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Hanover Drunk Driving Accident Attorneys, York County, PA

Help for victims of drunk and impaired drivers in South Central Pennsylvania

If you sustained injuries in a collision with a drunk driver, you have legal options. KGB Injury Law holds liable parties accountable for their negligence and/or reckless behavior, and helps clients through the process of securing compensation for their losses. To speak with a Hanover injury attorney, please contact us today.

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How can we help?

How does alcohol negatively affect drivers?

There is no “safe” amount of alcohol to have before driving. Alcohol impairs drivers, period, even if  you don’t feel any effect, you should not be behind the wheel. Alcohol causes different levels of impairment, depending upon how much the user has consumed, how much they have eaten, how long it has been since their last drink, and their overall size and natural tolerance. This can lead to people wrongly believing that, if they only feel a bit “buzzed,” they could probably get home safely behind the wheel.

The truth is, alcohol - in any amount - negatively impacts all the following areas:

  • Judgement and decision-making
  • Coordination and visual function
  • Reflexes
  • Concentration
  • Ability to process information
  • Basic motor skills and control

In other words, alcohol negatively affects every skill necessary to safely operate and control a motor vehicle, no matter what.

What are the serious injuries caused by alcohol-related accidents?

Inebriation commonly affects one’s ability to properly judge speed and distance, along with impairing cognition and coordination. This deadly combination means these drunk driving accidents typically happen at high speeds, even at relatively short distances, leading to more severe injuries. Some examples of serious injuries commonly caused by alcohol-related car accidents include:

  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Loss of limb
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Internal organ damage and internal bleeding
  • Burn injuries if vehicles or fuel ignites
  • Broken and crushed bones
  • Permanent scarring and/or disfigurement
  • Permanent loss of senses such as hearing, vision, smell, or taste (common with some head and brain injuries)

Suffering through any of the above can drastically change the entire course of not only your life, but also the lives of your loved ones. People who lose their ability to be independent in any capacity often experience depression, feelings of isolation and helplessness, and an overall lack of hope — especially when the cause is something so needless and preventable.

How do you prove fault in a Hanover drunk driving accident?

While your attorney can, if necessary in the context of your civil lawsuit, prove that the other driver was intoxicated at the time of your collision and his intoxication caused the collision, prosecution of a drunk driver often resolves that issue conclusively in the criminal justice system. But if criminal prosecution of the drunk driver that caused your harm fails, as sometimes happens for technical reasons in the criminal justice system, a competent, zealous advocate can prove intoxication and causation in your civil lawsuit.

Even if it's clear that a drunk driver was otherwise negligent in the operation of his vehicle, proving intoxication in a civil action can open up the possibility of collecting punitive damages from the drunk driver (an amount of compensation for the injured party that is intended to punish the drunk driver and dissuade him from driving drunk in the future) and it can aid you in overcoming a limited tort election that would otherwise prevent you from being fully compensated. It can also make it more likely that the drunk driver’s insurance company will try to settle your claims fairly because the risk of a punitive damage award – which is not an insured loss – increases the incentive for the drunk driver’s insurance company to settle rather than fight out your case before a jury.

How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit?

Victims seriously injured in a drunk driving car accident have two years following the accident to file their personal injury case, but even if it is past that deadline, we recommend consulting with an experienced Hanover attorney to truly understand your options. Especially if the full scope of your injuries took time to truly make themselves known, you may still be able to seek the justice you deserve.

However, it is crucial to contact an attorney as soon as possible after your accident for the best possible outcome for your case.

How can a Hanover, PA drunk driving accident attorney help my case?

There are no guarantees that you will win your case in court – even a “clear-cut” case. You never want to assume the defendant has no chance of winning. When it comes to the law, every side has a chance and defendants will always try as hard as they can to avoid legal responsibility. When you hire an experienced attorney, you give your case the best chances for success, and you can focus on treatment and recovery. Let a skilled hand navigate the legal landscape for you.

Is there a Hanover, PA DUI drunk driving accident attorney near me?

KBG Injury Law is located at 250 York Street in Hanover, PA, only a few blocks east of the Square. We also have locations in York, Lancaster, Gettysburg, and Harrisburg.

Talk to experienced Hanover drunk driving accident lawyers today

At KGB Injury Law, we have years of experience getting our clients the compensation they deserve, and we proudly offer our compassionate services to victims like you all over the state. Our drunk driving accident attorneys are available at offices in York, Lancaster, Gettysburg, Harrisburg, Hanover, and serve clients throughout South Central Pennsylvania. For a free consultation, call us today at 717-848-3838 or use our contact form.