New York Drunk Driver Accident Lawyer

Driving under the influence of alcohol is dangerous because alcohol negatively affects coordination, reflexes, peripheral vision, thinking, consciousness and memory, all of which are essential to safety on the road.  

As a result, drunk drivers may fail to obey traffic laws or collide with other motor vehicles, pedestrians or objects, causing serious injuries and damages. 

The most common injuries after a drunk driving accident include: 

• Fractures 
• Neck and back injuries 
• Brain injuries 
• Chest injuries 
• Burn injuries 
• Organ damage 
• Nerve damage 
• Paralysis 
• Amputations 

The damages you can seek after a drunk driver accident include: 

• Medical expenses 
• Lost income 
• Loss of future wages 
• Pain and suffering 
• Property damage 
• Punitive damages 

The legal blood alcohol limit for driving in New York is 0.08% for drivers over 21 who are operating a non-commercial vehicle. For drivers over 21 who are operating a commercial vehicle, the legal blood alcohol limit is 0.04%.  

Any measurement beyond the legal limits can lead to charges of driving while intoxicated (DWI). 

The most common signs of intoxicated driving include: 

• Moving in and out of lanes 
• Exhibiting a delayed reaction at stop signs or traffic lights 
• Driving unusually slow 
• Speeding 

To determine whether someone is driving under the influence of alcohol, a police officer can measure the driver’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) using a breathalyzer or test the driver using field sobriety tests.  

A driver’s BAC is affected by: 

• The amount of alcohol consumed 
• The amount of food consumed 
• The driver’s weight 
• The driver’s gender 
• The duration of alcohol consumption 

If there is an accident, evidence that a driver consumed alcohol before getting behind the wheel can support a negligent behavior claim and allow you to seek punitive damages. 

After an accident that involves an intoxicated driver, you can seek punitive damages if you can show evidence that the drunk driver acted willfully and disregarded other people’s safety on the road. 

Our drunk driver accident lawyers at Spar & Bernstein will help you prove negligent behavior and will fight on your behalf for the highest compensation. 

If you were injured in an accident caused by a drunk driver, our tenacious lawyers will: 

• Review your case and determine next steps to reach the best possible outcome 
• Identify the responsible parties  
• Gather evidence to support your case 
• Determine the extent of your damages 
• Engage accident reconstruction and medical experts to testify for you 
• File a personal injury claim following the statute of limitations 
• Negotiate with all parties concerned on your behalf to reach a maximum settlement 
• Take your case to court, if a settlement cannot be reached 

We offer free consultations to ensure that every claimant is able to receive professional advice regardless of their financial situation.  

We collect a fee only if we reach a successful outcome, in the form of a percentage of the negotiated compensation. 

Every 45 minutes a person dies in a drunk driving accident in the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). 

30% of the accidents resulting in fatalities in the state of New York are related to intoxicated driving. 

At some point in their life, around three out of every 10 Americans will be involved in an accident that was caused by alcohol. 

As frightening as these statistics may sound, an experienced drunk driver accident lawyer can help you, after an accident. 

Contact our tenacious team at Spar & Bernstein to set up a free consultation. We’ll review the details of your case and determine the best way to move forward with your claim, to help you obtain the maximum amount of compensation for your injuries and damages. 

The state of New York allows sobriety checkpoints, where police can stop vehicles and conduct breath tests, if there are suspicions that a driver is intoxicated. 

The be a responsible driver, do not drive if you have consumed alcohol. 

• Never drive after drinking 
• If you are going to a party, arrange for a sober friend to serve as the designated driver on your ride home or use a taxi or car sharing company 
• If you are hosting a party where alcohol is served, make sure your guests do not get behind the wheel of a car after drinking 
• If someone you know plans to drive after they have consumed alcohol, take away their keys and help them find sober transportation 
• Buckle up to minimize the risk of being injured in a drunk driver accident 
• Educate your children about the risks and consequences of drunk driving 

To prevent drunk driving, authorities across the U.S. employ: 

• Strict drunk driving laws with serious penalties 
• Mass media campaigns 
• Ignition interlocks mounted in the cars of drivers who have already been convicted for driving while intoxicated. These ignition interlocks measure the level of alcohol in the driver’s breath and prevent the car from starting if the driver has had too much to drink. 
• Sobriety checkpoints 
• School programs to educate young drivers about the risks and consequences of driving while intoxicated