Philadelphia DUI Accident Attorney 

If you were a victim of a DUI related accident in Pennsylvania, you have a legal claim against the drunk driver and potentially legal rights against the bar, restaurant or club which served the driver alcohol.

• Pennsylvania has a Dram Shop law that allows injury victims to make a legal claim against businesses that serve alcohol to visibly intoxicated patrons.
• You may also have a right to pursue punitive damages against the drunk driver for the reckless act of drinking and driving.

Dram Shop claims are very fact intensive so it is important to make a claim as soon as possible to preserve important evidence such as surveillance video, credit card receipts of the drunk driver and social media posts to prove that the driver was visibly intoxicated.

Under Pennsylvania’s Social Host Liability Law, an adult may be liable for an intoxicated minor (under 21 years old) that is served or furnished alcohol at a party or social function and later causes an accident that injures another person. If the intoxicated minor suffers an injury from an accident due to intoxication, he or she may also have a legal claim against the adult for serving alcohol to a minor. ‘

What important drunk driving statistics do you need to know?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration maintains a database which contains statistics on drunk driving deaths on American roads. 17,500 people are killed each year in the United States in drunk driving accidents. That thousands more are injured in drunk driving accidents due to drivers operating their vehicles under the influence of alcohol and we have a true crisis on our hands.

Drunk driving accident lawyers such as those with Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C. can tell you that it is usually not the impaired driver who suffers the most serious injuries. Rather, it is often innocent motorists and pedestrians who suffer the most grievous injuries in a drunk driving crash.

Drivers operating their vehicles under the influence of alcohol are an unfortunate reality on Philadelphia roads. Factors such as the weather, holidays and even sporting events can increase the likelihood that you are injured due the negligence of a drunk driver.

If you have been injured in a drunk driving accident please consider contacting Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C. We are drunk driving accident attorneys who serve individuals who are injured in drunk driving crashes. We take seriously the responsibility to care for our community and protect those who are wrongfully injured. Contact our office today for a free-of-charge consultation.

How to determine whether a driver is impaired?

In some situations, you may be able to make a determination as to whether a particular driver is operating their vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. Being able to make this distinction is critical to keeping safe on Philadelphia roads.

Look for abnormal vehicle movements which indicate that a driver may be drunk behind the wheel. A swaying or erratic vehicle may be operated by a driver who is intoxicated. Or, the driver may be attempting to overcompensate for their impaired state and will drive excessively slow, taking prolonged stops at stop signs. When you identify a driver operating their vehicle in one of these ways, consider moving around that vehicle and exiting the area.

Why is drunk driving such a roadway hazard?

When a driver operates their vehicle under the influence of alcohol it is an extreme risk to you, other motorists as well as pedestrians in the immediate area. It goes without saying but because vehicles are mobile, the number of people that a drunk driver endangers due to their irresponsible decision to drive under the influence of alcohol is staggering. Thousands of people may come into contact with a drunk driver on any given night in Philadelphia.

A drunk driving crash may be brought about due to the impaired judgment, blurred vision, lack of focus or decreased reaction times of a impaired driver. Drunk driving accidents are difficult to avoid because the intoxicated driver has a variety of ways in which he or she may cause injury.

The drunk driving accident lawyers with Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C. have seen innocent drivers and pedestrians suffer severe injuries due to the negligence and irresponsibility of drunk drivers. As we mentioned earlier, it is usually the innocent driver or pedestrian who tends to suffer severe injuries most frequently when compared with the drunk driver.

Back injuries are among the most common injuries suffered in a drunk driving crash. The jolting action of a drunk driving accident coupled with the position of a seated driver or passenger means back injuries occur with regularity in drunk driving crashes. Back injuries may require physical therapy, chiropractic care or even surgery. This means missed time from work, missed moments with family and medical bills for you to consider.

Next, broken bones often result from drunk driving accidents because of the force absorbed by your vehicle in the crash. Imagine travelling through an intersection when a drunk driver barrels into the side of your vehicle without warning. You have no opportunity to move your vehicle even slightly from the path of the drunk driver. The result may be a broken arm, leg or even vertebrae. Make no mistake- drunk driving accidents mean the possibility of suffering a broken bone.

Finally, consider the possibility of a more significant injury to your head. Skull fractures and traumatic brain injuries unfortunately go hand in hand. When a drunk driver hits you that may cause your head to make contact with the interior of your vehicle. When this happens you are reliant upon an airbag deploying to soften the contact your head makes upon the surfaces in your vehicle. However, the force of the deploying airbag coupled with the position of your head may still leave you with a significant skull or brain injury.

When you are left to deal with a severe injury after a drunk driving accident you need a plan. Do not sign a settlement offer from an insurance company before contacting Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C. Our office knows how to negotiate with the drunk driver’s insurance company effectively. We advocate with strength on behalf of our clients When experience and toughness matter, reach out to Anthony C. Gagliano, III,. Esquire, P.C.

What types of compensation may be pursued in a drunk driving accident case?

A drunk driving accident attorney knows how to obtain a full range of compensation for their clients who are injured in drunk driving accidents. The unique circumstances of your drunk driving crash creates a multitude of ways for you to be compensated for your injuries you have suffered.

Economic damages include items like medical bills and property damage. Hospital and emergency room bills, physical therapy, ongoing treatment or even the costs associated with home-health can be recovered either in a settlement or courtroom verdict. Additionally, the cost to repair or pay you for a new vehicle can also be recovered.

Non-economic damages are harms suffered by you which cannot directly be quantified with a specific dollar amount. Examples of non-economic damages include pain and suffering and emotional distress. Working with an experienced Philadelphia car accident attorney allows you to maximize any type of claim for damages made against a drunk driver.

Mr. Gagliano has recently recovered the following settlements for victims of DUI related accidents:

• $500,000.00 – A DUI related accident in the Poconos (Carbon County) where an 18-year-old suffered a fractured neck with surgery after getting into the car of another 17-year-old who was drinking and driving.
• $250,000.00 – A Montgomery County woman suffered a fractured foot after being struck head on by a drunk driver.
• $800,000.00 – A painter fractured his leg after being forced off the road into a telephone pole by another driver on Roosevelt Boulevard in Philadelphia. Cans of beer were observed in the car at the accident scene.
• $750,000.00 – A Montgomery County food delivery truck driver was struck head on by another vehicle in Upper Merion Township, PA. The driver had intoxicating substances in his system at the time of the crash.

Our Philadelphia DUI Accident Attorney Team Fights for You

Were you recently in a catastrophic accident? It is advantageous to speak to a lawyer about your injuries and financial losses. A Philadelphia DUI accident attorney at Anthony C. Gagliano III, P.C. fight on the behalf of injured plaintiffs, and we can protect your rights. Complete our online form or call us at 267-861-7100 for a free consultation today. Based in Philadelphia, we proudly serve clients throughout Montgomery County, Delaware County, and Norristown.