New York has a drunk driving problem. Sadly, the threat only worsens this time of year, as some motorists irresponsibly drive their cars after drinking too much alcohol. Two tragic motor-vehicle accidents involving intoxicated drivers show the seriousness of the situation.
In a horrifying pedestrian accident, a City Island, Bronx teenager was pinned against a coffee shop by a pickup truck that jumped the curb during a U-turn. The driver, a 40-year-old Florida man, was charged with DUI. The victim survived, but suffered two broken legs, a shattered pelvis, and damage to her liver, lungs and spleen.
In another needless tragedy, popular Brooklyn yeshiva teacher Moishe Berkowitz died in a head-on collision with an alleged drunken driver. Berkowitz, 25, who was revered by his students, had his life cut tragically short by the intoxicated driver whose blood alcohol registered at over twice the legal limit. He faces charges of vehicular manslaughter and dwi.
NY Drunk Accidents Remain Too Common
These stories are merely two of the thousands of alcohol-related accidents that occur in New York each year. In 2009, there were 8,873; of those, 329 were deadly.
A recent study found that 40 million people drive drunk or drugged in the U.S. each year, accounting for 13 percent of the driving population, as reported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
These staggering numbers spike especially high during the holiday season. The NYPD has elevated enforcement efforts to combat the "peak season" for drunk driving. Undisclosed sobriety checkpoints and more police officers patrolling the streets will try to deter the impact of drunken motorists in the New York.
Holding Drunk Drivers Accountable in New York
Unfortunately, tragedy will continue to plague families in the Empire State. The wrongdoers are held accountable not only through the criminal justice system, but through actions by the victims and survivors.
Through personal injury suits, New York allows victims to recover compensatory damages, such as medical bills and lost wages, as well as punitive damages, to both punish the drunk driver and deter others.
All too often, a drunk-driving accident victim leaves behind a family facing financial hardship. A deceased victim's surviving family members may recover certain financial losses through a wrongful death claim. New York law allows recovery of the deceased's lost anticipated earnings, lost benefits (pension, social security, etc.) and lost household services, as well as funeral and medical expenses.
New York prohibits bars and restaurants from serving alcohol to visibly intoxicated customers. Negligently doing so could make the restaurant or bar liable for any damage or death the customer causes after leaving the establishment. This provides an additional source of recovery for victims of drunk driving accidents.
Protect your Legal Rights
The financial and emotional costs of drunk driving accidents are high. A knowledgeable personal injury lawyer can protect your rights to recovery in a painful time - allowing you to focus on healing. If you or a loved one has been injured by a drunk driver, contact a New York personal injury attorney experienced in serious car accidents to discuss your options confidentially.
![[picture of] Daniel A. Kalish](/design/images/attorneyPic.jpg)
