It’s probably no secret to you that drunk drivers cause thousands of accidents each year. You probably know that these drivers can face criminal penalties for DUI. But did you know that a drunk driver can also be liable for the damages they cause in an accident?
Were you in such an accident? If so, our Lebanon DUI accident lawyers at Marzzacco Niven & Associates fight to get you and your family the compensation you need to cover lost wages, medical bills, and out-of-pocket expenses. Our Lebanon car accident lawyers have over 120 years of combined experience handling accident cases.
We encourage you to contact our law firm to schedule a free consultation. Call or reach out to us online today after your DUI accident in Lebanon, PA.
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How Our Lebanon Car Accident Lawyers Can Help You After a Drunk Driving Accident
Most people understand that drunk driving is dangerous and against the law. But, sadly, many individuals continue to get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol or using drugs. Their poor judgment results in injuries and deaths to innocent accident victims.
There’s no doubt about it: the insurance company for the drunk driver will fight your claim after a DUI accident. It wants to avoid liability and reduce how much it pays for your damages. Our Lebanon personal injury attorneys will aggressively fight attempts to deny or undervalue your personal injury claim.
When you hire Marzzacco Niven & Associates to handle your case, you have an experienced legal team to:
- Investigate your car accident case
- Gather evidence proving fault and liability
- File insurance claims and handle the insurance company
- Document damages and calculate the value of your injury claim
- Retain expert witnesses, when necessary
- Negotiate a fair settlement for your damages
- File a lawsuit and advocate for you in court
Contact us to discuss your case. We offer free case evaluations so that you can get the information you need after your drunk driving car accident in Lebanon, Pennsylvania.
How Common Are DUI Accidents in Pennsylvania?
Impaired driving continues to be a serious concern throughout the United States. Roughly 28 people die each day in drunk driving crashes. More than 10,100 people lost their lives in DUI accidents nationwide in 2019.
In 2020, alcohol-related car accidents totaled 7,700 throughout the state. Just under 300 people died, and thousands of people sustained injuries from drunk driving crashes.
On average, 21 DUI accidents occur each day in Pennsylvania. About a quarter of the traffic fatalities statewide involve a drunk driver.
How Much is my Lebanon DUI Accident Case Worth?
An impaired driver may be charged with a crime under Pennsylvania drunk driving laws. The driver may also be held financially liable for damages caused by the DUI accident.
The value of your injury claim will depend on the circumstances of your case. Many factors can impact the value of your case, including:
- The severity and type of your injuries
- The duration of your recovery
- Whether you can work in the future
- The circumstances of the crash
- Whether you were partially to blame for the cause of the accident
- Available insurance coverage
- The strength of the evidence in your case
Our Lebanon DUI accident attorneys work to maximize the factors that increase the value of your case while minimizing negative factors. We fight to get you the most money possible for your claim.
What Damages Can I Recover for a DUI Accident in Lebanon?
The types of damages you may receive for a drunk driving vehicle crash include reimbursement for monetary losses (economic damages) and the pain and suffering caused by the crash (non-economic damages).
Examples of these damages include:
- Past and future medical expenses, nursing care, and personal care
- Disabilities, permanent impairments, and disfigurements
- Pain and suffering from injuries, mental anguish, and emotional distress
- Loss of income, including past and future lost wages, benefits, and reduced earning potential
- Loss of enjoyment of life and reduced quality of life
- Out-of-pocket expenses and costs
The best way to get a sense of your case’s value is through a free consultation with a Lebanon DUI accident attorney.
Proving Negligence for DUI Accident Cases in Lebanon
Being drunk at the time of the crash is not absolute proof that a driver caused an accident. Instead, you must prove the driver was negligent, and that a breach of duty caused the collision.
Various legal theories may be used to prove negligence, including negligence per se. Negligence per se makes it easier to prove negligence by showing the defendant violated a safety law intended to protect the public. If you can show that the at-fault driver broke the law by driving under the influence, negligence will be presumed.
The insurance company may try to blame you for the cause of the crash. Under Pennsylvania comparative negligence laws, your compensation could be reduced if your actions contributed to the cause of the crash. Insurance companies use comparative negligence allegations to avoid paying fair compensation for damages.
Our Lebanon DUI accident lawyers and legal team work to uncover the evidence necessary to prove fault for a drunk driving crash. We are ready to take legal action when the insurance company refuses liability for your claim.
Drunk Driving Accidents Cause Traumatic Injuries
Drunk drivers cause innocent people to be hurt. Some individuals never recover fully from injuries caused by a DUI crash.
Injuries may include broken bones, brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries. Some DUI victims may sustain injuries to internal organs. Amputations, paralysis, and severe burns are also common DUI accident injuries.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Lebanon DUI Accident Lawyers
The Pennsylvania statute of limitations sets strict deadlines for filing injury claims. Therefore, it is best to talk with a lawyer about your car crash as soon as possible.
You deserve compensation for the damages caused by an impaired driver. Call now for a free consultation with a Lebanon car accident lawyer. It does not cost you anything to learn about your options and get legal advice about a drunk driving accident claim.