Drugs or alcohol can impair a person’s coordination, vision and reaction time — all of which are crucial elements of safe driving. Drunk and drugged drivers put you at risk of serious and fatal accidents. According to data from the Century Council, more than 26,000 people were arrested for driving under the influence in New Jersey in 2010. The number of people who actually drove while impaired during that time is likely much higher considering that not all drunk drivers were caught. This frightening statistic highlights the very real and dangerous conditions in which you drive every day.
Gelman Gelman Wiskow & McCarthy LLC was established in 1950 and exclusively represents injury victims throughout New Jersey from our Elmwood Park, Bridgewater, Hackensack, Morristown, and Roseland offices. If you were injured or your loved ones were killed by a drunk driver, our attorneys aggressively pursue all legal recourses to hold the negligent parties responsible.
Prosecutors may file criminal charges against the drunk driver who ran into you. Although a judge may sentence the defendant to pay you restitution, the amount typically is not what your case is worth. To recover maximum damages, you must file a lawsuit in the civil court. However, the driver’s conviction for DUI is prima facie evidence of reckless behavior — a fact that we use to support your civil claim. Our auto accident lawyers obtain a civil judgment for the maximum value of your damages.
The New Jersey dram shop law allows you to pursue damages from the bar, nightclub, restaurant or alcohol vendor that overserves the patron who causes the DUI accident. In addition, the New Jersey social host law holds noncommercial individuals liable if a guest leaves their home or event too impaired to drive. These statutes place some of the blame on the establishment that serves the drunk driver, in addition to holding the driver liable for your injuries. These dram shop and social host statutes are particularly important if the driver who hits you is uninsured or underinsured.
Being the victim of a drunk driving accident is traumatic, and many people don’t know where to go from there. At Gelman Gelman Wiskow & McCarthy LLC, we’re dedicated to guiding you through the difficulties of legal proceedings. Whether you yourself have been involved in an accident or you’re acting on behalf of a loved one, we’re want to fight for your rights. In the aftermath of an accident, following these steps:
Victims of drunk drivers should always seek legal help from an experienced lawyer. We have over 65 years of expertise, and we’ll use our knowledge to secure you the compensation you deserve. Our team has an advanced understanding of New Jersey law, and we can take care of the minutia of your case so you can worry about recovery. You deserve peace of mind during this trying time, and our attorneys are glad to help.
It’s crucial to file your claim as soon as possible. Traffic accidents, as well as drunk driving incidents, are subject to a statute of limitations in New Jersey. That means you only have a limited amount of time to file your case before you no longer have the legal right to do so. For most drunk driving accidents, the statute is 90 days. However, it’s always advisable to file your claim right away. When you work with Gelman Gelman Wiskow & McCarthy LLC, we’ll make sure all your documentation is in order.
For your convenience, we have offices in Elmwood Park, Bridgewater, Hackensack, Morristown, and Roseland, with Spanish-speaking translators available by request. If a drunk driver injured you or killed your loved one, call Gelman Gelman Wiskow & McCarthy at 862-263-0770 or contact us online to schedule your one-hour free initial consultation.