Drunk and legally impaired drivers cause injuries every two minutes on the roads in America. Our experience has taught us that drunk driving incidents can cause some of the most severe injuries, creating unfair and devastating consequences for the victims involved.
Even though a no-fault system is in play in New York, we may be able to help you recover the financial damages associated with a DUI crash. The Huntington drunk driving accident attorneys with Morelli Law Firm specialize in helping personal injury victims obtain the compensation they need and deserve.
If you sustained a serious injury following a crash with a drunk driver or otherwise impaired motorist, you owe it to yourself to learn about the legal options that may be available to you. It is not always necessary for you to deal with the insurance companies alone. We may be able to help.
How a Huntington Drunk Driving Accident Attorney Could Help You Recover Compensation
Having a law firm on your side to help you deal with the flurry of phone calls, paperwork, and other details after an accident can remove obstacles that can affect your recovery. The stress of dealing with all the details, managing deadlines, and focusing on healing from injury is too much to ask of anyone, especially when the injuries are particularly severe.
Hiring a DUI accident lawyer can remove some of the stress and can ultimately improve your case and your chances of recovering full compensation. Some of the issues our firm will handle for you include:
- Discussing possible outcomes, answering all your legal questions
- Conducting communications with insurance companies and opposing counsel on your behalf
- Conducting investigations to identify all the parties that can be held responsible
- Handling and filing paperwork while observing legal deadlines
- Negotiating aggressively with the insurance companies involved
- Locating and securing medical experts and accident reconstruction specialists for testimony
- Representing your case in trial to vigorously pursue the damages if necessary
A Huntington drunk driving accident attorney can take care of the legal issues surrounding your case, freeing you to have the time and energy you need in order to heal and recover.
The Insurance Company is Likely to Make a Low Settlement Offer
The opposing party’s insurance company may call you to make a settlement offer. At first glance, it may seem tempting to accept the money they are willing to give you, but is it really enough? It’s the basic strategy in any bargaining situation to reject the first offer, and it almost always applies when you are dealing with an insurance company adjuster.
The most likely first move of an insurance company adjuster is to make a lowball offer that reflects the minimum value allowed by the insurance policy. They will typically not factor in any future medical expenses you face, nor consider the impact of the hardships you face now.
Huntington Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Near Me 877-751-9800
Don’t Most DUI Accident Cases Settle Out of Court Anyway?
Accepting a settlement check may be in the cards at a future date, but agreeing to settle on the first offer is usually not the best course of action. You will sign away your rights to pursue any future claims against the insurance company if you discover the damages are more expensive than you previously thought.
A drunk driving accident lawyer in Huntington can handle these communications and protect all your legal rights while preserving your claim. Our attorneys are not intimidated by their tactics and will pursue your case to the fullest extent to obtain full and fair compensation for you.
While we are negotiating, our team is preparing to go to trial. If negotiations break down without an acceptable offer, we are ready to file a lawsuit on your behalf immediately.
Will I Be Required to Go to Court After a Drunk Driving Accident?
In the instance that negotiations were unsuccessful, we will advise you to take the claim to court. We will be prepared to fight for the full amount of your damages. The courtroom setting is sometimes the most effective means for obtaining justice and the true value of your damages. Our attorneys have collected over $1 billion in damages for our clients and have had extraordinary results in court.
What is the Statute of Limitations for a Personal Injury Case in a Drunk Driving Accident in NY?
Generally, the claim limitation for personal injuries is three years in the State of New York. If a victim dies of injuries related to a DUI crash, the limitation for filing a wrongful death suit is two years following the date of death.
If you miss the deadline for filing a personal injury case or wrongful death lawsuit, it is likely that your case would be subject to dismissal and you would lose the opportunity to pursue any legal action or compensation.
What is the BAC Limit in New York?
A driver’s blood alcohol concentration, or BAC, must generally be 0.08% or above to be considered legally intoxicated, but it’s possible to be considered impaired above .05%. Your Huntington drunk driving accident lawyer can help you to learn more about the qualifications of impairment.
Who Can Be Held Responsible and Pay for the Damages?
Though New York is a No-Fault state, multiple insurance companies and liable parties can be involved in these often-complex cases. First, the impaired driver and his or her insurance company can be held responsible.
A restaurant or club could be held liable if there is evidence that they overserved the driver. If the driver was working at the time of the crash, their employer may be held partially liable for your accident. Finally, your own insurance company could be sued as well in certain circumstances in order to obtain the compensation necessary to cover all the damages.
Your Financial Recovery Is Critical After a Drunk Driving Accident
If someone else makes their problems yours because they chose to drink and drive, you shouldn’t be responsible for the financial fallout. It is your legal right to pursue financial damages in an accident involving someone else’s negligence in certain cases.
If you have questions following a personal injury that was caused by a drunk driver, our Huntington drunk driving accident lawyers are just a phone call away. Morelli Law Firm will answer your questions and provide a case consultation free of charge, so there is no risk or obligation.
Our cases are taken on a contingency fee basis, so there is no out-of-pocket cost to you when hiring a lawyer to help you with your personal injury case following a crash caused by a drunk driver. Contact us today for more information.