Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer in Hamden, CT
Over 55 Years Fighting for Crash Victims in New Haven County
When a drunk driver causes a crash, the injuries are often severe. Impaired drivers frequently fail to brake before impact, meaning these collisions carry far more force than a typical accident. At Sette & Parnoff, PC, we represent victims of drunk driving crashes throughout Hamden and New Haven County, pursuing compensation from the at-fault driver and, where applicable, from the bar or restaurant that served them.
David Parnoff worked as an insurance adjuster before becoming an attorney, and that experience shapes how we handle these claims. After a high-liability crash, insurers move quickly to gather statements and limit what they pay. We understand that process from the inside, and we use that knowledge to protect our clients from day one.
If you or a family member was injured by a drunk driver in Hamden or the surrounding area, contact us at (475) 255-3911 for a free consultation. There’s no fee unless we recover for you.
How We Handle Drunk Driving Accident Claims
These cases require simultaneous investigation on more than one liability track. The claim against the drunk driver is one path. If the driver was served alcohol at a bar or restaurant before the crash, Connecticut’s Dram Shop Act creates a second path against the vendor. Those two claims run in parallel, and the deadlines governing each are different. Early action matters.
We offer free consultations by phone, online, or in person. For clients who are hospitalized or unable to travel, we make home and hospital visits. Bilingual legal support is available for Spanish-speaking clients. We have recovered millions for injured clients throughout Connecticut, including automobile accident results of $1,250,000 and $750,000, and we’ve handled auto accident cases in New Haven County for over 55 years.
Connecticut’s Dram Shop Act (CGS 30-102)
Connecticut’s Dram Shop Act, codified at CGS Section 30-102, holds licensed alcohol vendors liable when they sell alcohol to an intoxicated person who then injures someone else. That means a bar, restaurant, or other licensed establishment can be a second defendant in a drunk driving claim alongside the driver.
The deadlines for dram shop claims are strict and shorter than those for claims against the driver directly:
- 120-day notice requirement: Written notice must be delivered to the alcohol vendor within 120 days of the injury. If the victim dies or is incapacitated, that window extends to 180 days.
- One-year statute of limitations: A dram shop lawsuit must be filed within one year of the accident, compared to the two-year deadline for claims against the drunk driver personally.
- $250,000 recovery cap: Dram shop recoveries are capped at $250,000 per occurrence regardless of the number of victims. There is no comparable cap on damages from the driver.
The 120-day notice clock starts running on the date of the crash, so investigating where the driver was drinking and delivering timely notice requires moving quickly. Both claims can be pursued at the same time.
Compensation Available After a Drunk Driving Crash
Connecticut law allows injured victims to seek several categories of damages from a drunk driver and, where applicable, from the alcohol vendor.
Economic Damages
Medical bills, future treatment costs, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and property damage are all recoverable. In catastrophic injury cases, future care expenses can be substantial.
Non-Economic Damages
Pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium are compensable even though they don’t appear on a bill.
Wrongful Death Claims
If a loved one was killed by a drunk driver, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim covering funeral and burial costs, lost financial support, and loss of companionship.
Punitive Damages
Where the drunk driver’s conduct rises to the level of reckless disregard, Connecticut juries may award punitive damages in addition to compensatory damages. This is a legal possibility under the recklessness doctrine described above, not a guaranteed outcome.
Talk to a Hamden Drunk Driving Accident Attorney for Free
Drunk driving claims involve tight deadlines, multiple defendants, and insurers who act fast. We offer free case evaluations with no obligation. If you can’t come to us, we can come to you. We serve clients in Hamden, West Haven, and throughout New Haven County and Connecticut on a no recovery, no fee basis.
Call (475) 255-3911 today, use our online contact form, or ask about a home or hospital visit. The consultation is free, and you pay nothing unless we recover for you.
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His professionalism and knowledge cannot be beat.
“Attorney Parnoff has been a staple in our household for many, many years. He is always there with his expertise and friendly smile when needed. I have seen him at work and his professionalism and knowledge can not be beat. I highly recommend him and his staff to anyone needing legal advice and representation. He is a trusted and valued part of our legal community. Thank you for the great results given to family and friends throughout the years!”- V.C.
