If a drunk driver has hurt you, you may be facing one of the hardest challenges of your life. The moment of impact can leave you shocked, confused, and in pain, with a whirlwind of questions and concerns. At William Mattar Law Offices, we know how life-altering a drunk driving accident is, and our priority is helping you find a path to healing.
You may be left with serious injuries that impact your daily life, from physical pain to emotional trauma. Mounting medical bills and missed time at work can make it hard to see a way forward. Our New York drunk driving accident lawyers are here to provide the legal support and compassionate guidance you need.
With the help of our dedicated drunk driving injury attorneys, you don’t have to face this alone. We’ll handle the complexities of your case, helping you seek justice and financial compensation so you can focus on recovery.
Whether you’re coping with physical injuries, emotional distress, or financial burdens, our team is committed to being by your side, advocating for the best possible outcome every step of the way.
Key Takeaways
Case Focus & Firm Experience
- William Mattar Law Offices specializes in drunk-driving crash cases, drawing on over 30 years of experience handling DUI-related collisions across New York.
- The firm focuses exclusively on serious motor vehicle crash injuries—including those involving intoxicated drivers—and provides 24/7 client support under contingency-fee arrangements.
Who May Be Held Liable
- Potentially responsible parties include:
- The intoxicated motorist, particularly if under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Third parties when applicable—such as employers, vehicle owners, or social hosts providing alcohol
- Municipalities or property operators if poor road conditions or negligent maintenance contributed to the crash
Common Crash Factors & Injury Types
- Typical crash circumstances include:
- High-speed collisions, rear-end or T-bone crashes
- Pedestrians, bicyclists, or motorcycle riders struck by impaired drivers
- Drivers failing to stop at signals, driving off-road, or colliding with fixed objects
- Common injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI), spinal damage, paralysis
- Fractures, crush injuries, internal trauma
- Soft-tissue injuries, road rash, bruising, psychological trauma
- Fatalities leading to wrongful death claims
Legal Strategy & Evidence Collection
- Cases often rely on:
- Police and incident reports, breathalyzer or toxicology results, dashcam or surveillance footage
- Expert testimony on accident reconstruction, intoxication level, and injury causation
- Injury documentation from medical providers, treatment plans, and life-care projections
Compensation Scope
- Settlements vary depending on injury severity and liability:
- Minor injuries may lead to five-figure recoveries
- Moderate injuries (surgeries, significant care needs): six figures
- Catastrophic injuries (TBI, disability) and wrongful death claims can exceed $1M
- Victims can seek damages for medical expenses, future care, lost earnings, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of consortium
Key Considerations for Claimants
- Statute of limitations: New York typically allows three years to file a personal injury claim; shorter timelines may apply in certain cases.
- Immediate legal action helps preserve vital evidence—police, medical records, and crash scene documentation are time-sensitive.
- Insurance policies may involve multiple layers (personal, UM/UIM, MVAIC), especially in intoxicated driver incidents.
- Reputational and legal experience in DUI litigation is crucial for maximizing recovery and holding negligent parties accountable.
Understanding Drunk Driving Laws in New York
In New York, strict laws aim to curb drunk driving, yet impaired drivers continue to cause serious accidents. When a driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC) is 0.08% or higher, they are legally intoxicated, and driving in this condition is illegal.
Commercial drivers face even stricter BAC limits of 0.04%, while drivers younger than 21 can face legal consequences if they have any alcohol in their system due to New York’s Zero Tolerance Law.
To measure BAC, police officers use Breathalyzers or blood tests. These tests are commonly administered at the scene or shortly afterward if impairment is suspected. If the driver who hit you is found to be legally intoxicated, it can play a critical role in proving negligence in your case and may open the door to punitive damages.
DUI vs. DWI in New York
New York distinguishes between DUI (driving under the influence) and DWI (driving while intoxicated). DWIs are typically assigned to cases where the driver’s BAC is at or above 0.08%, while DUIs can involve drugs or alcohol and may apply to cases where the driver’s impairment is evident but does not meet the BAC threshold.
