Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyer

Personal Injury Lawyers / Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyer / Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyers

If you were involved in a severe car accident in Philadelphia, contact a Philadelphia car accident lawyer at Munley Law to get the help you need following a car crash. Your primary focus should be your health; you should not have to manage the claims process alone.

At Munley Law, we have 65 years of experience helping car injury victims get compensation following an accident. Our board-certified car accident attorneys understand what you are going through, and we will not rest until you receive the compensation you need to recover from the accident. Now is the time to schedule a free consultation with a car crash attorney at Munley Law. You do not owe a fee unless we win your case.

Why You Need a Car Accident Attorney in Philadelphia, PA

Hiring personal injury lawyers eases the burden of being directly involved in all the Pennsylvania legal processes and increases your chances of success. Here is what a Philadelphia car accident attorney can do for your personal injury case:

Legal professionals: Car accident attorneys know how to navigate Pennsylvania’s legal intricacies, which could greatly benefit you. Dealing with the insurance company can be difficult on your own. Your insurance carrier will find any little issue to decrease the value of your injury claim. That’s why hiring a lawyer is essential. They know all the tricks the insurance company will use to avoid paying what your car accident claim is worth.

Maximum Compensation: A lawyer can ensure you receive total and fair compensation by assessing past, current, and future expenses, including medical costs, lost earnings, and discomfort and suffering.

Investigation: Our Philadelphia auto accident lawyers have the resources and relationships to investigate the car collision case thoroughly. Using evidence like your testimony, the police accident report, the eyewitness’s statements, photos and videos at the scene, and the physician’s notes, your Philadelphia personal injury lawyer will use this information to strengthen your lawsuit.

Negotiation: Our car accident lawyers have years of expertise in dealing with insurance providers. They will negotiate with the insurance adjuster, and if negotiations should break down, we will represent you in court if necessary.

Litigation: If a fair settlement is impossible, your car accident attorney will represent you in court to ensure you are compensated for the total value of your damages.

Schedule a free consultation today to see how a Philadelphia lawyer from Munley Law can help you.

Why Choose a Philly Car Crash Lawyer at Munley Law?

When choosing a Philadelphia car crash lawyer from Munley Law, you’re choosing a law firm with six decades of experience in car accident litigation in Pennsylvania. Our board-certified attorneys have won numerous awards in car accident law from Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Lawdragon, Martindale Hubbell, and many other prestigious legal organizations. Our partners have won multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts for our clients.

Your case starts with a free consultation. In your first consultation, we will listen to your story and give proper legal advice on your next steps. Once you hire our law firm, your legal team will keep you informed every step of the way. We will deal with the insurance companies and handle the legal process so you can focus on getting your life back on track.

Using our team of medical professionals, accident reconstructionists, and investigators, we will investigate the accident scene, speak with witnesses, and gather all the necessary information to strengthen your claim. Once all the evidence has been collected, our legal representation will begin negotiating with the insurance company on your behalf.

In many car accident cases, a lawsuit is not necessary. However, if a settlement cannot be reached and negotiations break, our car accident lawyers will file a lawsuit and represent your best interests in court. As experienced trial lawyers, we can present a strong case in court with the evidence we collect. We will not rest until you receive the compensation you need following an accident.

We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you will not owe us a fee until we settle your case. If we are not successful, you do not owe us anything.

To establish an attorney-client relationship with our Philadelphia car accident attorneys, call Munley Law today.

Speak with a Philadelphia car accident lawyer near me.

Call Now

Can I Hire A Philadelphia Car Accident Attorney If The Insurance Company Has Already Made A Settlement Offer?

You can hire a Philadelphia car accident attorney even if the insurance company already offers you a settlement. However, do not accept the settlement or sign any paperwork until your car accident attorney has had a chance to review your case and the offer.

If you accept the settlement, a car crash lawyer cannot help you seek additional compensation, even if the amount is insufficient to cover your crash losses.

Call the Philadelphia personal injury lawyers from Munley Law to learn how we can help you secure maximum compensation.

Damages in a Philadelphia Car Accident Case

Possible compensation following an accident in Philadelphia may vary depending on the circumstances; the most common factors that lead to compensation include serious car accident injury severity, property destruction, and liability considerations. However, working with a trusted Philadelphia car accident lawyer can increase your chances of securing maximum compensation.

