Drunk Driving Accident Attorney in Staten Island

Legal Help After A Drunk Driving Crash

Collisions caused by drunk drivers are sudden, violent, and entirely preventable. In a moment, you may face serious injuries, time away from work, and a confusing mix of insurance calls and a criminal case against the driver. If you were hurt in a crash caused by a drunk driver in Staten Island, our team is ready to help you take the next step.

At The Paris Law Group, PC, we focus on holding insurance companies accountable when their policyholders cause harm. Our attorneys have nearly 100 years of collective practice handling serious injury cases throughout New York City, including this borough, and we prepare claims with litigation in mind from the start. You can speak with us in a free consultation, and you do not pay attorney fees unless we obtain compensation for you.

Call (888) 365-4940 or request a free case evaluation online. There are no legal fees unless we recover for you. Hablamos español.

Why Choose Our Staten Island Firm

Choosing the right lawyer after a drunk driving crash is a critical decision. You need a firm that will confront powerful insurance companies and present your story clearly in court if necessary. At The Paris Law Group, PC, we take an aggressive litigation stance, which means we prepare every drunk driving case as if it may go before a jury. This approach shows insurers that we take your claim seriously and that we are willing to keep pushing when a low offer is not acceptable.

Our team brings nearly a century of combined personal injury experience to every case we handle. We have guided many New Yorkers through high-stakes disputes involving severe injuries, complex insurance coverage, and long-term medical needs. Founding attorney Jason Paris is known for his trial skills and has been selected for the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, which is reserved for lawyers who have obtained significant recoveries for their clients. These credentials reflect the level of commitment we bring to each matter, including cases involving drunk driving crashes in this area.

We also understand that communication is as important as courtroom preparation. Our clients work directly with our firm, not through layers of intermediaries, and we strive to keep you informed about important developments. We offer multilingual service in English, Spanish, and Russian, which helps many families discuss sensitive details in the language they are most comfortable using. Throughout your case, we focus on explaining your options in clear terms so you can make informed decisions about settlement discussions and potential litigation.

Cost should not prevent you from getting experienced legal help. We handle drunk driving injury cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. Our interests are aligned with yours, and we put our time, effort, and resources into working for an outcome that reflects the full impact of the crash on your life.

What To Do After A Drunk Driving Crash

The hours and days after a drunk driving collision can feel overwhelming. You may be in pain, worried about your car, and unsure how the arrest of the driver affects your rights. Taking a few key steps can help protect your health and your ability to seek compensation later.

First, your safety and medical care come before anything else. If you can, move to a safe location and call 911 so that emergency services and the NYPD can respond. Even if you think your injuries are minor, it is important to be checked by a medical professional as soon as possible. Some injuries, such as concussions or internal damage, may not be obvious at the scene, and early records can be important for both your treatment and your claim.

The police will typically investigate the crash and prepare an accident report, which may include observations about the other driver’s apparent intoxication and whether an arrest occurred. If you are physically able, try to gather basic information at the scene. This can include the names and contact information for the drivers involved, license plate numbers, and contact information for any witnesses. Photographs of the vehicles, road conditions, and visible injuries are also useful when it is safe to take them.

In the days that follow, insurance representatives may call you to discuss the collision. They might ask for a recorded statement or offer a quick settlement before you fully understand your injuries. You are not required to give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer, and what you say can affect how your claim is evaluated. Before you talk in depth with any adjuster, it is sensible to speak with a drunk driving accident lawyer Staten Island residents can rely on for guidance.

After a drunk driving crash, these steps can help protect your rights:

• Seek prompt medical care and follow your doctor’s recommendations.
• Request a copy of the NYPD accident report when it becomes available.
• Preserve photos, contact information, and any other evidence you collected.
• Avoid discussing fault or your injuries on social media.
• Consult our team before accepting any settlement or giving a detailed statement to an insurer.

When you contact us early, we can begin guiding you through these steps, help you avoid common pitfalls, and start evaluating the civil side of your case while the criminal process against the drunk driver moves forward.

Liability In Staten Island Drunk Driving Cases

Many people are unsure how the criminal case against a drunk driver connects to their right to recovery. In New York, the criminal proceeding is separate from your civil injury claim. The criminal matter focuses on whether the driver violated the law and what penalties they may face. Your civil claim focuses on obtaining money damages for your injuries and losses, typically from available insurance coverage.

The drunk driver is often the primary party held responsible in a civil lawsuit. However, other parties can sometimes share liability. For example, an employer may be involved if the driver was working at the time of the crash, or a vehicle owner may bear responsibility when someone else was operating their car. Each situation depends on its specific facts, such as who owned the vehicle, how it was being used, and what insurance policies apply.

