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Under Pennsylvania law, anyone who operates a motor vehicle while having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of at least 0.08 percent or while otherwise impaired by alcohol or drugs has committed the criminal offense of driving under the influence (DUI). In addition to facing sanctions upon conviction in criminal court, which may include fines, probation, and even jail or prison time, drunk drivers can also be held civilly liable for any injury they cause another person to sustain through their irresponsible behavior behind the wheel.
Make no mistake, though: civil claims based on drunk driving car accidents in Pittsburgh can be trickier to effectively pursue than you might expect, especially if this is your first time dealing with civil law in this way. If you have been hurt due to a drunk driver’s negligence, you will want to get the help of an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible after receiving necessary medical care.
Holding a Drunk Driver Liable for Specific Damages
Since drunk driving is both illegal and reckless, it is a textbook example of the kind of negligence that can justify a personal injury lawsuit in Pennsylvania if it directly leads to an otherwise avoidable car accident. Someone found legally liable for a drunk driving car wreck in Pittsburgh can be made to pay financially for both economic and non-economic consequences of the crash, including:
- Lost enjoyment/quality of life
- Physical pain and discomfort
- Emotional trauma and suffering
- Lost work income and working capacity
- Medical bills, including expected costs of long-term/future care
- Vehicle repair/replacement costs and other out-of-pocket expenses
It is worth noting that if the driver found at fault for a wreck is later convicted of a DUI about that wreck, the restrictions on civil litigation set by Pennsylvania’s choice no-fault laws for auto accident claims would not apply even if the injured person pursuing compensation has limited tort insurance. A qualified attorney can explain these rules and how they may impact recovery efforts in a particular situation during a private initial meeting.
What If a Drunk Driver Is Not Convicted of DUI?
Another essential thing to know about drunk driving car accident litigation in Pittsburgh is that injured individuals do not have to wait until criminal proceedings against the drunk driver conclude before filing a civil lawsuit against them. It is not only possible but not all that uncommon to successfully sue over this sort of wreck even after the allegedly drunk driver is acquitted of DUI or has charges against them dismissed.
This is because criminal cases are built around a stricter standard of proof than civil cases: beyond a reasonable doubt for the former and based on a preponderance of the evidence for the latter. Furthermore, each type of case would proceed separately from the other, and the outcome of one would have no direct legal bearing on the outcome of the other.
Consider Working with a Pittsburgh Attorney on Your Drunk Driving Car Accident Lawsuit Today
Drunk drivers put themselves and everyone around them in harm’s way for every second they spend on public roads while impaired. If you were hurt in a wreck caused by a drunk driver, you likely have grounds for legal action against them, which a knowledgeable legal professional can help you take full advantage of.
Getting the best civil case result possible in the wake of a drunk driving car accident in Pittsburgh will be much easier with support from a seasoned legal professional who has dealt with similar cases successfully before. Call today to learn more during a consultation meeting.
