The state of New York had 587 alcohol related traffic fatalities in 2004. A loss or disability of a loved one due to the reckless irresponsibility of another is devastating, especially considering that it could have been prevented had the driver involved simply exercised common sense. The law firm of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine has a group of dedicated and experienced New York accident lawyers who will fight for the highest possible compensation for you and your family. We have secured favorable settlements and judgments for accident victims from Brooklyn, Manhattan, The Bronx, Long Island, and all of New York. Don’t let insurance companies or drunk drivers get away with offering you less than what you deserve. Call Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine today
2004 was a dangerous year for American drivers. There were 42,636 traffic fatalities on our nation’s roads and highways, and of that number, 16,694 were alcohol related.
Almost 40% of these accidents could have been prevented if the drivers involved had simply exercised the level of responsibility that is legally required of them. Over 16,000 people with friends, families and loved ones are dead because of behavior that can only be described as grossly negligent. These unacceptably high numbers are often the result of drivers misjudging the amount of alcohol that it takes for their ability to drive to become impaired.
While it is true that there are laws against drunk driving in all 50 states, the lack of standard sentencing guidelines means that offenders can get off without doing any time at all. The death or physical impairment of a loved one can result in severe financial hardship. Medical bills, loss of income or inability to work are common occurrences in the aftermath of a drunk driving case. Also compounding the frustrations of the victims are the hard-fisted tactics of the insurance companies, who inevitably try to pay less than what is legally owed to the victims families. For many victims, the only recourse is a civil case.
In a civil case, when someone is suing as a result of the death of a loved one or for a serious injury to themselves, the key factor to establish is that the driver was actually "under the influence" to such a degree that his or her judgment, and his or her ability to drive, was significantly impaired. In a drunk driving case, a plaintiff must establish that the driver voluntarily drank to the point of intoxication knowing he or she would be behind the wheel. It is also crucial to establish that the driver was aware of the probable dangerous consequences of his or her conduct; and that the driver willfully and deliberately failed to avoid those consequences. Making it known that the driver acted with conscious disregard for the safety of others could allow for the award of punitive damages, which could dramatically increase the compensation amount.
If you have been severely injured by a drunk driver, or have lost a loved one due to a drunk driving related accident, it is imperative that you have attorneys that are committed to you and your case. You’ll need someone who can cut through the red tape of insurance companies and fight for the compensation that you deserve. Our Long Island and Manhattan accident lawyers have years of experience in fighting for the rights of victims, and have obtained maximum settlements for the families of those who have lost their lives due to the reckless irresponsibility of others.