Automobile accident compensation generally includes damages for the following:

• Medical expenses: Medical expenses would apply to hospitalization, surgery, medication, and all other ongoing medical costs the victim has accrued.
• Lost wages: Lost wages compensation includes loss of future earnings if the injury victim needs to take a lesser-paying job because of their car accident injuries.
• Property damage: Repair or replacement costs of the vehicle or any other property that sustains damage will be included in your settlement.
• Pain and suffering: Also known as non-economic damages, pain and suffering compensate for the physical, mental, or emotional pain you may have suffered from the accident.
• Permanent disability or disfigurement: Compensate for patients who lose part of their bodies or their full functioning.
• Emotional distress: Emotional distress refers to any mental suffering you may experience from a motor vehicle accident that disrupts your daily quality of life. Examples of emotional distress include depression, frustration, and anxiety,
• Loss of consortium: Compensation may be available if you cannot be intimate with your significant other.
• Loss of enjoyment of life: If you no longer enjoy daily activities or hobbies you once loved because of the accident, you may receive compensation.

In rare car accident cases, the court may award punitive damages to accident victims. Punitive damages are designed to punish the actions of the other people or entities that caused the accident, hoping they will never act negligently again. In Pennsylvania, punitive damages are only awarded when the other party’s actions are extreme or intentional.

Call the car accident lawyers of Munley Law today to get a car accident case evaluation.

How Much Is My Philly Car Accident Claim Worth?

There are several factors to consider to determine how much your motor vehicle accident case can be worth in Philadelphia:

• The extent of your expenses: Your expenses include not only past and present medical bills and property damage but any future expenses that may arise, such as future surgeries or medical equipment.
• Liability: The extent of the other party’s fault in the accident can determine how much your case is worth. If you were partly at fault for the accident, the compensation you can obtain will be recused accordingly.
• Insurance coverage: A victim’s case value and the available compensation will also depend on the insurance policies involved. This might include the policy of the at-fault driver, your insurance policy, and other insurance policies that may apply in your case.
• Jurisdiction-based factors: The laws of Philadelphia and Pennsylvania laws can determine the potential value of your case. You should note that the preceding factors depend on an individual’s circumstances, meaning each case is unique.

The Difference Between Full Tort and Limited Tort Car Insurance

When you purchase auto insurance in Pennsylvania, you can pick full or limited tort coverage. This type of insurance gives you the choice of whether you can sue another driver for non-economic damages such as pain and suffering. If you choose limited tort insurance, you cannot sue for pain and suffering unless you are seriously injured. This includes wrongful death, impairment of body functions, or permanent disfigurement.  If you select full tort car insurance, you can recover compensation for pain and suffering without the burden of proving serious injury.

However, there are exceptions to limited tort insurance, such as the other driver being drunk or being a passenger in someone else’s vehicle. Your Philadelphia car accident lawyer can help you determine what is needed to prove serious injury.

If you have questions about your insurance policy, our car accident lawyers can help.

How Liability is Determined in an Automobile Accident in Philadelphia

In a Philadelphia accident, the insurance adjuster determines who is the negligent driver who caused the accident, not the police or the courts. Using information from the police report and other evidence the adjust gathered, they will decide who was at fault.

Pennsylvania uses the rule of “modified comparative negligence,” which considers each party’s share of liability and adjusts damages accordingly. Modified comparative negligence means that victims who share some blame for their injuries can still pursue compensation from the other party if the victim is less than 51 percent at fault. In this situation, your payment would be adjusted in proportion to your share of the blame.

For example, Driver A was driving too fast along the Schuylkill on their way to Chester. The traffic slowed ahead, but Driver A had not been paying attention. When the driver discovers the traffic, it’s too late, and they hit Driver B.

The insurance company may say Driver A is 100% at fault for the accident. But let’s say the traffic had begun to move, but Driver B was texting on their phone. In this case, Driver B may be assigned some blame and only receive a partial recovery.

Several individuals or entities may be responsible for your accident. Most commonly, it will be another driver utilizing roadways. Other parties include:

• Truck drivers or trucking companies
• Vehicle manufacturers
• Maintenance providers
• Government entities
• In cases of a DUI, the business that supplied the alcohol to the clearly intoxicated individual
  Rideshare driver or the rideshare company

Modified comparative negligence can be complicated, and many times, the insurance adjuster may not assign fault correctly. By hiring an experienced car accident attorney at Munley Law, we will be able to prove driver negligence in your accident and ensure that the insurance company treats you fairly.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Philadelphia

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Philadelphia has the most traffic-related fatalities in the Commonwealth than any other county in Pennsylvania. Not only was the county in the top 10, but other counties in the Philadelphia region, such as Montgomery, Chester, and Bucks, had a high traffic-related fatality rate.

Philadelphia is also home to some of the state’s most dangerous roads. According to a recent study of Pennsylvania’s most dangerous roadways, more than a quarter of the road segments considered among the deadliest in the Commonwealth are in Philadelphia.

PennDOT states that the common causes of most car accidents in Philadelphia are a result of driver error, such as:

• Speeding
• Drunk driving
• Improper turning
• Distracted driving
• Drowsy driving
• Failure to follow traffic signals or road signs
• Aggressive driving, such as illegal passing or tailgating

In some accident cases, other causes of car accidents did not involve a driver’s error. These include defective auto parts, mechanical issues, poor road conditions, or adverse weather.

