Pittsburgh Drunk Driving Accident Attorneys

Providing Personalized Representation for Victims & Their Families

The damage that drunk driving does to our community is difficult to overstate. Every day, careless drivers injure, traumatize, and harm people for no other reason than that they are not sober. We take these cases to heart and work tirelessly to do right by those injured by drunk drivers, working to recover just compensation for those affected. 

Our team of Pittsburgh drunk driving accident lawyers understands how devastating drunk driving accidents can be. Because of this, we operate with compassion when dealing with victims. We represent our clients aggressively and effectively, seeking to deliver a favorable outcome to people who have either been struck by a drunk driver or families that have lost a loved one due to negligence. 

To schedule a free consultation, call us at (412) 900-8250 as soon as possible.

Pennsylvania DUI Laws

Pennsylvania takes driving under the influence (DUI) very seriously. Under state law, a person can be charged with DUI if they operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. The state also has lower thresholds for commercial drivers (0.04%) and drivers under 21 years old (0.02%).

DUI penalties vary depending on BAC level, prior offenses, and whether the crash caused injuries. Consequences may include:

• Heavy fines and court costs
• License suspension or revocation
• Mandatory alcohol education or treatment programs
• Jail time or probation
• Installation of an ignition interlock device

While criminal penalties punish drunk drivers, they do not compensate accident victims. That is where civil claims and lawsuits come in. Our Pittsburgh drunk driving accident lawyer can help you pursue damages for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses.

How to Prove Liability Against a Drunk Driver

To recover compensation, you must establish that the drunk driver’s negligence caused your injuries. In civil cases, the burden of proof is lower than in criminal DUI trials, but evidence is still crucial.

Ways to prove liability may include:

• Police reports – Officers often conduct field sobriety tests, breathalyzer tests, or blood draws, which provide powerful evidence.
• Witness statements – Testimony from passengers, other drivers, or bystanders can confirm signs of impairment.
• Surveillance or dashcam footage – Video can capture erratic driving patterns or the crash itself.
• Expert testimony – Accident reconstruction experts can explain how impairment contributed to the collision.
• Driver admissions – Statements made by the impaired driver at the scene or during investigation can be used against them.

Even if the driver is not convicted in criminal court, you may still win compensation in civil court. Your attorney will carefully gather and present all available evidence to establish fault.

Dram Shop & Social Host Liability in PA

In some drunk driving accident cases, responsibility does not end with the intoxicated driver. Pennsylvania has dram shop laws that allow victims to hold bars, restaurants, or other establishments liable if they serve alcohol to visibly intoxicated patrons or to minors who later cause an accident.

Additionally, social host liability may apply when a private individual provides alcohol to a minor who then drives impaired and causes a crash. While Pennsylvania does not hold social hosts liable for serving alcohol to adults, they can be held accountable if they serve minors.

By pursuing dram shop or social host claims, your lawyer may be able to access additional sources of compensation—especially important when the drunk driver’s insurance coverage is insufficient to cover your losses.

Compensation Available in Drunk Driving Accident Cases

Victims of drunk driving accidents in Pittsburgh may be entitled to several forms of compensation, including:

• Medical expenses (emergency care, surgeries, rehabilitation, long-term treatment)
• Lost income and diminished earning capacity
• Property damage (vehicle repairs or replacement)
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Wrongful death damages (funeral expenses, loss of financial support, loss of companionship) if the crash is fatal

Your attorney will evaluate your case to calculate the full value of your damages and negotiate aggressively with insurance companies or pursue litigation when necessary.