Hazleton Car Accident Lawyer

If you or someone you love suffered a serious injury in a car crash in Hazleton, don’t settle with the insurance company before speaking with a Hazleton car accident attorney at Munley Law. At Munley Law, we understand your concerns when you’ve been involved in a car crash. You may face unpaid medical bills, physical pain, emotional trauma, and an inability to work. Since 1959, we have represented hundreds of auto accident victims throughout Luzerne County. We have won multimillion-dollar settlements for injured car accident victims across our area.

If you were hurt in a car wreck and are unsure what to do next, call our Hazleton office for a free consultation with a car crash attorney. We will answer your questions free of charge and help you decide what to do next. We are available to speak with you any time of the day or night. We do not charge a fee for our legal services unless we win your case.

Hiring a Hazleton Car Accident Lawyer at Munley Law

The Hazleton car accident attorneys at Munley Law have the experience, skills, and resources to handle even the most complex car accident cases, including Uber accidents and trucking accidents.

It is essential to consult a law firm specializing in car accidents and with a strong record of winning maximum compensation for those injured in accidents and their families. Determining the types of compensation in an auto accident case in Hazelton can be quite complex and depends on the particular facts and injuries resulting from the accident. By hiring a personal injury attorney in Hazleton to handle your insurance claim, you will most likely get three times more in compensation than you would have on your own.

Damages can include medical and rehabilitation bills, lost wages, loss of enjoyment, loss of consortium, shortened life expectancy, and pain and suffering. Our car wreck attorneys can use their decades of personal injury case experience to help you.

If you or someone you love is involved in a car accident in Hazleton, contact Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys as soon as possible. Our dedicated legal team is prepared to help you seek justice and obtain compensation for your injuries. Chat live, fill out our email form, or call for a free consultation.

When Should I Hire a Hazleton Car Accident Attorney?

Hiring a Hazleton car accident lawyer can be beneficial in various situations, particularly when dealing with complex legal matters, disputes with insurance companies, or severe injuries resulting from the accident.

• When your car accident injuries are severe: If you or someone involved in the accident sustained significant injuries requiring medical treatment, hospitalization, surgery, or long-term rehabilitation, it’s essential to have legal representation. A lawyer can help you receive fair compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
• When it’s unclear who is at fault: When fault for the accident is disputed or unclear, insurance companies may attempt to minimize their liability or deny your claim altogether. In such cases, a Hazleton car accident lawyer can investigate the accident’s circumstances, gather evidence, and advocate on your behalf to establish liability and secure fair compensation.
• When the case is complicated: Car accident cases involving multiple parties, commercial vehicles, defective products, or government entities can present complex legal issues. A knowledgeable Hazleton car accident lawyer can navigate these complexities, assess liability, and pursue claims against all responsible parties to ensure you receive total compensation for your losses.
• When the insurance company makes a quick settlement offer: Insurance companies may offer quick settlement offers that fail to compensate you for your losses fully. Without legal representation, you may accept a settlement far below your claim’s actual value. A car accident lawyer can assess the true extent of your damages, including future expenses, and fight for fair compensation.

If you’re unsure if you need legal representation following a Hazleton car accident, your best option is to call Munley Law. The initial consultation is free and will provide you with peace of mind, knowing what your next steps should be.

Compensation in a Hazleton Car Accident Case

In the aftermath of a car accident in Hazleton, individuals may be entitled to compensation for various damages incurred as a result of the accident. Compensation can cover a wide range of losses, including medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Understanding the types of compensation available and how they are determined can be crucial for individuals seeking to recover damages after a car accident.

Compensation for medical expenses typically covers costs related to emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, surgery, medication, rehabilitation, and ongoing medical care necessitated by the accident. This compensation can also include expenses for future medical treatments or procedures that are expected to arise as a result of injuries sustained in the accident.

If injuries sustained in the accident prevent an individual from working, they may be entitled to compensation for lost wages. This can include wages lost due to missed work during recovery, as well as any reduction in earning capacity resulting from long-term injuries or disabilities caused by the accident.

Compensation for pain and suffering is intended to address the physical and emotional distress experienced by accident victims. This may include compensation for physical pain, mental anguish, emotional trauma, and loss of enjoyment of life resulting from the accident and subsequent injuries.

