Accident With a Drunk Driver

If you and your family have suffered due to an accident with a drunk driver, our lawyers in Staten Island want to help. We know that the last thing on your mind right now is jumping through legal hoops to get fair compensation, so we can do all of the work for you.

Call Shulman & Hill at 212.221.1000 for a free case review. We are eager to tell you about your right to personal injury compensation and how our Staten Island car accident attorneys can fight for what you deserve.

Potential Consequences of Drunk Driving Accidents

Anyone can fall victim to a drunk driver, whether you were driving your car, a motorcycle, or another type of vehicle, or you were on foot. Such accidents are completely preventable, and yet they can cost you:

The Ability to Work

You could lose out on much-needed income if:

  • The accident caused you to miss work
  • You could not perform your job duties because of your injuries and had to take time off
  • You suffered permanent injuries that will affect your entire career from here on out

We can calculate how much income you have lost because of your accident with a drunk driver. Our lawyers in Staten Island can then ask the drunk driver to reimburse you for that amount so your family does not have to go without the things they are used to having.

Money Spent on Medical Care

Regardless of whether you can still work, you will still have to cover your bills and debts, including the cost of treating injuries the drunk driving accident caused.

If you have already received care for your injuries, try to remember to save any bills or receipts your providers sent you. These documents could more firmly establish:

  • The amount you have had to spend because of the accident
  • How serious your injuries are
  • What kinds of injuries you sustained
  • What kinds of treatments you may need in the future and that you deserve compensation for now

Your Physical and Emotional Well-Being

No amount of money can ever fully make up for the pain and suffering a drunk driving accident causes. Nevertheless, your previous level of health and happiness is yet another thing the drunk driver took away from you, and it is something they should pay for.

Unlike the loss of income or medical bills, physical and mental distress do not leave a paper trail. We can use other means to determine how much you should ask the drunk driver to pay.

The Life of a Loved One

Per the Institute for Traffic Safety Management & Research (ITSMR), hundreds of people in New York State die in alcohol-related traffic accidents every year. The victim’s loved ones lose out on the many benefits of the deceased’s presence, as well as any income the deceased contributed to the family.

If your loved one passed away from their accident injuries, you have the right to seek compensation for their conscious suffering and your own. Our wrongful death attorneys can help you do so.

What Our Lawyers Do After a Drunk Driving Accident in Staten Island

There are many ways our firm can assist you following an accident with a drunk driver. Our lawyers in Staten Island can start by conducting a careful investigation into your accident, which may include:

  • Going to the scene of the accident to see it for ourselves
  • Requesting documentation from anyone who might have pertinent information, such as your doctor or the police
  • Finding out if there were any witnesses to the accident and, if so, taking their testimony
  • Reviewing any video footage or photographs that recorded part or all of the collision

We could use this evidence to prove that you were injured in the accident—and that the accident would never have happened if the drunk driver had behaved more responsibly.

Once we can prove your need for damages, our next step may be to get in touch with the drunk driver and anyone representing them, such as their auto insurance company. Our team can then:

  • Discuss your case with them over the phone, via email, or via videoconference
  • Arrange a time to meet with them in person and negotiate for the money you need
  • Show them the evidence we have collected that proves you deserve damages from the drunk driver
  • Show them evidence that disputes any counterarguments, such as the idea that your injuries are not as bad as you claim, that they make against you
  • Schedule a trial, if we feel that is the best way to seek compensation for you
  • Present your case, including evidence and witnesses, to a judge and jury

Our goal is to recover enough compensation for you to pay your bills, support your family, and continue the hard work of moving forward after your accident.

Pursue Compensation Before Time Runs Out

Typically, you have three years from the accident date to file a lawsuit against a drunk driver, according to CPLR § 214. Exceptions exist, but as a general rule, a court will not accept a case filed after that deadline.

After your accident with a drunk driver, our lawyers in Staten Island want to help you recover everything your family deserves—but we can only do so if you come to us in time.

What to Say After a Drunk Driving Accident

From the moment the accident is over, you may encounter numerous people who want to discuss the event with you. Not all of them have your best interests at heart. Here is how to respond to the various parties who may try to discuss your accident with you:

The Police

You may either call the police yourself, or someone else from the accident scene might call them before you get a chance to do so. Either way, the officer will expect you to answer questions about:

  • What you saw before and during the crash
  • Your own actions
  • The other driver’s actions
  • Your name and contact information

Cooperating with the police is important, but not at the expense of your rights. Keep your responses short and honest. Do not exaggerate or guess what happened or the extent of your injuries. If the police get in touch with you later seeking additional information, talk to us before you talk to them.

