The Consequences of Drunk Driving & Legal Options for Victims

1. New York Drunk Driving Accidents
The Consequences
of Drunk Driving &
Legal Options for
Victims
www.kaplanlawyers.com

2. An Ever-Present Danger on Our Roads
Drunk driving has been a threat to road
safety since the invention of the
automobile. In fact, in 1910, New York
became the first state to pass a law
against driving a vehicle under the
influence. Over a century later, drunk
driving continues to plague our roads,
causing thousands of crashes and claiming
hundreds of lives in New York every year.

3. New York Drunk Driving Statistics
In 2014, the most recent year for which
statistics are available:
 There were nearly 8,000 alcohol-related
vehicle crashes in New York.
 Of those crashes, there were 292 deaths
and 5,674 people injured.
 From 2003 to 2012, 3,752 people lost their
lives in drunk driving crashes.
 Around one-third of all traffic deaths in the
United States involve a drunk driver.

4. Understanding “Over the Limit”
A driver is considered intoxicated when
he or she has a blood alcohol content
level of 0.08 percent or higher. For
drivers of commercial vehicles and for
drivers under the legal drinking age,
that threshold is 0.04 percent BAC.
However, according the New York
Department of Motor Vehicles, a BAC of
0.05 percent is legal evidence that a
driver is impaired.

5. Alcohol-Related Pedestrian Accidents
In 2014, there were 71 pedestrians
killed and 401 pedestrians injured in
alcohol-related crashes in New York.
Roughly half of all pedestrian deaths
involve alcohol use either by the driver
or the pedestrian. In other words, it is
essentially impossible to talk about
pedestrian safety without talking about
alcohol impairment.

6. Drug-Related Vehicle Crashes
Impaired driving also includes the use of other
drugs. Drivers can be impaired by:
 Illegal drugs - marijuana, cocaine, LSD, heroin
or tranquilizers
 Prescription drugs - opiates, anti-anxiety
medication, muscle relaxants or any other type
of medication that causes dizziness or
drowsiness
 Over-the-counter medication - allergy/cold
medication or any medication causing dizziness
or drowsiness
 A combination of drugs and alcohol

7. Common Injuries in Drunk Driving Accidents
Drunk driving crashes can result in several different types
of injuries ranging from mild to severe. Some of the most
serious injuries in drunk driving accidents include:
 Head injuries
 Spinal cord injuries
 Neck injuries (like whiplash)
 Multiple fractures
 Internal injuries
 Loss of limbs
 Burns
 Wrongful death

8. Other Consequences of Drunk Driving
A drunk driving crash can have ripple effects
that go far beyond property damage and
bodily harm. A crash can lead to expensive
medical bills, ongoing medical treatment,
physical therapy, loss of work ability and loss
of income. When a victim suffers fatal
injuries, survivors also face major
consequences like lost income, medical bills
and end-of-life costs in addition to the
incredible emotional pain of mourning the
loss of a loved one.

9. Legal Options for Drunk Driving Victims
The victims of a drunk driver can take legal
action to recover the costs associated with
their injuries. Personal injury claims offer
victims a path toward compensation. Families
of fatal crash victims can file wrongful death
claims to seek justice. These claims, while
unable to solve all the challenges facing
victims of a drunk driving crash, offer some
level of comfort and financial security.

10. Dram Shop Laws - Accountability Beyond
the Driver
The decision to get behind the wheel
after drinking ultimately belongs to the
driver. However, in some cases, the
party who served the drunk driver
might also be held legally responsible.
Dram Shop laws state that servers and
establishments that serve a patron
after they’ve had too many drinks
might be accountable for damages
their customer causes once they leave.

11. Do You Need Legal Assistance?
If you or a loved one has been injured by a drunk driver
in New York, Kaplan Lawyers PC is here to help. We offer
free consultations so you can discuss your case with our
team and better understand your legal options. Contact
Kaplan Lawyers PC by filling out our online form or
calling us at any of our office locations:
 (212) 563-1900 (NYC)
 (516) 399-2364 (Nassau County)
 (347) 758-9011 (Brooklyn)
 (631) 619-5309 (Suffolk County)
 (917) 382-9212 (Queens)
www.kaplanlawyers.com