Drunk Driving Crashes

Yes. In fact, you should. A criminal case focuses on punishing the drunk driver- your personal injury case is about making you whole again. Even if the driver is charged with DUI or vehicular assault, the criminal process doesn’t guarantee compensation for your injuries, medical bills, or lost income.

At Georgelis, Larsen & Sabatino, we work in parallel with any criminal proceedings to build a strong civil claim. Evidence from the criminal case- police reports, BAC results, arrest records, and witness statements- can support your injury lawsuit. However, the outcome of the criminal trial does not determine the success of your civil claim. In civil court, we only need to prove the driver was negligent “by a preponderance of the evidence”- a lower burden of proof than in criminal court.

We handle everything so you don’t have to juggle two processes. Our team coordinates with law enforcement, prosecutors, and expert witnesses to ensure no stone is left unturned when pursuing your maximum compensation.

Proving intoxication is critical in a DUI accident case, and our attorneys know exactly where to look for evidence. We start with the police report, which may include field sobriety tests, breathalyzer results, and officer observations. If the at-fault driver was arrested, we secure BAC (blood alcohol content) test results and booking records.

In addition, we may subpoena bar receipts, surveillance footage, or social media posts to show the driver’s intoxicated behavior before the crash. Witness statements are also crucial- bystanders or passengers can attest to signs of impairment like slurred speech, stumbling, or erratic driving.

Sometimes, we even bring in toxicology experts to strengthen our case. The key is acting quickly- much of this evidence can disappear over time. That’s why you should contact Georgelis, Larsen & Sabatino Injury Law Firm, P.C. as soon as possible after a DUI accident. We’ll preserve the evidence and begin building a rock-solid case from day one.

Yes, under Pennsylvania’s modified comparative negligence rule, you can still recover damages as long as you were less than 50% at fault for the accident. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For instance, if you were 20% responsible and awarded $100,000, you would receive $80,000.

This is why it’s critical to have experienced attorneys advocating for you. Insurance companies will often try to shift the blame onto you to reduce their payout. At Georgelis, Larsen & Sabatino, we push back hard against these tactics. Through accident reconstruction, witness interviews, and expert analysis, we’ll work to minimize your fault- or eliminate it entirely.

Drunk drivers should be held accountable. Period. And we make sure their negligence isn’t overshadowed by weak arguments from their insurance company.

In Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations for most personal injury cases- including those involving drunk driving- is two years from the date of the accident. If you don’t file a claim within this time frame, you may lose your right to recover compensation entirely.

However, it’s not wise to wait. The sooner you contact our firm, the sooner we can begin collecting evidence, speaking with witnesses, and building your case. Memories fade, surveillance footage is overwritten, and critical documents may be lost over time.

There are exceptions in rare cases, such as for minors or incapacitated individuals, but generally speaking, time is of the essence. Don’t delay- reach out to Georgelis, Larsen & Sabatino right away to ensure your rights are preserved.

In drunk driving cases, you may be eligible for both compensatory and punitive damages.

Compensatory damages cover the actual losses you’ve suffered- such as medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. These are meant to “make you whole” again after the accident.

Punitive damages, on the other hand, are awarded in cases involving gross negligence or reckless misconduct, which often applies to DUI cases. Their purpose is not to compensate you directly, but to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior in the future.

Pennsylvania law allows punitive damages when there’s clear and convincing evidence that the defendant’s actions were especially reckless, like getting behind the wheel while intoxicated. At Georgelis, Larsen & Sabatino, we aggressively pursue punitive damages whenever possible. It’s one more way we ensure justice is served for our clients.

Yes, under Pennsylvania’s Dram Shop Law, bars, restaurants, and even private hosts can be held liable if they knowingly served alcohol to someone who was visibly intoxicated or underage, and that person caused an accident.

These cases are complex, but they provide an additional avenue for compensation, especially if the drunk driver is uninsured or underinsured. To succeed, we’ll need to show that the establishment over-served the driver and that this act directly contributed to the accident.

At Georgelis, Larsen & Sabatino, we conduct thorough investigations, review surveillance footage, interview bar staff, and consult with toxicologists to establish liability. Our legal team knows what evidence courts look for in dram shop claims- and how to present it persuasively.

Unfortunately, many DUI accidents involve uninsured drivers or hit-and-run scenarios. In these cases, your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage can step in to provide compensation.

If you carry this type of coverage (which we strongly recommend), you can file a claim through your own insurer. However, don’t be fooled- your insurer may not be any more cooperative than the other party’s. Their goal is still to minimize their payout.

That’s where we come in. At Georgelis, Larsen & Sabatino, we’ll negotiate with your insurer and, if necessary, litigate to make sure you get what you’re entitled to. If you don’t know what your policy covers, we’ll review it for free and advise you on your options.

No- absolutely not. Never speak with the other driver’s insurance company without legal representation. Their adjusters are trained to protect their bottom line- not your well-being. They may seem friendly, but their goal is to get you to say something they can use against you later.

They may ask leading questions or offer a quick settlement before you understand the full extent of your injuries. Don’t fall for it. Once you accept an offer or make a recorded statement, it can be very difficult to undo the damage.

Let Georgelis, Larsen & Sabatino handle all insurance communications. We know the tactics they use, and we won’t let them take advantage of you.

At Georgelis, Larsen & Sabatino Injury Law Firm, P.C., we don’t charge you anything upfront. We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only get paid if we win or settle your case. If we don’t recover money for you, you owe us nothing.

Our consultations are always free, and we’ll meet you wherever is most convenient- your home, the hospital, or your workplace. This approach ensures that everyone, regardless of their financial situation, has access to top-tier legal representation.

Our mission is to get you justice, not to add to your burdens. With millions recovered for our clients and a reputation for compassionate yet aggressive advocacy, you can trust us to fight for every penny you deserve.