Founding Partner
With over $2 billion recovered for clients nationwide and decades of handling complex personal injury cases, our legal team has the knowledge and resources to take on drunk driving accident cases. We work throughout all five boroughs of New York City. Additionally, we operate on a “No Recovery = No Fees” basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case.
If you or a loved one has been injured by a drunk driver in NYC, contact us today at (212) 267-6700 for a free consultation. Our team is available 24/7 to discuss your case and explain your legal options.
At Parker Waichman LLP, we bring decades of handling cases and a proven track record of success to every drunk driving accident case. Our firm has recovered over $2 billion for clients nationwide. This includes significant settlements and verdicts in motor vehicle accident cases involving impaired drivers.
Knowledgeable Legal Team: Our experienced attorneys have successfully handled thousands of personal injury cases. This includes complex drunk driving accident claims throughout New York City and beyond. Our team includes attorneys recognized by Super Lawyers and other prestigious organizations.
Comprehensive Investigation: We conduct thorough investigations to identify all liable parties. We preserve important evidence and build the strongest possible case for maximum compensation.
Medical Network: We work with leading medical professionals, accident reconstruction professionals, and economic analysts. They help us fully document injuries, treatment needs, and financial losses.
No Upfront Costs: Our contingency fee structure means you pay nothing unless we win your case. We advance all case expenses and only recover our fees from the settlement or verdict.
24/7 Availability: We understand that accidents happen at any time. We’re available around the clock to answer questions, provide support, and begin working on your case immediately.
Multiple NYC Locations: With convenient office locations throughout New York City, we make it easy for clients to meet with our attorneys. This helps them stay involved in their cases.
Awards and Recognition:
Notable Results:
Drunk driving accidents occur when a driver operates a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. Typically, this involves a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. In New York City’s densely populated urban environment, these accidents can happen anywhere. They occur on major highways like the FDR Drive and West Side Highway. Furthermore, they happen at busy intersections throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that alcohol-impaired driving fatalities account for approximately 30-32% of all traffic-related deaths nationwide. In New York City, drunk driving accidents often result in more severe injuries. This happens due to the urban environment’s high traffic density, pedestrian activity, and complex roadway systems.
Common scenarios for drunk driving accidents in NYC include:
The bustling nature of New York City means that drunk driving accidents often involve multiple victims. These include pedestrians, cyclists, and occupants of other vehicles. These complex scenarios require skilled legal representation to hold all liable parties accountable.
Drunk driving accidents frequently result in severe, life-altering injuries. This happens due to the impaired driver’s inability to react appropriately to traffic conditions. They cannot brake in time or maintain control of their vehicle. The force of impact in these collisions can cause catastrophic harm to victims. Often, this requires extensive medical treatment and long-term rehabilitation.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): Head trauma from the impact can cause concussions, brain bleeding, cognitive impairment, or permanent neurological damage. These traumatic brain injuries may affect memory, speech, motor skills, and the ability to work or perform daily activities.
Spinal Cord Injuries: Damage to the spinal cord can result in partial or complete paralysis. This affects a victim’s mobility and quality of life. These spinal cord injuries often require lifelong medical care, adaptive equipment, and home modifications.
Broken Bones and Fractures: The force of collision frequently causes multiple fractures. These particularly affect arms, legs, ribs, pelvis, and facial bones. Complex fractures may require multiple surgeries and extensive physical therapy.
Internal Injuries: Damage to internal organs can be life-threatening. This includes the liver, spleen, kidneys, lungs, and heart. These injuries require immediate emergency intervention. They may have long-lasting effects on organ function.
Burn Injuries: If the accident results in a fire or explosion, victims may suffer severe burn injuries. These require skin grafts, reconstructive surgery, and extensive rehabilitation. Burn injuries often leave permanent scarring and disfigurement.
Psychological Trauma: Beyond physical injuries, drunk driving accident victims often experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They may also face anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions that require ongoing treatment.
Wrongful Death: In the most tragic cases, drunk driving accidents result in fatalities. This leaves families to cope with the sudden loss of a loved one and the financial hardship that follows. Our wrongful death attorneys can help families pursue justice.
The medical costs associated with these injuries can quickly reach hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars. This makes it important to pursue full compensation from all available sources.
New York State has some of the strictest drunk driving laws in the nation. The state imposes severe penalties for those convicted of driving while intoxicated (DWI) or driving while ability impaired (DWAI). Understanding these laws is important for drunk driving accident victims. Criminal convictions can strengthen civil injury claims.
Blood Alcohol Content Limits in New York:
First Offense DWI: Up to 1 year in jail, fines ranging from $500 to $1,000, license revocation for at least 6 months. Additionally, mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device.