Both DUI and DWI offenses can lead to severe legal consequences, and in civil cases, they underscore the at-fault driver’s responsibility in causing the crash. Our drunk driving injury attorneys can help you understand these distinctions and their impact on your claim.
Penalties for Drunk Driving in New York
New York imposes strict penalties for those convicted of drunk driving, including:
- Fines and surcharges: Drunk drivers may face hefty fines that increase with repeated offenses.
- License suspension: A first-time DWI offense can potentially result in a license suspension, while repeat offenders may lose their license for years.
- Imprisonment: Severe or repeat cases can lead to jail time, with penalties intensifying if injuries or fatalities are involved.
These penalties are intended to protect the public but may also strengthen a civil claim against the impaired driver. A violation of the penal law can justify the imposition of punitive damages. When a driver’s actions are reckless enough to result in a criminal conviction, their liability in a civil case becomes clearer.
Driving Under the Influence of Marijuana in New York
With the recent legalization of recreational marijuana in New York, more drivers are on the road after using marijuana, which raises new concerns about impaired driving. While marijuana is now legal for adults, driving under its influence remains strictly prohibited.
Unlike alcohol, marijuana impairment isn’t measured by a BAC threshold; instead, officers assess impairment based on observed behavior, field sobriety tests, and sometimes blood or saliva tests to confirm the presence of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana.
DUI Charges for Marijuana in New York
In New York, driving under the influence of marijuana can lead to a DUI charge if a driver is found to be impaired by THC at the time of the accident. Since marijuana impairment affects reaction times, judgment, and coordination, similar to alcohol, it poses a serious danger on the road.
Drunk Driving Accident Statistics in the U.S. and New York
Understanding the prevalence of drunk driving accidents can underscore the importance of taking legal action against impaired drivers. Here are some critical statistics that highlight the severity of this issue both nationally and within New York State.
National Drunk Driving Statistics
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) track the impact of impaired driving in the United States.
- Fatalities Due to Drunk Driving: In the latest report, 11,654 people were killed in drunk-driving crashes in the United States. This number accounts for about 30% of all traffic fatalities that year.
- Injuries from Alcohol-Impaired Crashes: Approximately 300,000 people are injured annually in drunk driving accidents across the country.
- Daily Impact: On average, about 32 people in the U.S. die every day in crashes involving an alcohol-impaired driver—that's one person every 45 minutes.
- Economic Costs: Drunk driving crashes cost the United States over $68 billion each year in damages, medical expenses, legal costs, and lost productivity.
The Impact of Drunk Driving in New York
These statistics reveal that despite stringent laws and penalties, drunk driving remains a significant problem in New York. The high number of injuries and fatalities emphasizes the need for victims to seek legal representation to hold impaired drivers accountable.
- Economic Impact in New York: Alcohol-related crashes likely cost New York taxpayers billions annually, including medical costs, emergency services, and property damage.
- Repeat Offenders: A significant number of DWI arrests involve repeat offenders, highlighting the ongoing risk posed by habitual drunk drivers on New York roads.
Why These Statistics Matter to Your Case
Working with a drunk driving accident injury lawyer who understands these statistics can be crucial for several reasons:
- Demonstrating Prevalence: Highlighting the frequency of drunk driving incidents can strengthen your claim by showing that impaired driving is a widespread issue that endangers public safety.
- Supporting Claims for Damages: The alarming numbers may support arguments for damages to compensate for your losses and deter such behavior in the future.
- Emphasizing the Need for Legal Action: With so many affected, taking legal steps not only aids your recovery but also contributes to broader efforts to combat drunk driving.
Criminal vs. Civil Cases for Drunk Driving Incidents
A criminal DUI or DWI case focuses on punishing the drunk driver. The state prosecutes the driver in these cases, and penalties are assigned according to criminal law.
However, a criminal conviction does not necessarily provide compensation for injury victims. That’s where civil cases come into play. As an injury victim, your drunk driving accident attorney may file a personal injury claim to seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering caused by the crash.
If the impaired driver is convicted in criminal court, it can serve as valuable evidence in your civil claim. This criminal conviction can establish the driver’s responsibility and reckless behavior, and may even justify the imposition of exemplary or punitive damages.
