St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner, and while it is a favorite holiday of many Pennsylvania residents, it can also be a very dangerous one. St. Patrick’s Day is often celebrated with copious drinking, and this results in an equally copious amount of drunk drivers. In fact, St. Patrick’s Day is believed to be one of the heaviest days for drunk driving annually, posing a serious risk to other drivers and pedestrians. If you are injured in a drunk driving accident on St. Patrick’s Day, you have legal options available to you which we will discuss here.
What to Do if You Get in a St. Patrick’s Day Car Accident
If you are involved in a car accident on St. Patrick’s Day, it’s important to consider that the other driver may very well be intoxicated. Be sure to look for signs that they may have been driving impaired. Signs of impaired driving can include swerving, driving erratically or above or below the speed limit, slurred speech, the smell of alcohol, or any other abnormal behavior. If you see any possible indications of intoxication be sure to tell the 911 operator so that they can alert police officers to conduct the proper tests when they arrive at the scene. It is a good idea to tell officers who report to the scene as well in case they are unaware and to ensure that it will be included in the police report. Having proof that the other driver was drunk is important because it will automatically establish a presumption of negligence, making it much easier for you to recover. Next, you should seek medical attention and contact a Pennsylvania personal injury lawyer. It’s necessary to get medical attention even if you are not sure if you are seriously injured because many injuries do not become apparent until several days after the accident, and the documentation is needed to substantiate your insurance and/or personal injury claim.
Damages for a Drunk Driving Accident
You can hold drunk drivers accountable by bringing a personal injury lawsuit against them. This allows you to recover damages for all costs incurred in the accident, including medical costs and lost wages. You can also pursue compensation for pain and suffering. These damages may sound subjective, but are generally calculated using a formula that considers both the total amount of economic damages and the permanence and severity of your injuries. There are many factors that go into calculating damages, so if you are interested in what your claim may be worth it is a good idea to consult with an attorney.
Talk to the Personal Injury Lawyers at the O’Donnell Law Offices
If you were injured in a car accident caused by a drunk driver in Pennsylvania, you are not alone. Schedule a free initial consultation with the personal injury attorneys at the O’Donnell Law Offices serving clients in Kingston, Wilkes Barre, Hazleton and Pittston at 570-821-5717 or online today. There is no fee or costs until we win your case.