Should I Call a Car Accident Lawyer or Insurance First in Pennsylvania?
After a car accident, you’re dealing with injuries, vehicle damage, and stress, so deciding whether to call a lawyer or your insurance company first can feel overwhelming. If you were injured because of another driver’s negligence, call a car accident lawyer before giving detailed statements to any insurance company. This protects your case and helps ensure you receive the full compensation you’re entitled to under Pennsylvania law.
For more than 65 years, the board-certified attorneys at Munley Law have represented injured drivers across Pennsylvania and secured some of the state’s largest car accident settlements and verdicts.
When to Contact a Pennsylvania Car Accident Attorney
Contact a PA car accident lawyer at Munley Law before speaking with insurance companies if:
- You or your passengers sustained injuries requiring medical treatment
- Another driver’s negligence caused the crash
- You may need ongoing medical care
- Your injuries affect your ability to work
- An adjuster requests a recorded statement
- You have been offered a fast settlement
Speaking with our attorneys early prevents insurers from using your statements to weaken your case.
Four Reasons to Call a Pennsylvania Car Accident Lawyer First
Hiring a lawyer early gives you immediate advantages that directly influence the value and strength of your claim. These are the primary reasons crash victims across Pennsylvania choose Munley Law as their first call:
1. Your Insurance Company Isn’t on Your Side
Insurance adjusters, even from your own company, are trained to limit payouts. Early conversations often include leading questions that can be used later to argue you were partly at fault or that your injuries are minor.
2. Some Injuries Don’t Appear Until Later
Whiplash, concussions, and internal injuries often appear hours or days after a crash. If you tell an insurance adjuster you “feel fine,” they may later claim your injuries aren’t related to the accident.
3. Evidence Can Disappear Quickly
A lawyer can immediately secure surveillance footage, photograph the scene, interview witnesses, and collect police and medical records before any evidence is lost.
4. Early Settlement Offers Are Almost Always Too Low
Quick offers rarely account for long-term medical treatment, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, or permanent injuries. Once accepted, a settlement cannot be reopened.
Pennsylvania Car Accident Laws That Affect Your Case
Our attorneys work with Pennsylvania’s motor vehicle and personal injury statutes every day. These laws shape your rights, deadlines, and the strength of your case. Here are the key statutes that may impact your recovery:
Pennsylvania’s Two-Year Statute of Limitations
Under 42 Pa.C.S. § 5524, you generally have two years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Because this deadline determines whether you can sue, our attorneys evaluate it at the start of every case to ensure your rights are protected. Insurance companies may delay discussions, knowing time is running out.
Pennsylvania Car Accident Reporting Requirements
You must report crashes involving:
- Injuries or fatalities
- A vehicle that cannot be safely driven
- Property damage over $1,000
Under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3746, failing to file a required report can result in fines, a license suspension, and complications with your insurance coverage. We apply this statute in most cases we handle and help clients avoid avoidable reporting issues.
Limited Tort vs. Full Tort Coverage
Your tort selection determines whether you can recover pain-and-suffering damages:
- Limited tort: Pain-and-suffering recovery is restricted unless injuries are “serious.”
- Full tort: You can recover full non-economic damages regardless of severity.
Munley Law’s car accident lawyers review your policy, explain your rights, and identify exceptions that may allow full recovery even if you selected limited tort.
Pennsylvania’s Modified Comparative Negligence Rule
Under the comparative negligence statute 42 Pa.C.S. § 7102, you can recover compensation if you were 50% or less responsible for the accident. It is called modified comparative negligence because once your fault exceeds 50%, you cannot recover damages. Your award is reduced by your percentage of fault. Compensation = Total Damages × (1 − Your Percentage of Fault).
Insurance companies often try to raise your fault percentage to reduce what they owe. We use this statute to challenge unfair liability arguments and protect your right to compensation.
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UM/UIM)
If the at-fault driver has little or no insurance, your own UM/UIM coverage may apply. This option can provide compensation for injuries, but insurers frequently dispute these cases despite the fact that you paid for the coverage.
We determine whether UM/UIM coverage applies and pursue the compensation you’re entitled to.
How a Car Accident Attorney Protects Your Case
Hiring Munley Law early ensures your case is handled strategically from day one. Here’s how we protect your rights and build your case:
We Prepare You for Any Required Insurance Conversations
If an adjuster contacts you before you hire us, we explain exactly what to say and what not to say to avoid harming your case.
We Take Over All Communication with Insurance Companies
After we send a notice of representation, insurers must speak with us, not you. This protects your case and lets you focus on healing.
We Calculate the Full Value of Your Case
Our lawyers work with medical experts, economists, and accident reconstructionists to identify all possible damages, including:
- Current and future medical treatment
- Lost income and reduced earning ability
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent injuries or scarring
- Impact on your spouse and family
This comprehensive approach leads to stronger settlement negotiations and courtroom results.
If You Already Spoke to Insurance
We can still help. Just tell us what was discussed, whether the conversation was recorded, and whether you signed anything.
No Upfront Costs
You pay nothing unless we win your case. Our contingency fee structure ensures that high-quality representation is accessible to every injured person.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Pennsylvania
Your actions after a crash affect the strength of your case. To protect your health and your rights:
- Call 911
- Move your vehicle if safe
- Photograph the scene, debris, vehicles, and injuries
- Exchange information with the other driver
- Get witness contact details
- Seek medical attention immediately
- Call Munley Law before discussing the crash in detail with any insurance adjuster
- Report the accident to your insurer with basic facts only
Pennsylvania Car Accident FAQs
These are the questions our Pennsylvania car accident lawyers answer most often:
Should I call a lawyer or insurance first?
Call a lawyer first if you were injured. Report the accident promptly, but avoid detailed statements until you speak with an attorney.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit?
Two years from the date of the crash under 42 Pa.C.S. § 5524.
What’s the difference between limited and full tort?
Limited tort restricts pain-and-suffering recovery except for serious injuries; full tort allows full recovery.
Can I recover compensation if I was partly at fault?
Yes, if you were 50% or less at fault under PA’s modified comparative negligence rule.
Do I pay a lawyer up front?
No. Munley Law is paid only if we win your case.
What if the other driver was uninsured?
Your UM/UIM coverage may apply. We can help determine eligibility.
How long will my case take?
It depends on your injuries, medical treatment, and whether the case settles or requires litigation.
Contact the Pennsylvania Car Accident Attorneys at Munley Law
If another driver’s negligence injured you, your first call matters. Our award-winning car accident attorneys can protect your case before insurance companies get involved.
Contact us today for a free consultation. We’ll review what happened, explain your options, and work to secure the full compensation you deserve.
Marion Munley
Marion Munley is recognized for her compassionate representation of catastrophically injured clients and her steadfast dedication to them and their families. Her advocacy has produced numerous multimillion-dollar recoveries, including one of the largest trucking accident settlements on record. Marion is Triple Board Certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy in Civil Trial, Civil Practice, and Truck Law, and since 2023 has been named one of Pennsylvania’s Top 10 Super Lawyers by Super Lawyers.
Posted in Car Accidents.
