Despite tough laws and countless awareness campaigns, drunk driving remains a big problem in New York and across the United States. If you or someone close to you was injured in an auto accident caused by a drunk driver, we can help. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers, our Syracuse drunk driving accident lawyers are committed to getting our clients the compensation they deserve for their harm. While no amount of money can undo the harm you have suffered, the compensation can help ease the burden of bills that often accompany such accidents.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over a million people were arrested for driving under the influence in 2016. The same year, approximately 28 percent of all traffic-related fatalities across the nation involved alcohol-impaired driving. In New York, there were 283 traffic deaths due to alcohol-impaired driving, which translates to 28 percent of all traffic deaths in 2016, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Drivers in New York are legally driving while intoxicated (DWI) if they have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher. The threshold is lower for commercial drivers, who will be charged with a DWI if they are operating a motor vehicle with a BAC of 0.04 percent or higher. It is important to note that the use of any drug (legal or illegal) that impairs a person’s ability to drive can also form the basis of a DWI.