Long Island Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers
Long Island Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers Fighting For You
Drunk driving continues to occur frequently in New York City, despite the well-known devastating consequences. If a drunk driver has caused chaos in your life, you have legal rights and can fight back with the help of an experienced Long Island drunk driving accident lawyer. Don’t let someone else’s negligence take advantage of you after a car accident.
If someone drives under the influence of drugs or alcohol and hurts other drivers who didn’t do anything wrong, the criminal justice system will punish them with things like going to jail, not being allowed to have a license for a while, or doing community service. Despite this, the aforementioned measures do not address the significant emotional and physical suffering caused by the actions of drunk drivers. Fortunately, our firm, Rosenberg & Rodriguez, can aid victims of drunk driving accidents in obtaining appropriate compensation and beginning the process of recovering from this wrong. Please contact our office today for a no-cost consultation and additional information on our services.
How To Prove Drunk Driving After An Auto Accident
After a drunk driving accident, the immediate actions you take are crucial for your personal injury case, especially in proving that DUI caused the accident. To strengthen your claim, remember these tips:
Inform The Responding Officers At The Scene
It is important to inform the responding officers on the scene immediately if you think the other driver was driving under the influence. It would be beneficial to mention if you noticed any odors of alcohol or drugs coming from their breath as it can provide important evidence for the investigation.
Pay Close Attention To Speech Patterns, Motor Skills, And Smell
After a drunk driving accident, it’s important to observe the at-fault party’s behavior. Take note of how they speak and walk, and watch for signs of intoxication. It’s crucial to document all details for your personal injury case with a Long Island drunk driving accident lawyer, so make sure the police officers on the scene have accurately reported everything.
Keep An Eye Out For Disposing Or Concealing Of Alcohol
Check the surroundings of the other driver for any signs of alcohol, such as empty beer cans, drug paraphernalia, or any other substances that may have impaired their driving ability. If you notice any suspicious behavior related to discarding or hiding such items, immediately inform the police officers at the scene so they can take the necessary measures.
Know Who Was Driving
Make sure you determine who was driving at the time of the accident, particularly in cases where one person may have switched seats with a sober passenger to avoid a DUI charge. Even if drugs or alcohol were not involved, it may still be possible to hold another driver responsible. However, providing evidence of intoxication can strengthen your personal injury claim and potentially result in greater compensation.
Common Injuries From Drunk Driving Accidents
Drivers who are under the influence of alcohol tend to drive in a more aggressive and reckless manner, which increases the likelihood of serious motor vehicle accidents and injuries. Victims of these accidents may sustain long-term physical damage that can have a devastating impact on their lives. Examples of such injuries can include those sustained in car or truck accidents.
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord damage
- Broken and fractured bones
- Permanent scarring
- Internal bleeding
- Fatalities
Our legal team at Rosenberg & Rodriguez knows that recovering from a drunk driving accident can be extremely difficult. That’s why we take care of all legal matters and fight for the maximum compensation for our clients. This way, victims can focus on their recovery without the added stress of going to court.
Potential Damages From Drunk Driving Accidents On Long Island
Calculating financial losses after a drunk driving accident is not always straightforward. While medical bills, hospital expenses, and surgeries are easily calculated, there are other damages that are harder to quantify. These may include future medical costs and lost wages due to the inability to work after the injury. To accurately calculate these losses, it is best to seek the assistance of an experienced Long Island drunk driving accident attorney.
- Lost wages
- Medical bills
- Future medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Lost earning potential
- Property damage
- Disfigurement or disability
- Loss of consortium
Effects Of Even Small Amounts Of Alcohol
While the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit is .08 or higher in most states, it is important to note that this does not necessarily mean safe driving. A recent study conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) revealed that even small amounts of alcohol can impair a driver’s ability to operate a vehicle safely, potentially resulting in dangerous outcomes on the road.
- Driving can be impaired beginning at.01 percent BAC.
- Attentiveness can be impaired at .02 percent BAC.
- Tracking can be impaired at .01 percent BAC.
- Perception can be impaired at .03 percent BAC.
- The visual function can be impaired at .03 percent BAC.
- Cognition (judgment) can be impaired at .005 percent BAC.
Driving while under the influence of alcohol causes physical and financial harm to others. According to the DUI Foundation, American taxpayers face a tremendous cost of $114.3 billion every year due to these dangerous incidents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Can Be Held Responsible For A Long Island Drunk Driving Accident?
Dealing with a case involving a drunk driving accident may seem like a simple matter of holding the other driver responsible for their dangerous actions. It is important to acknowledge that in cases of drunk driving, there may be more than one person at fault. Although individuals are responsible for their actions, it’s important to acknowledge that in certain situations, they may have received encouragement or alcohol from others. Thus, it’s essential to consider all factors before deciding on a course of action when individual responsibility may not be enough.
As adults, we are responsible for our own safety and well-being. It is possible for other individuals to provide alcohol to adults, such as when hosting a party where alcohol is served. It is crucial to avoid giving more drinks to someone who seems intoxicated. This responsibility is important in maintaining everyone’s safety. Keep in mind that accidents caused by impaired driving could involve multiple parties who are liable for the damages, including:
- The Drunk Driver – There is no question: an individual who drives under the influence of alcohol holds themselves accountable for their actions. This entails deciding to drive after drinking.
- Hosts – Hosts should be aware that by serving alcohol, they are potentially at risk of being held liable for a drunk driving accident. The danger of this occurring is greater if the host knowingly provides (or allows somebody else to provide) alcohol to an obviously intoxicated guest.
- Bar and Restaurant Staff and Owners – If a person consumes an excessive amount of alcohol at an upmarket restaurant or hotel, legal repercussions could occur for the management and staff due to their responsibility to prevent service of any more drinks when that individual has become clearly inebriated. The endless supply of booze served by these high-end establishments mandates they take extra caution with patrons’ drinking habits.
What Is The Dram Shop Act In New York?
The Dram Shop Act in New York allows individuals who have been harmed due to someone else’s intoxication to take legal action against the vendor or social host who provided the alcohol. This law specifically applies to bars and restaurants that serve alcohol to visibly intoxicated adults or knowingly allow underage individuals to drink on their premises.
Contact Our Long Island Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers Today
Your insurance company might not fully compensate you for the financial damages incurred in an accident caused by a drunk driver, despite their willingness to assist you with the situation. Sometimes, an intoxicated driver may not have any car insurance. This can leave the victim with significant medical expenses and no way to pay for them. Even if the drunk driver does have insurance, it may not cover the full cost of medical treatment or other expenses. Our Long Island lawyers at Rosenberg & Rodriguez have experience dealing with drunk driving accidents and will work hard to get you the compensation you deserve for your injuries.