Bronx Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

In a city as crowded as The Bronx, the chances of encountering a drunk driver are higher than average. Drunk drivers are among the most dangerous drivers on the road and cause countless accidents and fatalities. Our Bronx car accident lawyers have seen the results of many of these cases.

Let us help you in your quest for justice after such an irresponsible act. Call Morelli Law now and ask to speak with our Bronx drunk driving accident lawyers. Our legal team will determine if your case qualifies for a lawsuit, then pursue every penny you’re owed.

Drunk Driving and No-Fault Insurance

Drunk driving is illegal, but getting into a crash with a drunk driver does not mean you can automatically sue. In order to do so under New York law, your injuries must exceed $50,000 or meet any of a number of serious injuries.

However, drunk driving cases are often serious enough that they meet these standards. When you meet with our Bronx personal injury lawyers, we will listen to your story and determine whether your case qualifies.

If it does, we can help you sue the drunk driver that injured you. You can get more money than you could by going through PIP insurance alone. Find out how much your case is really worth by contacting Morelli Law for a free consultation.

Proving Negligence in a Drunk Driving Case

There are four pieces to every negligence claim. All four must be proven to win damages. In a drunk driving situation, they can be very easy to prove. Here it is in simple language:

• Were they the driver that hit you?
• Were they drunk?
• Can we show their drunkenness caused your crash?
• Were you hurt?

If they were drunk at the scene and the police were called, they should have given the drunk driver a breath or blood test. If this evidence shows they were drunk, it’s a near certainty dunk you have a valid case.

Our Bronx drunk driving accident lawyers can get this evidence from the NYPD and use it to prove to the insurers that your claim is valid. Once we do that, we can start negotiations with them to get you the full value of your claim.

How Much Should My Compensation Be After a Drunk Driving Accident?

That depends entirely on what happened to you and what the evidence supports. What it should be is the most you can get; there’s no average amount that’s given to victims of drunk driving accidents.

A drunk driver might hit you in the parking lot and cause minor damage, or they could hit your car head-on while speeding. Your insurance may cover all of your damages in the former but not the latter.

Even if your damages are low, we can still help you with your claim when you speak with your insurer. You may not know everything you’re qualified to receive under your policy. Find out how much you should get by contacting Morelli Law.

Drunk Driving and Wrongful Death Claims

Drunk driving is a leading cause of fatal crashes in the United States. Families can make wrongful death claims to get compensation to cover the financial harm caused by negligent drunk drivers who kill, and we can help them get the most from their claims.

If you depended financially on the decedent or have been named the personal representative of the estate, chances are you may start a wrongful death claim.

Families can receive compensation for the final medical expenses, burial expenses, and pain and suffering created by these accidents. They may qualify for other damages as well. Speak with a Bronx drunk driving accident lawyer now if you’re in this unfortunate situation.

Can I Sue if the Police Arrest the Drunk Driver?

Yes, you can. The prosecutor will press charges against the driver in criminal court. At the same time, you can press your claim for compensation through the civil court. They are considered two separate cases.

If the drunk driver wins their criminal case, they may still lose their civil case. Civil cases do not have to be proven beyond a reasonable doubt, so they are easier to win. On the other hand, if they lose their criminal case, then you’ll have an easier time.

Certain factors in criminal court can affect how easy it is to win your civil case, like a plea of no contest in criminal court. Your lawyer will know these factors and how to adjust their case to give you the best chance of winning.

Can I Automatically Get Punitive Damages?

Some of the most egregious car crashes happen when drunk drivers get behind the wheel, but that doesn’t guarantee punitive damages. Punitive damages are awarded to victims when the defendant’s actions go far beyond normal negligence.

They’re awarded at the discretion of the judge and jury, so your case will need to go to trial to collect them. Also, while we can ask for a particular value, it’s up to the court to decide.

If the driver’s blood alcohol content was far beyond the normal limits, we may be able to argue a successful punitive damages claim. This could considerably raise the amount of compensation you could get.

Contact a Bronx Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

No one deserves to get hit by a drunk driver. At Morelli Law Firm, our lawyers are ready to speak with you about what happened and how we can help you get the most from your accident settlement or lawsuit.

Contact us now by calling the number on your screen or emailing us through our contact form. All initial consultations are free. Find out your legal options and protect your right to compensation by working with us.