Drunk Driving Accidents Personal Attention. Local Representation.

Drunk Driving Accident Attorney in Scranton

Serving Northeastern Pennsylvania DUI Crash Victims Since 1982

Abrahamsen, Conaboy & Abrahamsen P.C. has practiced personal injury law in Northeastern Pennsylvania since 1982 and has handled more than 24,000 personal injury and workers’ compensation cases. Car accident claims, including crashes caused by impaired drivers, are our top practice area. If you or someone you love was hurt by a drunk driver in Scranton or the surrounding Lackawanna County area, ACA Law can help you understand your options and pursue compensation.

Contact ACA Law for a free consultation with an attorney who can handle your drunk driving accident claim personally from start to finish. Call (570) 712-5545 to get started.

One Attorney. Your Case. Start to Finish.

Most personal injury firms route clients to case managers after the initial intake. ACA Law doesn’t. Clients work directly with an attorney throughout their case, which matters in a drunk driving claim because the same attorney can track developments in both the criminal prosecution and your civil claim without a file being handed off. That continuity is rarely incidental; it can catch a detail that changes the value of a case.

Our firm is led by Chip Abrahamsen, who has more than 20 years of experience practicing personal injury law. Our attorneys are Board Certified Civil Trial Advocates. Past results include a $1.4 million wrongful death settlement and a $1.2 million settlement for a client injured in a multi-vehicle crash. Those are examples, not guarantees, but they reflect the seriousness with which we prepare and litigate every case.

Who Can Be Held Liable Beyond the Driver

A drunk driving crash doesn’t always trace back to one responsible party. Pennsylvania’s dram shop law, codified at 47 P.S. §4-493 and §4-497, makes it illegal for a licensed establishment to serve alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person or to a minor. When a bar or restaurant serves a customer who is visibly intoxicated and that person later causes a crash, the establishment can be held civilly liable for injuries caused off its premises. That’s a separate claim from the one against the driver.

Pennsylvania’s social host liability rules are narrower. A private host generally isn’t liable under state law for serving alcohol to an intoxicated adult guest, but liability can attach when alcohol is provided to a minor. We investigate each claim fully, gather evidence, negotiate with all responsible insurers, and take cases to trial when a fair settlement isn’t offered. If a dram shop angle exists, we pursue it.

Filing a Claim in Lackawanna County

Civil claims arising from Scranton-area crashes are heard in the Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas, the 45th of Pennsylvania’s 60 judicial districts, located at the Lackawanna County Courthouse in Scranton. Lackawanna County recorded 2,259 total traffic crashes and 20 traffic fatalities in 2024. Our attorneys know this court, its procedures, and the local dynamics that can shape how a case develops.

Talk to a Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer at No Cost

We offer free consultations, including virtual appointments, so geography and scheduling don’t have to be barriers to getting legal advice. Spanish-language service is available. Whether your crash happened last week or you’re still weighing your options, an attorney can walk you through what your claim may be worth and what steps to take next.

Call (570) 712-5545 to schedule your free consultation with Abrahamsen, Conaboy & Abrahamsen P.C.. An attorney can speak with you directly, not a staff member or intake coordinator.

Pennsylvania DUI Law & What It Means for Your Civil Claim

Pennsylvania recorded 7,745 alcohol-related crashes in 2024, resulting in 244 fatalities, representing 22% of all traffic deaths in the state that year. More than two-thirds of those crashes (67.4%) occurred at night. For the people involved, these aren’t abstract statistics; they represent serious, often permanent injuries caused by a choice another driver made.

BAC Tiers Under 75 Pa.C.S. §3802

Under 75 Pa.C.S. §3802, Pennsylvania structures DUI offenses into three tiers based on blood alcohol content: general impairment (0.08% to 0.099%), high BAC (0.10% to 0.159%), and highest BAC (0.16% and above). A DUI conviction or guilty plea can serve as evidence of negligence in a civil injury claim and may also support a claim for punitive damages, which are awarded not just to compensate the victim but to address conduct that was reckless or willful.

