You need an experienced Bethlehem car accident lawyer if you’ve been injured or suffered damages in Northampton or Lehigh Counties. Car accidents can turn your life upside down in a matter of seconds, leaving you with painful injuries, mounting medical bills, and feeling overwhelmed. Between Pennsylvania’s insurance rules and dealing with adjusters who may not have your best interests at heart, you could easily come off second best without expert legal advice.
An award-winning car accident attorney from Munley Law can investigate the accident, handle insurance communications, and pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Legal representation is especially important in serious injury cases or when fault is disputed.
Our Bethlehem personal injury attorneys have been representing car accident victims across Bethlehem and the Lehigh Valley for nearly seven decades. Known for our record-setting results and trial-ready approach, the firm combines compassionate client care with aggressive advocacy against insurance companies. When you hire Munley Law, you’re choosing a team that knows how to win and won’t stop fighting until justice is served.
Contact Munley Law for a free consultation to discuss the merits of your case today.
What are the Common Causes of Car Accidents in Bethlehem and the Lehigh Valley?
In 2024, 110,765 reportable traffic crashes occurred in Pennsylvania, claiming the lives of 1,127 victims. That amounts to approximately 13 crashes per hour. In the same year, Lehigh County saw 1,751 crashes, while Northampton County reported 756. Many of these auto crashes could have been avoided if road users had adhered to road safety guidelines. Most auto accidents result from common, preventable driving errors or poor road or weather conditions. These may include: 
- Driving under the influence of alcohol, opioids, or other illicit substances
- Distracted driving
- Excessive speeding
- Tailgating and reckless driving
- Poor road conditions
- Failure to yield
- Improper or sudden lane change
- Running a red light
- Road rage
- Driver fatigue
- Sudden brake checks in the middle of the road
- Careless driving in poor weather conditions
- Bad eyesight or poor night vision
As you can see from the accident causes listed above, most auto accidents in Bethlehem and the Lehigh Valley are preventable.
If you have sustained an injury in an auto accident in Bethlehem, PA, and want to file a personal injury or car accident claim, Munley Law can help.
Our experienced car accident lawyers are skilled at filing personal injury claims and getting you the settlement you deserve. For nearly 70 years, we have been representing Lehigh Valley residents and people throughout Pennsylvania in personal injury and auto accident cases.
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Call Us At 844-686-5397 What Are the Major Steps to Take After an Auto Accident in Bethlehem, PA?
The steps you take right after your car crash in Bethlehem can influence the outcome of your personal injury lawsuit. At Munley Law, we are committed to fighting for you and ensuring you receive maximum compensation in your personal injury claim. To this end, we need to know your immediate actions after your motor vehicle accident in Bethlehem.
Personal injury claims have a higher chance of being approved if the personal injury victim or his or her lawyer took the following steps after an accident:
- Sought medical treatment immediately
- Exchanged insurance information with the at-fault party
- Reported the case at a police station, or a police officer was at the scene of the auto accident
- Spoke to witnesses who saw the auto crash and were willing to discuss it
- Preserved evidence in the form of videos, audios, and pictures of the accident scene
- Refused to speak to an insurance adjuster before speaking to an experienced accident attorney
If you want to file a successful personal injury suit against the erring party, you need to take these steps. If you have not been able to do so because of the severity of your injuries, you should get in touch with a Bethlehem personal injury attorney at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys right away. We have the right resources and manpower to collect evidence on your behalf, speak to witnesses, and improve your chances of winning your personal injury claim in Bethlehem.
“Munley Law is far more than just a law firm. We’re a family of attorneys who truly understand the meaning of family and bring deep compassion to every client we serve.”
J. Christopher Munley
Why are Police Reports Important in Bethlehem, PA Auto Crash Cases?
According to Pennsylvania Vehicle Code – 75 Pa.C.S. § 3746, drivers are required to report any vehicle accident causing death, injuries, or severe vehicle damage to the police. Police reports are crucial in every Bethlehem personal injury case. A police report is an unbiased description of an auto accident by a law enforcement officer. When you file your personal injury claim in Bethlehem, the insurance adjuster will see if you filed a police report. A police report tells them informs insurance carriers that the auto accident actually happened in Bethlehem.
Lehigh Valley insurance firms often use these reports to determine if a personal injury claim has merit. If there has been a police report filed, the insurance adjuster will request a copy to see if the police officer’s statement matches the statement of the person filing the personal injury claim in Bethlehem.
Police reports are not just documented official notices; they can also help speed up your personal injury case. Insurance companies are less likely to contest an auto accident or personal injury claim if there is official proof that you were indeed involved in an auto crash.
Your auto accident lawyer can help initiate the process of filing the report.
What Factors Affect Your Bethlehem, PA Car Accident Settlement?
In the 60-plus years that Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys has been serving residents of Bethlehem, PA, and throughout Pennsylvania, our law firm has handled thousands of auto crash cases. This means that our attorneys know all there is to know about the things that will influence your personal injury compensation. 
