Choosing the right Bethlehem personal injury lawyer is as simple as thoroughly researching and trusting your gut when you find the best fit. Navigating the legal system after a personal injury can be incredibly challenging. Having the right team of personal injury lawyers by your side can make all the difference in ensuring you receive monetary compensation.
Since 1959, the legal team at Munley Law has been proudly serving Bethlehem and the Lehigh Valley. Our experience, specialization, and success when fighting for accident victims set us apart. We have a strong track record of navigating Bethlehem’s unique laws and tackling challenges head-on while keeping insurance companies in check. Get started with a free case evaluation.
Selecting a Personal Injury Lawyer
When choosing a Bethlehem personal injury lawyer, seek someone with experience and specialization. You want someone who will stand up to big insurance companies, negotiate on your behalf, and have the skills, strategy, and experience to win.
Experience Matters
It’s one thing to know the law; it’s another to have an extensive history of handling complex claims. When speaking to potential personal injury attorneys, ask about their track record and how many cases they have handled that are similar to yours.
Specialization is Key
Just like doctors specialize in certain areas of medicine, lawyers focus on specific fields of law. For example, if your case involves medical malpractice or workers’ compensation issues, find an attorney well-versed in that area, not one that focuses on another specialty, like car accidents.
Testimonials Tell the Story
Nothing speaks louder than past clients singing praises—or issuing warnings—about their experiences with an attorney. You should be able to find reviews for the law firm and the personal injury attorneys.
The Role of a Personal Injury Attorney in Your Case
Think of a Bethlehem personal injury lawyer as not only your legal representation but also your guide. An experienced personal injury lawyer will:
- Review your legal options and translate legal jargon to ensure you understand what happens at every step.
- Build and manage your case by gathering evidence and crafting a compelling argument to support your personal injury claim.
- Keep your personal injury lawsuit on track by ensuring that every legal document is filed on time and in the correct order.
- Negotiate on your behalf with the insurance company to help you recover compensation.
- Determine if it is necessary and, if so, represent you at trial.
Common Challenges in Personal Injury Cases
If negligence turned your daily stroll across the Hill-to-Hill Bridge into an unexpected trip to St. Luke’s Hospital, you might have grounds for a claim. One of the first hurdles you’ll face regarding personal injury law is proving negligence. Demonstrating that someone else’s negligence was the cause of your harm is not always an easy task. It involves establishing a duty of care and breaching that duty based on evidence.
Insurance companies will frequently start with lowball offers and delay tactics, hoping you will accept a low initial offer rather than pursue a lawsuit. Without the aid of a personal injury lawyer, you may not know when you’re being offered a fair settlement.
The Impact of Pennsylvania Laws on Personal Injury Cases
In Pennsylvania, we have a law called comparative negligence. If you’re found partially at fault for your accident, say, 20%, then any award you receive will be reduced by that amount. Additionally, you’ll walk away empty-handed if your share is more than half.
Pennsylvania also sets deadlines on personal injury litigation with its statute of limitations. You’ve generally got two years to file or risk missing out altogether. Though every rule has its exceptions, sometimes those timelines stretch further depending on specifics like the age of the accident victim, for example.
Steps to Take After Suffering a Personal Injury in Bethlehem
If you’ve suffered an injury in Bethlehem, time is not on your side. You need to act swiftly and smartly. Check yourself for any injuries and get medical attention even if you do not have visible injuries, as some injuries won’t immediately become apparent.
Once you’ve got medical help or have taken care of immediate health concerns, gather evidence by snapping photos of the scene and collecting contact info from other involved parties and witnesses.
Moving forward, keep track of everything: every doctor’s visit, every ache that wakes you up at night—log it all down. This record may be beneficial during settlement or at trial.
As soon as you’re able, you should contact an attorney in Bethlehem, PA, especially if you have suffered serious injuries. The sooner they are involved, the sooner you can hand over the legal side of things and focus on your recovery.
Last but not least, patience is vital. These cases can take longer than expected, but hang tight and remember that healing takes precedence over all else.
Financial Compensation in Personal Injury Claims
If you’ve suffered a personal injury, you know it’s not just about healing your wounds. It’s also about getting the money to cover medical bills and missed paychecks.
- Medical expenses: From medical visits to hospital stays, physical therapy, and beyond – any costs incurred in the healing process can be covered financially.
- Lost wages: Time is money, and when an injury keeps you from going to work or performing your job duties, you can seek compensation.
- Pain and suffering: This compensates for all those intangible difficulties like enduring pain or missing out on tossing a ball with your kid because of an injury caused by another’s negligence.
How Settlements Are Negotiated
Formulating a personal injury claim resolution is complex; each step must be meticulously planned and considered. The process begins with your attorney putting together a demand letter after assessing your injuries and losses – backed by solid evidence that shows exactly why you deserve compensation.
The insurance company will scrutinize this initial pitch —meticulously searching for any reason to reduce their payout. They may offer an inadequate figure, but this is the starting point.
Your lawyer will counter by using Pennsylvania’s comparative negligence rules or highlighting how state laws favor fair compensation for folks like you who’ve been wronged. It’s not unusual for these negotiations to go back and forth until both sides reach an agreement that makes sense—or decide to take the case to trial.
Our Bethlehem Personal Injury Lawyers are Ready to Help
When finding a lawyer, you want to look for experience, expertise, and real stories from those who’ve been there. Finding the right combination in a personal injury lawyer will improve your chances of a successful outcome. Whether seeking help with medical malpractice or researching your options regarding truck accidents, your first step should always be to consult an attorney.
Ultimately, picking the right lawyer or law firm isn’t just about recovering losses—it’s about finding peace of mind again. Munley Law knows personal injuries, and we are here to assist. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and take a step towards holding the liable parties responsible for your injuries.
