Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer in New York City
Representing Drunk Driving Accident Victims Across NYC
A drunk driving accident lawyer helps people injured by impaired drivers recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and permanent injuries. At Michael Gunzburg, P.C., we represent victims of drunk driving crashes across all five boroughs of New York City on a contingency fee basis, and you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Being hit by a drunk driver turns your life upside down in an instant. The injuries are often severe, the trauma runs deep, and the financial pressure starts immediately. While the at-fault driver may face criminal charges, those proceedings do nothing to pay your bills or compensate you for what you've been through. That's where we come in. As your personal injury attorney, our job is to hold the responsible parties fully accountable and fight for every dollar you're owed. Call us today at 212-725-8500 for a free consultation. We serve clients throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island, and surrounding areas.
Who Needs a Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer in New York City?
You need a drunk driving accident lawyer if you were injured as a driver, passenger, pedestrian, or cyclist when an impaired driver caused a crash. Maybe you were crossing the street in Midtown when a drunk driver ran a red light. Maybe you were stopped at an intersection in Brooklyn when someone who'd been drinking rear-ended your car. Perhaps a rideshare driver who had been drinking struck you while you were walking in Astoria or Park Slope. These accidents happen all over NYC, from the West Village to Flushing to Fordham, and the injuries they cause are often catastrophic. If someone's decision to get behind the wheel drunk left you with broken bones, a traumatic brain injury, spinal damage, or worse, you have the right to seek full compensation.
What to Expect When You Work With Us
Getting help doesn't have to be complicated. Here's how the process works from the moment you call.
Step 1: Free Case Review
We listen to your story, review the facts, and give you an honest assessment of your claim at no cost. You'll leave the call knowing your rights and what options are available to you.
Step 2: Immediate Investigation
We get to work fast. Drunk driving cases benefit from swift action. We obtain the police report, secure any breathalyzer or blood alcohol test results, gather witness statements, pull surveillance footage, and work with accident reconstruction experts when needed. Evidence can disappear quickly, and we act before it does.
Step 3: Identifying All Sources of Compensation
Beyond the drunk driver, other parties may share responsibility. We investigate whether the driver's employer, a vehicle owner, or a commercial establishment that over-served the driver bears liability. New York's Dram Shop laws can hold bars and restaurants accountable when they serve alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person who then causes an accident. We leave no potential source of compensation unexplored.
Step 4: Dealing With Insurance Companies
Insurance companies will work to minimize what they pay you. We handle all communications with adjusters, push back against lowball offers, and build the strongest possible case whether the matter settles or goes to trial.
Step 5: Trial-Ready Representation
Every case we take is prepared for trial from day one. Michael Gunzburg has 39+ years of courtroom experience, and insurance companies know it. That preparation is often what drives fair settlements. If they won't offer what you deserve, we're ready to fight for you in court.
Benefits of Hiring a Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
You May Be Entitled to More Compensation Than You Think
Drunk driving cases often carry heightened damages. Beyond medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering, courts in New York may award punitive damages in cases involving extreme recklessness, like choosing to drive drunk. This can significantly increase what you recover. We make sure every category of compensation is on the table.
Your Physical Recovery Comes First
When you're dealing with surgeries, physical therapy, and the emotional toll of a serious accident, the last thing you should be worried about is negotiating with insurance adjusters. We take that off your plate completely. Our firm handles everything while you focus on healing.
We Know How to Build Winning Cases Against Drunk Drivers
Criminal drunk driving charges and your civil personal injury case run parallel to each other. We know how to use DUI arrest records, breathalyzer results, toxicology reports, and police observations to build a powerful case in your civil claim. For 39+ years, we've been recovering multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements for injured New Yorkers. We secured a $1.3 million jury verdict for a rear-end collision victim after the insurance company initially offered just $5,000. That's the difference experienced representation makes.
No Upfront Costs, Ever
You pay nothing to hire us, and nothing throughout the life of your case. Our fee comes only from the compensation we recover for you. If we don't win, you don't pay. Period.
Common Questions About Drunk Driving Accident Claims in NYC
What should I do immediately after being hit by a drunk driver in New York City?
Call 911 immediately, even if your injuries feel minor at first. Make sure police respond and document the scene, as police reports in drunk driving cases often include critical details like field sobriety test results, breathalyzer readings, and the officer's observations about the driver's impairment. Get medical attention right away, even if you're unsure how badly you're hurt. Symptoms from traumatic brain injuries, spinal damage, and soft tissue injuries often appear hours or days after impact. Take photos of the scene, your vehicle, and any visible injuries. Collect witness contact information if you can. Then call a lawyer before speaking to any insurance company. The sooner you act, the better we can protect your claim.
Can I sue a drunk driver in New York even if they were also criminally charged?
