Upstate New York Attorney Focuses on Auto Accidents Involving DUIs
Were You Injured in an Accident With a Drunk Driver? Put Our Expertise to Work for You
According to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, there were 8,368 automobile crashes in the state in 2013, involving 11,251 drivers, 7,898 of whom were drinking and driving. Of the 214 drivers that were killed in these accidents, 201 were drinking. Of the 8,300 crashes determined to have arisen from human factors, 7,857 of them had alcohol involvement. Of the total 7,898 drinking drivers involved in crashes, nearly 75 percent (5,863) were male, while 24.9 percent (1,970) were female, and the majority of those killed or injured were in the 21-29 age group.
Although post-accident blood alcohol concentration (BAC) testing is at the discretion of the officers on the scene in some states, New York law requires mandatory BAC testing of fatally injured drivers and pedestrians. If you were involved in an accident caused by a drunk driver and can prove it, then you may be eligible for damages in a civil lawsuit, but you will need to:
- Establish the intoxication level of the defendant
- Prove that his intoxication level was too high to allow for safe operation of a motor vehicle
- Show that the defendant failed to exercise reasonable care with regard to your safety
Evidence presented in car accident cases with DUI as a contributing factor usually includes accident reports, witness statements (if available), and expert opinions regarding the defendant's impairment.
The circumstances contributing to car accidents vary greatly, particularly when one of the drivers involved is arrested for DUI. If you sustained personal injury as a result of an automobile accident involving a drunk driver, contact the Law Offices of Gerard V. Amedio, P.C. online or by calling (518) 583-4123 to schedule your free initial consultation today.
