If you were involved in a severe car accident, contact a Philadelphia car accident lawyer at Munley Law. 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 lawyers know what you are going through. We will not stop until you get the compensation you need to recover. 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.
$32 Million Wrongful Death
$26 Million Truck Accident
$20 Million Commercial Vehicle Accident
$17.5 Million Car Accident
$12 Million Work Injury
$11 Million Truck Accident
$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
Why You Need a Car Accident Attorney in Philadelphia, PA
Hiring personal injury lawyers makes it easier to handle the legal processes in Pennsylvania. It also boosts 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 help you get fair compensation. They will look at your past, current, and future costs. This includes medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Investigation: Our Philadelphia auto accident lawyers have the resources and relationships to investigate the car collision case thoroughly. Your lawyer in Philadelphia will use different types of evidence to strengthen your lawsuit. This evidence includes your testimony, the police report, eyewitness statements, photos, videos, and doctor’s notes.
Negotiation: Our car accident lawyers have years of expertise in dealing with insurance providers. They will talk with the insurance adjuster. If talks fail, we will represent you in court if needed.
Litigation: Your car accident lawyer will take your case to court if a fair settlement cannot be reached. They will work to make sure you get paid for all 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 you select a car crash lawyer from Munley Law, you choose a firm with 65 years of experience. Our board-certified lawyers have won many awards in car accident law. These awards come from Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Lawdragon, Martindale Hubbell, and other respected legal groups. 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.
Our team includes medical professionals, accident experts, and investigators. We will investigate the accident scene, interview witnesses, and collect all the information needed to support your claim. Once we have all the evidence, our lawyer will start talking with the insurance company on your behalf.
In many car accident cases, a lawsuit is not necessary. If we cannot reach a settlement and talks fail, our car accident lawyers will file a lawsuit. They will 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.
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Damages in a Philadelphia Car Accident Case
Possible compensation after an accident in Philadelphia can vary based on the situation. The main factors that affect compensation are:
- The severity of car accident injuries
- Property damage
- Who is at fault
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 covers future earnings that the injury victim misses out on. This happens if they have to take a lower-paying job because of their car accident injuries.
- Property damage: Repair or replacement costs of the vehicle that sustains damage will be included in your settlement.
- Pain and suffering: These are also called non-economic damages. They help pay for the physical, mental, or emotional pain you may have felt from the accident.
- Permanent disability or disfigurement: Compensation for patients who lose part of their bodies or their full functioning.
- Emotional distress: Emotional distress means any mental pain you feel from a car accident. It can affect your daily 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 activities or hobbies you once loved, you may get compensation.
In rare car accident cases, the court may award punitive damages to accident victims. Punitive damages aim to punish people or companies for causing an accident. The goal is to prevent them from acting carelessly in the future. 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 Liability is Determined in an Automobile Accident in Philadelphia
In a Philadelphia accident, the insurance adjuster decides who was the careless driver. The police or the courts do not do this. Using information from the police report and other evidence the adjuster 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 seek compensation. This is true 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 the 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 the insurance adjuster may often not assign fault correctly. By hiring a skilled car accident lawyer at Munley Law, we can show that the driver was careless in your accident. This will help make sure 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. The county was in the top 10. Other counties in the Philadelphia area, like Montgomery, Chester, and Bucks, also had high traffic-related death rates.
Philadelphia is also home to some of the state’s most dangerous roads. According to a study, over a quarter of the deadliest roads in Pennsylvania are in Philadelphia.
PennDOT says that most car accidents in Philadelphia happen because of driver mistakes, like:
- 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 can involve other cars. They can also include pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, and large trucks. Delivery vans and any other vehicles on the road may be involved too. 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: A sudden head and neck movement caused by a jerking motion, such as in a rear-end collision.
- Broken bones: Fractures in the arms, legs, or other parts of the body due to direct impact from the accident.
- Head injuries: These may include traumatic brain injury, concussion, or skull fractures. These injuries are more likely in high-speed crashes or when seat belts are not used.
- Neck and back injuries: These include herniated discs, spinal cord injuries, and muscle strains from the impact of the crash.
