If you were injured by an intoxicated driver, a Reading drunk driving accident lawyer can help you pursue accountability and compensation. In Reading and across Pennsylvania, alcohol-related crashes remain a serious danger on our roads, with impaired drivers causing devastating injuries and losses. Securing knowledgeable legal help early can significantly impact your financial recovery.
Driving under the influence (DUI) contributes to a substantial share of traffic fatalities and injuries nationwide, with thousands of Americans losing their lives in drunk driving crashes each year. In Pennsylvania, recent crash data shows thousands of alcohol-related incidents annually, leading to hundreds of deaths and injuries on state roadways.
An award-winning Reading car accident lawyer from Munley Law can provide the legal expertise and support you need. With nearly seven decades of proven experience and recognition from some of the most prestigious legal organizations in the US, including Best Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell, and Lawdragon, we can help navigate the complex legal system and protect your rights. Contact us today; our consultations are free, and we work on a no-win, no-fee basis.
How Common are Drunk Driving Accidents in Reading, PA?
Pennsylvania has a significant number of drunk driving accidents each year. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, 40,823 DUI arrests were made in 2023, while in 2024, the Commonwealth reported 7,745 alcohol-related crashes and 244 alcohol-related deaths, accounting for about 22% of the total traffic fatalities statewide.
For comparison, recent data shows that 34 people die daily in the U.S. as a result of drunk driving accidents; that translates to a rate of one person passing away every 42 minutes. In 2023, drunk driving accidents claimed the lives of 12,429 adults and children countrywide, accounting for 30% of all traffic deaths that year.
While alcohol-related crashes made up only 7% of all vehicle crashes in Pennsylvania in 2024, these types of accidents represented 22% of all fatal crashes. The vast majority of these accidents were on weekend nights. Most perpetrators of drunk driving accidents in Pennsylvania are between the ages of 21 and 25.
Pennsylvania has a zero-tolerance law for underage DUIs, those committed by those under the age of 21. In 2021, underage offenders represented 18% of all driver fatalities in car accidents. While this percentage has decreased in recent years, Pennsylvania records indicate underage DUIs continue to occur.
“At Munley Law, our mission is simple: to provide all injury victims equal access to justice, even against the most powerful entities. For more than 65 years, we have been the voice for the injured, the forgotten, and those who need someone to stand beside them in their darkest hour.”
Marion Munley
Call us at (844) 686-5397 Steps to Take After a Drunk Driving Accident
Being injured in any type of car accident can be traumatic. However, it is important to take certain key steps in the immediate aftermath of your accident. Taking these important steps can help preserve the validity of your personal injury claim.
Report the Accident
Reporting the accident to the police is a legal requirement. Additionally, involving the police means a police report must be filed, which can be a crucial piece of evidence if you seek legal recourse. Ensure you obtain a copy of any police report made at the scene to give to your personal injury attorney.
Gather Evidence
You will want to start gathering evidence for your case as soon as you are able. This may include taking pictures of the scene where the accident occurred, as well as your immediate injuries. Write notes of events and any noticeable details. Where possible, collect the contact information of any witnesses.
Seek Medical Attention
You may believe you made it out of the crash unscathed. However, even if you feel fine, some injuries may not be immediately apparent. If you seek medical treatment as soon as possible after an accident, your doctor can document any injuries in the immediate aftermath. This documentation is vital to proving these injuries resulted directly from the car accident, a key factor in seeking compensation.
Reach Out to an Attorney
A Reading accident attorney with experience in pursuing DUI cases can help ensure the other driver is held accountable for their actions. When you reach out to a lawyer after an accident, they can work with you to protect your best interests from the beginning. Your lawyer can ensure you get the fair compensation you are owed for your injuries.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer at Munley Law
Who Is Liable in a Drunk Driving Accident?
In Pennsylvania, if a driver is operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, that driver is almost always held liable in any resulting car accident claim. A driver has a duty to operate their vehicle safely, and driving under the influence is considered a breach of this duty through reckless driving.
However, there are instances where other parties may be held liable for a drunk driving accident in Pennsylvania:
Comparative Negligence and Shared Fault in DUI Crash Claims
Pennsylvania also follows a modified comparative negligence rule. This means that if you, as a victim, are found to be partially at fault for the accident, your compensation may be reduced by the proportion of your fault. Some common driver errors cited for invoking the comparative negligence defense can include whether you were also intoxicated, texting while driving, speeding, or otherwise engaging in reckless or distracted driving.
Third-Party Liability and Dram Shop Law
Other parties besides the at-fault driver can be held liable. Under Pennsylvania’s Dram Shop laws, if a business serves alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person, and that person later causes an accident, that business can be considered among the liable parties. Similarly, social hosts who serve alcohol to minors can be held liable if the minor causes a drunk driving accident.