New York follows a comparative negligence system, which means insurance companies may argue that you share some blame for the crash, even when the other driver was allegedly intoxicated. They might claim that you were speeding, not paying attention, or otherwise contributing to the collision. These arguments can lower the value of your claim if they are not challenged. As your drunk driving accident attorney Staten Island, we work to gather and organize the evidence that shows how the crash really happened.

Evidence can include the NYPD accident report, witness statements, photographs, surveillance footage, and results from chemical tests that may have been administered to the other driver. Where appropriate, we may consult with professionals who reconstruct collisions or review medical records to better understand how the impact occurred and how it affected your body. Our goal is to identify every responsible party and every available source of insurance coverage, then present a clear, well-supported account of liability during negotiations and, when necessary, in court.

Compensation For Drunk Driving Victims

A serious drunk driving crash can change nearly every part of your life. Medical appointments, physical limitations, and missed work may continue long after the criminal case concludes. In a civil claim, you may seek compensation for the full range of losses that stem from the collision, not just the immediate medical bills.

Compensation typically includes economic damages, which are financial losses that can be measured. These often involve emergency care, hospital stays, follow-up visits, medication, physical therapy, and other treatment expenses. Lost income, reduced earning capacity if you cannot return to your prior work, and property damage to your vehicle are also common components. In more serious cases, future medical needs and long-term care may be significant parts of a settlement or verdict.

You may also pursue non-economic damages, which address how the crash has affected your daily life. These can include pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of activities that you can no longer do comfortably. In drunk driving cases, the injuries are often severe, such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, fractures, internal organ damage, or significant scarring. These conditions can result in lasting pain and limitations that deserve careful consideration.

We work to understand how your injuries affect your specific circumstances, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach. This involves reviewing your medical records, speaking with you about your work and family responsibilities, and considering information from your treating providers. Over the years, we have obtained substantial financial recoveries for people injured by negligence across New York City, and we bring the same thorough preparation to drunk driving cases in this borough. Our trial-ready posture is intended to support negotiations by showing that we are prepared to continue fighting if an insurer undervalues what you have been through.

How Our Staten Island Lawyers Help

Dealing with a drunk driving crash claim can feel like a second full-time job. There are forms to complete, medical providers to coordinate with, and constant questions from insurers. Our role is to step into that process, manage the legal work, and provide steady guidance so you do not have to handle everything alone.

When you contact us, we begin by listening carefully to what happened and to your concerns. We review available documents, such as the accident report and any letters from insurance companies, and we talk with you about your medical treatment. Our attorneys then evaluate potential legal options under New York law, including claims against the drunk driver and any other parties who may share responsibility. Throughout this process, we explain what each step means so you always know why certain decisions are being made.

We typically handle communications with the opposing insurance carriers, which helps reduce the pressure on you to respond to calls and letters. As the case progresses, we may gather further evidence, work with appropriate professionals, and prepare for the possibility of trial if that becomes necessary. While many cases resolve through settlement, we believe that careful trial preparation is a valuable tool when we advocate for a fair outcome on your behalf.

Staying informed is important when the stakes are this high. Our team strives to return calls, answer questions, and keep you updated about major developments. We also recognize that Staten Island includes many families who are more comfortable speaking in a language other than English, so we offer communication in Spanish and Russian as well. Regardless of language, our focus is the same, which is to provide clear, respectful, and practical guidance at each stage of your case.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to hire your firm?

We handle these cases on a contingency fee basis, so you do not pay attorney fees unless we obtain compensation for you. There are no upfront attorney fees to start your claim. During your free consultation, we explain our fee structure clearly so you understand how it works.

Do I still have a case if the drunk driver faces criminal charges?

Yes, the criminal DUI case and your civil claim are separate. The criminal court focuses on punishment, while your civil case seeks compensation for your injuries and losses. We evaluate how the criminal process and available evidence may support your civil claim.

How long will my drunk driving accident case take?

Timelines vary based on factors such as the severity of your injuries, how long treatment lasts, and how willing the insurer is to negotiate. Some cases resolve in months, while others take longer. We discuss expected stages and keep you updated as your matter moves forward.

Will I have to talk to the insurance company myself?

Once we represent you, we typically handle most communications with the insurance companies. You may still need to provide basic information, but our team works to protect you from pressure and to prevent statements that could be misunderstood. We keep you prepared for any conversations that are necessary.

Can your team help if my family member was killed by a drunk driver?

We do handle wrongful death claims arising from fatal drunk driving crashes. These cases are particularly painful for families, and we approach them with care while pursuing appropriate compensation under New York law. During a consultation, we can explain who may bring a claim and what it may involve.

Get Answers After a Drunk Driving Car Accident in Staten Island

When a drunk driver turns your life upside down, you deserve a legal plan that protects your health, your time, and your financial future. A focused Staten Island drunk driving car accident claim can help cover medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and long-term care while holding the at-fault driver accountable.

 Reach out today to discuss your options and next steps. We will listen, explain your options, and outline the next steps today. Hablamos español.