The odds are that you will probably be in a car collision at some point in your lifetime. While many car accidents don’t cause serious damage or injuries, others can instantaneously change someone’s life forever.
Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident is already challenging when you’re trying to heal physically and emotionally. It can be even more difficult when you are unsure of where to start the process. The attorneys at Mayerson Injury Law receive many questions from individuals who have been involved or injured in car accidents in Pennsylvania. Here are some answers to help make this process easier for you.
Do I Need a Lawyer?
While you can file a case on your own, it’s a known fact that having a personal injury attorney on your side not just increases your chances at a favorable outcome, but the settlement offer is typically higher as well. This is because a seasoned personal injury attorney will have the experience needed to gather the evidence of your case and present it in a way that will directly show your injuries were sustained due to the car accident at hand. Plus, having a seasoned attorney on your side can take the burden off of your shoulders so you can focus on healing.
Who Pays for My Damages?
Pennsylvania follows a version of a “no-fault” car insurance system. Basically, this means that your own insurance company will pay for any bills related to damages you sustained in a car accident, regardless of whether you are at fault or not. Typically, the only way you can pursue the at-fault driver in a claim is if your injury is deemed serious, such as:
Significant disfigurement
Broken back
Permanent limitation of the use of a body part
Significant limitation of use of a body function
Substantial Disability for 90 days or more
In Pennsylvania, you are obligated by state law to cooperate with your own insurance company. An experienced car accident attorney will work to ensure that the insurance company has all the necessary evidence from you and that you are being offered a fair amount of compensation for your injuries.
What Types of Things Can I Get Compensated For?
After a car accident in Pennsylvania, you may be compensated for the following damages:
Medical bills and ongoing medical treatment
Property damage
Lost wages due to the inability to work
Under Pennsylvania’s no-fault insurance system, compensation is only awarded for injuries. Anyone can pursue a claim against an at-fault driver for compensation related to property damage. An individual is also not permitted to get compensated for emotional damages as part of an accident claim. They can, however, be compensated through punitive damages for pain and suffering.
Punitive Damages
Someone injured in a car accident may be awarded punitive damages by a court. These damages are meant to award the plaintiff in a personal injury lawsuit and punish the defendant if their conduct was malicious or willful. For instance, punitive damages may be awarded if the at-fault driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash. In Pennsylvania, the general rule of thumb is that punitive damages should not exceed 10 times the actual damages awarded.
How Much Will I Pay in Attorney Fees?
In our experience, many individuals feel like they can’t afford a personal injury attorney after being injured. You’re already trying to get proper compensation for your medical bills and lost wages, so how could you afford an attorney? Well, we have good news for these individuals. Most personal injury attorneys, including the ones at Mayerson Injury Law, work on a contingency fee basis. This means that, when clients come to us, they don’t pay any legal fees unless we help win them compensation.
The personal injury attorneys at Mayerson Injury Law have been helping injury victims in the Pottstown, Pennsylvania area for over 50 years. Let us put our experience to work for you so you can get the compensation you deserve.
Don’t wait to take action. Contact Mayerson Injury Law at (610) 492-7155 to set up your free consultation.