Second Offense DWI: Up to 4 years in prison, fines up to $5,000, license revocation for at least 1 year. Furthermore, extended ignition interlock requirements.
Felony DWI (third offense or DWI with a child passenger): Up to 7 years in prison, fines up to $10,000, license revocation for at least 1 year. This also creates a permanent criminal record.
Additional Consequences:
While criminal penalties serve to punish the drunk driver and protect public safety, they do not compensate accident victims. They don’t cover injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. This is where a civil personal injury lawsuit becomes important for recovery.
Successfully proving liability in a drunk driving accident case requires demonstrating that the intoxicated driver’s negligence directly caused the accident and resulting injuries. Our New York personal injury attorneys conduct thorough investigations and gather comprehensive evidence. We build the strongest possible cases for our clients.
Police Reports: Official accident reports documenting the scene, officer observations of the driver’s condition, field sobriety test results, and any arrests made. These reports are crucial for establishing liability.
Chemical Test Results: Breathalyzer, blood, and urine test results showing the driver’s blood alcohol content at the time of the accident.
Witness Statements: Testimony from bystanders, passengers, and other drivers who observed the accident. This includes those who saw the drunk driver’s behavior before the crash.
Surveillance Footage: Video evidence from traffic cameras, nearby businesses, or dashboard cameras that captured the accident. This may also show the driver’s erratic behavior.
Accident Reconstruction Analysis: Accident reconstruction professionals can analyze the crash scene, vehicle damage, and other evidence. They determine how the accident occurred.
Bar and Restaurant Records: Documentation of alcohol sales to the intoxicated driver. This may support dram shop liability claims.
Criminal Conviction as Evidence: A criminal conviction for DWI provides strong evidence of negligence in a civil case. However, it’s not required to prove liability. Even if criminal charges are reduced or dismissed, civil liability can still be established.
Third-Party Liability: In addition to the drunk driver, other parties may bear responsibility for the accident:
Dram Shop Liability: New York’s dram shop laws allow victims to pursue claims against bars, restaurants, or other establishments. These laws apply when they served alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person who later caused an accident.
Social Host Liability: Property owners who serve alcohol at private parties may also bear responsibility. This applies if they continue serving an obviously intoxicated guest who later causes an accident.
Victims of drunk driving accidents may be entitled to various types of compensation. This depends on the severity of their injuries, the impact on their lives, and the degree of the defendant’s misconduct. New York law allows for both compensatory and punitive damages in appropriate cases.
Economic Damages:
Non-Economic Damages:
Punitive Damages: In drunk driving cases, New York courts may award punitive damages. These are designed to punish the defendant’s reckless behavior and deter similar conduct by others. These damages can significantly increase the total compensation awarded. They are particularly important in cases involving repeat offenders or extremely high blood alcohol levels.
Wrongful Death Damages: When drunk driving accidents result in fatalities, surviving family members may recover compensation for:
The total value of a drunk driving accident case depends on numerous factors. These include injury severity, long-term prognosis, the victim’s age and earning capacity, the degree of impairment, and the defendant’s insurance coverage and assets.
If you’ve been injured in a drunk driving accident in New York City, taking the right steps immediately after the incident can protect your health. It can also preserve important evidence and strengthen your legal case. Here’s what you should do:
Immediate Actions at the Scene:
Seek Medical Attention: Even if injuries seem minor, get evaluated by medical professionals immediately. Adrenaline and shock can mask serious injuries. Some conditions may not manifest symptoms until hours or days later.
Call 911: Report the accident to police and request emergency medical services. Police will investigate the scene, document evidence, and potentially arrest the drunk driver. According to the New York State Police, proper documentation is crucial for both criminal and civil cases.
Document Everything: If you’re able, take photos of vehicle damage, the accident scene, skid marks, traffic signals, and any visible injuries. Also photograph the other driver if they appear intoxicated.
Gather Information: Collect contact and insurance information from all parties involved. This includes names, phone numbers, driver’s license numbers, and insurance policy details.
Identify Witnesses: Get contact information from anyone who saw the accident occur. Also get information from those who observed the other driver’s behavior before the crash.
Avoid Admitting Fault: Don’t make statements about who caused the accident or apologize, even if you’re trying to be polite. These statements can be used against you later.
Important Follow-Up Actions:
Time Limits: New York’s statute of limitations for personal injury cases is three years from the date of the accident. However, it’s important to contact an attorney immediately to preserve evidence. This helps interview witnesses while memories are fresh and protects your rights throughout the process.