Common Types of Philadelphia Car Accidents

The most common type of car accident in Philadelphia is a rear-end collision. A rear-end collision occurs when the front end of a vehicle hits the back of the car traveling in front of it.

Other types of traffic accidents that happen in Philadelphia include:

• Head-on collisions
• Side impact accidents, better known as T-bone accidents
• Rollover crashes
• Hit and run accidents
• Multi-vehicle pileups

Car accidents involve other cars and can also include pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, tractor trailers, delivery vans, and any other vehicle on the road. If you get into an auto accident, contact Munley Law for a free consultation.

Common Injuries in Serious Car Accident Cases

The most common accident injuries in Philadelphia include:

• Whiplash is a sudden head and neck movement caused by a jerking motion, such as a rear-end collision.
• Broken bones in arms, legs, or other parts of the body due to direct harm from the accident.
• Head injuries involve any traumatic brain damage or concussion and skull fractures but are only caused by high rates of speed or absent safety belt usage.
• Neck and back injuries include herniated discs, a spinal cord injury, and muscle strains due to the collision’s force.
• Chest injuries are linked to frontal series and can topple a victim’s ribs, harm inner locations, and experience myocardial contusions.
• Soft tissue damage is damage to muscles, tendons, and ligaments that manifests as neck strain, sprain, or bruise.
• Psychological trauma: do the occurrence and the leading aftermath cause the post-traumatic distress.

What to Do Following a Car Accident in Philadelphia

No matter how safe you are behind the wheel, the chances of getting into an auto accident at least once in your lifetime are great. If you or your passengers are injured, it can be significantly confusing after an accident. You may need to know what your next steps should be. However, if you keep this list in mind, you will be able to protect your future claim.

Remain Calm: This may seem like common sense, but you may experience a shock to the system after an accident. You will feel disoriented, frightened, and confused. You may not even realize that you were injured in a car accident, which can lead to severe consequences for your safety.

Move Away From Accident Scene: Try to get to safety once you can think straight. If your car is still operational after the accident, try to move it to the shoulder and stay in it until emergency personnel arrive. If your vehicle cannot move, try to get yourself out of the car and drive to safety. Once you’re safe, try to help others who may still be in danger.

Call 911: Once you and the other parties are safe, contact emergency services immediately to report the accident and give them your location. Pennsylvania law requires all drivers to alert the police of an accident. Getting emergency medical services is still a good idea, even if no one seems injured in an accident.

Collect Information About the Auto Collision: As you wait for the police to arrive, you can start trying to collect any information that could be beneficial to your claim later on. Try to get the following information: Contact information of the other driver or passengers and any witnesses to the accident. Photographs and video footage of the accident scene, the damage to your vehicle, and the damage to the other driver’s vehicle. Take note of any surveillance cameras you may see. If you’re injured, take photos of your injuries and make detailed notes if you’re able.

Give Your Statement to the Police About Your Auto Accident: Once the police arrive, they will interview everyone involved in the accident, including witnesses who may have seen the accident occur. Describe accurately what happened before, during, and after the accident. Remember to be truthful, but don’t blame yourself or the other driver. Stick to the facts of what happened.

Seek Medical Treatment: Even if you think you’re not injured in an accident, it’s still best to have medical personnel examine you following an accident. Sometimes, auto accident injury will not show up until days later. If you refuse medical treatment at the scene, remember to visit your doctor for a follow-up appointment because not all injuries are immediately obvious.

Take Care of Yourself: Following a car crash, taking care of yourself and getting your facts in order before speaking with the insurance company is essential. Record any medical treatments, repair bills, property damage, or other financial losses you may have suffered following the accident.

Contact a Skilled Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyer as Soon as Possible: Waiting too long can hurt your chances of receiving compensation. By contacting Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys early on, you can increase the likelihood of a successful recovery.

Speak with a Philadelphia car accident lawyer today.

Call Now

How Long Do Car Accident Victims Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Philadelphia?

Typically, the statute of limitations to file a lawsuit on a motor vehicle accident case in Philadelphia is about two years after the accident.

Be sure to familiarize yourself with this deadline or ask a lawyer’s assistance. Missing this deadline can lead to the dismissal of your personal injury lawsuit. In case of doubts, don’t hesitate to contact Munley Law for a free consultation and to clarify all the timelines or other documentation for your case.

Contact a Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyer Today

If you have questions about your rights after auto accidents, we encourage you to contact one of our lawyers. We are happy to help you understand your situation and make informed decisions about protecting your legal rights. Call or contact us online today to speak with a lawyer at our Philadelphia law offices.

Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys

1617 John F Kennedy Blvd
Suite 1690,
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 515-7747