Philadelphia Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

The devastation caused by drunk driving accidents requires more than taking time off work, extensive medical treatment, and long-term rehabilitation. It also requires experienced legal representation to recover the damages and losses suffered by the victims of these crashes.

Let a Philadelphia drunk driving accident lawyer from Hill & Associates be your voice and advocate for justice. With extensive experience in handling drunk driving accident cases, our team is dedicated to protecting your rights and fighting for the compensation you deserve.

Schedule your free case evaluation now using our online form by calling (215) 567-7600. With our help, you can hold the responsible party accountable and obtain the justice you deserve.

Schedule an Appointment

Philadelphia Drunk Driving Accidents Guide

Why Choose Our Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers in Philadelphia?

Our extensive experience representing those injured or killed in a drunk driving accident has led to numerous successful case results and satisfied clients.

We understand the complexities of drunk driving cases and can effectively and efficiently help you:

• Meet critical filing deadlines
• Negotiate with insurance companies
• Gather crucial evidence
• Build a strong case for maximum compensation
• Find medical professionals who will wait for payment until your case is resolved

We also offer personalized attention and support to our clients, ensuring that you are informed and involved in every step of the legal process.

Our convenient office location provides a safe space to discuss your case. For those unable to make it into our office, we provide comprehensive and compassionate legal support online, by phone, or right at your hospital bed.

What Are the DUI Laws in Philadelphia?

Driving under the influence and causing an accident in Philadelphia is a serious crime with severe consequences.

Pennsylvania has a zero-tolerance policy for anyone under 21 years old driving with a BAC of 0.02% or higher. For those over 21, the legal limit is 0.08%.

Commercial truck drivers are held to a stricter standard than those legally allowed to consume alcohol, with the maximum BAC limit set at 0.04%.

Anyone who was driving at or above those levels and causes an accident face criminal charges for:

• DUI

• Aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI

• Homicide by vehicle while DUI

While the state operates under a no-fault insurance coverage system, generally, those who cause a drunk driving accident may be held liable for damages and losses suffered by the innocent parties when the victim’s personal injury protection (PIP) isn’t enough to cover their accident-related costs.

However, to protect your rights to file a claim and recover damages, you should consider hiring a Philadelphia drunk driving accident attorney from Hill & Associates.

With our help, you can seek the compensation you deserve.

What Injuries Are Common in DUI Accidents?

These accidents are typically high-impact and unpredictable causing a range of injuries and medical bills that include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs): Resulting from blunt force head trauma, TBIs can range from mild concussions to severe brain damage. The costs for medical treatment and long-term care for these injuries can be astronomical, often exceeding $150,000 in upfront costs and $3+ million in lifetime expenses.
• Spinal cord injuries: Damage to the spinal cord can cause a variety of permanent disabilities, including paraplegia and quadriplegia. Depending on the severity, victims may require extensive medical care and accommodations for the rest of their lives, which can range from $1 million to $3 million or more.
• Broken bones: High-speed accidents can easily result in broken bones that require surgeries, casts, and physical therapy. Surgery treatment alone for those injured can average $25,000+ per break or fracture.
• Internal injuries: These accidents can damage internal organs and lead to potentially fatal complications. Surgery and ongoing treatment are only the tip of the iceberg. Those injured may face tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars a year for home modifications, medical devices, and home health care.
• Emotional trauma: Being involved in a drunk driving accident can leave lasting emotional scars, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. These injuries can require a lawyer to quantify and form a substantial portion of the compensation for your damages.

In catastrophic accidents, injuries aren’t the only financial concern. These accidents often result in death and greatly impact the victim’s family emotionally, financially and logistically.

Whether a drunk driving accident resulted in severe harm, emotional suffering, or wrongful death, you deserve to hold the responsible parties accountable and seek the compensation you need to move forward.

Let a Philadelphia drunk driving accident attorney from Hill & Associates help you fight for justice.

How Much Is A Drunk Driving Accident Case Worth?

The Pennsylvania legal system does not provide exact details about how much each drunk driving accident case is worth.

What it does provide is a list of considerations that can affect your total financial recovery, including:

• The severity of accident injuries

• The level of negligence of the drunk driver

• The impact on the victim’s quality of life and daily living

• Previous convictions of the drunk driver

Based on these factors, you may recover economic and non-economic damages under the state’s modified comparative negligence laws.

These damages could include:

• Medical expenses for current and future medical costs related to accident injuries, including hospital stays, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, and more.
• Lost wages if you were unable to work due to your injuries.
• Property damage if your vehicle or other property was damaged in the accident. These damages typically cover the costs for repairs or replacement.
• Pain and suffering for the physical and emotional distress caused by the accident. It can also include compensation for loss of enjoyment of life and other intangible losses.
• Diminished earning capacity if your injuries result in a permanent disability that impacts your ability to earn income. These damages cover the difference between your pre-accident earning capacity and what it is now.
• End-of-life costs if the accident results in death. These damages compensate the family for funeral and burial expenses, loss of income, and financial support from the deceased.

Pennsylvania also allows for punitive damage awards when the drunk driver’s actions are deemed particularly reckless or malicious. These damages can be significant and vary on a case-by-case basis.

