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Getting in a car accident can be one of the most stressful events in a person’s life, especially if it happens in a busy area like the Route 19 corridor or near the Pennsylvania Turnpike. If you or a loved one gets injured by a drunk driver, a Cranberry Township drunk driving accident lawyer at Bowers Fawcett & Hurst, LLC can provide the legal support needed to deal with the complexities of your recovery.
In Pennsylvania, drunk driving accident laws are designed to hold negligent drivers accountable. If you get involved in a collision with a drunk driver, the law allows you to file a claim based on criminal and civil statutes. While a driver may face criminal charges, the victim has the right to start a civil claim to recover damages. Under the principle of negligence per se, if a driver is convicted of a DUI, it can serve as automatic proof of negligence in your civil case.
Sadly, alcohol-related cases make up a significant percentage of traffic fatalities statewide. For this reason, it’s vital for you and your loved ones to know a Cranberry Township drunk driving accident attorney to turn to in case of an accident. The most effective lawyer for you can meticulously gather evidence, from police reports to blood alcohol content results, to build a compelling case for your compensation.
When you know how often drunk driving occurs in the state, you can better understand why legal action is so critical. Even though deaths caused by drunk driving were lower than before in 2024, alcohol is still a main cause of deadly accidents. Consider the following:
Additionally, in Western Pennsylvania, holiday travel is a peak danger time. For instance, during the 2025 New Year’s period, the Pennsylvania State Police investigated 31 crashes that involved impairment as a factor. These numbers reflect the high stakes involved in every drunk driving accident claim.
To ensure your rights are fully protected and you receive the maximum settlement possible, you should hire a drunk driving accident lawyer as soon as possible after the incident. Insurance companies often attempt to settle quickly for the lowest amount possible before it’s even known how much medical care accident victims need.
A dedicated attorney can evaluate every possible way to get recovery, including Dram Shop claims if a local establishment over-served the driver. While they consider every possibility and negotiate with other relevant parties, you’ll be able to focus on your physical and emotional healing.
At Bowers Fawcett & Hurst, LLC, we work to quantify your pain and suffering, lost wages, and future medical expenses to ensure no stone is left unturned.
Choosing the right legal team in Western Pennsylvania makes a difference in the outcome of your drunk driving accident claim. Our firm applies our extensive knowledge of the law with our more than 45 combined years of experience in handling personal injury cases across the state to demonstrate our commitment to the families of Cranberry Township.
We understand that every case is unique, so we provide personalized attention that mill-like firms cannot match. This, along with our resources, adds to our track record of securing significant settlements and verdicts.
We help families seek justice for drunk driving victims by giving them access to our high-quality legal representation, regardless of their current financial situation. Let us be your voice in the pursuit of justice and accountability.
Severe criminal and civil consequences can happen if you cause a car accident while you’re drunk in Pennsylvania. Criminally, you may face aggravated assault by vehicle or homicide by vehicle charges, high-level felonies that carry mandatory prison time and heavy fines.
From a civil standpoint, the injured parties can file a claim against you for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Your insurance may not cover all damages, which can leave your personal assets at risk for recovery.
The 2-hour rule for DUI in Pennsylvania, Title 75 § 3802, generally requires law enforcement to obtain a blood or breath chemical test within two hours of an intoxicated person operating their vehicle. If the test is taken outside this window, the results could be deemed inadmissible in court unless the prosecution can prove good cause for the delay. This rule ensures the reliability of BAC evidence relative to the time of driving.
The 5-day rule in Pennsylvania, Rule of Criminal Procedure 519, states that if a person is arrested for a DUI and gets let go without a preliminary arraignment, the arresting officer must file a formal complaint within five days. This rule is intended to ensure the defendant promptly hears about the charges against them. If the officer doesn’t file within this deadline, the defendant’s charges could be dropped, though courts look at delays on a case-by-case basis.
Pennsylvania is a no-fault state for car accidents. This means drivers choose between Full Tort and Limited Tort insurance. Under no-fault rules, your own insurance typically pays for your medical bills regardless of who caused the crash. However, if you have Full Tort, or if the law views your injuries as serious, you retain the right to file a claim against the at-fault drunk driver for non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
You do not have to face the aftermath of a drunk driving accident alone, as the Bowers Fawcett & Hurst, LLC, team is here and dedicated to helping you get the financial resources you need to move forward. If you are ready to seek the compensation you deserve, contact us today for a no-obligation case evaluation.
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Ambridge, PA 15003
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