The following factors will determine how much you will get as compensation and how quickly you’ll get your benefits in Bethlehem:
- The severity of your injury
- Loss of wages or income
- Temporary or permanent partial or total disability
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional or psychological trauma
- Temporary or permanent disfigurement
- Medical costs
- Prolonged post-surgical or rehabilitative care
- Wrongful death
If the above factors may be significant in your case, the personal injury attorneys at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys may be able to help you secure the compensation you need.
Liability in a Bethlehem Car Accident
Pennsylvania is a no-fault insurance state. Therefore, all drivers are required to carry personal injury protection (PIP) insurance coverage. So if you sustained an injury from an auto crash in Bethlehem, you can file for compensation from your own insurance provider, regardless of who was at fault. This is known as a first-party insurance claim.
While your PIP coverage is somewhat limited when it comes to the benefits you can receive, the good news is that there are alternative options and damages that you can seek with the help of your Bethlehem injury lawyer. When it comes to personal injury claims in Bethlehem, PA, it is best to engage the services of experienced auto accident lawyers if you sustained serious bodily injuries and want to seek the maximum settlement possible.
At Munley Law, our personal injury lawyers can help you. Every Bethlehem motor accident case is different in the sense that the compensation our attorneys can pursue on your behalf may vary. Our Bethlehem auto accident attorneys are trained to identify the damages you can seek in Lehigh Valley auto crash cases. This will help you pursue only the best possible outcome instead of wasting precious time. If you’d like to know more, our knowledgeable attorneys can help.
Why Choose Munley Law for Your Bethlehem Car Accident Claim?
When choosing a Bethlehem car accident lawyer, Munley Law stands out for our unmatched track record of results and trial-tested advocacy. We have secured multiple high-value settlements and verdicts, including a $17.5 million jury verdict in a teen car accident case.
Our attorneys are nationally and internationally recognized for their excellence, including listings in Best Lawyers in America and Pennsylvania Super Lawyers, and all five partners are ranked among the Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers nationwide. Marion Munley has been named to the Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America list.
Munley Law attorneys also hold prestigious certifications from the National Board of Trial Advocacy, and we are the only firm in Pennsylvania with three lawyers certified in Truck Accident Law. We also have active leadership roles in organizations such as the American Association for Justice, reflecting both our expertise and dedication to pursuing justice for our clients.
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FAQs About Bethlehem Car Accidents
How Long Do I Have To File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Bethlehem, PA?
In most cases, Pennsylvania law gives car accident victims two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. If the claim involves a wrongful death, the two-year deadline generally starts on the date of death. Missing this deadline can permanently bar you from recovering compensation.
Should I Talk To the Insurance Company After a Bethlehem Car Accident?
You may need to report the accident to your insurer, but you are not required to give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company. Insurance adjusters often look for statements they can use to reduce or deny claims. Speaking with a car accident lawyer first can help protect your rights.
What If the Other Driver Was Uninsured or Underinsured?
If the at-fault driver lacks sufficient insurance, you may still recover compensation through uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage on your own policy. These claims can be complex, and insurers often dispute their value, making legal guidance especially important.
Can I Recover Compensation If I Was Partially at Fault?
Yes. Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence rule. You may still recover damages as long as you are less than 51% at fault, though your compensation may be reduced based on your share of responsibility.
What Is Considered a “Serious Injury” Under Pennsylvania Law?
A serious injury typically involves significant impairment of a bodily function, permanent disfigurement, or long-term disability. This distinction matters most to drivers who selected limited-tort insurance, as it can affect whether they are eligible for pain and suffering damages.
Do I Need a Lawyer If My Injuries Seem Minor?
Some injuries worsen over time or require ongoing treatment. Once you accept a settlement, you usually cannot reopen the claim. Consulting a car accident lawyer helps ensure future medical costs, lost wages, and long-term effects are properly considered before any settlement is finalized.
What If My Child Was Injured in a Bethlehem Car Accident?
When a minor is injured, special legal rules apply. Settlements involving children often require court approval, and compensation may need to be placed in a protected account. An experienced attorney can help ensure the child’s long-term interests are protected.
Can a Car Accident Claim Be Filed If the Crash Involved a Commercial Vehicle?
Yes. Accidents involving delivery vans, company cars, or commercial trucks may give rise to claims against both the driver and their employer. These cases often involve higher insurance limits but more aggressive defense strategies.
What Happens If a Car Accident Results in a Fatality?
When a crash leads to death, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim and, in some cases, a survival action. These claims seek compensation for financial losses, funeral expenses, and the impact of the loss on surviving relatives.
Contact a Bethlehem Car Accident Lawyer at Munley Law
At Munley Law, our car accident lawyers have the expertise and experience to handle all crash compensation claims and win battles with insurance carriers trying to diminish your compensation. We serve our Bethlehem and Lehigh Valley community with compassion and fight aggressively to secure maximum compensation for our clients.
Contact Munley Law for a free consultation to discuss how we can assist you. You pay no fees until we win your case.
J. Christopher Munley
James Christopher Munley is an award-winning plaintiffs’ lawyer who has dedicated his career to fighting for accident victims and their families. As a board-certified civil trial advocate, Chris was named Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers for Workers’ Compensation by Best Lawyers, and has been listed on Pennsylvania Super Lawyers since 2013.
