Drunk drivers often cause serious accidents that result in lifelong injuries or even the death of people riding in their cars or in another vehicle. In the days leading up to Saint Patrick's Day, a New York resident from Williamsburg tragically died after an allegedly drunk driver tried to drive her home on her 21st birthday.
The driver in this particular accident is now facing driving while intoxicated (DWI) charges, as well as manslaughter and several other criminal charges. A conviction, in this case, will not undo the losses experienced by the victim's family.
While most people aren't thinking about lawsuits after learning that a loved one has perished due to someone's decision to drive drunk, an attorney can protect your family. You may incur a lot of expenses from vehicle repair or removal and disposal to medical bills and funeral costs.
Families shouldn't bear the losses caused by another
In this case, the mother of the young woman killed on her birthday was devastated. She may well suffer another shock when she realizes that the accident that killed her daughter also created a lot of expenses for her family.
An attorney can review an offered settlement to see if it is fair, based on the circumstances of the accident and the losses incurred as a result. An attorney can negotiate with insurers for a better settlement offer. If one isn't forthcoming, your legal representative can also file a civil suit against any legally responsible parties.
If you have been seriously hurt in a car accident or lost a loved one because someone else drove drunk, you shouldn't struggle with serious debt as a result. You deserve the advice and advocacy of an attorney who can protect your family from the financial fallout of a drunk driving accident.
The person who caused the accident and all this pain should be held accountable for your losses. New York will impose serious penalties on the driver after a conviction for a DWI offense. Regardless of the outcome of the criminal case, a civil suit can help ensure the accident won't ruin your family's finances forever.
An attorney can protect you after an accident
Insurance companies aren't looking out for your family, and neither is the person who caused the drunk driving accident. Your attorney, however, will be fighting for your best possible outcome. You shouldn't have to face insurance attorneys alone. Working with an experienced personal injury attorney can make all the difference after an accident has changed your life forever.