A choice they made.
A bill they'll pay.
DUI crashes don't happen — they're caused. New Jersey law allows juries to award punitive damages against drunk drivers, on top of the full compensatory recovery. We make sure that conversation happens.
Compensatory damages,
plus a punitive case.
Under N.J.S.A. 2A:15-5.12, a New Jersey jury may award punitive damages where the defendant's conduct was malicious or showed wanton and willful disregard for the safety of others. Drunk driving is the classic textbook example. We plead it from the start.
We also pursue Dram Shop liability against bars, restaurants, and social hosts who served the driver while visibly intoxicated. Layered defendants mean layered insurance.
The case starts
on day one.
Every drunk driving accidents matter is treated as a litigation file from the first call — because that's what wins it.
No fee unless we win.
You owe us nothing unless we recover for you. Period.
Cash advance in 24 hours.
Same-day funding can be arranged through third-party sources while your case is built.
Free, confidential case review.
An attorney — not an intake screener — reviews your matter and tells you what it's worth.
24/7 line, real people.
Evidence disappears in days. We answer the phone the night it happens.
Hurt in New Jersey?
Tell us what happened.
A New Jersey attorney personally reviews every submission — typically within the hour. No fee. No obligation. Evidence preservation begins the moment we hang up.
- Statewide coverage — every NJ county
- Preservation letters issued same day
- In-house investigation team
- Available 24/7 — nights, weekends, holidays
Request your free
consultation.
Dennis Shlionsky's Team will personally review your matter — typically within one hour. There is no fee unless we win.
Punitive damages
the leverage point.
A NJ punitive-damages claim requires clear and convincing evidence of malicious conduct or wanton/willful disregard. Drunk driving meets the standard on its face. We plead it from the first complaint, which transforms the settlement conversation.
Coverage doesn't apply to punitives — but compensatories are huge.
Most NJ auto policies exclude coverage for punitive damages. But the existence of a punitive claim drives the carrier to settle the compensatory case for top dollar — to keep the punitive question away from a jury. That dynamic is the engine of resolution.
What clients ask first.
The driver was charged criminally. Should I wait?
No. The civil case runs on its own track. In fact, the criminal case often generates evidence (BAC results, plea allocution) that strengthens the civil claim. We coordinate but don't wait.
How much does it cost to hire your firm?
Nothing up front. We work on a contingency fee — you owe us no attorney's fee unless we recover money for you. Costs are advanced by the firm and only reimbursed out of a recovery. The first conversation is free and confidential.
How long do I have to file a claim in New Jersey?
Most personal-injury claims in New Jersey carry a two-year statute of limitations under N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2, running from the date of injury. Claims against a public entity (city, county, NJ Transit, the State) require a Notice of Tort Claim within 90 days under the New Jersey Tort Claims Act. Wrongful-death actions also have a two-year window. Call as early as possible — evidence does not wait.
They chose to drive.
We choose to fight.
Punitive cases get attention from carriers and juries alike. Call.
Request your free
consultation.
Dennis Shlionsky's Team will personally review your matter — typically within one hour. There is no fee unless we win.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Each case turns on its own facts. The information on this page is for general educational purposes and is not legal advice. Contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship.