Bronx Alcohol-Related Accidents

In the Bronx and throughout the nation, alcohol is a big contributor to fatalities in auto accidents, about 29% nationally. Those who drive with a high blood alcohol content (BAC) 0.15 or over are often repeat offenders. If you have been the victim of a drunk driver, you should immediately contact a good Bronx alcohol-related accidents lawyer.

Even a little alcohol can affect responses and contribute to an accident. In New York, the police will charge a person with a DWI if their blood alcohol content (BAC) is at specific alcohol levels:

• If you are 21 or over and your BAC is 0.08% or above
• If you are driving a commercial vehicle and your BAC is 0.04% or above
• If you are under 21 and your BAC is 0.02% or above

Needless to say, the more someone drinks, the more erratic their driving becomes. BAC .02% can cause people to lose good judgment and the ability to multi-task. At BAC .05%, they also will suffer reduced coordination, reduced ability to respond quickly and reduced capability to track cars, bikes or anything that is moving. At BAC 0.8%, reaction time, judgment, vision, concentration, muscle control and ability to control behavior can all be seriously impaired. A person at this level of intoxication is very dangerous behind the wheel and likely to cause alcohol-related accidents.

In an instant, a drunk driver can ruin your life whether in the Bronx or elsewhere. When their reckless driving causes a collision, it may be particularly disastrous. They may have little awareness of what they are doing and their response times are slow. This means they are unlikely to be able to diminish the damage by slowing down, swerving or other mitigating maneuvers. Innocent people often pay for the recklessness of drunk drivers with serious injuries. A victim of one of these drivers could suffer a serious injury such as brain injury, or any number of other personal injuries. Drunk drivers are also the cause of many wrongful deaths.

When people are drunk, they can exhibit many kinds of erratic driving behavior. They are a lot more likely to suddenly speed up or slow down without warning, follow too closely, weave or drift across traffic without reason, drive right up the middle of the road, forget to turn on their headlights, run red lights, turn without warning or even drive on the wrong side of the road.

If you spot a drunk driver, follow these suggestions:

• Don't try to confront the driver by honking or gesturing.
• Don't try to pass the driver; they may swerve into you.
• Get as far away from the driver as you can.
• If you can do so safely, note the license number and make and model of the car.
• If you can safely pull over to the side of the road, do so and call 911 or the New York State Police.

If you or someone in your family is injured by a drunk driver in the Bronx or elsewhere, you have legal recourse in the civil courts where you can seek damages. Drunk driving is also a criminal offense for which the offender can face jail time, a fine and license suspension. Should the defendant be found guilty in criminal court, it may be easier to win your civil case. Your alcohol-related accidents attorney can sue for your medical expenses, which could be substantial and ongoing, lost wages, damage to your car and pain and suffering.

If the worst happens and someone in your family is killed, you can seek redress through a wrongful death claim. Of course, this will never compensate you for your loss, but a wrongful death can leave you with medical and funeral expenses and without a means of support. The person responsible should pay for that.

Bear in mind there may be culpable parties in addition to the drunk driver from whom you can seek compensation. For example, if a bartender served drinks to someone to the point they become inebriated, the bar may be held responsible.

If you are the victim of a drunk driver, you should act right away to preserve your rights. If you don't file your claim against the person who injured you within the legal time limit for personal injury civil cases, you will lose all rights to ever be compensated. That means you will bear the burdens of medical bills, lost wages and property damage alone. Be sure to contact a good Bronx alcohol-related accidents lawyer as soon as possible so you don't lose your rights.

If you have been injured by a drunk driver, the smartest thing you can do is to call a good alcohol-related accidents attorney who practices in the Bronx as soon as possible. Your attorney can interview witnesses, gather evidence and make sure your case is filed in a timely manner. Remember, you deserve to be compensated for your losses whether you have suffered a personal injury or the wrongful death of a family member.

If you were injured in a car accident that you believe was caused because the driver was impaired by alcohol, it is important that you are represented by someone with experience. Car accident cases can be complicated, relying on an understanding of personal injury law as well as procedural rules. The attorneys at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates are experienced in handling personal injury cases stemming from drunk driving, reckless driving, distracted driving and other types of vehicle accidents. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We serve individuals hurt in car accidents in the following locations: the Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan, Nassau County, Queens, Staten Island, Suffolk County and Westchester County.