Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
At Harding Mazzotti, LLP, we understand the physical and emotional pain that a drunk driving accident may cause for innocent people. Our drunk driving accident lawyers have extensive experience navigating the legal process in order to obtain financial compensation for injury victims. Contact us today at 1-800-LAW-1010 to schedule a free consultation.
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On This Page
- Why Choose Harding Mazzotti, LLP After a Drunk Driving Accident
- What Is Considered Drunk Driving?
- What Compensation Is Available After Being Hit By a Drunk Driver?
- Drunk Driving Statistics
- Benefits of Hiring an Experienced Attorney
- State-Specific Resources for Victims of Drunk Driving Accidents
- Contact a Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Today
Why Choose Harding Mazzotti, LLP After a Drunk Driving Accident
Known as The Heavy Hitters®, Harding Mazzotti, LLP is one of the most recognized personal injury law firms in the Northeast. Our team has grown over 30 years to employ more than 40 attorneys and 120 support staff who have extensive experience handling car accident cases.
Along with compassionate support and aggressive legal advocacy, we are exceptionally proud to serve our communities with programs and initiatives designed to make our roads safer, including:
- Rideshare Home program that offers free rides to reduce drinking and driving incidents
- Free 5-hour driving course for high school students to help hone their skills and knowledge behind the wheel
- Free bicycle helmets for children throughout the Northeast during the summer months
Meaningful Results When You Need It Most
We have recovered over $1 billion in verdicts and settlements for clients, including those hurt in auto accidents and hit by drunk drivers. Recent case results include:
- $1.25 million verdict for a client who was hit in an intersection while riding his motorcycle due to an obscured stop sign
- $775,000 car accident settlement for a client who was struck by a car while crossing the street
- $500,000 settlement for an auto accident that resulted in our client needing two invasive spinal surgeries
- $500,000 car accident settlement for our client hit by a drunk driver while working as a tow truck operator
What Is Considered Drunk Driving?
In the U.S., driving while intoxicated is generally defined by blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limits. For adults over the age of 21 the standard “per se” limit is 0.08% in most states, including New York, Vermont, and Massachusetts.
All states uphold Zero Tolerance laws for minors, typically setting BAC limits between 0.00% and 0.02%. Additionally, commercial drivers face a stricter federal mandate of 0.04%. Under implied consent laws, obtaining a driver’s license and driving on public roads means that you consent to undergo chemical testing if pulled over for suspected driving under the influence (DUI).
How Is BAC Determined?
A police officer may administer a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) test or a breathalyzer test to assess if someone is legally drunk while driving. BAC tests assess the alcohol mass per one unit of blood or per one unit of body mass. However, estimating the number of beverages consumed is not always an effective technique for determining BAC. This is due to variables such as gender, metabolism, and body fat-to-body weight ratio.
If you are hit by a drunk driver, the police officer who arrives at the scene will most likely give a breathalyzer test to the motorist who hit you. If the driver was intoxicated while driving, this can be used to support a claim that the driver was negligent. Depending on the circumstances, that driver may also potentially be liable for punitive damages.
What Compensation Is Available After Being Hit By a Drunk Driver?
A drunk driving accident can lead to serious injuries, financial struggles, and emotional stress that affect you and your loved ones. While nothing can undo what happened, you may be entitled to compensation for all the ways your life is impacted.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are the financial losses caused by the accident. Examples include:
- Medical bills
- Cost of future medical care
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earnings capacity
- Property damage
- Other out-of-pocket expenses
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are the intangible losses or subjective suffering you experience due to your injuries, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Loss of consortium
Punitive Damages
In some cases, a judge also awards punitive damages, which are meant to punish the wrongdoer for particularly harmful or reckless acts and deter the same behavior from happening again. Punitive damages are most often seen in claims that involve intentional acts of violence, abuse, or disregard for safety, which can apply to drunk driving cases.
Wrongful Death Damages
If you lost a loved one in a drunk driving accident, your family has options to seek justice. By filing a wrongful death claim, you could recover the compensation your loved one would have received if they had lived, as well as additional damages connected to your loss, such as:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of financial support and benefits
- Loss of support and services
A wrongful death lawyer can guide you through the process in your state and offer support during this difficult time.
Criminal vs. Civil Cases
It’s important to understand that suing for damages caused by a drunk driving accident is a civil action that is separate from criminal charges. While there may be some overlap with evidence, the goal of your personal injury case is to pursue compensation for what you’ve been through. The criminal case is prosecuted by the government and meant to hold the defendant accountable for breaking the law.
Do you have a case? Get your free consultation now.
You can call us at 1-800-LAW1010 or fill out a form. Even if you’re unsure if you have a case, our team is here to help you discuss your legal options at no charge.
