We know that drinking and driving is something that should not happen. Unfortunately, it is still all too common across Pennsylvania. There were more than 128,188 vehicle crashes reported in the latest reporting year according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
How many of those were due to incidents involving alcohol?
Police across Pennsylvania do what they can to keep drunk drivers off the road, but they cannot catch everyone. Drunk drivers are the cause of some of the most serious accidents that occur on the roadways in and around Pennsylvania. Do you know where to turn if you or a loved one are injured due to the negligent actions of an impaired driver?
When you need a Morgantown DUI accident attorney, you can count on the team at Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman to be by your side to recover the compensation you deserve.
The Harsh Reality
We need to look closely at the statistics concerning drunk driving incidents in Pennsylvania. For the latest reporting year in the commonwealth, there were 10,346 injuries and 293 fatalities due to alcohol-related crashes.
- 26% of all traffic fatalities were alcohol-related.
- Allegheny County has one of the highest alcohol-related fatality rates.
Drivers who operate under the influence are more of a danger than anyone else on the roadway. They often drive at high rates of speed. Sometimes they do not even slow down before they impact someone else. They are not only a danger to other vehicle passengers, but also to motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians in or around the roadway. We often see the following injuries as a result of drunk driving incidents:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken or dislocated bones
- Amputations or severe lacerations
- Internal organ damage or bleeding
The cost of care for these accidents can be tremendous and put families in financial jeopardy if their insurance does not cover all of the costs. Expenses extend beyond medical bills and include lost wages and benefits as well as pain and suffering damages. If a person is disabled, they often need a vehicle and home accommodations to help with mobility.
Why should a person have to pay for all of that if a drunk driver caused their accident?
Prescription And Illicit Drugs
We want to note that driving under the influence of drugs, whether they are prescribed or illicit, is also prohibited. Police have tests they can administer to determine a person’s intoxication level if alcohol is not involved.
What You Can Do Now
If you or a loved one have been injured due to the actions of a driver impaired by alcohol or drugs, seek legal assistance immediately. At Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman, our qualified and experienced personal injury team understands the laws regarding these incidents and will work tirelessly to secure the compensation you need. This can include coverage of medical expenses, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering damages, and more.
If you need a Morgantown DUI accident attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling 888-98-TWINS(89467).