A devastating drunk driving accident on I-787 in Albany has resulted in manslaughter charges after two passengers lost their lives in a tragic early morning crash. The incident occurred just before 7 a.m. on Sunday when State Police discovered a vehicle that had gone over an embankment off the northbound lanes near Exit 5.
All three occupants of the vehicle sustained severe injuries in the crash. The 25-year-old driver from Albany has been charged with manslaughter, two counts of second-degree assault, aggravated vehicular homicide, DWI, and multiple vehicle and traffic violations. Troopers observed signs of intoxication at the scene and obtained a blood sample at Albany Medical Center. The two passengers, ages 27 and 25, both from Albany, tragically died as a result of their injuries. The driver was arraigned in Albany City Court and remanded to Albany County Jail without bail. This incident was one of two deadly crashes that occurred on I-787 that same Sunday morning, highlighting the dangerous conditions on this stretch of highway. You can read more in this report about the 9-year-old hospitalized after a hit-and-run on Lake Avenue.
Common Causes of Drunk Driving Accidents
Drunk driving accidents remain one of the leading causes of traffic fatalities across New York State. These preventable tragedies typically occur due to several contributing factors:
- Impaired judgment and reaction time - Alcohol significantly reduces a driver's ability to make quick decisions and respond to changing road conditions
- Reduced coordination and motor skills - Intoxicated drivers struggle with basic vehicle control, including steering, braking, and acceleration
- Poor vision and perception - Alcohol affects depth perception, peripheral vision, and the ability to judge distances accurately
- Overconfidence and risk-taking behavior - Drunk drivers often engage in dangerous behaviors like speeding, aggressive driving, or ignoring traffic signals
- Fatigue combined with alcohol consumption - The combination of tiredness and alcohol creates an extremely dangerous driving situation
- Lack of designated driver planning - Many accidents occur when individuals fail to arrange safe transportation after drinking
- Repeat offender behavior - Some drivers with multiple DWI convictions continue to drive under the influence despite legal consequences
- Social pressure and poor decision-making - Peer influence and impaired reasoning can lead to the dangerous choice to drive while intoxicated
When negligence on behalf of an intoxicated driver causes serious injuries or death, victims and their families may be entitled to significant legal compensation through personal injury and wrongful death claims.
Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Claims in Albany, NY
Drunk driving accidents often result in devastating personal injuries and tragic wrongful deaths, creating complex legal cases that require experienced representation. In Albany and throughout New York State, victims and families have the right to pursue compensation from multiple potentially liable parties. The intoxicated driver bears primary responsibility, but cases may also involve bars or restaurants that over-served alcohol (dram shop liability), social hosts who provided alcohol to visibly intoxicated guests, or even employers if the driver was operating a company vehicle.
Successful personal injury and wrongful death claims can provide compensation for extensive medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages and future earning capacity, pain and suffering, and in wrongful death cases, funeral expenses and loss of companionship. These cases require thorough investigation, expert testimony, and aggressive representation to ensure insurance companies provide fair compensation rather than attempting to minimize payouts to grieving families.
Damages and Compensation in Drunk Driving Cases
Victims of drunk driving accidents and their families may be entitled to comprehensive compensation covering multiple categories of damages.
Economic damages include all measurable financial losses such as medical bills, hospital stays, surgical procedures, rehabilitation therapy, prescription medications, lost wages during recovery, and reduced future earning capacity due to permanent disabilities.
Non-economic damages compensate for intangible losses that are equally devastating, including physical pain and suffering, emotional trauma and mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life activities, disfigurement or scarring, and in wrongful death cases, the loss of companionship, guidance, and support that deceased family members provided.
Punitive damages may also be awarded in drunk driving cases to punish particularly egregious behavior and deter similar conduct.
Compensation calculations consider the severity of injuries, impact on daily life, medical expert opinions, economic expert testimony regarding lost earning capacity, and the degree of negligence involved. Evidence such as medical records, employment history, expert witness testimony, and documentation of the defendant's intoxication level all play crucial roles in building a strong case. The purpose of compensation extends beyond financial restoration – it holds negligent parties accountable for their actions and serves as a deterrent to prevent similar tragedies from affecting other families in our community.
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Why Choose Porter Law Group?
The attorneys at Porter Law Group have decades of experience representing individuals and families whose lives have been devastated by drunk driving accidents and other catastrophic injuries. We have obtained some of the largest settlements and verdicts in courts throughout New York State, and we are a state-wide firm that handles cases with a hometown feel.
Our clients come to us looking for guidance and answers during their most difficult times. With seasoned trial lawyers, Porter Law Group has the resources necessary to help you navigate the most complex cases against insurance companies that will stop at nothing to prevent you from receiving the compensation you deserve. We understand the unique challenges of drunk driving cases, including the criminal proceedings that often run parallel to civil claims.
You only get one chance to hire the best lawyer for you and your family. Hire the lawyers most recommended by former clients and local attorneys, and the firm that obtains superior results. When you or a loved one's life has been devastated by a serious personal injury in New York, don't hire a lawyer without calling Porter Law Group to learn why so many of our clients are thankful they trusted us with their case in their time of need.
Contact Porter Law Group for Your Free Consultation
If you or a loved one has been injured in a drunk driving accident in Albany or anywhere throughout New York State, don't hesitate to reach out to the skilled legal team at Porter Law Group. We offer free initial consultations and are ready to guide you through the complex legal process while you focus on healing and recovery.
Time is critical in these cases, as evidence must be preserved and legal deadlines must be met. Contact us today at 833-PORTER9 or email us at info@porterlawteam.com. You can also reach out through our contact form for a prompt response. We serve clients across all of New York State and work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no upfront costs and we only get paid when we win your case.
