In Suffolk County, navigating the roads safely is a fundamental concern for every resident. However, despite numerous laws and public awareness campaigns, drunk driving accidents continue to pose a significant threat to our community's safety and well-being.
At The Ward Law Group, we recognize the devastating impact that these accidents can have on individuals and families.
As a firm deeply committed to serving our community, we are dedicated to providing expert legal representation to those affected by drunk driving accidents.
Our primary value at The Ward Law Group is to serve others, and this commitment extends to safeguarding the rights of our community members. We understand that victims of drunk driving accidents often face immense physical, emotional, and financial challenges in the aftermath of a collision.
From severe injuries and medical bills to emotional trauma and lost wages, the consequences can be overwhelming. That's why our team of experienced attorneys is here to advocate tirelessly for our clients and ensure they receive the justice and compensation they rightfully deserve.
When you choose The Ward Law Group to represent you in a drunk driving accident case, you can trust that you are partnering with a legal team that prioritizes your well-being above all else. We approach each case with compassion, empathy, and a steadfast commitment to achieving the best possible outcome for our clients.
Whether negotiating with insurance companies or litigating in court, we are relentless in our pursuit of justice on behalf of those harmed by drunk drivers.
Furthermore, as active members of the Suffolk County community, we are deeply invested in promoting safety and accountability on our roads.
Through our legal advocacy and community outreach efforts, we strive to raise awareness about the dangers of drunk driving and support initiatives to prevent future accidents.
By working together, we can create a safer environment for all residents of Suffolk County. If you or a loved one has been involved in a drunk driving accident, don't hesitate to reach out to The Ward Law Group for expert legal guidance and support.
Seeking Justice After a Drunk Driving Collision
When you're the victim of a drunk driving accident, your immediate focus should be on your health and safety. Promptly seek medical attention for yourself and anyone else involved. After ensuring your well-being, reporting the incident to the authorities is crucial.
Following this, contacting a skilled drunk driving accident attorney, such as those at The Ward Law Group, becomes imperative to safeguard your rights and navigate the legal maze ahead.
Our Commitment to Your Recovery
At The Ward Law Group, our team of dedicated attorneys stands ready to support victims of drunk driving accidents. We conduct meticulous investigations to ascertain liability and ensure justice is served.
From negotiating with insurance companies to representing your interests in court, we're relentless in our pursuit of the compensation you rightfully deserve.
Guiding You Through Every Step
Navigating the aftermath of a drunk driving accident can be daunting, but you don't have to face it alone. Our compassionate attorneys provide comprehensive guidance throughout the legal process.
We assess the full extent of your damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering, to pursue a fair outcome on your behalf. Moreover, we offer unwavering support, answering your questions and providing reassurance during this challenging time.
Holding Negligent Parties Accountable
Drunk driving accident victims have every right to hold the responsible party accountable for their actions. In addition to any criminal charges they may face, you can pursue a civil lawsuit seeking compensation. Our experienced attorneys work tirelessly to build a compelling case and ensure justice is served.
We're committed to fighting for your rights and holding negligent parties accountable for the harm they've caused.
Pursuing Just Compensation
Various forms of damages may be available to you in seeking compensation for a drunk driving accident. These can include medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, emotional distress, and even punitive damages in certain cases.
With our expertise and dedication, we assess your unique circumstances and determine the appropriate compensation to pursue, advocating tirelessly for your rights at every step.
Understanding New York's Dram Shop Law
In the state of New York, the General Obligation Law Section 11-101(1), commonly known as the Dram Shop Act, imposes legal responsibility on certain establishments—such as bars, restaurants, and taverns—for injuries or damages resulting from individuals who were served alcohol on their premises.
This legislation derives its name from the term "dram shop," which was historically used to describe establishments that sold alcohol by the dram, a small unit of measurement.
Holding Establishments Accountable
New York's Dram Shop Law empowers injured parties to pursue civil action against licensed establishments if they can demonstrate that the establishment unlawfully provided alcohol to someone who was visibly intoxicated or under the legal drinking age (21 years old in New York).
The law acknowledges that serving alcohol to an already intoxicated individual can exacerbate impairment and heighten the risk of accidents, such as drunk driving or other injuries.
Seek Legal Assistance After a Drunk Driving Accident
If you've sustained injuries in an accident involving a drunk driver—whether you were driving, a passenger in another vehicle, riding with the impaired driver, or even a pedestrian—it's crucial to have a seasoned Long Island drunk driving accident attorney by your side.
Your case's outcome and ability to obtain rightful compensation hinge on your lawyer's prowess in establishing your entitlement to recovery. The legal team at The Ward Law Group is dedicated to safeguarding your rights.
Advocating for Victims of Drunk Driving Accidents in Long Island
When it comes to accidents involving drunk driving, the foremost rule is never to entrust your safety to an intoxicated driver.
If you willingly accept a ride from someone under the influence, you may jeopardize your ability to seek compensation for any injuries sustained in an accident.
At The Ward Law Group, we stand ready to assist individuals who have suffered injuries in car or truck accidents caused by drunk drivers.