First and foremost, seek medical attention even if you feel fine. Adrenaline can mask serious injuries. Call 911 to report the accident and document everything you can about the scene. This includes photos and witness information. Avoid discussing fault with anyone except the police and your attorney. The drunk driver may try to convince you not to call police or may seem apologetic. However, it’s important to have an official report and proper documentation.
New York’s statute of limitations for personal injury cases is three years from the date of the accident. However, certain circumstances can affect this timeline. It’s important to contact an attorney immediately to begin investigating your case. This helps preserve evidence and protect your rights. Waiting too long can result in lost evidence and weakened witness testimony.
Yes, New York’s dram shop laws allow you to pursue claims against establishments that serve alcohol to visibly intoxicated patrons who later cause accidents. This can provide additional sources of compensation beyond the drunk driver’s insurance. We investigate whether the driver received alcohol at bars, restaurants, or other licensed establishments before the accident. We also determine whether those establishments violated their duty to refuse service to intoxicated customers.
You may recover economic damages (medical bills, lost wages, property damage) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress). You may also potentially receive punitive damages designed to punish the drunk driver’s reckless behavior. In wrongful death cases, families can recover funeral expenses, lost financial support, and loss of companionship. The total compensation depends on the severity of injuries, long-term impact, and other case-specific factors.
Evidence includes police reports, breathalyzer results, blood tests, field sobriety tests, witness statements, and surveillance footage. We also investigate the driver’s activities before the accident. This includes where they were drinking and how much alcohol they consumed. A criminal conviction for DWI provides strong evidence but isn’t required to prove liability in a civil case.
The drunk driver’s insurance should cover damages up to their policy limits. However, insurance companies often try to minimize payouts or deny claims entirely. This makes skilled legal representation important. If the driver’s coverage is insufficient, we explore other sources of compensation. This includes your own underinsured motorist coverage and claims against third parties like bars or social hosts.
You may be able to recover compensation through your own uninsured motorist coverage, which is required in New York. We also pursue claims against other liable parties such as bars that served the driver. This includes employers if the driver was working at the time of the accident. Additionally, we can pursue the driver’s personal assets through civil litigation.
New York follows comparative negligence rules. This means you can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for the accident. However, your award will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you’re found 20% at fault, your compensation would be reduced by 20%. Our attorneys work to minimize any fault attributed to our clients and maximize their recovery.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a drunk driving accident in New York City, don’t wait to seek legal help. The sooner you contact our knowledgeable attorneys, the better we can protect your rights. We can build a strong case for maximum compensation.
Call (212) 267-6700 for a free consultation.
Our team is available 24/7 to discuss your case and explain your legal options. We handle all drunk driving accident cases on a contingency fee basis – you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Convenient NYC Office Locations:
With over $2 billion recovered for clients and decades of handling complex personal injury cases, we have the knowledge, resources, and dedication to secure the maximum compensation for your drunk driving accident case. Contact us today to get started on your path to recovery.
Parker Waichman LLP
Why Trust UsWith Your Case?
We Take Care of Everything
No Recovery = No Fees
Decades of Experience
Recovered Billions of Dollars
Respected by Our Peers
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident or have been injured by another party in some other way, we are here to stand up for your rights. Our personal injury attorneys have been representing injury victims and their families in Long Island and throughout the nation since the early 1980s.
4.8 from 549 Reviews
Our law firm is ready to represent you in your injury case. We’ve helped many New York residents as well as those needing help nationwide. Contact our team for a free case consultation today.
I had a great experience with them , everyone was very helpful and sweet.
Michelle Murphy
4 months ago
Zarahi was very professional and very Quick and very knowledgeable i realy appreciated her patience and perseverance she Deserves 100 stars 🌟 but since i can only send 5 i Guess i will just have to send that truly yours Rashine Downs
Kush Three
6 months ago
VERY NICE WORK PLACE THEY HAVE BEEN GOOD TO MY MOM
Whitney Brinson
5 years ago
They treated me with tender love and care
Terrell Weaver
2 months ago
Wonderful people. They made the whole process if dealing with a gov’t agency so easy. Special compliments to Gina Viti
Michael Ross
2 months ago
I’m a 9/11 first responder, and I can honestly say that Parker Waichman made me feel like they had my best interest in my VCF case. Ms Candalino & Ms Viti are top notch in my book. I was constantly informed on the status of my case. I would definitely recommend Parker Waichman LLP to family and friends.
D D
6 years ago
We have the experience and the skilled litigators to win your case. Contact us and speak with a real attorney who can help you.
Parker Waichman LLP
300 Cadman Plaza West
One Pierrepont Plaza, 12th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Parker Waichman LLP
27299 Riverview Center Boulevard, Suite 108
Bonita Springs, FL 34134
We handle mass torts cases nationwide. Please contact our office to learn more.
