Suppose you were recently injured in a car accident. In that case, you may be wondering if you are eligible to hire a car accident lawyer in Philadelphia to pursue a claim or lawsuit seeking compensation for your injuries. In general, you may be eligible to file a car accident lawsuit in Philadelphia if:
- The accident took place anywhere in Pennsylvania.
- Another person’s negligence or recklessness caused the accident or contributed to its occurrence.
- If you were also partially at fault for the accident, you were not more than 50% at fault.
- You were injured in the accident, or a loved one was killed.
- The accident happened within the last two years, or if you are pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit, your loved one died less than two years ago.
- You have full tort insurance coverage, or you have limited tort coverage, and your injuries are serious.
It’s not always obvious who was at fault for an accident. Don’t just assume you are not eligible for compensation. Instead, talk to an experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyer who offers a free case consultation to find out about your legal rights.
Which People Are Eligible to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in Philadelphia, PA, to Pursue Compensation?
Any of these people who are eligible to file a Pennsylvania car accident lawsuit may hire a car accident lawyer to represent them in Philadelphia:
- People who were injured in the accident, including:
- The driver.
- Passengers.
- Pedestrians.
- Bicyclists.
- Motorcyclists.
- Family members or representatives of someone who was killed in the accident.
Can You Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in Philadelphia If You Have No-Fault Insurance?
In Philadelphia and all of Pennsylvania, you have a choice of two types of auto insurance: limited tort and full tort. Limited tort is the no-fault option.
If you have full tort insurance, you can hire a car accident lawyer and file a lawsuit against the negligent driver. However, even with limited tort insurance, you may still be eligible to sue the negligent driver if your injuries are serious. You should talk to a Philadelphia car accident lawyer to find out if you are eligible.
How Can Hiring a Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyer Help You Get Compensation for Your Injuries?
An experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyer will protect your interests and guide you through the legal process. They will use their experience, knowledge, and resources to ensure you get the full compensation that Pennsylvania law provides.
You shouldn’t try to go up against an at-fault driver’s insurance company on your own. Insurance companies have teams of lawyers and representatives who will try to pay you as little as possible. An experienced car accident lawyer will stand up for you and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. The lawyer will know how much your case is worth and fight to get you everything you deserve.
What Should You Look for When You Hire a Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyer?
It’s important to choose the right lawyer for you. The right lawyer will:
- Have significant experience representing car accident victims.
- Have a good track record of success.
- Answer your questions and be someone you feel comfortable talking with.
- Have the resources to investigate the accident and gather evidence to prove your case.
- Have a dedicated support team who will work on your behalf.
- Work on a contingency basis, meaning you don’t have to pay the lawyer unless you win your case.
- Offer a free consultation to discuss what happened to you and advise you on what you can do next.
What Compensation Is Available in Philadelphia, PA, for Car Accident Injuries?
If you file a lawsuit or claim against the negligent party, you may be eligible for compensation for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. These expenses and losses can be substantial and may include present and future:
- Doctor visits, hospital stays, rehabilitation services, surgery, medication, other treatments, diagnostic tests, and home care.
- Income lost because your injuries prevent you from working as much as you used to, keep you from working at all, or require you to take a lower-paying job.
- Loss of quality of life, physical pain, emotional distress, psychological problems, disability, and your family’s losses due to your injuries.
An experienced car accident lawyer will gather the evidence showing your full need for compensation to build a strong case on your behalf.
What Kinds of Negligence Cause Car Accidents in Philadelphia, PA?
All drivers are required to use reasonable care when they are driving to avoid causing accidents. When drivers do not use the required care, they may be held legally responsible for the harm that they cause.
Some common types of negligence on the road include:
- Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Being distracted. Texting on cell phones is a common cause of distraction, but anything that takes the driver’s attention away from the road can lead to an accident.
- Driving over the speed limit, tailgating, or breaking other traffic laws.
- Not adjusting speed for bad weather or road conditions.
- Not paying attention when making turns.
- Improperly maintained vehicles.
Proving that the other driver was negligent is an important part of your case. When you hire an experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyer, you will get the help that you need to investigate the accident, conduct research, gather evidence, and build a compelling case showing that the other driver should be held legally responsible for your injuries.
If you are not sure who is to blame for the accident, you should consult an experienced car accident lawyer, who can tell you if you have a good case for pursuing compensation.
When Should You Consult a Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyer?
If you were recently in a car accident in Pennsylvania and you were injured, you should talk to a Philadelphia car accident lawyer to find out if you have a good case. The sooner you can do this, the better. You don’t want to miss the deadline for filing a case. Also, the longer you wait, the harder it may become to retrieve evidence and rely on the memory of witnesses.
Pursuing a claim against an at-fault driver is not a do-it-yourself project. You need an experienced lawyer to navigate the legal system and ensure you get everything you are entitled to under the law. Car accident lawyers in Philadelphia will usually not charge you legal fees unless and until you receive a settlement or jury award. So, you have nothing to lose in hiring a lawyer and everything to gain.
