Car Accident Attorneys
Serving Injured Victims for 60+ Years
Getting into a car accident can be a frightening and devastating experience, especially if you have been injured. If you find yourself in such a situation, the experienced car accident lawyers at Munley Law are ready to fight for you today. Let our auto accident attorneys focus on getting you the compensation you deserve. Call or chat today or use our online form to schedule your free consultation.
$32 Million Wrongful Death
$26 Million Truck Accident
$17.5 Million Car Accident
$12 Million Product Liability
$9 Million Truck Accident
$8 Million Truck Accident
$8 Million Truck Accident
$7.5 Million Auto Accident
$6.9 Million Garbage Truck Accident
$6.5 Million Traumatic Brain Injury
$5 Million Medical Malpractice
$5 Million Bus Accidents
What Does a Car Accident Lawyer Do?
After you’ve been in a car accident, you might be wondering what your next step is in order to receive compensation for your expenses. Our personal injury lawyers understand that auto accident victims will want to prioritize their mental and physical health and not focus on dealing with an insurance company or messy court case. An experienced car accident attorney will take the weight off of your shoulders by handling the insurance company and your claim, all while you focus on getting yourself better. Of course, our car accident attorneys will fight to award you a fair settlement for your car accident claim.
Our lawyers can:
Investigate Your Car Accident
Our car wreck lawyer works with investigators, police, and professional reconstructionists to understand exactly what happened in your crash. We collect important evidence including photos from the crash scene, witness statements, surveillance footage, cell phone records, and more.
Prove Negligence
In order to win, your injury attorneys must prove negligence. There are four elements:
- Duty – The defendant owed the plaintiff a duty of care. In car accident cases, all drivers have a duty to operate their vehicles in a reasonably careful manner and to follow the rules of the road.
- Breach – We must demonstrate that the defendant breached their duty by breaking the law and/or behaving recklessly.
- Causation – We must then show that the defendant’s actions resulted in a crash that caused you to suffer injuries.
- Damages – Finally, we must prove that you suffered economic and noneconomic damages as a result of your injuries.
Negotiate with the Insurance Company
The car crash lawyers at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys have decades of experience fighting against insurance companies who would attempt to settle claims for less than what victims deserve. We will negotiate with them on your behalf, and we will never accept an offer of settlement without your consent.
Fight for You at Trial
If the defendant’s insurance refuses to agree to an appropriate settlement, we have no problem taking your case to trial. Our attorneys are experienced courtroom advocates and we will be fully prepared to present your case to a jury.
How Much Does Cost to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
At Munley Law, we believe that all people should have equal access to the justice system, regardless of income. That’s why our auto accident lawyer does not charge a fee for our services unless we win your case. We cover all the upfront costs so that you don’t have to pay anything out of pocket. Our contingency fee (a percentage of the car accident settlement or verdict we obtain for you) will never exceed the total amount paid to you.
If we are unable to produce results for your car accident case, you owe us nothing.
What Can I Recover for My Car Accident?
At Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, we help car accident victims file personal injury lawsuits to recover compensation for damages sustained in a car crash. Compensation can include both economic and non-economic damages.
- Present and future medical bills
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of daily activities
- Loss of consortium/ loss of companionship
We also help our clients pursue wrongful death claims against at-fault drivers in order to get justice for their loved ones and provide future security for their families.
What Causes Car Accidents?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are more than 35,000 fatalities and hundreds of thousands of injuries each year caused by motor vehicle accidents. It is likely that everyone will be involved in a car accident at least once in their lifetime. There are many types of car accidents and they can have several causes, but the most common cause of car accidents is human error. Including:
Distracted Driving
The number one cause of car accidents in the U.S. today is distracted driving. The number of deaths caused by distracted driving is rising each year.
Any time you take your eyes off of the road ahead (visual distraction), your hands off the wheel for any reason (manual distraction), or if your mind starts to focus on something other than driving (cognitive distraction), you are putting your life, and the lives of other drivers and their passengers, in jeopardy.
With distracting technology, such as texting on a cell phone or changing the music on the radio, and distractions along the road, such as bright billboards, many factors can take your attention away from the road.
Drowsy Driving
If an individual drives while they are fatigued, their driving skills and judgment can be significantly impaired. Driving while drowsy is proven to affect drivers similarly to driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and poses a major danger to the individual behind the wheel and other drivers.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, being awake for 18 hours or more is similar to having a blood alcohol level of 0.05% or more. Those whose professions require driving late at night or for long periods of time, such as commercial drivers, shift drivers, or ridesharing drivers, are at higher risk for unintentionally driving while fatigued.
