Drunk Driver Car Accidents

Drivers need to be alert and aware of their surroundings to operate their vehicles safely. Many people get behind the wheel when they are intoxicated, however, and cannot react promptly and appropriately to situations they encounter on the road. Drunk driving accidents frequently cause catastrophic injuries, and people who drive while impaired may not only face criminal charges, but they may also be deemed civilly liable for the harm they cause. If you were injured in a crash caused by a drunk driver, you should speak to a lawyer regarding your options for seeking damages. Attorney Howard Leopold of Leopold Law, L.L.C. is a trusted Bergen County car accident lawyer who takes pride in helping people harmed by the negligence of others seek justice for their losses, and if he represents you, he will work tirelessly to help you pursue a successful result. Mr. Leopold represents parties in car accident cases in Bergen County and other cities throughout New Jersey and New York.

In New Jersey, it is illegal for people to drive while intoxicated. Specifically, under the applicable statute, it is unlawful for a person to be in actual physical control of a car while under the influence of alcohol to a degree that makes it less safe to drive. In other words, a person does not have to have a specific blood alcohol level to be found guilty of driving while intoxicated. The law states, however, that a person with a blood alcohol concentration of .08% or higher will be found to be unable to drive safely as a matter of law.

Drunk drivers tend to travel at a high rate of speed and typically have delayed reaction times and diminished concentration. As such, they frequently cause high-impact collisions that produce critical injuries. People hurt in drunk driver car accidents may be able to recover damages from numerous sources. For example, a plaintiff in a lawsuit arising from a drunk driving accident may name the intoxicated driver as a defendant. Generally, the plaintiff will assert negligence claims against the defendant. To prove negligence, a plaintiff must demonstrate that the defendant owed a duty to the plaintiff and that the defendant breached the duty. The plaintiff also must prove that the breach proximately caused the plaintiff to suffer tangible harm. In other words, the accident would not have happened if the defendant had not operated a vehicle while intoxicated and that the plaintiff sustained injuries due to the accident. If the defendant was cited for violating the New Jersey law prohibiting driving while intoxicated, the plaintiff might also be able to argue that the defendant was negligent per se or negligent as a matter of law.

In addition to seeking compensation from the driver that caused the accident, in certain circumstances, the plaintiff may be able to pursue claims against the party that provided the driver with alcohol as well. Specifically, under New Jersey law, a licensed alcoholic beverage server that serves a person who is noticeably intoxicated or that they know or reasonably should know is under the age of 21 may be held civilly liable for any damages the intoxicated person causes. In other words, bars, restaurants, and liquor stores that give a visibly intoxicated individual alcohol can be held responsible for the subsequent losses, regardless of whether they knew the individual intended to drive. In some instances, social hosts that provide alcohol to visibly intoxicated people can be held civilly liable as well.

People who drive while intoxicated frequently cause collisions, and they should be held accountable for the harm people suffer as a result of their reckless actions. If you were injured in a drunk driving accident, you should meet with a lawyer as soon as possible regarding your potential claims. Attorney Howard Leopold of Leopold Law, L.L.C. is a knowledgeable Bergen County car accident attorney who is well-versed in what it takes to achieve favorable results, and if you hire him, he will zealously pursue the best outcome available in your case. Mr. Leopold has offices in Hackensack and New York City, and he regularly represents people injured in car accidents in lawsuits in Bergen County and cities throughout Hudson, Passaic, and Essex Counties in New Jersey, and Bronx, Richmond, Kings, New York, Queens, and Rockland Counties in New York. You can contact him via the online form or at his New Jersey office at (201) 345-5907 or his New York office at (646) 650-2106 to set up a confidential and free conference.