If you are involved in an accident where a drunk driver caused the crash, you will need a Harrisburg drunk driving accident lawyer who has experience in these cases.
At Munley Law, our car accident attorneys represent clients throughout Dauphin County in claims involving alcohol-impaired and drug-impaired drivers. With almost 70 years of combined experience, our board-certified civil trial advocates have secured verdicts and settlements exceeding $17 million in drunk driving accident cases involving catastrophic injuries and wrongful death.
Call us today for a free consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis—no upfront costs, no fees unless we recover compensation.
Why Injured Drivers Choose Our Harrisburg Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers
Drunk driving accident cases in Harrisburg require attorneys who understand Pennsylvania DUI law, Dauphin County court procedures, and the technical evidence used to prove impairment.
Our drunk driving accident attorneys are board-certified civil trial advocates with experience litigating cases in the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas. Our recognition by Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers in America reflects peer evaluation of our legal work.
We respond within 24 to 48 hours to preserve time-sensitive evidence, including police reports with blood alcohol concentration (BAC) test results, bar receipts, surveillance video from Harrisburg’s 3rd Street entertainment district, and physical evidence from crash locations on I-83, I-81, Front Street, Cameron Street, and US-322.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer at Munley Law
Call Us At 844-686-5397 How We Handle Drunk Driving Accident Claims in Harrisburg, PA
Drunk driving accidents in Harrisburg produce catastrophic injuries ranging from fractures and lacerations to traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage with paralysis, internal organ damage, and fatalities. According to the latest data from PennDOT, alcohol-impaired driving crashes killed 244 people in the state in 2024, 11 of whom came from Dauphin County.
Our Harrisburg drunk driving accident attorneys investigate where the driver consumed alcohol, whether a licensed establishment overserved them, and whether other parties share liability. We work with accident reconstruction experts, toxicologists, and medical specialists to establish causation and calculate damages.
We Collect Evidence Needed to Prove Liability
Our investigation begins with the police crash report, which documents the responding officer’s observations, the driver’s behavior at the scene, their performance on field sobriety tests, and BAC testing results. Pennsylvania law sets the legal intoxication threshold at 0.08% BAC, though motor skills and reaction time decline at lower levels.
We collect dashcam footage from involved vehicles, bodycam recordings from responding officers, and surveillance video from businesses near the crash scene. In downtown Harrisburg, this often includes footage from establishments along 3rd Street where impaired drivers may have consumed alcohol before driving. We also obtain evidence from crashes on the I-83 and I-81 corridors, where high speeds are associated with increased injury severity.
Accident reconstruction experts analyze skid marks, vehicle damage patterns, debris fields, and data from vehicle event data recorders to recreate the collision sequence. Medical records establish the link between crash forces and specific injuries.
“Since 1959, we have secured over $1 billion in
compensation for our clients.”
Daniel W. Munley
Compensation After a Drunk Driving Accident in Harrisburg
Different types of damages can be claimed for, including:
Economic and Non-Economic Damages
Victims of drunk driving accidents in Harrisburg may recover economic damages, which include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Property damage
Non-economic damages compensate for:
- Physical pain
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disfigurement and permanent scarring
These damages can also compensate for a loved one’s death if the accident was the cause. The specific damages available depend on the severity of injuries and their impact on daily functioning.
Punitive Damages
Pennsylvania law also permits the award of punitive damages in cases involving drunk driving. Pennsylvania statute 75 Pa.C.S. § 3802 prohibits driving under the influence, and Pennsylvania courts have found that drunk driving constitutes willful misconduct justifying punitive damages beyond compensatory awards.
Punitive damages punish the defendant for reckless conduct and are not subject to the same limitations as compensatory damages.
The Difference Between a Criminal DUI Case and a Civil Case
When a drunk driver is convicted of DUI in criminal court, that conviction can establish liability in civil proceedings. However, civil claims proceed independently of criminal cases. Unlike criminal cases, which require proof beyond a reasonable doubt, civil cases only require showing that the evidence more likely than not supports the claim. You can pursue civil compensation even if criminal charges are reduced or dismissed.
Insurance companies often dispute the severity of injuries, argue comparative negligence, or claim policy limits restrict recovery. At Munley Law, our attorneys work with medical experts, life care planners, vocational rehabilitation specialists, and economists to calculate lifetime costs for permanent injuries, including traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries requiring ongoing care.
What is Dram Shop Liability in Drunk Driving Accident Cases?
Harrisburg’s downtown nightlife district along 3rd Street generates significant foot traffic on evenings and weekends. Establishments serving alcohol in this area are legally required to monitor patrons and discontinue service when intoxication becomes visible.
Pennsylvania’s dram shop law permits claims against bars, restaurants, and licensed establishments that served alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person who subsequently caused an accident. Pennsylvania law also recognizes social host liability when private individuals serve alcohol to visibly intoxicated guests or provide alcohol to minors who subsequently cause accidents.
Dram shop liability is significant in catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases because commercial establishments typically carry liability insurance policies with higher limits than individual auto insurance policies.
How is Dram Shop Liability Proven?