Drunk Driving
Driving while intoxicated is the cause of approximately one-third of all car accident fatalities, with more than 10,000 or more deaths due to drunk drivers each year. In the United States, it is illegal to drive with a 0.08% blood alcohol concentration. Driving past this limit seriously affects visual function, reduces coordination, impairs the perception of objects and speed, and therefore impairs overall vehicle control.
Drunk driving is completely preventable, yet there are still 52 deaths per minute attributed to driving while intoxicated.
Speeding and Aggressive Driving
Driving at excessive speeds and aggressive driving is one of the top reasons for fatal car crashes in the United States. While exceeding the speed limit accounts for one-third of all auto accident fatalities, driving unreasonably fast for certain conditions also contributes to these speeding car accidents.
Poor Weather Conditions
Driving during poor weather conditions significantly increases your chances of a car accident. Certain weather conditions such as ice, fog, snow, and rain will force drivers on the road to slow down and drive cautiously.
Unfortunately, while most drivers adhere to inclement weather conditions, some drivers still drive negligently. Negligent driving during poor weather conditions includes drivers who refuse to slow down, turn on their headlights, or maintain a safe distance from other cars.
How Do I Protect My Claim Following a Car Accident?
What you do after a car accident is important in proving fault for your car accident case. Here are a few things to keep in mind to protect your claim:
- Request a copy of the accident report. The police report will have all the information you need about the car crash. The police report will also give the opinions of the police as to what happened and who may be at fault.
- Contact your own insurance company. Even if you weren’t at fault or if it’s a minor car accident, you must contact your insurance company to let it know you were in a car accident that involved injuries.
- Keep a record of all expenses after the accident. Not only should you keep track of medical expenses but also time off from work and property damage.
- Make all your medical appointments. It’s very important for you to get healthy which means you have to follow up with your doctor after a car accident. Not only will you get the medical treatment that you need, but this will help when determining how much your auto accident claim is worth.
- Don’t accept a settlement offer without speaking to us. The first settlement offer is usually the lowest amount the insurance company is willing to go. Never accept a settlement offer from an insurance carrier unless you have consulted with a car accident lawyer.
Call a Car Accident Attorney Today to See Your Rights and Options
Getting into a car accident can be a frightening and stressful experience, especially if you are injured. But before you contact the at-fault driver’s insurance company, you need to contact an auto accident lawyer at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys. Contact us directly on our page.
The car accident lawyers at Munley Law have consistently been recognized among the Best Lawyers in America, Pennsylvania Super Lawyers, and were named among the Best Law Firms in our region by U.S. News and World Report. For over 60 years, our experienced attorneys have built a reputation for excellence in the legal profession. When you work with us, you can be confident that your car accident case is in the best possible hands. Best of all, you pay nothing out of pocket, no matter what.
Call today or use our online form to schedule your free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Car Accidents
Q: What is the Difference Between Full and Limited Tort?
In Pennsylvania, the tort option on your auto insurance policy determines your ability to sue the at-fault party after a car accident. If you have full tort, you may pursue pain and suffering compensation regardless of the severity of your injuries. Limited tort, on the other hand, limits your right to sue. If you have limited tort, you may only sue the at-fault party for the cost of your medical bills, but not for pain and suffering.
However, there are some exceptions:
- If you are hit by a drunk driver
- If you are a pedestrian who was hit by a vehicle
- If the defendant’s vehicle is registered out of state
- If you were riding in a commercial vehicle
- If you were riding with a resident relative or spouse who has full tort and you were injured as a passenger in their vehicle
- If the defendant is uninsured
- If your accident resulted in death, permanent severe impairment of a bodily function, or disfigurement
If you suffer one of the above circumstances, you would effectively “breach” limited tort and enjoy the benefits of full tort.
Q: What if I was Partially at Fault for the Accident?
Laws concerning fault vary by state. Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence rule. This means that if you are less than 51% at fault in the collision, you can seek compensation from the other driver. However, your compensation will be adjusted in proportion to your level of blame.
Even if you’re worried that you may be at fault, you should still contact an attorney. At Munley Law, we’re happy to help explore your options at no cost to you.
Q: Why is My Car Accident Settlement Taking So Long?
Depending on the complexities of your case, it can take several months before your settlement is approved. That’s because many factors are taken into account such as how quickly the insurance company is willing to settle your claim, how severe your injuries are, losses and how complex the accident is. If you have any questions about your free case, contact our car accident lawyers as soon as possible.
Q: How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim or case?
In Pennsylvania, you have two years after the date of injury to file a personal injury claim. For that reason, you should contact an attorney as soon as possible after an accident. It is really important to file your claim after your auto accident injury. Contact Munley Law Firm Group right here on our site.