Determining Compensation in a Hazleton Car Accident Case

The amount of compensation awarded in a Hazleton car accident case depends on various factors, including the severity of injuries, the extent of property damage, the impact on the victim’s life and livelihood, and the level of negligence exhibited by the at-fault party. Compensation may be negotiated through settlement negotiations with insurance companies or determined through litigation in court. Consulting with a personal injury attorney experienced in handling car accident cases in Hazleton can help individuals understand their rights and pursue fair compensation for their losses.

Common Injuries in a Hazleton Car Accident

Car crashes can cause serious and even life-threatening injuries. In addition to the severe physical and emotional pain you endure, you may be stuck with sky-high medical bills, prolonged treatment, and time missed from work. And as the victim of another driver’s recklessness, you shouldn’t have to bear these costs on your own. We can help.

The most common car accident injury victims in Hazleton endure include:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries: The impact felt during a car accident may result in a concussion or severe brain trauma. A serious head injury can affect speech, vision, and memory. Your entire life can change in that brief instant.
• Neck Injuries: Neck injuries caused by a car wreck can include everything from neck strain to whiplash or more serious disc injuries. As a soft tissue injury, the symptoms of a neck injury may not appear until a few days or even weeks after a crash.
• Spinal Cord and Back Injuries: The force and impact of an auto accident can cause various back and spine injuries. They can range from sprains and strains to fractures, disc, or vertebrae injuries. Spinal cord injuries may result in paralysis or loss of certain bodily functions.
• Broken Bones: Arm, leg, and hip fractures are typical of a severe car accident. Fractures to the sternum also occur, especially in unrestrained drivers or passengers.
• Internal Injuries: Injuries to the abdomen and various organs can occur due to a car crash. The liver, spleen, and kidneys are especially susceptible to injury during a collision.
• Orthopedic Injuries: In addition to fractures, other orthopedic injuries include sprains, dislocations, strains, and torn ligaments and tendons. These injuries can all occur during the impact of a car crash.
• Emotional and Mental Distress: Motor vehicle accidents commonly cause high emotional stress to victims and their families, resulting in a high level of anxiety and even PTSD.

If you have been injured in an auto accident in Hazleton, you should seek medical attention right away. However, remember that not all of your symptoms may appear immediately after an accident, so it’s best to be thoroughly checked out by a medical professional. Also, be sure to document all information about the accident; that way, when it’s time to consult an auto accident attorney in Hazleton, you will be able to provide as many facts as possible.

The Causes of Car Crashes in Hazleton, PA

An experienced car accident lawyer will identify and prove the cause of your accident to get you the maximum benefits. At Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, we work with investigators and accident reconstruction experts to build your case.

Common causes of car accidents in Hazleton include:

• Distracted Driving: A leading cause of car crashes, distracted driving consists of all forms of distraction such as cell phone use, texting, eating or drinking, grooming, talking to passengers, or even reading directions. If another driver takes their eyes from the road and causes an accident, they should be held responsible.
• Speeding: Speeding is a factor in many fatal car wrecks. The faster you drive, the less time you have to react to a potential problem. The speed of your vehicle will impact braking time, which could mean the difference in a possible crash.
• Reckless Driving: In addition to speeding, other reckless and aggressive driving forms also lead to crashes. Reckless driving can include tailgating, changing lanes too quickly, wrong-way driving, ignoring warning signs, running red lights and stop signs, improper turns, and other forms of aggressive driving or road rage.
• Impaired Driving: The CDC estimates that every day, 28 people in the U.S. die in motor vehicle crashes that involve an alcohol-impaired driver. This amounts to one death every 53 minutes. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is unacceptable. Drugs and alcohol can alter perception and coordination and drastically affect reaction time. If you’re hurt by a driver who was under the influence, the law is on your side.
• Drowsy Driving: Driver fatigue has become a common cause of car and truck accidents. When drivers are tired, they have slower reaction times in response to situations and may also be in danger of falling asleep behind the wheel. Symptoms of drowsy driving can include frequent yawning, tired eyes, restlessness, and difficulty concentrating. Sleep deprivation can cause the same level of impairment as intoxication.
• Weather Conditions: The weather in Hazleton can be pretty unpredictable. It can bring heavy snow and ice during the winter months and fog and rainy conditions throughout the year. Ice, snow, and fog can mean danger on highways and other roadways when cars are traveling at high rates of speed in unsafe conditions.
• Defective or Recalled Auto Parts: The NHTSA or an individual automaker issue recalls when they determine that a vehicle or a part poses a possible safety risk. Millions of cars are recalled each year for various safety issues, from airbag defects to brake problems, fire hazards, and other potentially dangerous flaws. If a defect or malfunction causes harm, you may be able to sue. Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys is highly experienced in auto defect and auto recall cases and has dealt with large insurance companies representing auto manufacturers.

