An accident caused by a drunk driver in Allentown can have catastrophic consequences. Drunk driving cases differ from typical car crashes since they include civil and criminal law. Those who suffer injuries in a drunk driving accident may have to pay far more for medical care, miss work, and deal with other unforeseen costs. The drunk driver, on the other hand, will be charged with a crime. If you were hurt in a drunk driving accident in Allentown, you need compensation. A skilled Allentown drunk driving accident lawyer at Munley Law can help you get compensation for your injuries while you focus on getting better.
Munley Law’s Allentown car accident lawyers can help you if a drunk driver in the Lehigh Valley hurt you. We know how to get the most money for victims of drunk driving because we understand how criminal and civil law work together in these matters. Call us today for a free consultation with no strings attached. You don’t have to pay us unless we win your case.
The Effects of Drunk Driving Accidents in Allentown, PA
Those involved in a drunk driving accident are often severely injured and need long-term medical care. It’s not uncommon for a car accident victim to suffer from a traumatic brain injury, damage to their spinal cords, fractured bones, and internal organ damage. Many victims never fully get back to the way they were before the tragedy, and they will need continued medical care and help with everyday tasks.
Family members are also affected by the accident. Spouses may have to care for their partner full-time, children may lose parents, and family relations may change for good. Seeing a family member hurt because someone made the choice to drink and drive can cause long-lasting emotional anguish.
The financial damage is often as bad as the physical and emotional damage. Medical costs can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Many families go bankrupt or lose their homes because they can’t pay for the costs of injuries caused by drunk driving.
Determining Fault in a Drunk Driving Accident in Allentown
It’s easier to prove who is at fault in drunk driving injury cases than in other traffic accidents. In situations of drunk driving, police records include extensive descriptions of how the person looked and acted at the time of the accident, such as bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and an unsteady gait. The findings of the field sobriety test, the breathalyzer readings, and the officer’s testimony all point to the driver’s impaired state. Police dash cams or body cameras often show the intoxicated driver’s impaired state during the traffic stop and arrest.
Blood alcohol content evidence shows how drunk someone was at the time of the crash. Blood samples and breath testing can show how intoxicated someone is and back up claims for higher damages based on extreme drunkenness.
Criminal court trials create more evidence for civil cases, such as plea deals, testimony from sentence hearings, and records of criminal convictions. Although criminal cases are about punishment, the evidence from them supports civil claims for money damages.
Who Can Be Held At Fault For Your Injuries Following a Drunk Driving Crash?
There may be multiple parties responsible for your accident. Pennsylvania’s Dram Shop Act lets people who were hurt in drunk driving collisions go after bars, restaurants, and other places that provided alcohol to people who were intoxicated.
When private parties give alcohol to visitors who are clearly drunk and then cause a crash, social host responsibility may apply. It takes a lot of work to prove that a social host is responsible, but homeowners’ insurance policies may cover more of the victims’ damages.
How DUI Criminal Charges May Help Your Case
Drunk driving cases that go to court make strong evidence for your personal injury claim. Criminal charges and convictions show that the driver broke the law and put public safety at risk, which makes the case for responsibility and higher damages in civil court stronger.
In drunk driving cases, police investigations gather a lot of information on the driver’s impairment, such as blood alcohol content levels, failed field sobriety tests, and officers’ observations of indicators of intoxication. This evidence was produced for criminal trials but can also be used in civil situations to show negligence.
Blood alcohol content evidence shows without a doubt that the driver was drunk at the time of the incident. Higher BAC readings show that the motorist was more impaired, which supports claims for higher damages based on how intoxicated the driver was.
Plea deals and convictions in criminal proceedings are admissions of guilt that make it unnecessary to prove basic culpability in civil lawsuits. Civil proceedings can focus on figuring out how much harm was done instead of arguing about who was to blame when intoxicated drivers plead guilty or are found guilty of DUI.
Why Hiring an Allentown Drunk Driving Accident Attorney Is Important
In drunk driving cases, quick legal action is needed to safeguard victims’ rights and keep necessary evidence safe. Blood alcohol evidence must be obtained as soon as possible because BAC levels go down over time. If the bar or restaurant where the driver drank alcohol had a surveillance camera, the footage may be destroyed automatically unless it is kept through the proper legal steps.
Medical records are vital for figuring out how bad the injuries are and how they are related to the drunk driving crash. Getting an experienced car accident lawyer involved early ensures the medical examination and paperwork are done correctly to support maximum compensation claims.
Insurance firms routinely push victims of drunk driving to settle quickly, before they know how bad their injuries are. Having legal help from the start stops victims from accepting little compensation that doesn’t meet their long-term demands.
Witnesses’ recollections fade quickly, so it’s essential to investigate very carefully. Witnesses who noticed the intoxicated driver’s behavior before the incident or the crash themselves are essential witnesses who can help civil compensation claims.
How Munley Law Can Help
People who are hurt in drunk driving accidents need more than just a lawyer; they need full support while they heal physically and emotionally. Munley Law works closely with doctors at Lehigh Valley Hospital and St. Luke’s to get a complete picture of how severe your injuries are and how long it will take to heal. This medical information helps determine the right amount to pay for both present treatment and future medical demands that may last for years.
Our team takes care of all discussions with insurance companies and processes claims so victims and their families can focus on getting better instead of dealing with complicated paperwork and insurance companies’ methods. We fight to make sure that insurance companies pay fair amounts instead of trying to avoid paying valid claims.
Family members often need help understanding the legal process and their rights as secondary victims. We assist families through this tough period and ensure that all of their damages are properly covered in compensation claims.
Why You Should Hire Munley Law for Your Drunk Driving Case
Munley Law has helped many people in Allentown receive compensation after being hit by a drunk driver. We know that victims can get more money in these instances, and we work to ensure they get the money they need to cover the harm their injuries have caused.
If an Allentown business keeps serving drunk customers, it might be held responsible for any injuries that happen. These businesses usually have a lot of commercial liability insurance, which pays more than individual auto insurance plans. When you prove dram shop culpability, the total amount you can get back often increases greatly.
We have extensive expertise in dealing with the complicated medical, financial, and emotional issues that arise in drunk driving injury cases. We collaborate with medical professionals, economists, and life care planners to ensure that all present and future needs are fairly assessed and included in compensation requests.
Call Munley Law today to set up a free consultation. We will review your case, explain your rights, and help you understand how we can get you the money you need for your injuries and pain.
Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys
609 Hamilton St.
Allentown, PA 18101
(610) 857-7424
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