Our team of Long Island drunk driving accident attorneys is well-equipped to handle a myriad of claims arising from motor vehicle accidents attributable to impaired driving, including:
Injuries resulting from multi-car collisions are caused by reckless driving behaviors, such as ignoring traffic signs or signals, speeding, or losing control of the vehicle.
Injuries stemming from single-car accidents where drivers veer off the road, fail to maintain proper control, or disregard traffic regulations.
Injuries sustained by pedestrians or bystanders due to the actions of drunk drivers.
We meticulously handle cases involving various injury types, from minor contusions and sprains to severe and life-altering conditions like traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage, fractures, paralysis, and limb amputation.
Additionally, we provide compassionate representation for surviving family members in wrongful death actions.
At The Ward Law Group, we understand the financial strain associated with recovering from injuries caused by drunk driving accidents. That's why we operate on a contingency fee basis for all personal injury claims stemming from motor vehicle accidents involving drunk drivers.
Understanding the Impact of Drunk Driving: A Statistical Overview
Drunk driving crashes pose a grave threat not only to the intoxicated driver but also to every individual sharing the road.
The consequences of such reckless behavior extend beyond personal risk, as drunk driving accidents impose a significant financial burden on American taxpayers.
- Despite the preventable nature of these tragedies, thousands of lives are affected by the devastating effects of fatal drunk driving accidents each year.
- According to data compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the alarming statistics surrounding drunk driving paint a sobering picture:
- On average, 28 individuals lose their lives daily in the United States due to alcohol-related crashes, equating to approximately one fatality every 53 minutes.
- Alcohol-related car accidents impose a staggering financial toll on taxpayers, amounting to roughly $52 billion annually.
- In 2015 alone, there were 10,265 deaths resulting from alcohol-related car crashes, with 181 of these fatalities affecting children under the age of 14.
Approximately one-third of all traffic crash fatalities in the U.S. involve alcohol, underscoring the pervasive impact of drunk driving.
Statistical data reveals a disparity in drunk driving incidents, with men more likely to engage in this hazardous behavior compared to women. This has been confirmed in recent drunk driving accidents from 2023.
Effective public awareness campaigns, state safety grant programs, and NHTSA research initiatives have collectively saved over 14,000 lives in the past decade, leading to significant reductions in drunk driving fatalities across various states.
It's crucial to recognize that even minimal alcohol consumption can contribute to fatal accidents. Despite the legal blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) limit set at 0.08 in every state, 1,764 individuals lost their lives in 2014 alone, with BAC levels measured below 0.08.
Understanding the Impact of Alcohol on Driving Performance
Alcohol affects individuals in varying ways, but it's essential to grasp the common trends associated with its consumption. As alcohol intake increases, its effects become more pronounced and impactful.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides insights into the effects of blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at different levels:
- At a BAC of 0.02%, individuals typically experience relaxation, a warm sensation throughout the body, altered mood, and mildly impaired judgment. While driving, this level of BAC can impede the eyes' ability to track moving objects swiftly and the brain's capacity to multitask effectively.
- With a BAC of 0.05%, behaviors may become more exaggerated or erratic, and fine motor skills decline. The warm, pleasant sensations intensify while alertness and inhibitions decrease.
- Behind the wheel, a 0.05% BAC can significantly impair the ability to track moving objects and lead to delayed responses to sudden road changes.
- Reaching the legal limit of 0.08% BAC results in significantly impaired muscle coordination, making it challenging to perceive nearby dangers. Coordination, memory, judgment, reasoning, and self-control are often compromised.
Drivers at this BAC level commonly exhibit poor concentration, impaired perception, slower information processing, and delayed reaction times.
A BAC of 0.10% leads to noticeably diminished reaction time, coordination, and reasoning. Speech may become slurred, and individuals may appear uncoordinated. Driving with a .10% BAC is extremely perilous, as drivers may struggle to maintain lane position and safely operate vehicle controls.
The NHTSA identifies a BAC of 0.15% as substantially dangerous. At this stage, individuals may experience nausea, vomiting, severe loss of balance, and significantly impaired judgment.
Operating a vehicle with a 0.15% BAC poses grave risks, as drivers may fail to perceive road changes promptly and struggle to maintain control due to impaired motor functions. Additionally, there's a heightened risk of becoming sick or losing consciousness while driving.
These statistics underscore the severe dangers of drunk driving and highlight the importance of seeking alternative transportation options after consuming alcohol.
Contact a Drunk Driving Accident Attorney in Suffolk County Today
At The Ward Law Group, our car accident attorneys are committed to raising awareness about the dangers of drunk driving and advocating for those impacted by its devastating consequences.
If you or a loved one has been affected by a drunk driving accident, don't hesitate to reach out to our experienced legal team for support and guidance. Together, we can work towards preventing future tragedies and traffic fatalities and securing justice for victims of drunk driving incidents.
Contact The Ward Law Group at 855-DOLOR-55 to move forward with your case and receive more valuable information about Drunk Driving Accidents and how to avoid them. Schedule a Free Consultation.