Criminal Prosecution vs. Your Civil Claim

A drunk driving crash typically produces two separate proceedings. The state prosecutes the driver criminally; you, as the injured party, pursue a separate civil claim. These run on different tracks and under different rules. A criminal conviction requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt, while a civil claim requires only that your version of events is more likely true than not.

Evidence from the criminal case, including police reports, BAC test results, and field sobriety test records, can be used to support your civil claim. Any criminal restitution a court orders the driver to pay typically covers only basic out-of-pocket costs and is generally far less than what may be available through a civil lawsuit. The civil claim is where you pursue compensation for medical costs, lost income, and pain and suffering.

Filing Deadlines & Pennsylvania’s Shared-Fault Rule

Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including those from drunk driving crashes, is two years from the date of the crash under 42 Pa.C.S. §5524. Missing that deadline can mean losing the right to recover, regardless of how strong the case is. If you’re unsure how much time you have, don’t wait to find out.

Pennsylvania also applies a modified comparative negligence rule under 42 Pa.C.S. §7102. If you’re found partially at fault, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you’re found 51% or more at fault, you can’t recover at all. Separately, Pennsylvania drivers elect either full tort or limited tort coverage when they purchase auto insurance. That election can affect whether you’re entitled to recover for pain and suffering, and it’s one of the first things we review when evaluating a claim.

Continue Reading Read Less

“Professional”
“Everyone at the firm was pleasant, and the incident was resolved in the most professional manner.”

- Gordon B.
“Highly Recommend”
“Chip Abrahamen is a great lawyer who takes time with you and listens to what you're telling him.”

- Kelley E.
“Prompt, Efficient and Put Me at Ease Through the Entire Process”
“ACA Law has handled estate planning and a personal injury case for me. Each interaction was handled with supreme professionalism.”

- Patrick C.
“Awesome!”
“Chip is amazing, his expertise is top of the line, makes sure he understands me and communicates accordingly. I just settled my case last week, first try.”

- Joel T.
“A True Advocate Who Changed My Life”
“This man has truly been a life changer for me, and I would highly recommend him to anyone in need of a strong, reliable, and compassionate attorney.
”

- Joe T.
“Very Professional & Honest”
“They were easy to navigate with and got me money when I needed it most. I would recommend them 100%.”

- Francis G.

View All Reviews

Request a Free Consultation

Call us at (570) 712-5545 or fill out the form below to get started.

First Name
Please enter your first name.
Last Name
Please enter your last name.
Phone
Please enter your phone number.

This isn't a valid phone number.
Email
Please enter your email address.

This isn't a valid email address.
Are you a new client?
Please make a selection.
How can we help you?
Please enter a message.
By submitting, you agree to receive text messages from Abrahamsen, Conaboy & Abrahamsen P.C. at the number provided, including those related to your inquiry, follow-ups, and review requests, via automated technology. Consent is not a condition of purchase. Msg & data rates may apply. Msg frequency may vary. Reply STOP to cancel or HELP for assistance. Acceptable Use Policy

Why Choose Abrahamsen, Conaboy & Abrahamsen P.C.?

Free Consultation

Accessible Support
We offer free consultations, virtual appointments, and five convenient office locations to better serve our clients. Our goal is to make quality legal help easy to access when you need it most.
Proven Experience
With more than 24,000 cases handled, our attorneys bring decades of real-world legal experience to every matter. We know how to navigate complex injury and workers’ compensation claims effectively.
Local Trust
Serving Northeastern Pennsylvania since 1982, our firm has built a strong reputation rooted in community relationships and results. We are proud to be a trusted hometown law firm for generations of families.
Personal Attention
Every client works directly with an attorney, not a case manager or assistant. We take the time to understand your situation and provide individualized guidance at every step.