Your Doctor

Your doctor needs to know as much as they can about your injuries so they can come up with the best possible treatment regimen. Be sure to:

  • Answer all of their questions about how your injuries happened and how they feel
  • Tell your doctor about every injury you sustained, even those that do not seem serious to you
  • Follow your doctor’s instructions to the letter
  • Keep your doctor informed about how you feel throughout the entire treatment process

The Insurance Company

Both your insurer and the drunk driver’s will want to speak with you about what happened. Talking to them without consulting an attorney first can be dangerous because:

  • Insurers generally do not want to pay claims and will do what they can to minimize what they pay to accident victims.
  • They might tell you that you do not need a lawyer, giving them the upper hand in all of your interactions.
  • They may counter your claims against their client by blaming the accident or your injuries on you.
  • Any settlements they offer may sound good at first, but they often turn out to be too small to cover all of your losses.

We recommend that you avoid speaking to insurance representatives on your own. When they contact you, direct them to us and say that you want to conduct all business through your personal injury lawyer from now on.

Our team can handle all communications with the insurance companies for you. If the insurer wants to interview you about the accident, we can prepare you for their questions so you can answer honestly without jeopardizing your case.

Your Attorney

Shulman & Hill is on your side. Once a client hires us, we need to know as much as possible about their collision.

Do not be afraid to be completely truthful with us, even if you think the truth makes you look bad. The more we know about what really happened, the easier it may be for us to:

  • Build a strong case proving that you deserve damages from the drunk driver
  • Anticipate and protect you against accusations made by the drunk driver’s team
  • Determine the best method (e.g., settlement negotiations versus a trial) to seek the compensation you deserve

Call Us After a Drunk Driving Accident in Staten Island

At Shulman & Hill, we take every case personally. You are not just a client to us: you are a person who deserves help after a horrific experience. After your accident with a drunk driver, our lawyers in Staten Island can champion your rights.

Call 212.221.1000 to find out more in a free consultation.

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TO GET YOU COMPENSATED

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We have helped thousands of New Yorkers recover more than $300 million in compensation

We have helped thousands of New Yorkers recover more than $300 million in compensation

We have helped thousands of New Yorkers recover more than $300 million in compensation

NO FEE UNLESS YOU WIN

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.

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"The treatment received by Shulman & Hill was extremely excellent. They treated me like I was part of their family and that gave me a lot of confidence in them. I would recommend them one hundred percent because they are very trained in your area. I congratulate you and ask God to fill you with blessings. Gracias for your support."

Ramon E.

"I would like to thank The Shulman & Hill Law Firm in Brooklyn for their outstanding representation on my worker’s compensation case. The monetary reward exceeded our expectations and Alex worked closely with me to meet and exceed my goals."

John S.

"To anyone in need of a worker’s compensation lawyer, I highly recommend Alex Shulman and his team. They went above and beyond to best accommodate me during my time of injury. All my questions and concerns were answered in a timely manner and with the utmost professionalism. In addition and most importantly they fought to make sure I was correctly compensated for my injuries at time of settlement and didn’t rush to get paid. I will be recommending their firm to anyone and everyone in need of their services."

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"I am both satisfied and relieved with the results this extremely professional and reliable firm did. They lead me through the entire process, they never gave me any issues. They handled everything on their own, and always put a great deal of effort to ensure my comfort and best interest. They were always reachable and answered all my questions, and gave me information even when I didn’t know what the right question to ask was.  They turned a grave dilemma into something very manageable and repairable. They are efficient and do not linger with any paperwork, I was truly amazed at the results and the short time it took. I highly recommend them to anyone, and will seek their counsel in the future."

Akila B.

"I really appreciate the service I received with Shulman & Hill.  They walked me through the process and kept me informed every step of the way.  They would call and leave a message and when I called back, I was connected with a person who knew exactly what my call was about.  I was very satisfied with my settlements. Thank You!"

Aaron R.

