Massachusetts Drunk Driver Accident Lawyer

Were You Hit by a Drunk Driver in Massachusetts or Connecticut? Fight Back!

Drunk driving crashes are some of the most devastating car accidents on the road. They’re also one of the most frustrating types of collisions. Drunk drivers have a choice. They don’t have to drive drunk. They got behind the wheel and caused an accident while under the influence of alcohol. That’s why they must be held accountable for their actions.

If you were hit by a drunk driver in Massachusetts or Connecticut, you might think that your injury claim is fairly straightforward. Unfortunately, that’s not often the case. In many instances, injury victims have to fight hard for every dollar they rightfully deserve for their accident-related expenses. That’s why you need an experienced drunk driving accident attorney on your side, fighting for your rights.

Our trial-tested lawyers at the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone and the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone & Morelli can make a difference in the outcome of your legal case. Our firm has recovered more than $1 billion for injury victims and their families throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut. We know how the legal system works when it comes to drunk driving accidents. We know what evidence to look for and which legal strategies work. That’s the secret to our success. Experience matters.

Drunk Driving Accidents by the Numbers

In Massachusetts, as many as 153 people have died each year in alcohol-related crashes, accounting for roughly one-third of all traffic deaths.
In Connecticut, as many as 129 people have been killed each year in drunk driving accidents, more than one out of three traffic fatalities in the state.
Nationwide, about one person dies every 39 minutes due to drunk driving.
Police in Massachusetts and Connecticut continue to rank drunk driving as one of the leading causes of deadly car crashes every year.

Sources: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Other Bad Driving Habits Associated with Drunk Driving

If you were hit by a drunk driver, odds are the driver was also breaking other traffic laws. Along with driving under the influence, many impaired drivers also engage in these other bad driving habits:

Speeding – Impaired drivers often drive too fast, making it nearly impossible to stop in time and avoid a crash.
Texting while driving – Some drunk drivers add to the danger by taking their eyes off the road to send or read a text.
Changing lanes without warning – Sudden, reckless lane changes by an impaired driver can cause violent side or rear-end collisions.
Running a red light – Alcohol slows reaction time, which makes running red lights a common and deadly mistake.
Falling asleep at the wheel – Fatigue mixed with alcohol often causes drunk drivers to lose control and drift into other vehicles or off the road.

Whatever the circumstances of your drunk driving accident, make sure you take your case seriously right from the start. Make sure you talk to a drunk driving accident lawyer at our law firm right away.

What Should I Do After I’m Hit by a Drunk Driver?

After a drunk driving accident in Massachusetts or Connecticut, the steps you take can affect both your health and your case. Acting quickly helps protect your safety and strengthens your legal claim. Following the accident:

Call 911 immediately to report the crash.
Request medical help if you or anyone else is seriously injured.
Stay in your car if the other driver seems drunk or aggressive.
Accept medical treatment at the scene, even if you feel fine.
Follow up with your doctor for a full evaluation of hidden or delayed injuries.
Take photos or videos of the crash scene, vehicle damage, and visible injuries.
Collect contact information from witnesses who saw your accident.
Ask the police about whether the drunk driver was arrested or tested for alcohol.
Notify your insurance company, but avoid giving a recorded statement without legal advice.
Keep copies of medical bills, repair costs, and lost wage records.
Get a police report, which may include evidence of the other driver’s intoxication.
Contact an experienced Connecticut or Massachusetts drunk driving accident lawyer as soon as possible.

These steps can not only protect your health but also give you strong evidence to hold the drunk driver accountable for their actions. And the sooner you get legal help, the stronger your case will likely be.

Who’s Responsible for Paying for My Drunk Driving Accident?

After a crash caused by a drunk driver, several different parties may be responsible for paying for your accident-related expenses. Understanding these possibilities can help you pursue full and fair compensation.

The drunk driver is usually the primary person responsible.
The driver’s insurance company may cover damages up to policy limits.
A bar, restaurant, or liquor store could be held accountable under dram shop laws if they overserved an impaired driver.
Social hosts who provide alcohol at private parties may share responsibility in certain cases.
Your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage can help if the drunk driver lacks enough insurance.

Because multiple parties may be involved, these cases can get complicated quickly. Often, everyone wants to pass the buck and claim it’s someone else’s responsibility to pay for your accident. That’s why many injury victims choose to work with a lawyer who knows how to investigate every angle and fight for maximum compensation.

Can I Sue the Drunk Driver Who Caused My Crash?

Yes. If you were hurt in a crash caused by a drunk driver, you can file a lawsuit to recover financial compensation. A lawsuit allows you to seek money for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other financial losses (damages) that insurance may not fully cover.

Even if the driver is facing criminal charges, you still have the right to pursue a separate civil case. Criminal charges punish the driver, but they do not guarantee compensation for victims. Your legal case focuses on making sure you are financially supported during recovery.

