensation After an Accident With a Drunk Driver in Manhattan
If you have a serious injury after a drunk driving crash, you may have the option to sue for damages. The definition of “serious injury” is not always clear-cut, so you could have a qualifying injury without realizing it. Our team helps clients gather evidence to prove they do.
We present this evidence to a judge or jury, who decides if the client can recover the requested damages. This process generally occurs as a part of an ongoing lawsuit to recover compensation in the case.
What Qualifies Clients to Receive Compensation
Our team assesses car accident cases regularly and may be able to tell you whether your injury could qualify you for additional compensation today. We handle these cases regularly, and our attorneys know how to show:
- The client suffered serious injuries.
- The drunk driver caused the collision.
- The value of the client’s recoverable damages.
Our attorneys handle all aspects of traffic accident cases for our clients. If we represent you, we will investigate the crash, develop the case, and navigate the process for you. All you need to do is focus on healing from your injuries.
Damages Recoverable With Our Manhattan Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
Our attorneys can help you get justice in a collision case by seeking compensation for the related expenses and losses. When we file lawsuits or insurance claims to recover compensation for our clients in a fault-based case, the damages include the following:
- Past and future pain and suffering
- Past and future medical expenses
- Past and future lost income
If you lost a loved one in a drunk driving accident, you may be entitled to recover wrongful death damages. One of our attorneys can review your case and explore your options with you.
Our Manhattan Car Accident Attorney Develops a Strong Case for Justice
When our attorneys represent a crash victim in Manhattan, we build a solid case and seek compensation for the injuries, expenses, and losses they experienced. We do not believe victims of a drunk driving crash should pay for their medical care, lost income, or future costs on their own. Instead, we fight to recover the money they deserve based on their case facts.
In general, serious injury victims may recover compensation for their damages through a personal injury lawsuit or auto liability insurance claim. When we manage a case, this requires us to prepare and file the claim or sue the drunk driver and prepare a case for trial. We often file injury lawsuits and negotiate for a settlement with the insurer concurrently.
If we do not reach a fair settlement agreement with the insurer before the trial date, our attorneys may take the case to trial and ask the judge or jury to award appropriate compensation.
Building the Case Against a Drunk Driver
Our team knows the evidence often available in a drunk driving accident case. We seek the available evidence to show what happened and help us tell the story of why we believe the drunk driver should pay for our client’s damages. This evidence includes:
- The crash report the responding police officers filed
- Video footage or photos
- Accident reconstruction
- BAC test results and other evidence, if available
- Accident scene surveys
- Relevant medical records
- Expert testimony
- Eyewitness statements
- Documentation of damages
We may not need to show the driver was over the legal limit to recover compensation in your case. If we can show they acted carelessly or recklessly behind the wheel, that is generally enough to hold them accountable. For example, we may have evidence to show the driver ran a red light but not documentation of their blood alcohol concentration. This could still support a financial recovery.
Let Us Handle Your Manhattan Drunk Driving Accident Case From Start to Finish
When a car accident lawyer from Shulman & Hill represents a drunk driving crash victim, we manage all aspects of the case. We are here to serve the client, ensuring their rights remain protected, and we pursue fair compensation based on the case facts. If we work together, you may trust our attorneys to:
- Answer your questions as they arise
- Provide guidance and legal advice about the accident and case
- Offer case updates regularly
- Manage all communication with the insurer and other parties
- Investigate what happened
- Build a case against the drunk driver
- Negotiate with the insurer for a fair settlement when appropriate
- Work without charging you upfront fees
How Soon Do I Need to Hire a Lawyer After the Car Accident?
There is a deadline to sue in car accident cases in Manhattan. According to CPLR § 214, injured crash victims only have a limited time to sue. This time frame is generally three years from the crash date. Wrongful death claimants usually have to file in two years, per EPT § 5-4.1. However, there are exceptions.
We encourage victims of drunk driving collisions to contact us early in the process. If your injuries are stable, it is not too soon to reach out. We provide free case assessments and may offer advice on your next steps based on what we learn.
Discuss Your Manhattan Drunk Driving Accident With Our Team Today for Free
At Shulman & Hill, our team provides free case consultations for crash victims in Manhattan. Our attorneys represent those hurt by careless or reckless drivers, including drunk drivers who cause accidents and injuries. You may have options for recovering compensation and holding the at-fault driver accountable.
Use our online contact form or reach out to us at (555) 555-5555 to learn more.
WE WORK WITH YOU
TO GET YOU COMPENSATED
Everyday working people often struggle to afford top-tier legal representation. To ensure equal access to justice, we work on a contingency-fee basis. You pay no attorneys’ fees unless we achieve a settlement or verdict in your case.