Pittsburgh Drunk Driving Accident Attorneys

Dedicated Advocacy for DUI Victims and Their Families in Pittsburgh

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 these 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. 

Let our trusted drunk driving accident lawyers in Pittsburgh fight for the compensation you deserve. Call (412) 900-8250 to schedule a free case review.

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 personal injury lawsuits come in. Our drunk driving accident lawyer in Pittsburgh can help you pursue damages for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses.

In many cases, the criminal DUI process in Allegheny County and surrounding counties unfolds at the same time you are trying to recover from serious injuries. We monitor related criminal proceedings, gather records from the arrest, and coordinate our strategy so that evidence from the criminal case can support your civil claim wherever possible.

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 r dashcam footage: Video can capture erratic driving patterns or the crash itself.
• Professional testimony: Accident reconstruction professionals 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 drunk driving accident attorney will carefully gather and present all available evidence to establish fault.

We also look for supporting documentation such as medical records, employment files showing time missed from work, and photographs of the crash scene and vehicle damage. In a serious drunk driving wreck, it is common for multiple parties to be involved, and we may work with investigators to identify additional sources of responsibility, such as a bar that overserved the driver or a rideshare company that failed to screen a driver with a history of alcohol-related offenses.

Dram Shop and Social Host Liability in Pennsylvania

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 Pittsburgh 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

We take into account both the immediate costs you are facing and the ways a serious injury may affect you years into the future. That can include ongoing physical therapy, future surgeries, accommodations you may need at work, and the impact on your family life and daily activities around Pittsburgh. By fully documenting these losses and presenting them to the insurance company or, when necessary, to a jury at the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas, our drunk driving accident attorney in Pittsburgh can help you pursue the financial recovery you need to move forward.

How Our Pittsburgh Drunk Driving Accident Attorneys Help You

A crash caused by an impaired driver can leave you dealing with serious injuries, vehicle damage, and sudden financial stress. Many people are unsure whether they need a lawyer or what an attorney will actually handle. From the moment you contact our firm, we focus on protecting your rights and easing the legal burden while you concentrate on recovery.

Here is how we assist clients after a drunk driving accident in Pittsburgh:

• Immediate Protection of Your Rights: We step in quickly to manage communications with insurance companies and help prevent statements or paperwork from being used to minimize your claim.
• Preservation of Critical Evidence: Drunk driving cases often involve time-sensitive evidence, including police reports, BAC test results, dashcam or surveillance footage, and witness statements. We work to secure and review this information before it is lost.
• Thorough Crash Investigation: Our team analyzes accident reports, interviews witnesses when necessary, and examines the circumstances surrounding the collision. If appropriate, we consult with accident reconstruction professionals to clarify how the crash occurred.
• Coordination with Medical and Financial Professionals: Serious injuries may require ongoing treatment, rehabilitation, or long-term care. We may consult with medical providers and financial professionals to understand the full impact of your injuries on your health, employment, and future needs.
• Clear Guidance On Your Legal Options: We explain your options in plain language, including how insurance claims work in Pennsylvania, when a lawsuit may be appropriate, and how potential settlement offers should be evaluated. Our goal is to provide the information you need to make informed decisions.
• Local Experience in Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania: Whether your crash occurred on I-376, Route 28, or a neighborhood roadway, we understand how local courts and insurers approach drunk driving injury claims. That familiarity helps us develop a strategy tailored to your case.

When you work with a drunk driving accident lawyer Pittsburgh victims trust, you do not have to manage negotiations, investigations, and legal deadlines alone. We handle the legal process so you can focus on healing and rebuilding after a serious collision.