Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is an egregious and negligent act that places other motorists and pedestrians in danger. At Soloff & Zervanos, P.C., we are dedicated to helping individuals and families that have been harmed by a drunk driver. We understand how devastating drunk driving car accidents in Philadelphia can be, and we strongly believe that individuals who drive under the influence and the establishments that serve them should be held accountable for their actions. An auto accident attorney from our firm will have the experience and persistence needed to bring about a successful case resolution for you and your family.
Drunk drivers pose a real risk to motorists and pedestrians and must be held accountable for their actions. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that alcohol and drug-related traffic accidents caused 16,855 fatalities in 2005 — nearly 40 percent of the total number of traffic fatalities for the year. Unfortunately, this means that the volume of traffic fatalities in America every year could be drastically reduced if individuals did not make the willful and reckless choice to drive while under the influence. An auto accident attorney in Philadelphia from Soloff & Zervanos, P.C., can provide sound legal counsel and aggressive representation if you have been involved in a drunk driving accident.
Turning to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, we can see that there were 125,267 total collisions reported across the Commonwealth during the latest year of data available. Looking a bit closer at the statistics, we see that there were 9,380 total alcohol-related collisions. At first, these statistics seem to deceive because they reveal that drunk driving crashes do not represent a significant percentage of the overall crash total. However, when we dig into the injury and fatality statistics, we can see why these incidents are so tragic.
During that same year, these collisions were responsible for 5,938 injuries and 299 fatalities. This means that alcohol-related fatalities were 28% of the total traffic fatalities overall.
On average, there are 26 alcohol-related crashes across Pennsylvania each day. 69% of these collisions occurred during nighttime and they usually occurred on weekends.
The accident attorneys at Soloff & Zervanos, P.C. regularly help clients who have sustained severe injuries in the aftermath of these collisions. Often, a drunk driving crash occurs at high speeds and before any person has a chance to step on the brakes. Is not uncommon for our team to work with clients who have sustained the following:
Unfortunately, victims of drunk driving crashes in Philadelphia often suffer from significant emotional and psychological trauma as a result of the crash and their injuries. These injuries may not be as visible as the traumatic injuries listed above, but they can have just as big of an impact on a victim. Emotional and psychological trauma can keep a person from enjoying everyday activities, from going to work, and from having a decent quality of life.
It is important to remember that, when you have been injured or a loved one has been killed in a crash by a drunk driver in Philadelphia, you have rights. Depending on the circumstances of your accident, you may be able to pursue compensation for medical costs, rehabilitation costs, loss of wages (including future wages), and pain and suffering. It may also be possible to file for punitive damages against the liable party to punish him or her for operating a motor vehicle with a wanton disregard for the safety of others. Our trial-hardened lawyers will aggressively represent you and take your case to trial if necessary to see that you obtain just and fair compensation for your suffering.
You may also be eligible to file a claim against the party responsible for providing the defendant with alcohol. Known as Dram Shop Liability, the law allows the victim of the accident to file for compensation from the business or individual who served the intoxicated driver alcohol if it can be shown that the defendant was visibly intoxicated when he or she was served, or the provider of the alcohol should have known that the party was intoxicated. When the defendant is under 21 years of age, you can file a claim against the provider of the alcohol regardless of other circumstances. At Soloff & Zervanos, P.C., we will file suit against any and all negligent parties to help ensure you obtain the compensation that you deserve.
Every state sets time limits for how long victims have to file lawsuits if they are harmed by another person’s negligence. The Pennsylvania injury statute of limitations is two years from the date an accident occurs. This gives drunk driving accident victims a two-year window with which to file a lawsuit in Philadelphia against the alleged negligent driver. Failing to file a lawsuit within this time frame will result in the victim being unable to recover the compensation they deserve.
However, this two-year timeframe does not play a role in any insurance reporting deadlines for the crash. Most insurance carriers require that all parties involved report the incident as soon as possible, usually within a day or two. Failing to file an insurance claim in a timely manner could result in the carrier delaying or denying the claim. It is crucial that you work with a skilled lawyer as soon as possible to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
In the event that a loved one has been killed in a drunk driving accident, our compassionate attorneys and staff will guide you through the process of filing a wrongful death lawsuit. We can handle the complex legal aspects of filing a lawsuit so that your family can continue the grieving process. An auto accident lawyer from Soloff & Zervanos, P.C. can help your family obtain compensation for medical costs, funeral costs, pain and suffering, and loss of companionship.
When you have been involved in a drunk driving car accident in Philadelphia, we will work diligently to see you obtain the compensation you deserve. To schedule a free consultation with an attorney, contact Soloff & Zervanos, P.C., today.
