Drunk Driving Accidents
Accidents caused by a drunk driver are some of the worst types of accidents. Driving under the influence (PA-DUI) or driving while intoxicated (NJ-DWI) car accidents are completely preventable. Each year, Pennsylvania has about 60,000 DUI arrests and New Jersey has about 35,000 DUI arrests. A small percentage of NJ and PA DUIarrests involve car or truck accidents caused by drunk drivers. These DUI accidents may result in personal injuries or wrongful death.
Cases involving accidents caused by drunk drivers are not as easy as you may think in Pennsylvania or New Jersey. Just because someone is charged with or even convicted of driving under the influence doesn’t mean that their criminal DUI arrest or conviction will be admissible in your personal injury case. Although, the fact that your PA or NJ car accident was caused by a drunk driver may help settle your personal injury case sooner.
DUI accidents can mean a big recovery. Learn about how to recover for a drunk driving related personal injury.
If you are injured in a Bucks County car accident caused by a person driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs you will have the right to make a statement in court if and when the drunk driver is sentenced. We recommend that you are represented by an experienced lawyer who is both knowledgeable in DUI/DWI law and personal injury law such as the lawyers at Saile & Saile LLP. This will give you the best advantage and protection when making a statement while pursuing your personal injury case against a drunk driver.
In most cases, the PA or NJ car accident is clearly the drunk driver’s fault. In serious injury cases, an injured person may be awarded punitive damages if the driver was very drunk. Punitive damages in a personal injury case are damages intended to punish the drunk driver for his or her illegal and dangerous conduct that caused the serious personal injuries or death.
If you are injured by a drunk driver in Pennsylvania, your limited tort restriction will automatically be changed to full tort if the negligent or reckless driver pleads guilty, is found guilty of DUI by a judge or jury, or enters the Pennsylvania First Offender’s Program (otherwise known as A.R.D.).
If you have been injured in a NJ or PA accident caused by a drunk driver, call the personal injury lawyers at Saile & Saile LLP. We know Pennsylvania’s DUI laws and New Jersey’s DWI laws, and we know how to fight for our clients injured in accidents caused by drunk drivers. We offer free consultations for victims of drunk driving accidents in PA and NJ.
