Have you been injured in an auto accident in Pennsylvania such as a rear end collision, side impact collision or a drunk driving accident? Did the accident leave you unable to work, facing growing medical expenses and having to live with physical pain and emotional suffering? Did the accident claim the life of a loved one? If you answered yes to any of these questions you should speak to one of our Pennsylvania car accident lawyers as you may be entitled to benefits and financial compensation under Pennsylvania auto accident law.
In a situation such as this you need the help of a law firm that represents people throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania including Altoona, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Pottsville, Harrisburg, Lancaster, The Poconos, Lock Haven and rural Pennsylvania. Our team of PA car accident attorneys fight for the rights of those who have been injured in serious car, truck & motorcycle accidents caused by negligent or inattentive drivers. Our Bethel Park, PA auto accident attorneys will thoroughly examine your case and seek full, fair & just compensation for your pain & suffering, lost wages and medical expenses. For a free consultation with a skilled and experienced Pennsylvania auto injury attorney contact us today.
Experience Makes a Difference
Our Schuylkill County PA injury lawyers have been practicing Motor Tort Law in Pennsylvania for many years. Our legal team is made up of experienced Pennsylvania trial lawyers and they will take your case to trial should insurance companies not offer you a fair settlement.
Over the course of their legal careers our motor vehicle accident lawyers haves helped many accident victims recover damages for their injuries, lost wages, pain and suffering and medical expenses. In car accidents resulting in fatalities, also known as wrongful death, our attorneys also help the deceased persons estate to claim death benefits, funeral benefits and survival benefits.
Identifying Liable Parties In PA Vehicle Accidents
The most important of a car, motorcycle or trucking accident case is establishing the liable party or parties. Once retained, our skilled accident lawyers will thoroughly analyze the crash, and the events leading to it, in an effort to determine exactly how the accident occurred and who was at fault. Common factors contributing to fault are:
1) Driving behaviors leading up to the accident
3) Was the liable party driving carelessly or recklessly
4) Road conditions at time of crash
5) Age and experience of person who caused the crash
6) Multiple at fault parties including third party liability claims
7) The amount of insurance coverage of liable party (in cases of uninsured or underinsured motorists your own insurance carrier can become liable for your injuries)
From there our motor vehicle accident attorneys will do everything necessary to make those persons, or entities, accountable legally.
In addition to identifying at fault parties our accident lawyers will also extensively review medical reports to understand the extent of your injuries. They will not only consider the immediate ramifications of your injuries but also the future implications of your injuries. In many serious car, motorcycle and trucking accidents the prognosis (the ultimate outcome of your recover) is bleak and your quality of life may not be what it was prior to the accident. Using this information our attorneys seek to obtain compensation for your injuries.
Possible Types of Injuries Sustained In An Auto Accident
Back and neck injuries: These can include whiplash, strains and disc injuries
Catastrophic injuries: Including brain and spinal cord injuries, amputation and paralysis
Fractures: Broken bones are common in auto accidents, even accidents that happen at a low speed
Soft Tissue Injuries: These can include bruising, cuts, lacerations, scarring and pulled muscles
Wrongful Death: Approximately 750 Pennsylvania residents die in car accidents each year
Types of Auto Accidents
Bike accidents: These include a bicyclist being struck by a motor vehicle and inflict very serious injuries to the cyclist
Car accidents: These include 2 car colliding with one another on roads, highways, intersections, etc.
Commercial vehicle accidents: These can include delivery trucks, vans, taxis and limousines
Government vehicle accidents: These can include police vehicles (marked and unmarked), firetrucks and ambulances
Motorcycle accidents: These can include single motorcycle accidents, being struck by a car or 2 motorcycles colliding
Pedestrian accidents: Accidents involving pedestrians can occur at crosswalks, city streets, resort areas and college campuses.
Trucking accidents: These are very serious and happen commonly on major highways and interstates such as I-95, I-76, I-476 and I-80.
Elements Of A Pennsylvania Auto Accident
Pennsylvania’s Department of Transportation (D.O.T.) has conducted studies and outlined that car accidents always have 3 common elements which are a driver, a road and a vehicle. In some cases a passenger may be involved as well. Each of these 3 elements play a role in the accident with driver error being the most common culprit. Driver error can be reckless driving, texting while driving, drunk driving and negligent driving behaviors.
In some accident cases road conditions are the primary cause of motor vehicle accidents. Road conditions that can lead to car crashes can be faulty road design and debris in a construction zone. Dangerous road conditions combined with inattentive driving behaviors or poor weather can increase the likelihood of auto accidents.
Vehicle issues can also contribute to auto accidents. In these cases defective or faulty vehicle parts such as tires or brakes can result in an accident. If a vehicle is not properly maintained it performs at a subpar level which greatly increases the chances of an accident. In cases where defective auto products are the cause the liable party may be the auto manufacturer, product manufacturer or dealership where the repairs were done.
Alcohol Related Car Accidents In Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, drinking and driving remains a top safety issue. In 2012, alcohol-related crashes increased to 11,956 from 11,805 alcohol-related crashes in 2011. Alcohol-related deaths decreased from 428 to 404 in 2012. Of particular concern is the involvement of drinking drivers under the age of 21. 18% of the driver deaths in the 16-20 age group were drinking drivers, down from 26% in 2011. Improvement in this age group is a very important need. In the 21 to 25 age group, in which 40% of the driver deaths were drinking drivers. This age group had the fifth worst percentage of all groups, and was down from 45% in 2011. The 26 to 30 age group decreased to 44% from 47% in 2011. In 2012, alcohol-related deaths were 31% of the total traffic deaths, nearly the same as in 2009, 2010 and 2011. Pennsylvania continues to take an aggressive posture to prevent and deter drinking and driving (particularly through the widespread use of sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols).
In 2012 404 people died in alcohol-related crashes. 90% of the alcohol-related occupant deaths (drivers and passengers) were in the vehicle driven by the drinking driver; 74% were the drinking drivers themselves. 75% of the drinking drivers in traffic crashes were male. 74% of the alcohol-related crashes were during the hours of darkness, usually on weekends. On average each day, 33 alcohol-related traffic crashes occurred. On average each day, 1.1 persons were killed in alcohol-related traffic crashes. On average each day, 24 persons were injured in alcohol-related traffic crashes.
No Fees Unless We Recover On Your Behalf
Often times, people worry that pursuing a lawsuit against an insurance company, manufacturing company for a defective auto part, or seeking compensation for serious injuries is too expensive. Our Pennsylvania car accident attorneys handle accident claims on a contingency fee basis meaning we charge no fee unless we recover for you and your family. With us at the helm you can rest assured you will obtain all benefits and forms of compensation you are entitled to. This will offer you peace of mind and allow you to focus on regaining your health and recovering.
Contact Our Pennsylvania Car Accident Lawyers
Please do not wait to connect with our team of car accident lawyers to discuss your case. They offer free consultations and charge no fee unless they recover for you.
They serve all of Pennsylvania including Abington, Allentown, Altoona, Bensalem Township, Bethlehem, Bristol, Chester, Doylestown, Easton, Erie, Harrisburg, Hazelton, Kennett Square, King of Prussia, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lock Haven, Lower Merion Township, Media, Norristown, Pittsburgh, Pottstown, Plymouth Meeting, Reading, State College, Scranton, Upper Darby, West Chester, Warminster, Williamsport, and York, Pennsylvania.