Drunk Driving Accident Attorney in Manhattan

Serious Help After A Drunk Driving Crash

If you or someone you love was hurt by a drunk driver in Manhattan, you are facing a situation that feels both unfair and overwhelming. Drunk driving crashes are not simple accidents. They are preventable events that can leave you with painful injuries, mounting bills, and a lot of unanswered questions.

At Pottroff & Karlin, we represent people injured in serious crashes caused by impaired drivers. A criminal DUI case in Kansas focuses on punishment for the driver. A civil claim is different, and it is about your losses, your recovery, and holding the right parties financially accountable.

Injured by a drunk driver in Manhattan? Call (785) 453-3109 now or contact us online for a free, same-day case review with a drunk driving accident attorney.

Why Injured Families Turn To Us

After a serious drunk driving crash, many families do not want just any law firm. They want a team that is prepared to take on difficult cases, stand up to deep-pocketed insurers, and stay focused on what is right. That is why many injured people and their lawyers across the country turn to Pottroff & Karlin.

Our firm has a national reputation for handling complex train accident litigation. Those cases often involve multiple companies, detailed safety rules, and powerful defendants. This background equips us to evaluate serious drunk driving cases where evidence may be disputed, injuries are life-changing, or several insurance policies are involved.

Other attorneys and former clients trust us enough to send significant injury cases our way. That trust reflects the work we put into each matter and our history of pursuing meaningful results when the stakes are high. When you hire us, you are not just hiring a name. You are choosing a team that other professionals rely on.

We are also driven by a clear mission. We use the legal system to create a safer world, one case at a time. In drunk driving cases, that means we focus on both your recovery and accountability for dangerous choices that put the community at risk. Families often tell us they want to do what they can so this does not happen to someone else. Our values align with that goal.

At the same time, we know you need more than a strong reputation. You need people you can actually talk to. Our attorneys and staff work to be approachable and straightforward. We explain your options in everyday language and respect that every decision is ultimately yours.

After A Drunk Driving Crash

In the hours and days after a drunk driving crash in Manhattan, it can be hard to know what to do first. You may be in the hospital, reviewing the police report, or fielding early calls from insurance adjusters. Taking certain steps as soon as you reasonably can can help protect both your health and your legal rights.

Your first priority is always medical care. Some injuries, such as concussions or internal trauma, are not obvious right away. Seeing a doctor and following medical advice protects your health and creates records that can later document the impact of the crash. If you have not yet done so, it is reasonable to get evaluated even if you felt okay at the scene.

Police involvement is especially important in suspected drunk driving incidents. Officers typically respond through 911 calls, investigate the scene, and may conduct sobriety testing. You should give a factual account of what happened without guessing at details or assigning blame. The criminal process, including any DUI charges, is handled by the state, and that record can intersect with your civil claim.

Insurance companies often contact injured people quickly. You are generally not required to give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer right away. What you say can be used against you later. It is usually better to speak with an attorney before agreeing to detailed questioning or accepting an early settlement offer.

Some practical steps that often help after a drunk driving crash include:

• Seeking prompt medical care and following through with treatment recommendations
• Requesting a copy of the police report and keeping track of incident numbers
• Saving photos, videos, and contact information for any witnesses
• Preserving receipts, medical bills, and documentation of missed work
• Avoiding social media posts about the crash or your injuries
• Contacting a drunk driving accident lawyer Manhattan residents trust for guidance before talking in depth with insurers

We understand that you may not be able to do all of this right away, especially if you are recovering. Our team can help you sort through what has already happened, identify missing pieces of information, and discuss practical next steps that fit your situation.

How We Approach Drunk Driving Cases

Every drunk driving crash is different, but some patterns are common. There is almost always a question of impairment, a question of how the crash unfolded, and a question of how completely the injured person will recover. Our role is to look closely at each of those areas, then help build a case that reflects the full reality of what you are facing.

When we handle serious injury work, we draw on many of the same skills we use in complex train accident litigation. Those cases require careful review of technical records, safety rules, and corporate conduct. In drunk driving matters, similar analysis may apply to bar receipts, toxicology reports, vehicle data, and insurance arrangements that are not obvious at first glance.

