Drunk Driving Collisions In Syracuse, New York

Jed Dietrich, Esq., Recognized as a Super Lawyer, is Committed to Providing Unparalleled Personal Injury Service. If You, or a Loved One, Have Been Injured in a Drunk Driving Collisions That Was Not Your Fault, the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. Could Help You Investigate Your Accident and Begin Asserting Your Rights.

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The dangers of drunk driving should be self-evident. However, alcohol-related accidents remain a tragically common occurrence. According to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, one-third of all traffic fatalities in the Empire State involve an intoxicated driver or impaired pedestrian.

Unfortunately, for the first time in many years, rates of alcohol-related collisions are on the rise. In a recent congressional hearing, state police officials told the New York General Assembly that law enforcement had recorded more than 7,000 drunk driving crashes in the past year. Fatalities also increased by about 30%, representing an estimated 335 deaths.

Although the New York State Police have reiterated their promise to bolster patrols and protect the public, accident victims often face a difficult road to recovery. For survivors, the costs of a crash could seem insurmountable, encompassing both intense physical pain and immense financial hardship.

The Dietrich Law Firm P.C. believes nobody should be forced to bear the burden of a drunk driver’s negligence. If you or a loved one have been injured in a drunk driving accident that was not your fault, our experienced team of attorneys could help you make a compelling claim for recompense.

Since our firm's founding in 2005, we have helped clients in Syracuse and across the state secure more than $175 million in compensation. We could help you, too. Please send us a message online or call us at 1-866-529-5334 to speak to a drunk driving accident attorney near Syracuse and schedule your free, no-obligation consultation.

Assessing The Dangers Of Drunk Driving

New York roadways are buckling under the weight of drunk driving-related accidents. In recent years, crash rates have risen so high that legislators have proposed the radical step of lowering the legal blood alcohol content limit from .08 to .05. If approved, this revision would make New York among the strictest states on drunk driving.

Although this proposal may seem radical, a BAC of .05 can have a profoundly adverse impact on driving ability. By most estimates, it would take at least four drinks for an average 170-pound man to reach a BAC of .05 in two hours. In most adults, similar concentrations produce a noticeable “buzz,” which may be accompanied by euphoria, fatigue, and poor judgment.

Legislators have pointed to the following statistics as justification for a lowered limit:

1. Over the course of a single recent year, all fatal accidents involving drunken drivers rose by between 28% and 30%;
2. During the same period, speeding-related fatalities also surged, reaching a 10-year high of 392; and
3. Fatalities in all car crashes have increased by nearly 25%.

Drunk driving is so heavily scrutinized, in part, because it exacts such an outsized toll on public health and well-being.

However, even if finding a failsafe solution could prove challenging, scientists have more than adequate explanation for why drunk driving is so dangerous. Alcohol, even ingested in moderation, is a powerful depressant. It can trigger feelings of euphoria but also induce fatigue and profound impairment. Motorists under the influence often suffer from heavily reduced reaction times yet may not recognize or appreciate the extent of their impairment.

Every time a drunk driver gets behind the wheel, they endanger not only themselves but everyone around them. Accidents can happen with little warning and under circumstances that sober drivers would be able to navigate with relative ease, leaving victims to pick up the pieces.

The Dietrich Law Firm P.C. is committed to providing peerless personal injury service. A recognized U.S. News & World Report Best Law Firm, we know what it takes to prove negligence in a drunk driving case. Please call us at 1-866-529-5334 to speak to a drunk driving accident lawyer near Syracuse and schedule your 100% free consultation as soon as possible.

Common Drunk Driving Collision Injuries

Since drunk drivers suffer from poor judgment and impaired reflexes, they often struggle to avoid obstacles that an attentive and sober driver could negotiate with ease. Instead of driving around a hazard or slowing down for a red light, impaired motorists may lose control of their vehicles, careening into oncoming traffic or slamming into stopped cars at high speeds.

Injuries can be severe—in many cases, life-threatening. The most common types of injuries reported in drunk driving car accidents include, but are not limited to the following:

1. Severe cuts and lacerations;
2. Fractured or broken bones;
3. Traumatic head injuries;
4. Partial or total loss of limb;
5. Soft tissue damage;
6. Internal organ damage; and
7. Wrongful death.

In New York, accident victims who have suffered specific serious injuries have a legal right to move past no-fault claims and take the at-fault motorist to court. A personal injury lawsuit can offer significant advantages, including recovering compensation for damages over your no-fault insurance policy limits.

However, ensuring a fair settlement can necessitate careful planning, thorough investigation, and a well-considered legal strategy.

The Potential Defendants In A Drunk Driving Car Crash Claim

Drunk driving lawsuits almost always name the at-fault motorist as a defendant. However, depending on the circumstances of your case, other parties—individuals, businesses, and property owners—could share liability if their own negligence served to enable the drunk driver’s misconduct.

The potential defendants in a drunk driving accident personal injury lawsuit could include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. The Drunk Driver: If the drunk driver was cited, arrested, or charged with a crime, any finding of impairment could be used to establish intoxication and prove at least partial liability.
2. An Alcohol Vendor: Public establishments—including bars, restaurants, and nightclubs—have obligations beyond ensuring their own profitability. If an establishment illegally serves alcohol to a minor or continues to provide drinks to a clearly intoxicated patron, it could be held liable for any resulting accident.
3. A Social Host: New York’s social host laws permit accident victims to bring claims against so-called “social hosts” who serve alcohol to minors. In most cases, a social host is any private party who furnishes another with alcohol in a social and non-commercial setting.
4. An Employer: If your accident was caused by an employee who was on the clock at the time of the collision, their employer may have an obligation to provide compensation. However, whether an employer can be found at fault is largely dependent on whether the employee was acting within the scope of their duties at the time of the crash.

New York does not currently cap damages in most drunk driving accident claims. However, you must act fast: if you wait too long to call the Dietrich Law Firm P.C., the statute of limitations could lapse.

Do not lose your chance to ascertain justice: please send us a message online or call us at 1-866-529-5334 to speak to a drunk driving accident lawyer near Syracuse and schedule your free, no-obligation consultation.

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Call the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. immediately at 1-866-529-5334 so that our aggressive, tenacious, and hardworking personal injury lawyers can fight to obtain the best result for your personal injury claim in Syracuse, New York. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there is never a fee until we WIN for you!

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