Who is liable for paying for my physical injuries as well as any personal property damage?
How does uninsured motorist insurance work?
Who is responsible for an accident involving my vehicle and a city street pothole?
Should I take the settlement my insurance company is offering me?
What issues will I face in making a claim for my injuries sustained in an auto accident?
What if I cannot afford to pay my medical bills?
When will my personal injury claim be resolved?
Am I at fault if I rear-end another vehicle?
What should I do immediately following a car accident?
If you are not severely injured, collect all pertinent information from the
other drivers - driver’s license numbers, address, telephone numbers, insurance
card information, etc. Keep a daily journal beginning with the date of the
automobile accident to document all physical and mental injuries, as well as
document your view of the accident. Notify the arriving Pennsylvania police
officer of the events of the accident that you can recall.
Who is liable for paying for my physical injuries as well as
any personal property damage?
Under Pennsylvania’s law, the driver(s) who caused the accident’s liability
insurance pays for your car damage and personal injuries. If you are at fault
for the car accident, your liability insurance will pay the other driver(s) for
property damage and personal injuries up to your policy's limits.
How does uninsured motorist insurance work?
Suppose that Jane is involved in a car accident with Nick, who has no insurance
and who was 100% at fault. If Jane has uninsured motorist insurance, she will be
able to collect from her insurance company. Her insurance company may then sue
the uninsured driver. This lawsuit is known as a "subrogation" lawsuit. Some
states require uninsured motorist insurance as a condition of owning a licensed
motor vehicle. Even if your state does not require it, you may wish to consider
purchasing it because of the protection that it provides. Unfortunately, there
is a significant minority of individuals who drive vehicles and who do not have
insurance.
Who is responsible for an accident involving my vehicle and a
city street pothole?
Responsibility for damage caused by improper maintenance or repair of
Pennsylvania’s roads and highways generally lies with the government agency
responsible for the upkeep of such roadways. If it were a pothole on a city
street, the city would be responsible, etc.
Should I take the settlement my insurance company is offering
me?
You should not take any settlements offered by an insurance company without
first speaking with an experienced Pennsylvania auto accident lawyer. Insurance
companies typically offer a minimal amount of money in return for your signature
stating that you will not sue them. Never take an insurance check without first
consulting a PA car accident attorney.
What issues will I face in making a claim for my injuries
sustained in an auto accident?
The three categories of issues that typically arise in a tort claim after an
automobile accident are:
- Liability - who is at fault and to what degree
- Damages - injuries or losses that were caused by the accident
- Insurance Coverage - what the insurance company will pay for after an accident
A claim for injuries usually is based upon carelessness or negligence. In worst case scenarios, it involves an intentional or reckless act.
What if I cannot afford to pay my medical bills?
If you suffer injuries from a car accident, you will likely have medical bills
from physicians, hospitals, physical therapists, and other health care
providers. Under Pennsylvania’s law, you are primarily responsible for paying
your bills, regardless of the cause of your injuries. The at-fault person's
liability insurance carrier is responsible for paying you reasonable
compensation for damages incurred, which includes medical bills, but the
insurance carrier is not responsible for paying your doctors, hospitals, and
other providers. Sometimes the amount the insurance company is willing to pay is
far less than the actual amount you owe.
When will my personal injury claim be resolved?
Personal injury claims can be resolved in a matter of a few weeks or months.
However, they can take up to several years depending on the complexity of the
case. It is best to speak with an experienced Pennsylvania personal injury
attorney about your specific case.
What is a permanent injury?
A permanent injury is an injury that will be with you for the rest of your life
or for some period beyond the settlement of the claim. In most cases, the
injured party is entitled to compensation from the at-fault party or their
insurance company for all medical bills incurred to date and into the future for
all injuries caused by the accident.
Am I at fault if I rear-end another vehicle?
Usually, yes. Pennsylvania’s law states that you must maintain a safe distance
to be able to stop safely if a car stops in front of you.
I did not feel pain at the scene and refused medical
treatment. Now, a few days later I am in pain. What should I do?
You should immediately consult your medical provider regarding any pain,
discomfort or possible injuries from a car accident, even if you think they may
be only minor injuries. Even if you did not complain of injuries at the scene of
the automobile accident, you may be entitled to payment of your medical bills,
compensation for pain and suffering, lost wages, loss of earnings capacity, and
emotional distress due to personal injuries. You should consult an experienced
Pennsylvania car accident attorney to discuss your claim.