How Marijuana DUI Impacts Civil and Criminal Cases
In the criminal justice system, a driver found under the influence of marijuana may face penalties similar to those for alcohol-related DUI or DWI, including fines, license suspension, and possible jail time.
In a civil case—such as a personal injury claim following a crash—proof that the other driver was under the influence of marijuana can be used to demonstrate negligence. This evidence may strengthen your claim by highlighting the driver’s recklessness, potentially making it easier to obtain compensation.
How a Drunk Driving Injury Attorney Can Help
When a drunk driver injures someone, determining liability may seem straightforward, but proving the driver’s impairment and securing fair compensation can be complex. Our car accident attorneys have experience investigating drunk driving accidents, obtaining police and toxicology reports, and gathering witness testimonies to build a strong case. We can work to:
- Establish intoxication and fault: We collect evidence, including police reports and BAC test results, to prove the at-fault driver’s impairment.
- Navigate negotiations with insurance: Drunk driving cases often involve complex negotiations with insurance companies. Insurance providers may seek to minimize their payout, but a DUI or DWI can strengthen your position. We advocate on your behalf to maximize your compensation.
- Seek additional damages: In cases involving gross negligence, such as drunk driving, victims may be eligible for punitive damages, which aims to penalize the wrongdoer and deter future recklessness. We help determine whether punitive damages may apply to your case.
How a DUI/DWI Affects Insurance Negotiations
When a driver is impaired at the time of an accident, their negligence is typically unquestionable. This can impact how insurance companies approach your claim. Our team understands these nuances and will use them to strengthen your claim.
Injuries Common in Drunk Driving Accidents
Drunk driving accidents often result in severe injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): Both open and closed TBIs can occur when the head strikes an object or is penetrated by debris. Symptoms may not show up right away, so seeking medical attention is critical.
- Spinal injuries: Impacts can cause vertebrae fractures, herniated discs, or spinal cord injuries.
- Broken bones and fractures: High-speed collisions often lead to severe bone fractures, sometimes requiring surgery and extended recovery.
- Internal injuries: Internal bleeding and organ damage are common in high-impact accidents, especially in head-on collisions often caused by drunk drivers going the wrong way.
Types of Drunk Driving Accidents
Intoxicated drivers can cause various types of accidents, including:
- Head-on collisions: Drunk drivers may enter oncoming traffic, leading to devastating head-on collisions with severe injuries.
- Rear-end crashes: An impaired driver’s delayed reaction times can result in rear-end accidents.
- Pedestrian and cyclist collisions: Drunk drivers pose a significant risk to pedestrians and cyclists, who have little protection against the force of a vehicle.
Each type of accident presents unique challenges in determining fault, injury severity, and damages. At William Mattar Law Offices, our team of drunk driving accident attorneys has experience handling all types of drunk driving injury cases, and we understand how to approach each one for the best possible outcome.
Why Choose William Mattar’s Drunk Driving Injury Attorneys?
Our team of drunk driving injury lawyers is here to support you during one of the most difficult times in your life. We understand the emotional and physical toll of these accidents and will advocate fiercely on your behalf. By choosing William Mattar Law Offices, you benefit from a dedicated legal team that is ready to work for you by:
- Visiting you in the hospital or at home if your injuries prevent travel.
- Navigating complex legal procedures so you can focus on healing.
- Seeking the highest compensation possible to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
- Working on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t pay an attorney fee until we secure compensation for you.
Contact a New York Drunk Driving Injury Attorney at William Mattar Law Offices Today
If you were injured in a drunk driving accident, reach out to William Mattar Law Offices today. Our attorneys are available 24/7 to help you and ensure you don’t face this journey alone. Let us fight for your rights, so you can focus on what matters most—your recovery. Call now to start your path to financial recovery.
Call our main office in Williamsville, NY, at 716-444-4444 or contact us online for a free, confidential consultation. We are here when you need us most. We also have offices in Buffalo, Syracuse, and Rochester, and our personal injury lawyers can serve clients throughout New York, including Albany, Long Island, Binghamton, Watertown, Plattsburgh, and New York City.