Our work often starts with gathering key information. That can include reviewing police reports, photographs, medical records, and any available video. It can also involve identifying potential sources of insurance coverage, which might include the drunk driver’s policy, your own coverage, or other policies that could apply. Our goal is to understand the full picture so we can advise you clearly.

As we evaluate a case, we also focus on the human impact. Serious drunk driving crashes in and around Manhattan can lead to hospitalizations, surgeries, time away from work or school, and lasting changes to daily life. We look at current medical costs, likely future care needs, lost income, and the pain and disruption you and your family have experienced. This helps inform discussions about fair compensation.

Communication is central to how we work. We strive to keep you informed about the general stages of a civil claim, including investigation, discussions with insurers, and possible court filings. Timelines can vary based on how complex the case is and how insurers respond. We talk through these factors with you so you know what to expect rather than being left in the dark.

In all of this, our higher mission remains in view. We are not only looking at one crash. We are looking at what it means for community safety. When a drunk driver harms someone, there is an opportunity to push for accountability that may help deter similar conduct in the future. Many clients take comfort in knowing that their case can be part of a larger effort to improve safety here.

Accountability & Compensation Options

When an impaired driver causes a crash in Manhattan, there are usually two different processes. The criminal DUI case addresses whether the state can prove the driver broke the law and what punishment is appropriate. Your civil injury claim is separate. It seeks financial compensation for the harm you have suffered.

Fault in a drunk driving crash is not always limited to the impaired driver. Multiple parties’ conduct can be examined, and insurers may try to shift blame. Our job is to focus attention on the choices that truly caused your injuries, including the decision to drive after drinking.

In civil claims, compensation typically focuses on making up for specific losses. That can include medical bills, therapy, or rehabilitation costs. It can also include wages you have already lost and income you are likely to miss in the future if you cannot return fully to your job. In serious cases, losses may also cover long-term limitations and ongoing pain.

Evidence of intoxication can be important, but it is rarely the only issue. Timely investigation can preserve proof that might otherwise be lost, such as witness memories or video footage from nearby businesses. We work to identify and protect information that supports both accountability and a complete understanding of your losses.

Many of our clients tell us that they want to do more than pay medical bills. They want to stand up against dangerous conduct and send a clear message that drunk driving in Manhattan is unacceptable. Our mission to use the legal system to create a safer world aligns closely with that goal. We see each case as an opportunity to seek justice for you and encourage safer choices going forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a lawyer if the driver was clearly drunk?

Even when impairment seems obvious, a civil claim is not automatic. Insurers may dispute fault, the extent of your injuries, or the value of your losses. A lawyer can help you navigate these issues and coordinate with the criminal case while working to pursue full civil accountability.

How will I afford a drunk driving case lawyer?

Personal injury firms commonly use contingency fee arrangements, where legal fees are paid from a recovery instead of upfront. At our firm, we can explain our fee structure during a free consultation so you understand costs before making decisions. Our goal is to reduce financial barriers to getting legal guidance.

What will your team do in the first few weeks?

Early work often involves reviewing available records, identifying insurance coverages, and listening carefully to how the crash has affected you. We talk through your questions, outline the general steps in a civil case, and discuss practical choices. The specifics depend on your injuries, evidence, and how insurers respond.

Will a civil case affect the DUI charges?

The criminal case and the civil claim are separate, but they can influence each other. For example, some evidence from the DUI case may also matter in your injury claim. We can discuss how to coordinate with prosecutors when appropriate and how to use available information without interfering with their work.

Why choose Pottroff & Karlin for a drunk driving crash?

Our firm has a national reputation for complex, high-stakes injury work and a mission to make communities safer through the legal system. We bring that experience and purpose to drunk driving cases in Manhattan, offering principled advocacy, careful case analysis, and a focus on both your recovery and accountability.

Talk With Our Team Today

If a drunk driver has turned your life upside down, you do not have to sort through the legal system alone. You deserve clear answers, steady guidance, and a team that takes both your recovery and community safety seriously.

At Pottroff & Karlin, we draw on national-level complex injury knowledge and a mission-driven approach to help people hurt in drunk driving crashes here in Manhattan. We can talk with you about what happened, explain your options, and discuss how a civil claim might help with medical costs, lost income, and long-term needs.

Hit by a drunk driver in Manhattan?.Call (785) 453-3109 to speak with our team today.