To establish dram shop liability under Pennsylvania law, claimants must prove the establishment held a valid liquor license, served alcohol to someone visibly intoxicated, and that the intoxication substantially contributed to the crash and resulting injuries.
Visible intoxication under Pennsylvania law means substantial impairment of physical faculties that is plainly apparent. Evidence includes:
- Slurred speech
- Difficulty walking
- Bloodshot eyes
- Aggressive behavior
- Inability to focus
We obtain bar receipts showing the number and timing of drinks purchased, surveillance video from inside the establishment, witness statements from bartenders and patrons, and the establishment’s records of alcohol service training. Expert witnesses testify regarding industry standards for responsible alcohol service and whether the establishment’s practices met those standards.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a drunk driving accident in Harrisburg, you deserve experienced legal representation to help you recover the compensation you need. Contact Munley Law today for a free consultation with our dedicated personal injury attorneys who have successfully represented countless victims of impaired driving crashes throughout Pennsylvania.
Notable Drunk Driving Accident Verdicts Near Harrisburg
Munly Law has secured over $1 billion in damages, and just some of our successful settlements and verdicts in and around Harrisburg include:
- $17.5 million jury verdict for the wrongful death case of eight high school students who were killed in a drunk driving car crash.
- $1 million settlement for a retired firefighter who was killed after being hit head-on by a drunk driver.
- $1.9 million settlement for a pedestrian who a driver hit during a charity event.
Meet Our Attorneys Who Handle Drunk Driving Accident Cases in Harrisburg
The attorneys at Munley Law are board-certified civil trial advocates who represent clients in personal injury cases against insurance companies and negligent parties. Our attorneys are fluent in English and Spanish. Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers in America have recognized our work. When you retain Munley Law, you work directly with attorneys who handle your case from investigation through trial or settlement.
Areas We Serve Around Harrisburg After Drunk Driving Accidents
Munley Law represents drunk driving accident victims throughout Dauphin County, including Harrisburg, Linglestown, Steelton, Enola, Camp Hill, Penbrook, Paxtonia, Oberlin, Progress, Enhaut, Swatara Township, Lower Paxton Township, Susquehanna Township, and Middletown. Our attorneys meet with clients at our office, in their homes, or at the hospital. We are available 24/7.
Harrisburg Drunk Driving Accident FAQs
What Should I Do After a Drunk Driver Hits Me in Harrisburg?
Call 911 immediately and remain at the scene until police arrive. Seek medical evaluation even if you don’t think you’re injured. If possible, photograph the vehicle damage, skid marks, and the crash location. Document the other driver’s behavior for any sign of intoxication, such as slurred speech or stumbling. Obtain witness contact information. Contact a Harrisburg drunk driving accident lawyer within 24 to 48 hours to preserve evidence and maintain all medical records.
What If the Drunk Driver Who Hit Me Doesn’t Have Insurance?
Pennsylvania requires drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage, which protects you when an at-fault driver lacks insurance. Your own policy may compensate you for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Underinsured motorist coverage applies when the drunk driver’s policy limits are insufficient to cover your damages. Stacking multiple insurance policies may increase available compensation in severe injury cases.
Can I File a Lawsuit If a Drunk Driver Killed My Family Member in Harrisburg?
Pennsylvania law allows immediate family members to file wrongful death claims when drunk driving causes a fatal accident. Surviving spouses, children, and parents may recover funeral and burial expenses, lost financial support, loss of companionship, and the decedent’s pain and suffering before death. A separate survival action recovers damages the deceased could have claimed had they lived.
How Much Does a Harrisburg Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Cost?
Our Harrisburg drunk driving accident attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing up front and owe no legal fees unless you recover compensation. The attorney’s fee is a percentage of your settlement or verdict. This arrangement allows accident victims to access experienced legal representation regardless of their financial situation. During your free consultation, we explain all fee structures and costs so you understand precisely what to expect before moving forward with your case.
Should I Accept the Insurance Company’s Settlement Offer After a DUI Crash?
Insurance companies often extend early settlement offers before victims understand the full extent of their injuries. Accepting prematurely may leave you without compensation for future surgeries, ongoing rehabilitation, or permanent disability. Once you accept a settlement, you cannot pursue additional damages. A Harrisburg drunk driving accident attorney can evaluate whether the offer fairly compensates your current and future losses, negotiate with insurers on your behalf, and pursue litigation if necessary to secure appropriate compensation.
Contact a Harrisburg Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one has been injured by a drunk driver in Harrisburg, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. At Munley Law, our experienced drunk driving accident attorneys understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll these preventable crashes take on victims and families.
Don’t let a drunk driver’s reckless decision derail your life without fighting back. Contact Munley Law today at 844-263-8849 or fill out our online form to schedule your free consultation with one of our Harrisburg drunk driving accident lawyers.
Daniel W. Munley
Daniel W. Munley is an award-winning personal-injury attorney and champion of plaintiffs’ rights. For decades he’s won multi-million verdicts and settlements and is recognized as a national leader in truck and rideshare litigation,including a record $26 million truck settlement in Northeastern Pennsylvania and a $20 million recovery in 2024 for life-altering commercial-vehicle injuries.
