A car accident involving a drunk or impaired driver can change your life in an instant. These crashes often result in serious injuries, emotional trauma, and financial burdens for victims and their families.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a DUI accident in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Our experienced Wyomissing DUI accident lawyers at Marzzacco Niven & Associates can help you pursue justice and compensation.
Call us at (717) 388-2325 to schedule a free consultation.
How Marzzacco Niven & Associates Can Help You After a DUI Accident in Wyomissing, PA
Our Wyomissing car accident lawyers have helped injured clients recover compensation for injuries, lost wages, and property damage. Our team brings over 120 years of combined experience to every case and fights for injured drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.
If you believe a drunk or impaired driver played a role in your accident, our Wyomissing personal injury lawyers can handle all aspects of your claim, including:
- Investigating whether drunk or impaired driving caused your accident
- Gathering evidence of drunk or impaired driving
- Proving negligence and liability
- Calculating your economic and non-economic damages
- Filing auto accident insurance claims
- Negotiating settlements for maximum compensation
- Filing lawsuits to recover compensation for injuries and other damages
Our team will fight to maximize your compensation after a DUI accident in Wyomissing, PA. Contact us today to set up a free consultation about your case.
How Common Are DUI Accidents in Pennsylvania?
Drunk driving remains a serious problem in Pennsylvania. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, there were more than 400 fatalities in a recent year due to impaired driving crashes. One day that year saw as many as 41 alcohol-related crashes.
These crashes are not only devastating but also preventable. Drivers who choose to get behind the wheel impaired endanger themselves and everyone on the road.
What Is Considered Drunk Driving in Pennsylvania?
A driver is considered legally impaired under Pennsylvania law if they have a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or higher. Commercial drivers have a lower legal limit of 0.04 percent, and any detectable amount of alcohol in drivers under 21 can result in DUI charges.
Pennsylvania also recognizes driving under the influence of drugs, whether they are illegal substances, prescription medications, or over-the-counter medicines that impair one’s ability to drive safely. The penalties for drunk or impaired driving are severe, including fines, imprisonment, and license suspension.
What Happens if I’m Injured and Another Driver Is Charged With a DUI?
A driver involved in your accident may be charged with a DUI. This can serve as important evidence in your civil case, especially if they are convicted. A conviction may strongly support your claim that the driver was drunk or impaired, which contributed to the accident.
However, your right to pursue compensation is not tied to whether the driver is convicted criminally. You can still recover damages through a civil personal injury claim if there is sufficient evidence that the driver was impaired and caused the crash, even without a conviction.
Our Wyomissing car accident attorneys can help you build a compelling case using police reports, witness testimony, video footage, and other evidence.
What Compensation May I Recover After a DUI Accident in Wyomissing?
Victims of DUI accidents may be entitled to recover economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages include your quantifiable financial losses, such as:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Rehabilitation and long-term care costs
- Property damage
Non-economic damages address the intangible losses you may suffer, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Reduced quality of life
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
In cases involving particularly reckless behavior, which can include drunk driving, you may also be eligible to pursue punitive damages. These are awarded to punish the offender and deter similar misconduct in the future.
Our team can help you determine what kinds of damages you may be able to pursue in your case after a free consultation.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a DUI Accident in Pennsylvania?
The statute of limitations for most personal injury lawsuits in Pennsylvania is two years from the date of your accident. This means you typically must file your lawsuit within two years or risk losing your right to pursue compensation in court.
Although two years may seem like a long time, starting the legal process as soon as possible is important. There may also be exceptions to the deadline depending on the claim.
Contacting a Wyomissing personal injury attorney immediately can preserve your claim and help build a strong case from the outset.
What Happens if My Loved One Was Killed in a DUI Accident in Pennsylvania?
In Pennsylvania, certain surviving family members may have the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit to recover compensation for funeral expenses, medical costs incurred before death, lost financial support, and loss of companionship.
Losing a loved one in a DUI accident is a tragic and traumatic experience. These cases are emotionally complex, but they also hold impaired drivers accountable for the devastation they cause.
A Wyomissing wrongful death lawyer can guide you through the process and help you seek justice on behalf of your loved one.
Contact Our Wyomissing DUI Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
You should not have to bear the financial burden of an accident caused by a drunk or impaired driver.
Our Wyomissing DUI accident attorneys are committed to helping victims of DUI crashes get the justice and compensation they deserve. If you or a loved one has been injured, contact us today for a free consultation.