Drunk Driving Statistics
Here are some alarming statistics on drunk driving from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- Each day, about 34 people in the United States die in drunk driving crashes, which is equivalent to one person every 42 minutes.
- In 2023, 12,429 people died in alcohol-impaired driving traffic crashes.
- The age group between 21 and 24 years old had the highest percentage (28%) of alcohol-impaired drivers involved in fatal traffic crashes compared to other age groups in 2023.
- In 2023, 282 children who were 14 years old and younger were killed in drunk-driving crashes.
- The rate of fatal traffic crashes involving impaired drivers in 2023 was three times higher at night than during the day.
Benefits of Hiring an Experienced Attorney
If you were hit by a drunk driver, a law firm can help protect your rights and support you throughout the legal process. Even when drunk driving is involved, liability is not always clear, and these claims can be complex. Insurance companies may try to shift more blame to you in an attempt to pay less than your claim is worth.
A trusted attorney at Harding Mazzotti, LLP can handle every step of your claim, including:
- Investigating the accident to determine fault and prove negligence
- Gathering evidence and working with expert witnesses to build your claim
- Communicating with insurance adjusters on your behalf
- Negotiating a fair settlement that represents the full scope of your losses
- Taking your case to court when necessary
We have extensive experience with these types of claims and know what steps to take to put you in the best position to recover fair compensation.
State-Specific Resources for Victims of Drunk Driving Accidents
With legal offices in three different states, we have in-depth knowledge of state and local laws that could impact your case. Here are essential resources that can help you better understand your rights after a drunk driving accident.
New York Drunk Driving Accident Resources
New York laws that are important to know include:
- New York’s no-fault insurance: You file a claim through your own insurance to cover your losses after an accident, regardless of who was at fault.
- New York’s pure comparative negligence law: You can still recover partial compensation if you share some fault for your injuries.
- New York’s statute of limitations for personal injury: You generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a legal claim.
New York Dram Shop Laws
In New York State, if the owner of a bar or restaurant provides alcohol to a clearly intoxicated person who then injures another person in an automobile accident, the owner of the business can be held liable for the accident victim’s injuries. This is referred to as dram shop liability.
Dram shop laws are shown in New York General Obligations Law Section 1100 and Section 1101, and in Alcohol Beverage Control Law 65. Harding Mazzotti, LLP’s attorneys are well-versed in dram shop laws and know how to pinpoint all responsible parties in drunk driving accident cases.
New York Drunk Driving Accident Law Office and Appointment Centers
Our team has offices and appointment centers throughout New York state, so legal help is never far away when you need us:
- Albany
- Buffalo
- Saratoga Springs
- Schenectady
- Syracuse
- Troy
- Utica
- Rochester
- Binghamton
- Corning
- New York City
- White Plains
Vermont Drunk Driving Accident Resources
If you were struck by a drunk driver in Vermont, these laws and regulations may apply to your case:
- Vermont’s statute of limitations: There is a deadline of three years from the date of the accident to file a legal claim, with some exceptions.
- Vermont’s modified comparative negligence rule: You can share up to 50% fault for the accident and still recover some damages.
- Vermont dram shop laws: A drunk driving victim can work with a lawyer to possibly sue an establishment that served alcohol to an intoxicated person who caused them harm.
Vermont Drunk Driving Accident Law Offices
With two convenient legal offices in Vermont, we can meet in-person at either location to discuss your situation and how we can help:
Office Location
47 Maple Street 104 a
Burlington, VT 0540
Office Location
5046 Main St,
Manchester Center, VT 05255
Massachusetts Drunk Driving Accident Resources
These state laws may affect your legal claim if you were injured by a drunk driver in Massachusetts:
- Massachusetts’ statute of limitations: Car accident victims generally have three years from the date of the accident to take legal action.
- Massachusetts’ modified comparative negligence law: You may still be eligible to receive some compensation if you share fault, but you cannot be more than 50% responsible for the accident.
- Massachusetts’ dram shop laws: State laws prohibit licensed establishments in Massachusetts from selling alcohol to an intoxicated person.
Massachusetts Drunk Driving Accident Law Offices
You can schedule a consultation with our drunk driving accident lawyers in Massachusetts over the phone or at our Tewksbury location:
Office Location
170 Main St,
Tewksbury, MA 01876
Contact a Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Today
If you or anyone you know has been injured in an accident involving a drunk driver, or an automobile accident of any kind, the attorneys at Harding Mazzotti, LLP have a wealth of experience in dealing with insurance companies and in protecting your right to receive the compensation you’re entitled to.
Our attorneys handle all types of motor vehicle accidents, including those involving automobiles, motorcycles and all types of truck accidents. Call our experienced legal professionals today for a free consultation at 1-844-446-1044. We’re here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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