Pennsylvania Car Accident Lawyer

Have you recently been hurt or suffered property damage in a car crash in Pennsylvania? Expenses can build up, and the implications can trickle through to your personal life, your work life, and beyond. You must not wait to speak with an experienced Pennsylvania car accident lawyer to discuss a personal injury lawsuit.

You want someone who is familiar with local judges and understands the particulars of local traffic. They can help you plan and ensure that your physical and emotional wellbeing suffers as little as possible. In Pennsylvania, you only have two years to file a lawsuit after a car crash occurs. Use that time effectively by working with an accident attorney you can trust.

The Most Important Step to Take After a Car Accident

Immediately after a car accident, there’s so much adrenaline going through your body, and it can be hard to remember what steps to take. We’ve broken it down so that you can keep some things in mind.

The first thing to do is to contact a law enforcement officer. Having a record of the accident will prove helpful. They can write a report, and possibly issue tickets, if necessary. Depending on the severity, an ambulance or other emergency services may come to the scene. If they do not, all injured parties should go to a hospital for evaluation by a licensed medical doctor.

If you need follow-up care after your initial appointment, get it as soon as possible. It’s key that you follow the doctor’s recommendations and care plan. It will help you heal, and if you don’t follow medical advice, the other party in a lawsuit could say you contributed to the worsening of your condition.

Find our evaluation form on our website. It will take you through some basic questions which will help our top-rated car accident lawyers begin to evaluate your car accident case.

What Damages Could You Recover After a Car Accident?

A person who was injured in a car wreck can recover damages for many costs, including medical bills, lost wages, compensation for property damage, attorney’s fees, and more. Damages are broken down into two types. There are economic damages, which are actual losses, and non-economic damages, like compensation for pain and suffering.

Economic damages include current and future medical bills and costs for prescription and over-the-counter medicine for treatment. They can also include the fees of a therapist or psychologist. Economic damages can include medical devices, such as crutches, wheelchairs, and the cost to put a wheelchair ramp or lift in a home. They include transportation costs to and from medical appointments. Economic damages include reduced earning capacity and lost income from a job the individual had before the accident. These damages also include attorney’s fees and court costs.

Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, loss of consortium, loss of enjoyment of life, emotional distress (emotional anguish), and costs for scarring or disfigurement that cannot be medically repaired. The amount for emotional distress is different from the cost of visits to a psychiatrist or psychologist and medication to treat a mental health condition that is a result of the accident. The amount for emotional distress covers compensation for the negative experience that the person suffered because of the accident.

Automobile accident attorneys can give a full assessment of an individual’s particular economic and non-economic damages in their car accident case. Each case is unique. An accident lawyer may work with an expert to estimate the amounts of future medical bills and pain and suffering.

Important Motor Vehicle Accident Laws in Pennsylvania

There’s a two-year statute of limitations for a personal injury case in Pennsylvania, and this is critical because it impacts your ability to file for damages. Additionally, there are important laws around car insurance that impact motor vehicle accidents. A Pennsylvania car accident lawyer can explain more about the impact of these auto insurance laws and how they affect a car crash lawsuit. More specifically, how they limit when an injured party can sue.

Pennsylvania is a “choice” no-fault car insurance state. This means an individual can choose to buy no-fault insurance when they purchase their policy. In the no-fault option, the insured party first files a claim with their insurance company under their own personal injury protection, also known as PIP, to receive compensation. Their insurer pays them up to a specific limit, including medical bills and lost wages. The claim does not pay for emotional distress or pain and suffering. Only when the amount is greater than the policy’s limit can an individual file a lawsuit against the other driver.

When an individual chooses the no-fault option, they are choosing the “limited tort” option. The word “tort” is a term for a wrongful act. It means an instance when one party harms another. Limited tort insurance is less expensive than “full tort” insurance and can prevent a victim from receiving full compensation after a car crash.

How to Deal with Auto Insurance Following a Wreck

Your car insurance company may want you to talk to an adjuster or one of their auto accident attorneys. This benefits them. Before answering any questions, you should have a conversation with someone who can prioritize your interests. A top-rated auto accident attorney can determine the approximate amount of your damages and the likelihood of your success in court. Your injuries may impact your future earnings potential, your future wellbeing, and much more. The best car accident lawyers can negotiate a settlement that ensures you’re able to care for your physical and emotional wellbeing.

Why You Need Our Pennsylvania Automobile Accident Attorneys

You should hire a car accident lawyer if you were hurt in an auto accident and needed medical attention. These kinds of accidents can cost you a lot in medical bills and cost you to lose money if you have to take time off work. In some cases, insurance companies will not be willing to pay what you need for repairs and bills. That is when you should hire the best car accident attorneys to fight for you and get the money that you are owed.

Our auto accident attorneys are waiting to discuss your personal injury or property damage case. We have multiple Pennsylvania car accident lawyers who can support you during this stressful time and assess the cost of your financial recovery and your chance of winning at trial. Lowenthal & Abrams, Injury Attorneys are ready to listen to your concerns and explain what you should do next. Call now to get started.