Proving legal liability is complex and requires the attention of a dedicated attorney. A car accident lawyer at Munley Law can help you understand the nuances of Pennsylvania’s drunk driving laws and provide valuable information on the legal process. Our team of legal experts can gather evidence, negotiate with any involved insurance company, and represent you in court if necessary.
What Damages are Available for Victims of Drunk Drivers?
What Damages are Available for Victims of Drunk Drivers?Damages after a car crash are intended to help car accident victims recover losses resulting from the accident. Injured victims of drunk driving accidents can seek economic and non-economic monetary compensation for the actual damages suffered. Accident victims can also seek punitive damages in some cases.
Economic compensatory damages cover any quantifiable losses, including:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages and earning potential
- Property damage
Further compensation can be awarded for provable expenses related to long-term disability or wrongful death.
Non-economic damages compensate any losses that cannot be assigned an exact dollar value, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Loss of life enjoyment
Punitive damages are sometimes awarded in cases where a driver’s conduct was particularly reckless or negligent. These damages are intended to punish the drunk driver and deter similar behavior in the future.
Calculating your total damages owed can be complex, especially if you have a long-term disability affecting your future job prospects and medical treatment. At Munley Law, we have a thorough understanding of the legal system as it pertains to injury compensation. Our law firm also has extensive resources, allowing us to bring in financial experts to calculate your total projected damages owed for long-term injury treatment. We can use this powerful evidence to represent you in negotiations or, if necessary, in court.
Frequently Asked Questions About Drunk Driving Accidents in Reading, PA
What Qualifies as a Drunk Driving Accident Under Pennsylvania Law?
In Pennsylvania, a drunk driving accident involves a driver operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at or above the legal limit (0.08% for adults). If another driver’s intoxication caused your crash, you may pursue a personal injury claim on the basis that they breached their duty to drive safely.
How Are Alcohol-Related Crashes Different from Other Car Accidents in Legal Claims?
Alcohol-related crashes often involve criminal conduct by the at-fault driver, which can strengthen your civil claim. Evidence from DUI arrests and BAC results can support liability in civil court.
What If the At-Fault Driver Was Uninsured?
If the negligent driver in a drunk driving accident lacked insurance, you may be able to pursue compensation through your own underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage. A lawyer can help evaluate this option.
Are Punitive Damages Common in Drunk Driving Cases?
Punitive damages are not guaranteed in drunk driving cases. They are awarded when the defendant’s behavior was especially reckless or malicious. An experienced attorney can argue for punitive damages when circumstances justify them.
How Long Do Drunk Driving Claims Typically Take?
Every case is different, so there is no standard time for a drunk driving claim. Factors such as injury severity, insurance negotiations, and court schedules affect the timing. A lawyer can provide a more accurate timeline based on the details of your case.
Call Our Experienced Drunk Driving Attorneys at Munley Law Today
If you or a loved one has been a victim of an accident perpetrated by a drunk driver, it’s crucial to have experienced legal representation to navigate legal proceedings. That’s where the team at Munley Law can help you. Our Reading attorneys for drunk driving accidents are ready to put our legal expertise to work for you.
For nearly 70 years, Munley Law has been a trusted voice for injury victims, earning national and regional recognition for excellence in personal injury litigation and client advocacy.
Our firm includes attorneys consistently listed in The Best Lawyers in America, Pennsylvania Super Lawyers, and recognized with Best Law Firms Tier 1 rankings across multiple practice areas – accolades earned through peer review and demonstrated legal achievement.
Our commitment to justice has translated into multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts for clients facing catastrophic injuries, wrongful death, and complex accident claims.
We offer a free consultation to all potential clients, and you do not pay unless we win compensation for you. Our experienced lawyers can answer any legal questions you have and work with you to build your case.
Remember, time is of the essence in any car accident case. The sooner you reach out, the better we can work as your legal advocate. Let our experienced attorneys at Munley Law guide you through the process.
Marion Munley
Marion Munley has been practicing personal injury law for nearly 40 years. She is triple board-certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy for Truck Accident Law, Civil Trial Law, and Civil Practice Advocacy. She currently serves as Vice President of the American Association for Justice, an organization dedicated to safeguarding victims’ rights. Marion has won many multimillion-dollar recoveries for her clients, including one of the largest trucking accident settlements in history. She has been named a Top 10 Super Lawyer in Pennsylvania since 2023, a Best Lawyer in America, and was recently inducted to the Lawdragon Hall of Fame.
