Carbondale, PA Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

Every day, more than 30 people will lose their lives to a drunk driving car accident. For those who survive, the aftermath can be catastrophic, resulting in life-altering injuries. Victims of drunk driving accidents in Carbondale, PA need to have someone on their side when a drunk driver turns their lives upside down. This is where Munley Law comes in.

Our Carbondale drunk driving accident lawyers have represented personal injury victims for more than 60 years. We’ll put that experience to work on your case to get you the maximum compensation for your injuries.

For a no-obligation, free consultation, call the Carbondale, PA, drunk auto accident lawyers of Munley Law.

How Often Do Drunk Driving Accidents Occur?

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), there were 42,409 driving under the influence (DUI) arrests in 2022. Knowing that drunk drivers are being held accountable may make you feel safer on roadways, but where does that leave you as a victim?

Munley Law represents individuals and their families who have been impacted by a drunk driving accident. Our Lackawanna County drunk driving accident lawyers will guide you through the legal process so your rights are protected and your finances secured as you move forward with recovery.

Munley Law helps car accident victims by:

• Gathering evidence
• Establishing liability
• Handling negotiations
• Representing you in court

You may feel alone after a car accident, but Munley Law is here every step of the way.

What is Considered Drunk Driving in Carbondale, PA?

A collision with a Carbondale, PA, drunk driver can change your life in the blink of an eye. Understanding the elements of a DUI collision can protect you on the roadways and in the aftermath of a drunk-driving wreck.

Much like drowsy driving accidents in Carbondale, driving intoxicated is inherently dangerous as it impacts your reaction time and ability to make sound decisions. According to The Cleveland Clinic, the rising blood alcohol content levels (BAC) will have the following implications:

• BAC 0.02%: Altered mood, slight loss of judgment
• BAC 0.05%: Lowered alertness and impaired judgment
• BAC 0.08%, Legal Limit: Reduced muscle coordination, challenge to detect danger, and impaired judgment and reasoning
• BAC 0.10%:Reduced reaction time, slurred speech and slowed thinking
• BAC 0.15%: Altered mood, nausea and vomiting, and loss of balance and muscle control
• BAC 0.15% to 0.30%: Confusion, vomiting and drowsiness
• BAC 0.30% to 0.40%: Alcohol poisoning and loss of consciousness
• BAC Over 0.40%: Fatal blood alcohol level

Some people have a higher tolerance for alcohol than others. So, for example, for a man around 190 pounds, it may take four drinks over an hour to have a BAC of .08. But for a man weighing 160 pounds, it may only take three drinks over an hour to reach the same or a higher level of intoxication.

In a 2018 study of drunk driving collisions, the five most common types of motor vehicle accidents were:

• Hit object
• Rear-end collision
• Broadside
• Overturned vehicle
• Head-on collision

Unfortunately, many car accidents involving drunk drivers occur after social gatherings, where people may feel compelled to “keep up” with others. Knowing your limits and engaging in safe driving practices can save thousands of lives yearly.

What Injuries Are Common in Drunk Driving Accidents?

Studies show that of those fatally injured in a drunk driving wreck, more than 90 percent are passengers in the car with the intoxicated driver or the drunk driver themselves.

However, it does not mean other drivers are not at risk of serious injury. For those involved in a DUI accident, the most common injuries are:

• Spinal cord injuries
• Head and neck injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Paralysis 
• Internal injuries
• Burns
• Amputations
• Internal bleeding

While all these accidents are dangerous, some are more likely to result in catastrophic injuries. If you were involved in a car accident with a drunk driver, Munley Law will investigate the wreck and bring justice to you and your family.

Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Drunk Driving Accident in Carbondale?

We often think that the drunk driver is the only one who can be liable for DUI car accidents. However, other parties may be at fault, too.

First, the most likely responsible party is the drunk driver, as they chose to get behind the wheel intoxicated.

Another party that may be responsible is the bar, liquor store, restaurant, grocery store, or wherever the driver got their alcohol before the accident. Under Pennsylvania’s Dram Shop Laws, any establishment that gives alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person can be held responsible for any damage or injury the person causes. This means that if the driver got drunk at a private event, the host could be held liable for providing alcohol to the driver.

Just like other car accident claims, if a faulty part of the vehicle in part caused the accident, the vehicle manufacturer may be held liable. Or, if road conditions contributed to the wreck, the entity responsible for its maintenance could be held partially at fault.

How Can a Carbondale Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Help?

If you were in an auto accident with a drunk driver, it could be beneficial to file a claim with the help of a drunk driving car accident lawyer.

Your first step in financial recovery will be to file a claim with your insurance company. A Carbondale car accident lawyer from Munley Law can help you do this to ensure you get a settlement that covers all of your expenses. However, you can file a personal injury lawsuit for your personal injury claims and medical bills if you exceed your policy maximums.

Sometimes, filing a lawsuit against the at-fault party and other driver’s insurance companies is the only way to get the compensation you need for your losses. While most cases are settled out of court in a settlement, one of our personal injury lawyers can represent you in the courtroom for your serious car accident as you seek compensation.

In some instances, a drunk driver will flee auto accidents to avoid fines and potentially jail time. In those cases, you can still file a claim with your insurance company under uninsured motorist coverage. Your agent will be able to tell you what that compensation entails.

Being in a DUI accident can leave you with serious injuries and physical and financial harm. From medical expenses from severe injuries to extensive damage to your car, it can be overwhelming. However, the Munley Law Firm can help in the following ways:

• Gather Evidence: The first step in your drunk driving car accident case is to have enough evidence to hold the intoxicated driver responsible. We’ll review the police reports and talk to witnesses, other Pennsylvania drivers, and medical experts to ensure no stone is left unturned.
• Establish Fault: So long as we have a record of the driver’s intoxication, proving they were in the wrong shouldn’t be difficult. But sometimes, the other party will try to mitigate their part in the wreck to minimize their penalties and your damages. We’ll ensure there’s no question about who wronged whom in your motor vehicle accident.
• Handle Negotiations: Munley Law will handle negotiations with the insurance or the other driver so you get fair compensation without compromising your needs after a car accident.
• Represent You in Court: If a lawsuit is the only way to recover damages, we’ll be by your side from start to finish to protect your legal rights and hold the negligent party accountable for your pain and suffering.

When DUI accidents happen, victims need legal representation built on compassion, experience, and a track record of effective legal strategies.

What Compensation is Available Following a Drunk Driving Crash in Carbondale?

If you or a loved one were injured in a Carbondale drunk driving accident or lost a loved one to alcohol-related fatalities following a wreck, call Munley Law. We help victims recover compensation for:

• Medical bills, including future medical care
• Lost wages
• Lost earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Disability
• Wrongful death

Our firm works on a contingency fee basis, which means there are no upfront costs as we help you pursue compensation. Instead, a percentage of your settlement or verdict is paid out to your legal team once the case is closed.

For a no-obligation, free case review, call the Carbondale drunk driving accident lawyers of Munley Law.

Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys

41 N. Main St.,
Carbondale, PA 18407
(570)280-2502