Queens Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
Driving drunk is an incredibly dangerous act, risking the lives and safety of not only the driver but every innocent individual in the vicinity. Unfortunately, drunk driving is quite common in Queens, with intoxicated drivers injuring or killing people across New York daily. If you or a loved one was harmed by a drunk driver, Lever & Ecker’s Queens car accident attorneys can help. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Key Takeaways
- Drunk driving is extremely dangerous and claims thousands of lives annually.
- In New York, people seriously injured in a drunk driving accident may be able to file a lawsuit against the driver and other parties to recover compensation.
- An experienced car accident attorney can simplify the legal process and maximize your chance of receiving full and fair compensation for your injuries and other losses.
Table of Contents
- Why Choose Lever & Ecker If You’ve Been Injured by a Drunk Driver?
- How Common Are Queens Drunk Driving Accidents?
- Will New York’s No-Fault Car Insurance Cover Damages After a Drunk Driving Accident?
- What Do You Do If Your Damages Exceed What is Covered by New York No-Fault Insurance?
- What Compensation Can I Receive from a Drunk Driving Accident Lawsuit in Queens?
- Who Can You Sue for a Drunk Driving Accident Lawsuit in Queens?
- How Long Do You Have to File a Drunk Driving Accident Lawsuit in Queens?
- How Does Lever & Ecker Handle Drunk Driving Accident Lawsuits?
- Contact Lever & Ecker’s Queens Attorneys Today
Why Choose Lever & Ecker If You’ve Been Injured by a Drunk Driver?
Lever & Ecker’s award-winning New York lawyers have more than 70 years of combined experience helping injured people get justice and compensation for their suffering. Our approach is simple: We listen to you, guide you, and handle what must be done in your case. When you work with Lever & Ecker, you can expect top-tier legal representation and an open line of communication—we treat our clients like family, not numbers. Our attorneys have a 99 percent case success rate, and we are always prepared to take your case to trial if necessary.
How Common Are Queens Drunk Driving Accidents?
According to New York State Police data, drunk drivers cause more than 17,000 deaths yearly. In New York, almost a third of fatal car crashes are alcohol-related, and one study found that roughly one in six weekend nighttime drivers in the state tested positive for illicit drugs. In Queens, several neighborhoods are notorious for drunk driving accidents. Areas such as Corona, Jamaica, and Richmond Hill frequently see residents injured by impaired drivers.
In September 2024, a Queens man was sentenced to seven to 21 years in prison for a drunk driving crash that killed two Richmond Hill neighbors. The man was speeding, ran a stop sign, and had a blood alcohol content over the legal limit for driving. The crash left a 64-year-old and a 71-year-old dead.
Will New York’s No-Fault Car Insurance Cover Damages After a Drunk Driving Accident?
New York is a no-fault car insurance state, meaning that all drivers must carry personal injury protection coverage to reimburse their medical expenses and income losses after a motor vehicle accident, regardless of who was at fault. However, this does not prevent accident victims from suing other drivers who caused their injuries. Under New York law, you can file a lawsuit against an at-fault driver if you or a loved one suffered a qualifying “serious injury.”
Under New York Law, a “serious injury” is defined as involving one of the following:
- Dismemberment
- Significant disfiguration
- Death
- Loss of a fetus
- Fracture
- Permanent loss of use of a body organ, member, function, or system
- Permanent consequential limitation of a body organ or member
- A significant limitation of the use of a body function or system
- A non-permanent injury that prevents you from performing your usual and customary daily activities for at least 90 of the 180 days immediately following the accident
Regardless of the extent of your damages, you must have suffered a qualifying serious injury to be eligible to sue.
What Do You Do If Your Damages Exceed What is Covered by New York No-Fault Insurance?
New York requires drivers to carry the minimum personal injury protection coverage of $50,000 per injured person. This coverage can pay for economic losses such as medical bills and some lost wages after a crash. However, personal injury protection coverage does not cover any non-economic damages such as pain and suffering. These damages can only be recovered through a civil lawsuit.
What Compensation Can I Receive from a Drunk Driving Accident Lawsuit in Queens?
Drunk driving accident victims who have suffered serious injuries can hold the drunk driver accountable for their injuries and other losses. By retaining a lawyer to pursue a civil lawsuit, you can recover damages above what New York’s no-fault system provides. In a lawsuit, you may be able to pursue reimbursement for:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Significant future medical costs exceeding your policy limits
- Substantial lost wages
- Lost income
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Damage to your vehicle that’s not covered by your policy
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
Who Can You Sue for a Drunk Driving Accident Lawsuit in Queens?
After a car accident involving a drunk driver, you may think the driver is the only one responsible for your injuries. However, there may be multiple parties that also could be held legally liable for the accident, such as:
- The vehicle’s owner
- A bar, restaurant, or social host who overserved alcohol to the driver
- The driver’s employer
- Vehicle or parts manufacturers, if a malfunction contributed to the crash
- Government entities
An experienced Queens car accident attorney can help you identify every party who may be liable for your injuries and other losses to ensure you receive the full and fair compensation you deserve.
How Long Do You Have to File a Drunk Driving Accident Lawsuit in Queens?
New York’s standard statute of limitations for personal injury cases is three years from the accident date. This deadline also applies to drunk driving accidents. However, there are exceptions to this rule, including cases of wrongful death or those involving minors or legally disabled individuals.
Missing the deadline to file your case means you forfeit your right to recover compensation through a civil lawsuit. An attorney will determine the deadline for your case to ensure you file your lawsuit on time.
How Does Lever & Ecker Handle Drunk Driving Accident Lawsuits?
At Lever & Ecker, our Queens personal injury attorneys take a hands-on approach to clients, guiding them through the legal process with skill and compassion. We can handle the bulk of the work on your case, including the following:
- Investigating the accident
- Collecting evidence
- Interviewing witnesses
- Reconstructing the accident
- Identifying liable parties
- Reviewing medical records
- Evaluating insurance coverage
- Documenting losses
- Pursuing fair compensation
- Negotiating with other parties and insurers
- Advocating for you at trial if settlement negotiations fail
Contact Lever & Ecker’s Queens Attorneys Today
Lever & Ecker’s Queens attorneys are motivated by making a difference in injured people’s lives. We provide the resources they need to make the right legal decisions and get the right care. With offices in White Plains, the Bronx, and Queens, we help injured clients throughout New York State, including NYC’s five boroughs, Westchester County, and the surrounding counties. We make home and hospital visits, so if you can’t come to us, we’ll come to you.
If you or a loved one were injured by a drunk driver in Queens, schedule a free case evaluation with Lever & Ecker by calling 347-391-6337 or completing our online contact form.
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