Allentown Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

Personal Injury Lawyers / Allentown Personal Injury Lawyer / Allentown Car Accident Lawyer / Allentown Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

Let Our Allentown Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Fight For You

A drunk driving car crash can cause serious injuries and suffering. Victims may face mounting medical bills, lost time at work, or other unexpected expenses. As an injured person, you want to focus on getting well. Fortunately, victims of drunk driving accidents can recover damages from the at-fault driver. An experienced Allentown drunk driving accident lawyer can focus on seeking compensation from the at-fault driver's insurance company while you focus on your recovery.

If you were injured in a car accident in the Lehigh Valley, an Allentown drunk driving accident lawyer at Munley Law can help. We are happy to discuss the legal process and your rights. Call an Allentown accident attorney today for a free, no-obligation consultation.

How Can an Allentown Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Help You With Your Claim?

After motor vehicle accidents, personal injury lawyers can help you in many ways. At Munley Law, we:

• Listen to your story: When you speak with an experienced Allentown car accident attorney at Munley Law, you can tell your story and ask questions. We will answer your questions, evaluate the facts of your claim, and recommend the next steps.
• Investigate your drunk driving accident: Our Allentown drunk driving accident lawyer at Munley Law works with investigators, police, and professional accident reconstructionists to understand precisely what happened in your accident.
• Collect evidence: An experienced accident lawyer in Allentown, PA, will collect evidence, including photos from the crash scene, witness statements, surveillance footage, blood alcohol content information, and more.
• Prove negligence: To recover money from the liable parties in a drunk driving case in Allentown, your accident attorney must prove the at-fault driver's negligence. In a personal injury lawsuit, there are four elements to prove:
  • Duty – The drunk driver owed you a duty of care. In an accident, a driver has a duty to operate their vehicle reasonably carefully and follow the rules of the road.
  • Breach – We must demonstrate that the drunk driver breached their duty by breaking the law and/or behaving recklessly. Drunk driving is a breach of the duty of care a driver owes to others.
  • Causation – We must show that the driver's condition resulted in an accident that caused you to suffer pain and injuries.
  • Damages – Finally, we must prove that you suffered economic and noneconomic damages due to your pain and injuries.
• Calculate damages: Your legal team will work with experts to calculate the fair compensation you are entitled to receive. This includes money for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future economic losses.
• Negotiate with the insurance company: An Allentown personal injury attorney at Munley Law will negotiate with the insurance company to obtain fair compensation for your injuries. We will negotiate with them on your behalf and never accept a settlement without your consent.
• Fight for you at trial: If the drunk driver and their insurance refuse to provide fair compensation in a settlement, our Allentown drunk driving accident lawyers will take your case to trial. Our lawyers have experienced courtroom advocates fully prepared to take your case to a jury in Allentown.

An experienced drunk driving accident attorney at Munley Law can guide you to recover damages if you were injured in a car accident in Lehigh County. We will examine police reports as well as investigate as necessary. Our team of lawyers will determine how much your claim is worth. We will negotiate with the insurance companies — yours and that of the at-fault driver. And, our attorneys are ready to fight for you at trial.

Call an Allentown drunk driving accident attorney today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Or use our contact form to learn about the legal process after serious car accidents.

What Are the Types of Drunk Driving Accidents Our Allentown Drunk Driving Lawyers Handle?

There are many different kinds of drunk driving accidents in Allentown. When the at-fault driver is drunk driving, it usually causes serious car accidents. The most common types of drunk driving accidents include:

• Head-on Collisions: A head-on collision is one of the most dangerous types of crashes, even at relatively low speeds. These accidents typically occur when a drunk driver fails to follow road signs and ends up going the wrong way. Head-on collisions also occur when drunk drivers fall asleep and cross the center line into oncoming traffic.
• Sideswipe Accidents: Sidewipe accidents are common on multilane roadways. They usually occur when a drunk driver does not check before changing lanes.
• Rollovers: While not as common, rollover accidents can be caused by drunk drivers. SUVs, vans, Jeeps, or other large vehicles can roll over if the driver is speeding, especially on a turn.
• Rear-End Collisions: A rear collision is a commonly caused accident by a drunk driver. These accidents occur when a driver follows too closely and does not have time to stop. This is especially a problem for drunk drivers whose reaction time is reduced by alcohol use.
• T-Bone Accidents: T-bones accidents occur when a drunk driver crashes into the side of another vehicle. This kind of accident typically occurs at intersections and can be serious if the drunk driver is speeding.

What Types of Compensation Can You Receive?

Victims who are seeking compensation after a drunk driving accident can recover damages from a settlement with the insurance companies or a personal injury lawsuit with the help of an Allentown accident attorney. Fair compensation can include both economic and non-economic damages, which can include:

Present and Future Medical Expenses

The drunk driving accident lawyers at Munley Law can help you receive compensation for past, present, and future medical expenses. These bills may include hospital stays, ambulance bills, emergency treatment, surgery, physical therapy, or any costs for ongoing treatments of an injury or pain.

Lost Wages and Lost Earning Capacity

Your drunk driving accident may change your normal life, and your injuries may stop you from working. You may receive compensation to cover your lost wages and any future income you will miss because of your injuries.

Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy

A drunk driving accident in Allentown can cause pain and many types of injuries. Even a minor accident can leave you with a stiff neck and a soft tissue injury. Some of the more common physical injuries can include:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI). TBI or head trauma occurs when an accident causes the victim's head to move forward or reverse so quickly that the skull strikes the brain, causing damage. TBIs can lead to serious medical issues and even death, especially if they are undiagnosed.
• Back Injury. Back and spinal injuries are often associated with a temporary or permanent disability.
• Soft Tissue Injury. Soft tissue injuries, including whiplash, are among the most commonly experienced physical injuries after an accident. Although it is not fatal, whiplash can cause severe injuries and require physical therapy.

All these injuries can result in long-term medical care requiring physical therapy or rehabilitation. A car accident attorney will ensure the insurance company and liable parties pay for your medical bills and future expenses.

Mental Anguish and Emotional Distress

In addition to physical injuries, a drunk driving accident in Allentown is a traumatic experience that can result in pain and suffering, and emotional distress. You may be able to receive compensation for pain and suffering, such as depression, stress, and even loss of sleep.

Loss of Enjoyment of Daily Activities

Similar to emotional pain and suffering, a drunk driving accident may cause an injured victim to lose enjoyment in their daily activities, causing them to withdraw from social interactions and lose interest in activities.

Loss of Consortium/ Loss of Companionship

If you have been severely injured in a drunk driving accident, you may experience a loss of consortium. Simply put, loss of consortium is the deprivation of parenting or married life benefits due to the inability to show affection or love.

Wrongful Death

If your loved one was killed in an accident by a drunk driver in Allentown, you may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim against the at-fault driver. In this claim, an Allentown accident attorney can help you get monetary security for your family.

Frequently Asked Questions About a Drunk Driving Accident in Allentown

Q: How Often Do Drunk Driving Accidents Occur in Allentown, PA?

An estimated 11,000 Americans die every year in the United States in drunk driving accidents. Despite strict Pennsylvania laws against drunk driving, alcohol-related fatalities account for nearly 30 percent of all car crash deaths in Pennsylvania. In fact, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, there were 44,531 DUI arrests in Pennsylvania in 2021, an increase from the 40,237 arrests made in 2020.

Q: What Are the DUI Laws in Allentown?

Pennsylvania has .08 DUI legislation. Act 24 of Pennsylvania's Crimes Code (2003) lowered the legal limit of alcohol for a DUI in Allentown from .10 to .08. This DUI Law creates a tiered approach for DUI enforcement. The tiers are based on a combination of an individual's blood alcohol content (BAC) and prior offenses. In all of Pennsylvania, including in Allentown, there are three levels of DUI based on the blood alcohol content (BAC) of the driver:

1. General Impairment (.08 to .099% BAC)
2. High BAC (.10 to .159% BAC)
3. Highest BAC (.16% and higher)

Under these DUI laws, a minor, a commercial driver, a school bus driver, and a driver involved in car accidents that injure someone or cause property damage may be subject to the High BAC DUI penalties even if their BAC is not in the high category.

A driver who refuses breath testing may be subject to the Highest BAC DUI penalties.

Q: What is the Cost of Driving While Intoxicated in Allentown?

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, the costs associated with a DUI arrest in Allentown vary greatly depending on several factors, including blood alcohol content, location of arrest, and the number of offenses.

The monetary effect on drivers starts when police stop them for a DUI. Here are a few expenses associated with a DUI, according to PennDOT:

• Traffic fine: $300 – $10,000 depending on blood alcohol content and number of offenses
• Alcohol evaluation: $35-$100
• License restoration: $76 non-commercial, $184 commercial
• Insurance premium: increase of about $1,000 a year or cancellation of the policy

Apart from the financial aspects of a DUI arrest, there may also be social ramifications. A DUI conviction can also impede attempts to get a job and cause embarrassment to your family.

Q: How Long Does a DUI Accident Lawyer in Allentown Have to File My Car Accident Lawsuit?

The “statute of limitations” determines how long you have to file your claim against a drunk driver for causing your accident. The Pennsylvania statute is two years. This means you have two years from the date of the accident with the drunk driver to file a claim.

If you miss this deadline, you can't seek compensation for your injuries or pain and suffering. This is why it is important to speak with an accident attorney as soon as possible.

Q: How Much Does It Cost to Hire an Allentown Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Near Me?

At Munley Law, we only collect a fee if we win your case. This is called a contingency fee and is a percentage of your award. This way, anyone can afford an experienced Allentown car accident attorney. You won't pay any attorney fees until your case is settled or reaches a verdict. If we are not able to win for you, you pay us nothing.

Our Allentown Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers Stand Up for Accident Victims in Allentown

A car crash in Allentown can cause serious physical injuries as well as mental pain and suffering. If you or someone you loved was injured in a car crash, an Allentown drunk driving accident attorney at Munley Law can provide the expert legal guidance you need and deserve.

The accident attorneys in our Allentown office serve clients involved in many different kinds of accidents. We have been fighting for the rights of victims and their families for nearly 60 years.

Call an experienced Allentown drunk driving accident attorney today for your free, no-obligation consultation.

Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys

609 Hamilton St
Allentown, PA 18101
(610) 857-7424