A skilled drunk driving accident lawyer in Massachusetts or Connecticut can explain your legal options to you, file a drunk driving lawsuit on your behalf, and fight for your rights in court if necessary.

How Does the Drunk Driver’s Arrest or Conviction Affect My Case?

An arrest or conviction for drunk driving can strengthen your injury case. Evidence from the criminal case, such as a failed breathalyzer test or police testimony, can support your injury claim or lawsuit seeking compensation.

However, your civil case does not depend on the driver being convicted. You can still recover damages (compensation for financial losses) even if the driver avoids being charged or the criminal penalties are reduced. The standard of proof in civil cases is lower, meaning you can win your claim even if the driver isn’t found guilty in court of operating under the influence (OUI) in Massachusetts or driving under the influence (DUI) in Connecticut.

Having a lawyer who can identify, gather, and preserve important evidence is critical to your legal case. Your attorney can demand access to police reports, toxicology results, and witness statements to build the strongest civil case possible. That way, you can demand the money you rightfully deserve.

What If the Drunk Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance or Doesn’t Have Enough Coverage?

If the drunk driver is uninsured or underinsured, you may still have ways to recover compensation. Many Massachusetts and Connecticut drivers carry uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, which can apply in these situations.

Your own policy may cover medical costs, lost income, and other damages (financial losses). However, insurance companies often try to minimize payouts. That’s why having an attorney negotiate on your behalf is crucial.

If UM/UIM coverage isn’t enough, your lawyer may investigate whether a bar, restaurant, or another party shares responsibility. Exploring all available options is key to making sure you aren’t left paying the price for someone else’s reckless decision.

Can I Sue a Bar or Restaurant After a Drunk Driving Accident?

Yes. In some cases, you may be able to sue a bar, restaurant, or other alcohol provider if they served alcohol to someone who was already intoxicated and that person later caused a crash.

In Connecticut, this type of claim is governed by the Dram Shop Act. Connecticut’s dram shop law allows injury victims to pursue compensation from an establishment that served alcohol to an already intoxicated person who later caused harm. However, strict rules apply. Under Connecticut General Statutes § 30-102, you must provide written notice within 120 days (or 180 days in cases of death or incapacity), and file a lawsuit within one year. Recovery against the seller is capped at $250,000.

In Massachusetts, there is no civil dram shop statute like Connecticut’s Dram Shop Act, but licensed establishments still have a legal duty not to serve alcohol to intoxicated patrons. Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 138, § 69, no alcoholic beverage may be sold or delivered on licensed premises to an intoxicated person. If a bar, restaurant, or similar establishment serves someone who is visibly intoxicated and that person later causes a crash, the business may face liability under Massachusetts negligence law.

Under Massachusetts law, establishments holding on-premises (pouring) licenses are generally required to carry liquor legal liability insurance, with minimum coverage of $250,000 per person and $500,000 per occurrence.

Because these claims involve different standards, deadlines, and limits depending on the state, it’s important to act quickly and understand your legal options.

How Much Is My Drunk Driving Accident Worth?

The value of a drunk driving accident claim often depends on the damages (financial losses) you have suffered. Victims are often entitled to compensation for both economic and non-economic losses. Such losses often include money for:

Medical expenses – These includes costs of emergency care, surgeries, therapy, medications, and ongoing treatment.
Lost income – Wages missed during recovery and future loss of earning capacity.
Property damage – Repair or replacement of your vehicle and personal belongings.
Pain and suffering – Physical pain, emotional distress, reduced quality of life.
Future care costs – Home modifications, long-term nursing, or rehabilitation services.

Every case is unique, and the amount you can recover will often depend on the severity of your injuries, how the crash has affected your life, and the insurance coverage available. Take all these factors into account, and your injury claim or lawsuit could be worth thousands of dollars or significantly more. A lawyer can calculate the full value of your claim and fight to make sure you’re not shortchanged.

Contact a Drunk Driving Accident Attorney Who Gets Results

Drunk driving crashes leave victims with more than just medical bills. They often leave families struggling to move forward while insurance companies look for ways to pay as little as possible. That’s why having the right lawyer on your side can make all the difference when it comes to protecting your rights and pursuing the compensation you deserve.

At the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone and the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone & Morelli, we know what’s at stake. That’s why we want to meet with you. Right from the start, our drunk driving accident lawyers will dig into the facts of your crash and focus on building the strongest case possible. Our hands-on attorneys know how to uncover important evidence (police reports, video footage, eyewitness testimony, etc.) and understand which legal strategies work.

Our detailed approach consistently produces results. That’s The Salomone Advantage. That’s why injury victims and their families throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut often turn to us when they’re dealing with an injury claim or lawsuit involving a drunk driving accident. If you’ve been hit by a drunk driver, don’t wait to find out what happens next. Take back control. Contact us and find out how we can fight for you.