Roseanne DeRosa lost her daughter in a DUI accident recently and she has some serious questions that need to be answered. The man who hit her daughter, David Strowhouer, had five DUI convictions in the last nine years. This crash marks his sixth DUI charge in that timespan.
“I can’t believe how he slipped through the system like this,” says DeRosa.
Strowhouer is charged with homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence. The charge carries a minimum of seven years in prison upon conviction for repeat offenders. He was already out on parole. Part of his parole conditions was that he not drink alcohol or drive without a valid license, both of which he violated in this case.
At Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman, we recognize that there are many dangers on the roadways and that drunk drivers pose major threats. If you need a DUI accident attorney in Pittsburgh, please call us today.
Pennsylvania Cracks Down
In recognition of the pervasive problem of drunk drivers and the fact that law enforcement needed more tools to combat the problem, the DUI laws here in Pennsylvania have been strengthened recently. As a deterrence against drinking and driving, the governor has made certain DUI offenses felony charges, especially for repeat offenders.
Perhaps if David Strowhouer had been punished more severely, he would not have been behind the wheel the day he killed Roseanne DeRosa’s daughter.
For the latest reporting year in Pennsylvania, there were:
- 10,346 alcohol-related crashes
- They represented 26% of all vehicle crash fatalities
- 293 people we killed
- Almost 5,000 people we injured
Alcohol-related crashes are much more severe than regular vehicle crashes. This is because a drunk driver is more likely to be speeding and driving recklessly. In many cases, drunk drivers do not even touch their brakes before a crash.
We need to note that it is not only other vehicle passengers in danger. Drunk drivers pose major threats to motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. The injuries from these types of accidents are almost always severe and can include:
- Major internal bleeding/organ damage
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken and dislocated bones
- Lacerations and amputations
Major injuries will lead to tremendous medical bills, especially if a crash victim needs extending rehabilitation in order to recover. Often, insurance companies will not even offer a settlement that covers these medical expenses, much less the other hidden costs of crashes (loss of income, pain, and suffering, etc.).
What Are Your Options Now?
If you or a loved one have been harmed by someone driving under the influence of alcohol, please seek legal assistance as soon as possible. At Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman, our qualified and experienced team is ready to get to work for you. We want to make sure that you get compensation for:
- Your medical bills
- Lost income if you cannot work
- Loss of enjoyment of life damages
- Punitive damages
When you need a Pittsburgh DUI accident attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation by calling at 888-98-TWINS(89467).