- Chest injuries: These often happen in frontal collisions. They can damage ribs, hurt internal organs, and cause bruising of the heart muscle.
- Soft tissue damage: Injuries to muscles, tendons, and ligaments, such as strains, sprains, or bruises.
- Psychological trauma: Emotional and mental distress, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), following the accident.
What to Do Following a Car Accident in Philadelphia
No matter how careful you are while driving, you will likely be in a car accident at least once in your life. 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: Once you can think straight, try to get to safety. If your car still works after the accident, move it to the shoulder. Stay inside until help arrives. If your vehicle cannot move, try to get yourself out of the car and relocate to a safe area away from traffic. Once you’re safe, try to help others who may still be in danger.
Call 911: After you and the others are safe, immediately call emergency services. Report the accident and share your location. Pennsylvania law requires all drivers to alert the police to an accident. Getting emergency medical services is still a good idea, even if no one seems injured in an accident.
Collect Information About the Car Accident: While you wait for the police, start gathering information. This can help your claim later. Get the following information: Contact details of the other driver, passengers, and any witnesses to the accident. Take photos and videos of the accident scene. Capture the damage to your car and the other driver’s car. Take note of any nearby cameras that might have recorded the crash. If you can, take photos of your injuries and write detailed descriptions.
Give Your Statement to the Police About Your Car Accident: When the police arrive, they will talk to everyone involved. This includes witnesses who may have seen the accident happen. 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 feel fine after an accident, it’s important to see a doctor. Sometimes, an auto accident injury will not show up until days later. If you refuse medical treatment at the scene, be sure to see your doctor later. Some injuries may not show up right away.
Take Care of Yourself: After a car crash, it is important to take care of yourself. Make sure to get your facts straight before talking to the insurance company. 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 Right Away: Waiting too long can lower your chances of getting paid. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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 has already offered you a settlement. Do not accept the settlement or sign any papers until your car accident lawyer reviews your case and the offer.
If you accept the settlement, a car crash lawyer cannot help you get more money. This is true even if the amount is not enough to cover your crash losses.
Call the Philadelphia personal injury lawyers from Munley Law to learn how we can help you secure maximum compensation.
How Long Do Car Accident Victims Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Philadelphia?
The time limit for filing a lawsuit after a car accident in Philadelphia is usually two years. This is known as the statute of limitations.
Be sure to familiarize yourself with this deadline or ask for a lawyer’s assistance. Missing this deadline can lead to the dismissal of your personal injury lawsuit. If you have any doubts, feel free to contact Munley Law. They offer a free consultation to help clarify timelines and other documents for your case.
How Much Is My Philly Car Accident Claim Worth?
There are several factors to think about when deciding how much your car accident case is worth in Philadelphia
- The extent of your expenses: Your expenses include past and present medical bills and property damage. They also cover any future costs, like surgeries or medical equipment.
- Liability: The extent of the other party’s fault in the accident can influence the value of your case. If you were partly at fault for the accident, the compensation you can obtain will be reduced accordingly.
- Insurance coverage: A victim’s case value and the available compensation will also depend on the insurance policies involved. This may include the at-fault driver’s policy, your insurance policy, and other relevant insurance policies.
- Jurisdiction-based factors: The laws of Philadelphia and Pennsylvania 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.
What is 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 lets you decide if you can sue another driver for non-economic damages. These damages include 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 choose full tort car insurance, you can get compensation for pain and suffering. You do not need to prove serious injury.
There are exceptions to limited tort insurance. For example, this applies if the other driver is drunk or if you are a passenger in someone else’s vehicle. Your Philadelphia car accident lawyer can help you determine what is needed to prove serious injury.
What is Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage in Philadelphia?
Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage helps you if you have a car accident with a driver who has no insurance. Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage helps when the other driver’s insurance does not cover your damages. In Philadelphia, having UM and UIM coverage is important because many drivers lack adequate insurance. This coverage helps pay for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. It is useful when the responsible party cannot fully compensate you. A Munley Law car accident lawyer can look at your insurance policy. They can help you understand how to get the most from your UM/UIM claim.
Contact a Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you have questions about your rights after an auto accident, 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