Yes. A criminal DUI case and your personal injury lawsuit are completely separate proceedings. The criminal case is handled by prosecutors and may result in fines, license revocation, or jail time for the drunk driver. Your civil case is about recovering compensation for your injuries, lost income, and suffering. A criminal conviction or guilty plea can actually strengthen your civil claim by serving as powerful evidence of the driver's negligence. We file and pursue your civil case independently of whatever happens in criminal court.
Can a bar or restaurant be held responsible for my injuries?
Yes, in many cases. New York's Dram Shop Act holds commercial alcohol vendors legally liable when they knowingly serve alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person who later causes injury to another. If the drunk driver was served at a bar, restaurant, or other licensed establishment before the crash, that business may share responsibility. This can open up an additional insurance policy and increase the total compensation available to you. We investigate every angle, including where the driver was drinking before the accident.
What damages can I recover after a drunk driving accident?
You can recover economic damages, including all medical expenses from emergency care through future surgeries, physical therapy, and long-term treatment needs. Lost wages for time already missed from work, and lost earning capacity if your injuries affect your ability to work going forward, are also recoverable. Non-economic damages cover your pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and permanent disability or disfigurement. In cases involving egregious conduct like drunk driving, New York courts may also award punitive damages designed to punish the driver for their reckless behavior. The full value of your case depends on the severity of your injuries and how the accident has affected every area of your life.
How long do I have to file a drunk driving accident lawsuit in New York?
You have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in New York against a private individual. However, if a government vehicle or employee was involved, you may have as little as 90 days to file a Notice of Claim, with the lawsuit itself due within one year and 90 days. Missing these deadlines permanently eliminates your right to compensation. You also need to file a no-fault application with your insurance company within 30 days of the accident to receive Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits. Do not wait on any of these steps. Call us immediately at 212-725-8500 so we can protect every deadline in your case.
What if the drunk driver had no insurance or minimal coverage?
You still have options. New York's no-fault insurance requires your own policy to cover up to $50,000 in medical expenses and lost wages through Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits regardless of fault. If your injuries exceed that threshold, your uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage may apply. Additionally, if a bar or restaurant was involved in over-serving the driver, their commercial insurance may be available. We review every available insurance policy, yours and all others connected to the accident, to identify all potential sources of compensation.
How do I prove the driver was drunk and caused my injuries?
Proving a drunk driving case relies on multiple forms of evidence. The police report documenting the arrest, breathalyzer or blood alcohol content (BAC) test results, field sobriety test observations, any criminal charges or convictions, witness accounts of the driver's behavior, and expert testimony all build your case. New York law sets a BAC of 0.08% or higher as legally impaired, and any evidence showing the driver met or exceeded that threshold directly supports your claim. We gather and preserve all of this evidence from the earliest stages of your case.
Will my drunk driving accident case go to trial?
Most drunk driving accident cases settle before trial, often because the evidence of impairment is clear and insurers prefer avoiding the risk of a large jury verdict. However, we prepare every case for trial from day one, which strengthens our leverage in settlement negotiations. If an insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation, we are fully prepared to take your case to a jury. Michael Gunzburg has tried cases to verdict throughout New York City courts for nearly four decades. That willingness to go to trial is what puts real pressure on insurance companies to pay what your case is actually worth.
Areas We Serve
Michael Gunzburg, P.C. represents drunk driving accident victims throughout New York City and surrounding areas. We handle cases across all five boroughs, including Manhattan (Midtown, the Financial District, Upper East Side, Harlem, Greenwich Village), Brooklyn (Williamsburg, Park Slope, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Crown Heights), Queens (Astoria, Flushing, Jamaica, Long Island City), the Bronx (Fordham, Riverdale, Pelham Bay, Soundview), and Staten Island (St. George, New Dorp, Tottenville). We also serve clients in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. No matter where your accident happened in the New York City metro area, we're here to help. Call 212-725-8500 today.
Schedule Your Free Drunk Driving Accident Consultation in NYC
If a drunk driver injured you or someone you love, time is working against you. Evidence fades, witnesses become harder to reach, and insurance companies start building their defense the moment a claim is filed. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to preserve what your case needs to succeed.
At Michael Gunzburg, P.C., we offer a free, no-obligation consultation where we review your case, explain your rights, and tell you exactly where you stand. You pay nothing unless we win. No upfront costs. No hourly fees. Just experienced, dedicated representation from a personal injury attorney who has spent 39+ years fighting for injured New Yorkers.
Call 212-725-8500 now or contact us online. Let us handle the legal battle while you focus on getting better. Get the Big Gunz.™
Other Personal Injury Attorney Services We Offer
At Michael Gunzburg, P.C., we handle a full range of personal injury cases throughout New York City: