This New Year’s, many people made the illegal and unsafe mistake of operating their vehicles while under the influence of alcohol. If you are someone who was recently injured in an accident due to a drunk driver, you are most likely now seeking financial compensation. Please continue reading and speak with our experienced Pennsylvania personal injury attorneys to learn more about drunk driving accidents and how our firm can help if you’ve been hurt in one. Here are some of the questions you may have:
What should I do after an accident with a drunk driver?
If you were injured in an accident caused by a drunk driver, you should take the following steps to bolster your chances of winning a personal injury claim in the future:
- Call the police, as they will send an ambulance and require the driver to submit to chemical testing (eg. a breathalyzer test). This will be a critical part of proving your personal injury claim.
- Ask any witnesses of the accident for their name, phone number, and email address.
- Take pictures of the accident, including any damage to your car or the other motorist’s car.
- Seek immediate medical treatment.
- Once you are treated and in stable condition, retain the services of a knowledgeable Pennsylvania personal injury attorney who can gather and present all additional evidence needed to satisfy the burden of proof.
Does Pennsylvania have a dram shop law?
Most states throughout the country have dram shop laws in place. Essentially, a dram shop law allows someone who was injured in an accident due to a drunk driver to sue the driver, as well as the establishment that served the driver alcohol under certain circumstances. In Pennsylvania, the dram shop law states that those who’ve been injured in an accident due to drunk drivers can sue an employee or “agent” of an establishment who served alcohol to someone who was “visibly intoxicated” at the time of being served.
What is the statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Pennsylvania?
The statute of limitations is the amount of time in which a wrongly injured party has to sue the party liable for their injuries. Since the statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Pennsylvania is, under most circumstances, two years, you will, generally, have two years from the date of your accident to take legal action. If you wait any longer than two years, there is a very good chance that you will be permanently barred from suing. We are ready to help you today.
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Friedman Schuman is an experienced and dedicated legal resource for clients throughout Pennsylvania. We proudly serve clients facing a wide range of legal matters. If you require the services of an effective attorney, please contact Friedman Schuman today to schedule a consultation.
