New York Attorneys Representing People Hurt by Impaired Drivers

Driver impairment, which occurs when a person’s ability to operate a car is compromised by illegal drugs, alcohol, prescription medications, or over-the-counter drugs, is one of the leading causes of auto accidents in New York. Many negligent individuals drive while intoxicated or impaired by drugs, putting other motorists at risk for serious car accident injuries or death.

According to New York law, drunk driving and drug-impaired driving victims are not just entitled to damages resulting from their car accident injuries. You can also sue to collect punitive damages, which are awarded to punish the drunk or drug-impaired driver for malicious misconduct and deter others from engaging in similar conduct. Additionally, if an individual is killed by an intoxicated or drug-impaired driver, the family can pursue a claim to recover damages related to their loss.

To learn more about the process, please call 212-736-5300 to speak with an experienced attorney today and protect your legal rights. The Law Firm of Block O’Toole & Murphy is experienced in litigating lawsuits for victims harmed by drug-impaired and drunk drivers. Select results* include:

• $32,756,156 record-setting jury verdict for a man catastrophically injured after he was hit by a driver impaired on painkillers, marijuana, and cocaine. Block O’Toole & Murphy argued his case in front of a Long Island jury. At the end of the trial, the client was awarded $32 million, well above the available insurance. This result is the largest reported non-medical malpractice verdict in Long Island history and was covered extensively by the media.
• $2,550,000 settlement for four passengers in a vehicle driven by a drunk driver who was operating the vehicle at an excessive speed. The vehicle crashed with a flatbed truck in New Jersey and the victims suffered multiple injuries, including fractures.
• $1,200,000 recovery for a driver who crashed with an SUV moving out of a parking space with no headlights on. The SUV driver later pled guilty to driving while intoxicated. The victim suffered spinal injuries requiring a lumbar fusion and a posterior cervical laminectomy and fusion.

To learn more about our results for auto injury victims, please visit our Car Accidents Verdicts & Settlements page. Our lawyers understand the financial, physical and emotional effects a devastating crash can have on the victim and their family. We work tirelessly to ensure each client receives full and fair compensation for their injuries.

Drug-Impaired Driving on the Rise

According to a recent report by the GHSA, of the fatally injured drivers that were tested for drugs in 2015, 43.0% had drugs in their system, up significantly from just ten years prior when 27.8% of fatally injured drivers tested positive for drugs. In roadside surveys conducted by the NHTSA, illegal drugs (including marijuana) and prescription medications were on the rise among drivers. Additionally, studies have shown that when drugs are used in combination with alcohol, it can significantly impair driving performance.

Unfortunately, these and other statistics demonstrate the danger that pedestrians, cyclists, and other motorists face on the roads when they come into contact with a driver who is impaired on drugs or intoxicated. Serious injuries from crashes include but are not limited to: traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, multiple fractures, paralysis, head trauma, crush injuries (including amputations), and nerve damage.

Though many motor vehicle accidents are the result of general negligence or driver error, impaired driving, either with drugs or alcohol, causes many car accidents. If you are injured in a motor vehicle accident, it is likely that you can file a claim for your injuries even if the accident was caused by the negligence of another.

Since 2012, no other law firm attained more results exceeding $1 million in New York State than Block O’Toole & Murphy. To speak to an attorney at our firm about your potential case, simply fill out our FREE case review form or call 212-736-5300.

Claims Against Third Parties in Drunk Driving Accidents

New York is one of the many states with a “dram shop” law, which allows individuals and families to hold bar owners and alcohol servers accountable if a customer or guest becomes visibly intoxicated and subsequently hurts or kills someone by driving drunk. Because of this law, many drunk driving victims can pursue a claim against a third party, as well as the drunk driver.

It may be difficult to prove that a person is “visibly intoxicated” at a location where alcohol is being served, as some people do not exhibit the usual signs of intoxication despite being over the legal limit for intoxication. Proving visible intoxication can be done with eyewitnesses and/or video surveillance footage, if available. Therefore, if you are injured in an accident, it is very important to retain an attorney as soon as possible so an investigation can be undertaken.

It is important to do this quickly as witnesses’ memories can fade or witnesses can disappear. Also, many establishments do not retain surveillance video for an extended period of time so it is vital to get any available video footage that could assist in proving your case. If you have been injured by a drunk driver, our attorneys have the knowledge and resources to identify all parties responsible for your injuries.

Learn Your Legal Rights After a Collision

New York State law provides a Statute of Limitations to file a personal injury lawsuit if you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident. According to this law, there is a three-year deadline to file a lawsuit for claims related to a car accident. You must be mindful of certain exceptions to this rule, such as accidents involving municipalities, such as the City of New York, Metropolitan Transportation Authority or the New York City Transit Authority, where the time to file a claim is significantly limited. If you were injured in a motor vehicle accident, the best course of action is to immediately retain a personal injury attorney.

If you or a loved one has been injured by an intoxicated or drug-impaired, our auto accident attorneys may be able to pursue justice and financial compensation on your behalf. We are dedicated to serving those who needlessly suffered life-changing injuries due to another’s negligent and reckless actions.

Serving Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Long Island, Albany, Buffalo, and all of New York State.

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