Drunk driving is far too common in our society and results in devastating injuries, property damage, and even death in Brooklyn. Since the injuries from drunk driving accidents are often severe and because determining liability can be a complex endeavor, it is important to call a drunk driving accident attorney if you’ve been affected by a drunk driver’s negligence.
Here’s what Brooklynites need to know about drunk driving accidents and who to call if you’re involved in one.
Statistics for Drunk Driving Accidents
On average in the U.S., 29 people per day die in a vehicle crash that involves an alcohol-impaired driver. This means that one person loses his or her life every 50 minutes because of the negligence of a drunk driver.
Alcohol has a profound effect on a person’s driving ability by reducing muscle coordination, critical thinking skills, and function of the brain. Although the legal limit is 0.08 in many states, a blood alcohol concentration of even just 0.02 typically results in some loss of judgment, altered mood, decline in visual functions, and a reduced ability to safely do two things at the same time.
Types of Injuries from Drunk Driving Accidents
Although every drunk driving accident is unique, there are commonalities among these types of incidents and the injuries they cause. For example, accidents caused by intoxicated drivers are often head-on collisions, rear-end collisions, driving the wrong way on a road, and pedestrian and cyclist collisions. These drunk driving accidents commonly result in traumatic brain injuries, spine and back injuries broken bones, and burns to the skin.
Who Could Be Liable Besides the Driver
The impaired driver is the most obvious party to blame after a drunk driving accident, but other involved parties could be liable too. In certain situations, the bar or restaurant that sold the driver the alcohol could be held liable for the victim’s injuries. This is also true for hosts at social parties in private residences. Bars, restaurants, and hosts have a responsibility to prevent guests consuming alcohol past the legal limit from driving home at the end of the night. Drunk driving accident liability could also extend to sports arenas, theaters, and festivals.
Criminal and Civil Drunk Driving Cases
Both a criminal case and a civil case can be pursued after drunk driving accidents. A driver is typically placed under arrest by police and faces criminal charges for driving under the influence of alcohol after a collision. A main objective of the criminal case is to punish the driver for this negligence. However, the victim of a drunk driving accident may file a separate civil case to recover from injuries, pain, and emotional distress caused by the accident.
Compensation and Settlements for Drunk Driving Accidents
For drunk driving accidents, settlement is typically pursued rather than trial when there is no reasonable doubt that a drunk driver caused a person’s injuries. However, it may be advisable to not settle right away until you fully assess your injuries and determine whether seemingly minor ones are more serious than they appear.
To determine fair compensation, it’s important to have an attorney assess the severity and permanence of the injuries, degrees of comparative fault, and economic losses. Possible punitive and compensatory damages are also relevant factors for calculating the amount to demand for a settlement.
What a Drunk Driving Accident Attorney Does
These are all part of the complex job of a drunk driving accident attorney that you hire to get the best possible settlement for your unfortunate situation. The Law Office of Jeffrey K. Kestenbaum assess the details of your case, provides a free legal consultation, and helps you understand what to expect next. We will look through the police report, witness statements, pictures, and all other evidence to build a strong case, while being prepared to take your case to trial if negotiations fail.
Where to Find a Local Drunk Driving Accident Attorney
The Law Office of Jeffrey K. Kestenbaum is a local Brooklyn law office that have experience with many types of Brooklyn car accident cases, including drunk driving accidents. Before you sign any type of settlement agreement or any paperwork from an insurance company following an accident, call Jeffrey K. Kestenbaum.
If you’ve been injured in a drunk driving-related motor vehicle accident, remember that you may be entitled to financial compensation. Call our office today at 718-237-5586 to schedule your free drunk driving accident consultation.
