Fourth of July Drunk Driving Crashes in Montgomery County: What Injured Victims Should Know
The Fourth of July is a highlight of every American summer. Throughout Pennsylvania, people gather for community parades, watch local fireworks displays or set off their own, and enjoy a relaxing weekend of barbecues and celebration. For many, no Fourth of July event is complete without a good burger and a good beer, which means that, unfortunately, the Fourth of July is also a time of increased drunk driving and higher rates of car accidents.
The Fourth of July consistently ranks as one of the deadliest weekends of the year for drunk driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, between 2020 and 2024, 2, 719 people were killed in car accidents over the Fourth of July weekend, and 38% of drivers in those accidents were drunk. In 2026, the Pennsylvania State Police reported issuing 15,567 citations over the July 4, 2026 weekend and arrested 303 drivers for driving under the influence. In just three days, drunk driving was responsible for 55 different car accidents in the state and three fatalities.
If you were the unfortunate victim of a drunk driving accident this Fourth, or any other holiday weekend, you know how life-changing that moment can be. At Anthony C. Gagliano III, Esquire, P.C., our Montgomery County car accident lawyers understand the trauma, stress, and expense that comes with being a victim of a drunk driving accident. We are here to help you handle the aftermath so you can recover and get the compensation you need to start looking forward to the holidays again.
What To Do If You’re Injured in a Holiday Weekend Drunk Driving Accident
If you are involved in a drunk driving accident over a holiday weekend, or any other day of the year, there are several key steps that you can take to protect your rights and prevent future injuries by holding drunk drivers accountable.
Safety First
First, protect yourself and your loved ones by getting your vehicle out of the way of oncoming traffic. If you can move your vehicle, move it to the side of the road and alert other drivers, such as by turning on your hazard lights. If your vehicle can’t be moved, try to get yourself and any other passengers off the road and away from oncoming traffic if possible.
Call 911
Second, contact the police or emergency services immediately. If you or anyone involved needs medical assistance, call 911 as soon as possible to assess any injuries. And even if everyone involved in the accident seems okay, notifying police is still important because drunk driving is a criminal offense in Pennsylvania. Drunk drivers may try to persuade you not to contact the police, offering immediate money or assistance, but you should not be dissuaded. Notify the police to support any future legal action or insurance claims. Police officers can properly document a driver’s intoxication and collect evidence for future criminal charges.
Collect Evidence
Even while you wait for police to arrive, you can begin the important steps of documenting any evidence of a driver’s intoxication. If you feel safe doing so, document the other driver’s behaviors, including whether they were slurring their words, if they smelled like alcohol, or if they were unsteady on their feet. If their vehicle contains any evidence of open bottles or containers, you can also attempt to take photographs of these surroundings.
Also collect general evidence of the crash, including photos and videos of the scene, vehicle damage, road markings, and any physical injuries suffered by those involved. If bystanders witnessed the crash or evidence of the driver’s intoxication, you should try to get their contact information and statements. An experienced Montgomery County car accident lawyer can help you develop witness statements and evaluate the evidence you collected after an accident.
Your Legal Rights After a Drunk Driving Accident
If you are the victim of a drunk driving accident, it is important to understand that drunk driving can trigger both criminal and civil liability. If a driver has been driving while intoxicated, the state may pursue criminal charges, including punishments such as jail time, fines, or license revocation. While you may be asked to participate in these criminal proceedings as a victim, the intent is not to compensate you for your injuries; it is to hold the driver responsible under the law.
Separately, civil claims do allow a victim to obtain compensation for the harm that they suffered. Drunk driving accident victims can bring personal injury claims against drivers who harmed them. Under these civil laws, victims are entitled to compensation for their economic losses (such as medical expenses) and also non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and loss of enjoyment due to their injuries. Additionally, victims of drunk driving may also be able to bring punitive damages claims, which are designed to punish individuals who engage in acts that show a reckless disregard for human life. A Montgomery County car accident lawyer can help you evaluate whether punitive damages may be an option in your case.
Contact Us If A Fourth of July Drunk Driver Harms You
A drunk driving accident can have a traumatizing and long-lasting impact on your life, but there are key steps that you can take to try to minimize these harms. At Anthony C. Gagliano III, Esquire, P.C., our Montgomery County car accident lawyers have decades of experience representing victims of drunk driving accidents and can help ensure that you receive the justice and compensation that you deserve. For more information or to schedule a consultation, contact us today.