Free consultation with an injury lawyer. Call 412-802-6666, text 412-855-5511, or send us a message.
Drunk driving crashes are completely preventable. Someone chose to drink and get behind the wheel. Victims are left with medical bills, lost income, and often lasting emotional trauma, and an understandable desire for justice.
The Criminal Case vs. Your Civil Case
When an impaired driver causes a crash, the police and prosecutor handle the DUI charges. A criminal case can put the driver behind bars, but it usually does little to pay for your losses. A separate civil lawsuit is how victims recover compensation. The two cases run on different tracks, and you do not have to wait for the criminal case to end to protect your rights.
Proving the Case
Driving under the influence is strong evidence of negligence. We still must prove that the driver’s conduct caused the crash and your injuries. Evidence can include blood or breath test results, police observations, video, witness testimony and receipts showing where the driver was drinking.
Who Else May Be Responsible
- Bars and restaurants. Pennsylvania’s dram shop law allows claims against a licensed establishment that served alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person who then caused harm.
- Adults who serve minors. Pennsylvania courts have allowed claims against social hosts who knowingly serve alcohol to minors.
- Employers and vehicle owners in some circumstances.
Why It Matters for Your Insurance
- Limited tort exception. Even if you chose limited tort, you may recover for pain and suffering if the other driver is convicted of DUI or accepts ARD.
- Punitive damages. Driving drunk can be reckless conduct that supports a claim for punitive damages, which are meant to punish, not just compensate.
- UM/UIM coverage on your own policy may help if the drunk driver has little or no insurance.
What You Can Recover
- Past and future medical bills
- Lost income and benefits
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Pain, suffering and emotional trauma
- Wrongful death damages for the family of a person killed
Most claims must be filed within two years. Talk to a lawyer early so evidence, especially bar receipts and surveillance video, is preserved.
Related Cases We Handle
Talk to an Injury Lawyer
Every case starts with a conversation with a lawyer. We will tell you honestly whether you have a case and what it may be worth. Our injury cases are handled by Noah Fardo and Bill Rogel, working with Shawn Flaherty.
Call 412-802-6666 or email Managing Partner Noah Fardo at npf@pghfirm.com. Prefer to text? Use 412-855-5511. More answers: Personal Injury FAQ.
There is no fee unless we obtain a monetary recovery. We advance the case costs and are reimbursed from the client’s share only if we are successful. General information only, not legal advice. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.











