PENNSYLVANIA PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS
WINNING CASES SINCE 1922
Drunk Driving Accident Attorney in Schuylkill County
Over 100 Years Fighting for Injured Pennsylvanians. No Fee Unless We Win.
When a drunk driver causes a crash, the consequences can be devastating. Medical bills mount, income stops, and recovery takes time that no one planned for. At Handler, Henning & Rosenberg LLC, we represent injured victims throughout Schuylkill County and have been handling Pennsylvania personal injury cases since 1922. Our Schuylkill County office means you’re working with attorneys who are genuinely local, backed by a firm that has recovered tens of millions of dollars for more than 40,000 clients across Central Pennsylvania.
A civil claim against the drunk driver is independent of any criminal DUI case. You have the right to pursue compensation regardless of what the criminal courts decide. We’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there are no upfront costs. You pay nothing unless we win.
If you or a family member was injured by a drunk driver in Schuylkill County, call us now at (888) 498-3023. We can review your case at no charge and explain your options.
What Sets Handler, Henning & Rosenberg LLC Apart in Drunk Driving Cases
Not every firm brings the same resources to a drunk driving injury claim. We employ a full-time, on-staff investigator whose sole job is to determine what happened and who is responsible. That’s a committed internal resource, not an outside hire brought in after the fact. In drunk driving cases, where evidence disappears quickly, that matters.
Our attorneys have been selected to Super Lawyers and the National Trial Lawyers Top 100. Multiple members of our team hold membership in both the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. We are listed in Best Lawyers and ranked in Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms.” These recognitions reflect a consistent record of results, not just reputation.
If you can’t come to us, we’ll come to you. Our attorneys travel throughout Schuylkill County and across Pennsylvania to meet clients at home or in the hospital.
The Criminal Case & Your Civil Claim Are Not the Same
Many injured victims assume they have to wait for the criminal DUI case to conclude before pursuing compensation. That’s not how Pennsylvania law works. Criminal DUI charges are decided under the beyond-a-reasonable-doubt standard. Your civil personal injury claim uses a lower bar: whether it is more likely than not that the driver’s conduct caused your injuries.
A driver acquitted of DUI charges, or whose criminal case is dismissed, can still be held liable in civil court. Evidence gathered during the criminal process, including breathalyzer results, field sobriety test records, and police reports, can be powerful tools in your civil case. We know how to use that evidence strategically.
Pennsylvania Dram Shop Law & Bar Liability in Schuylkill County
Under Pennsylvania’s Dram Shop Law, a licensed bar, restaurant, or other establishment that serves alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person can be held civilly liable when that patron later causes an accident. This means the establishment, not just the driver, may be liable for damages.
We secured a $2.2 million settlement for a client seriously injured by a drunk driver who had been overserved at a bar. That result reflects our ability to identify third-party liability and pursue it fully alongside the claim against the driver. In some cases, social host liability may also apply when alcohol was served to a minor at a private gathering rather than a licensed venue.
Dram shop cases require fast action. Surveillance footage is routinely overwritten within days, and witnesses’ memories fade. Our on-staff investigator moves quickly to identify where the driver was drinking, secure footage, gather witness statements, and document whether the establishment violated its legal duty.
How We Build Your Drunk Driving Injury Case
Strong cases are built on documented evidence, and our team pursues every available source from the moment we take a case.
Evidence we gather includes:
- Police reports documenting the driver’s behavior, any field sobriety tests administered, and DUI charges filed
- Blood alcohol content records from breathalyzer or blood tests taken at the scene or hospital
- Surveillance and dashcam footage showing the driver’s condition before and after the crash
- Crash reconstruction reports establishing the mechanics of how the collision occurred
- Medical records documenting your injuries and connecting them to the accident
- Witness statements from people who observed the driver’s behavior or the crash itself
Our investigator handles this work internally, which means we move faster and commit more resources than firms that rely on outside vendors.
Steps to Take After a Drunk Driving Accident in Schuylkill County
What you do in the hours and days after a crash directly affects your ability to recover compensation. Major roadways including Interstate 81, Route 61, and Route 209 see serious accidents across Schuylkill County, but these steps apply whether the crash happened on a highway or a local road.
Protect your health and your claim:
- Call 911, request medical help, and tell the dispatcher you believe alcohol may be involved
- Seek medical attention immediately, even if you feel fine. Traumatic brain injuries and internal injuries may not produce obvious symptoms right away
- Cooperate with police and request a copy of the accident report
- Photograph vehicles, road conditions, your injuries, and any visible signs of the driver’s impairment
- Collect names and contact information for witnesses
- Don’t give a recorded statement to any insurance company before speaking with an attorney
Pennsylvania’s personal injury statute of limitations is generally two years from the date of the accident. That window may feel long, but evidence disappears fast. Contacting a drunk driving accident lawyer in Schuylkill County as soon as possible can give your case a stronger foundation.
Compensation Available to Drunk Driving Victims in Schuylkill County
We pursue the full range of damages available under Pennsylvania law, including current and future medical expenses, lost wages, rehabilitation costs, pain and suffering, and other losses tied to the crash. Our goal is to recover everything you need to heal, rebuild, and move forward.
In cases where the defendant’s conduct is found to be especially reckless or egregious, Pennsylvania courts may also award punitive damages. These go beyond compensating you for your losses and are designed to punish the at-fault party for their conduct. If the drunk driver carries insufficient insurance, your own underinsured motorist coverage may provide an additional source of recovery. When a crash results in a fatality, surviving family members may have a wrongful death claim. Cases in Schuylkill County proceed through the Court of Common Pleas in Pottsville, and we know how to navigate that process.
Talk to a Drunk Driving Accident Attorney in Schuylkill County Today
You shouldn’t have to face insurance companies, medical bills, and legal deadlines alone after a drunk driver injured you. Handler, Henning & Rosenberg LLC offers free consultations, no upfront costs, and a straightforward promise: you pay nothing unless we win. Our attorneys are available around the clock, and if you can’t travel, we’ll come to you.
Call (888) 498-3023 now to speak with a drunk driving accident attorney serving Schuylkill County. We’re ready to fight for you.
HHR: A Family Story
Handler, Henning & Rosenberg has always been a family business. It's been 100 years, and if we look into the future another 100 years, we still see our family helping yours. We've been around for this long for a reason: we care about our clients and our communities, and every person at our firm does everything they can to help every client we represent.
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