Content reviewed by:
Alex Shulman
A crash caused by an impaired driver is not a simple accident, and the claims process that follows is rarely straightforward. Medical bills stack up, and the insurer on the other side is already working to limit what they pay.
Shulman & Hill has recovered over $1 billion for injured New Yorkers and knows exactly how to build these cases. A drunk driver lawyer in Queens from our firm handles serious injury claims, wrongful death cases, and insurance disputes for people hurt by impaired drivers across the borough.
When you are ready to talk, a Queens car accident lawyer at our firm is available for a free consultation. Reach out today.
What Makes Drunk Driving Crashes Different
Drunk driving collisions often involve more than ordinary carelessness. Alcohol slows reaction time, affects judgment, reduces coordination, and makes it harder for a driver to stay in a lane, brake on time, or notice traffic signals.
That matters in a civil injury case because the facts may show a stronger level of misconduct than a typical car crash. A Queens personal injury lawyer from our firm can use police records, breath and blood test results, and witness statements to show how intoxication contributed to the wreck.
Even if the impaired driver faces criminal charges, you can still bring a separate injury claim for the harm you suffered. The civil case focuses entirely on your losses and the compensation available to you.
How We Handle Insurers and Build Your Case
After a crash, insurance companies move fast to limit what they pay. We step in to investigate, gather records, and handle all communications with the insurer so you do not have to carry that burden while recovering.
Your case may involve more than one source of recovery. In addition to the drunk driver’s insurance, there may be claims involving vehicle owners, employers, bars or restaurants in limited situations, or your own uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.
If the insurer refuses to offer a fair amount, we prepare the case for litigation. Many claims settle, but preparing every case as if it may go to court strengthens your position at the negotiating table.
Evidence That Can Strengthen Your Claim
Strong evidence makes a major difference in proving fault and damages. In drunk driver cases, there may be added forms of proof not present in every collision claim, including breath or blood test results, arrest records, dashcam or surveillance footage, crash reconstruction, and statements from people who saw the driver drinking or driving erratically.
Medical records connect the crash to your injuries and show the treatment you needed. Employment records document lost earnings and reduced ability to work. We also look at vehicle damage, black box data, and the police investigation.
We act quickly to preserve video from nearby businesses or traffic cameras before it is deleted, and we send spoliation letters to keep physical evidence intact before vehicles are repaired or discarded.
Common Injuries After an Impaired Driving Collision
A drunk driving crash can cause life-changing harm even at lower speeds. Many collisions involve direct, forceful impact because an impaired driver failed to brake or react in time.
Common injuries include the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord and back injuries
- Broken bones and joint damage
- Internal bleeding and organ injuries
- Severe cuts, burns, and scarring
Some injuries are obvious right away while others show up over the next few days. Prompt medical care protects both your health and the record of what the crash caused.
Steps to Take After a Drunk Driving Crash
The hours and days after a collision can affect both your health and your claim. Get medical treatment right away, report the crash to law enforcement, and take photos of the scene and your injuries.
Here are the steps that matter most:
- Get medical treatment right away and follow all provider instructions
- Report the crash to law enforcement and request the police report
- Photograph the scene, vehicle damage, and any visible injuries
- Keep records of all bills, appointments, and missed work
- Avoid giving recorded statements to insurers before speaking with an attorney
If a family member was badly hurt, you may be managing these tasks while also dealing with stress at home. We can help organize the claim and preserve evidence before it disappears.
Deadlines and Why Early Action Matters
Most personal injury lawsuits in New York must be filed within three years of the crash. Wrongful death claims carry a two-year deadline. If a public entity was involved, a notice of claim may be due within 90 days, with a shorter overall window to file suit.
Insurance policies add their own deadlines on top of those. No-fault applications are typically due within 30 days of the crash, and uninsured motorist claims require prompt notice to your own carrier. Missing either can affect your access to benefits even when the lawsuit window is still open.
We track every applicable deadline from day one so nothing closes on your rights while you focus on recovering.
Compensation You May Be Able to Recover
Your claim may include economic and personal losses tied to the crash. Compensation may cover medical expenses, rehabilitation, lost wages, reduced earning ability, pain and suffering, and property damage.
If the crash caused a fatal injury, surviving relatives may have a wrongful death claim under New York law. In some cases, the conduct of a drunk driver may also raise the issue of punitive damages when the behavior was especially reckless.
The value of your claim depends on the severity of your injuries, the treatment you need, how long recovery takes, and how the crash affects your life and work going forward.
Talk to a Drunk Driver Lawyer in Queens Today
Drunk driving crashes are among the most serious cases we handle, and the evidence that makes them winnable can disappear within days. The carriers on the other side know that, and they count on injured people not moving fast enough.
Shulman & Hill has over 200 years of combined experience taking on those carriers for injured New Yorkers across every borough. A drunk driver lawyer in Queens from our firm will investigate your crash, identify every source of recovery, and fight for every dollar you are owed.
Reach out today for a free consultation. New York, we got you.
