Why You Need A Pennsylvania Dram Shop Lawyer
Drunk driving accidents can be extremely traumatic for victims. For many, it doesn't make any sense because their lives have suddenly been turned upside down. They are now faced with enormous medical bills, hospital expenses, medication costs and loss of wages because of missed work time – all because of someone else's decision to get behind the wheel drunk. In such a position, a majority of victims don't even realize what they are going through – emotionally and financially. The economic impact of a DUI crash surfaces weeks or even a few months after the accident when victims or their families are sent the first of many exorbitant bills.
Devastating Financial Impact
Even if you have comprehensive insurance coverage including uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, you may still be faced with numerous, unanticipated out-of pocket expenses. If you are uninsured or underinsured, the financial consequences of an accident caused by someone else's negligence or wrongdoing can be devastating and overwhelming. In some drunk driving accidents, the victim could be killed or disabled for life, leaving him or her unable to return to work or earn a livelihood. These are only some of the financial impacts DUI accident victims and their families suffer.
Recovering Compensation from Third Parties
So, why do you need to get a Pennsylvania dram shop lawyer on your side after a DUI accident? An experienced and knowledgeable liquor liability attorney will be able to examine all possible avenues for compensation. There are several questions to be asked after a DUI accident. Most victims mistakenly believe that the accident was only the fault of the drunk driver. But there are many other parties who could have caused or contributed to the DUI accident.
Examples of such third parties include a bar or retail establishment that sold alcohol to the driver despite seeing that the person was visibly drunk, or, a social party host who provided alcohol to an underage individual or minor or an already intoxicated person. These parties can also be held liable under Pennsylvania's dram shop laws.
An Experienced Pennsylvania Dram Shop Lawyer is Invaluable
Naming these additional negligent parties makes a huge difference in personal injury or wrongful death claims. Earlier, where a drunk driving victim would have received compensation only from the at-fault driver's insurer, he or she now also stands to collect additional compensation from a negligent bar owner or party host.
Dram shop laws exist to protect victims of drunk driving. However, they are complex. It takes an experienced liquor liability lawyer who has handled many such cases successfully to gather important evidence, eyewitness testimony and other details to prove the case against the negligent parties.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a Pennsylvania DUI accident, please contact a skilled and knowledgeable liquor liability lawyer at Cherry, Fieger and Marciano LLP., for a free, comprehensive and confidential consultation. We have the experience and resources to pursue the negligent parties in your drunk driving case and obtain fair compensation for your injuries, damages and losses.