"Alex Shulman did a wonderful job walking me through all the process of my case…making sure I understood all the legality and severity of all my hearing. I highly recommend their firm to handle any and all worker’s compensation cases. They strive for your wellbeing health-wise as well as aiming for the financial max."

Altagrace G.

"Schulman & Hill was my very first choice I chose for my WC case . I am very pleased with the outcome of my case. I would highly recommend them to friends. They are very professional and kept me informed during every step of this process. Should I ever need a WC attorney again, God forbid, Shulman & Hill it is, hands down . Thank you ."

Cheryl M.

"I had a great experience with Shulman & Hill. They have a great team and were very understanding and helpful from day one. I felt like I was in good hands and the outcome on my case overreached my expectations! I highly recommend this firm. You can be rest assured that they will fight for you rights."

Anna G.

"My experience with the Shulman & Hill lawyers during this process time was excellent, they are competent and very professional lawyers, they worked quickly with my case and they kept me informed of the whole process all the time. Shulman & Hill’s fans recommend them with closed eyes, thank you very much Shulman & Hill."

Carolyn G.

"Shulman & Hill is the best firm out there. They help you understand....since walking into Shulman & Hill, they have guided me...to get a win. I am completely happy with my compensation. What brought me to Shulman & Hill was their expertise in workers compensation and personal injury cases. What I found value in was in their mission to provide compassionate service..."

Jason S.

"I went to the Internet to find a lawyer to assist me to navigate worker’s compensation process. Shulman & Hill was my first choice  and I have no regrets. I was impressed with the prompt response to my case. I must comment on the office environment and office staff being  friendly, professional and prompt. A big thanks to the lawyers that represented me at the hearings and Valeria who helped to lessen my anxiety are dealing with legal issues. I have no hesitation in recommending this law firm to anyone that requires legal services."

Ita L.

"The best law firm in NYC! They explain everything to you and they are very generous and helpful. The lawyers are excellent and very respectful as also is the receptionist. I highly recommend the Shulman & Hill law firm."

Davis C.

"Excellent lawyers. Excellent service. I will recommend them as my first choice. They helped me with my case since day one. They know exactly how to work on a case and win it. They worked fast and were always in communication with me.  I won my case with a very high amount. Thanks to all the staff, I wish them my best. They will always be in my heart."

Grace B.

"Had a very positive experience working with Shulman & Hill in the worker’s compensation case. Everyone is very professional and competent. Received the maximum possible settlement in court. I am sincerely grateful to my lawyers and personally Alex Shulman for the work done. I wish you further success and prosperity."

Dmitry M.

"I am so glad that I chose Alex Shulman to represent me in my worker’s compensation case. I have definitely recommended him to some of my coworkers and friends who needed an Attorney. I am so happy with the service I got from him and his paralegals. Thank you very much to the entire staff at Shulman & Hill for everything!"

Ilya K.

"Shulman & Hill have been tremendously helpful in resolving my case. They are extremely professional and thorough. I would recommend them to anyone working to resolve a difficult case."

James M.

"I was very pleased with the work of this firm. They made sure I understood my case and I was never left out of the loop. They were professional and very friendly. I would recommend them to anyone looking for someone who is going to fight for you to the very end."

Jennifer D.

"Do not waste time looking for better. There is no better than Shulman & Hill. I am very happy I got introduced to them by my good friends. Definitely THE BEST there is."

Arian K.

"Shulman and Hill are the absolute best: JJ, Alex and Christine are powerhouse attorneys who get the best results for their clients. I feel like these guys took care of me like family. When you’re dealing with a worker’s compensation case, you’ll want a pit bull to represent you: Shulman & Hill is the firm you need."

Chelsea W.

"Wonderful service quality by the group of professional advocates in the law firm of Shulman & Hill! I did not expect that I will find a proper solution regarding my worker’s compensation. However, it has been possible by the experts and they have made the task easier over the period. Thanks to them for their help."

Corey A.

"I would definitely like to thank Mr. Alex Shulman and his entire staff at Shulman and Hill for their exceptional work in helping me with my Worker’s Compensation case. Their entire staff was courteous and professional from start to finish and all work was done in a timely fashion. I was previously with a different law firm who were not as informative, and they made me feel like I was a mere money to them. I personally recommend the law offices of Shulman & Hill for any injury/ worker’s compensation case you may have. They strive to get you a maximum reward for your injury, while maintaining the utmost courtesy and professionalism."

Dain J.

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