How Often Do Car Accidents Occur in the Hazleton Area?

The Greater Hazleton area is home to many nationally known distribution and manufacturing plants. In addition, Hazleton’s industrial parks are filled with home processing, distribution, and logistics plants. The city’s proximity to some of the major interstates in the state. It sits right at the junction of Interstates 80 and 81, two of the most heavily traveled north-south and east-west corridors in the country.

Since the city is a transportation hub, auto accidents frequently occur on Hazleton roadways, shared by passenger vehicles, buses, and large trucks hauling merchandise from area plants. These roadways are often in the news because of car accidents, truck accidents, and multi-car pileups.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s latest data, Luzerne County was named one of the top 10 counties in the state with the most traffic-related fatalities in 2023.

Frequently Asked Questions About Car Accidents in Hazleton

Should I File a Lawsuit Following a Car Accident in Luzerne County?

You may be wondering whether it’s even worth suing after a car accident. Why add more stress and frustration to the situation? And the answer depends on how receptive the insurance company is. If the adjuster is bullying you to take the first settlement you get or your claim is outright denied, then it may be worth speaking to an auto accident attorney to understand your rights and learn what you need to do next.

To determine whether it’s worth it to sue for your car accident, you’ll need to decide if the insurance settlement you were offered will cover all losses you experienced after the accident. Is it a fair settlement? Will it cover the cost of both damages to your vehicle and any injuries you’ve sustained? If the answer to these questions is no, then it may be in your best interest to reach out to Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys.

Who Determines Fault in a Hazleton Car Accident?

The number one question you may want to be answered following a car accident is, “Who determines fault in my car accident?” And the answer is multiple parties may assign fault.

The first to determine fault in a car accident is the responding police officer. The officer must investigate the accident to determine what happened, why it happened, and who is responsible for the accident.

The second party to determine fault is the insurance company. It will examine the police report and ask for information from you and the other driver. Once fault is determined, the insurance adjuster will then assign a percentage of responsibility based on the case’s specifics.

The last thing you want to do is admit fault; even an apology at the scene may be considered an admission of fault.

What If the Other Driver Doesn’t Have Car Insurance?

Pennsylvania is a no-fault state, meaning your insurance policy may cover your damages regardless of who is at fault, up to a certain limit. This coverage is called your Personal Injury Protection (PIP). For damages not covered by PIP or if the costs exceed your coverage limits, you can sue the other driver for damages. If the driver does not have insurance, you may need to pursue compensation through your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM), if you have it.

A Hazleton car accident lawyer can help you find all possible sources of compensation and determine the best course of action in your unique situation.

What is the Difference Between Full and Limited Tort Insurance?

In Pennsylvania, you have the choice between opting for full or limited tort. Full tort insurance is usually the one with the higher premium, but opting for this option gives you the opportunity to sue the at-fault driver for any damages that resulted in your accident. This includes receiving pain and suffering from your accident.

Although the cheaper tort option, limited tort is just that — it limits your ability to sue for your accident. Although you can still sue the at-fault driver for economic damages, such as your medical bills or loss of income, you will not be able to sue for non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.

What is the Statute of Limitations for Car Accidents in Hazleton, PA?

For personal injury claims, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. However, there are many steps that must be taken before a lawsuit is filed in court, so it is in your best interest to consult a lawyer as early as possible.

As a leading auto accident law firm, Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys knows firsthand the devastation caused by serious car accidents. We see the physical and emotional harm done to victims and their families daily. An auto accident can affect every aspect of the victim’s life. That’s why negligent drivers and their insurance companies must be held accountable and pay damages. Hazleton car accident victims need an experienced car crash attorney, someone qualified to examine the facts of a case, recommend a course of action, and act as a trusted advocate.

Contact a Hazleton car accident lawyer for a free consultation if you are involved in a car accident.

Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys

197 N Cedar St.
Hazleton, PA 18201
(570) 536-9498