People die in the U.S. every day because of accidents involving drunk drivers. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that there are an average of 30 deaths each day. These accidents often result in severe injuries and fatalities that leave families devastated. Accident victims often are left facing enormous bills that can be challenging to cover, especially if they are unable to work because of the severity of their injuries.
If you or someone you love is in pain and suffering because of the negligence of a drunk driver, you have the right to hold the drunk driver responsible for their actions, and a Bohemia drunk driving accident lawyer can help.
The team at Gacovino & Lake has worked on many cases. We are proud of the results we achieved for our clients as well. We can help you by gathering evidence, building a strong case, and negotiating for a fair settlement. For a free review of your case, contact Gacovino & Lake today at (631) 600-0000.
Facts and Statistics About Drunk Driving Accidents
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), alcohol-impaired collisions accounted for 28% of all traffic-related fatalities in 2016. Even a small amount of alcohol can significantly impact a driver’s ability to operate a vehicle safely.
The CDC reports that with a blood-alcohol content (BAC) of 0.05%, drivers often experience lower coordination, which makes steering and reacting to other drivers more difficult. When they have a BAC of 0.08, the legal limit, they will have difficulty focusing their vison, remembering things, and making decisions. With a BAC of 0.10%, their perception and coordination are so impaired that they will have difficulty staying between the lanes and braking in time to changing conditions. The likelihood of an accident is high.
In every state, including New York, it is illegal to operate a moving vehicle with a BAC of 0.08% or higher. Yet this type of behavior continues.
How the Statute of Limitations Can Impact Your Claim
Every state places a limit on the amount of time that a victim has to file a claim pursuing compensation for a personal injury accident like a collision. In the state of New York, the statute of limitations for personal injury accidents is three years, per New York Civil Practice Law & Rules (CVP) § 214. If you wait too long and miss the deadline, you are generally barred from recovering any amount of compensation, although there are some exceptions to the rule.
The statute of limitations for wrongful death, New York Estates, Powers & Trusts (EPT) § 5-4.1, is slightly shorter. If your family member did not survive the accident, you have two years from the date of their death to pursue damages, or you are barred from recovery.
A Bohemia drunk driving accident lawyer can explain how the statute of limitations and other laws impact your case. They can also review the details of your case and explain what options you have for recovering compensation. For a free case review or to have our team get to work right away, contact Gacovino & Lake today at (631) 600-0000.
Recoverable Damages After a Drunk Driving Accident
There are many types of damages that you could potentially recover as a result of a drunk driving accident in Bohemia, N.Y. Ultimately, the types of damages you may be able to recover depend on the details of the case, such as the severity of your injuries, permanency of your injuries, and extent of your pain and suffering.
Some possible recoverable damages could include:
- Hospital stays
- Ambulance rides
- Disfigurement or dismemberment
- Surgical procedures
- Doctor’s examinations
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning potential
Wrongful Death
If your loved one did not survive the accident or died later because of the severity of their injuries, you have the right to hold the negligent party responsible for your family’s suffering. Some possible recoverable damages in a wrongful death claim could include:
- Funeral and burial costs
- Wages and benefits provided by the deceased
- Pain and suffering experienced by the deceased before death
- Pain and suffering of the family
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of support and protection
- Medical costs remaining after your loved one’s death
Punitive Damages
While punitive damages are uncommon in personal injury cases, the court can impose them if it wants to punish the defendant for behavior that is particularly egregious. Punitive damages are often sizable as their intent is to discourage the defendant and others from behaving in such a manner.
How a Bohemia Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Can Help
The team at Gacovino & Lake understands how overwhelming this can be for you. We have worked with many victims like you, and our goal is to take as much of the burden off your shoulders as possible, pursuing a settlement for your injuries while you focus on the task of healing.
Some specific ways we can help are by:
- Providing you with legal guidance and answering all of your questions
- Communicating with the insurance company or the defendant’s lawyer
- Gathering evidence like police reports and eyewitness statements to confirm liability for the case
- Gathering medical reports, employment records, bills, and receipts to determine the full value of your case, including the cost of your pain and suffering
- Negotiating to pursue a fair settlement for your case
- Fighting for your rights at trial if we cannot achieve an agreeable settlement
If you are suffering because of a drunk driver’s negligent behavior, you have the right to hold them responsible for your injuries. Our team is here to help. For a free review of your case, contact Gacovino & Lake today at (631) 600-0000.