To truly understand the potential value of your case, don’t hesitate to schedule a free case evaluation with our personal injury law firm.

We know how to handle drunk driving accident cases and can help you determine the best course of action for seeking maximum compensation.

Schedule an Appointment

Who Is Liable for Damages in a Philadelphia Drunk Driving Accident?

Multiple parties could need to pay for for damages in a Philadelphia drunk driving accident, including:

• The drunk driver: If the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs and caused the accident, they can be held accountable for resulting damages.
• Establishments that overserved the driver: Under Pennsylvania’s dram shop law, establishments that serve alcohol to visibly intoxicated persons can also be liable for accidents caused by their patrons. This includes bars, restaurants, and even social hosts if the drunk driver was a minor.
• Vehicle owners: Under Pennsylvania’s negligent entrustment laws, vehicle owners who knowingly lent their vehicle to an intoxicated driver can also be held liable for damages.

Trust the drunk driving accident lawyers at Hill & Associates to explore all possible avenues for seeking compensation in your case. We will thoroughly investigate the circumstances of your accident to determine all potentially liable parties and ensure you receive the full and fair compensation you deserve.

What to Do After a Drunk Driving Accident in Philadelphia

While there isn’t much you can do to avoid a drunk driver causing harm, to protect your health and legal rights:

• Seek further medical attention: To ensure that you receive the care you need and all damages and losses from the collision are accounted for in a claim, seek further medical attention in addition to any on-site treatment you received. This includes follow-up appointments and any recommended rehabilitative care.
• Contact a lawyer: While the accident may seem straightforward, the process of navigating insurance claims, filing deadlines, and settlement offers isn’t. An experienced attorney will know how to ensure you receive the maximum possible settlement.
• Gather evidence: Collecting police reports, witness statements, and photos of the accident scene can help support your case. If you are unable to do so at the time of the accident, that is okay. A lawyer can also help you gather this evidence.
• Keep detailed records: Keep track of all expenses related to the accident, including medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. These records can help strengthen your case and ensure you receive proper compensation.

Taking these steps can bolster your claim for compensation and make the overall legal process a lot easier to handle, especially if you are recovering from catastrophic accident injuries.

For assistance completing these steps, don’t hesitate to contact Hill & Associates.

Why Do I Need a Philadelphia Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer?

Though laws may require the drunk driver or entities responsible for overserving them to provide compensation for damages and losses, this is rarely the case.

Unfortunately, insurance companies will often minimize payouts or deny claims altogether.

Having an experienced lawyer on your side can help level the playing field and ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries.

Furthermore, Pennsylvania’s no-fault laws mean that you’ll first have to go through the extremely complex process of filing a claim with your own insurance company before pursuing legal action against the at-fault party. This process has numerous obstacles that are easy to trip on without the help of an experienced legal team.

Most importantly, having experienced legal professionals handle your case means that you don’t have to go through the stress alone. With their help, you can focus on your physical and emotional recovery while they handle the legal complexities of your case.

Philadelphia Drunk Driving Accidents FAQs

How long do I have to file a claim after a drunk driving accident in Philadelphia?

The statute of limitations in Pennsylvania is two years from the accident date. However, there are many critical steps you may need to take long before the statute expires. Contact a lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your options.

What if I was also partially at fault for the accident?

Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence rule, so you may still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for the accident. A lawyer can help argue against any unfounded claims of contributory negligence to support your right to maximum compensation.

Do I have to go to court for a drunk driving accident claim?

Not necessarily. Many cases are settled through negotiations with insurance companies or alternative dispute resolution methods like mediation. However, if a fair settlement cannot be reached, going to court may be necessary. Your lawyer will advise you on the best course of action for your specific case.

Choose a Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer From Hill & Associates to Help Recover the Compensation You Deserve

You don’t have to go through a traumatic Philadelphia drunk driving accident alone. At Hill & Associates, we are committed to fighting for justice and fair compensation for our clients who have been injured due to the negligence of others.

Contact our award-winning personal injury law firm online or at (215) 567-7600 to learn how a drunk driving accident lawyer can help you navigate the legal process.

Our Practice Areas

Hill & Associates is dedicated to providing comprehensive and compassionate legal support in the following practice areas:

• Bicycle Accidents

• Birth Injuries

• Brain Injury / TBI

• Car Accidents

• Construction Accidents

• Dog Bite Injuries

• Medical Malpractice

• Motorcycle Accidents

• Pedestrian Accidents

• Personal Injury

• Product Liability

• Rideshare Accidents

• Sexual Abuse

• Slip & Fall Accidents / Premises Liability

• Truck Accidents

• Wrongful Death

• Workers’ Compensation Claims

With a team of experienced and dedicated lawyers, Hill & Associates is committed to providing top-notch legal representation for individuals and families in need.

Don’t hesitate to contact our personal injury law firm for a free case evaluation and learn how we can help you seek justice and fair compensation after a drunk driving accident.

Schedule an Appointment

Hill & Associates, P.C. – Philadelphia Office

Address:1700 Market St Suite 3150
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone: (215) 567-7600