Car accidents can be life-altering, leaving victims with not only physical and emotional trauma but also a sea of never-ending legal woes. However, it doesn’t mean victims and their families need to mount the obstacles alone. By finding the right Pittston car accident lawyer, injury victims are more equipped to handle the battles they face ahead.
If you or a loved one were injured in a Pittston car accident, you need Munley Law. With decades of experience, the Pittston personal injury attorneys of Munley Law have become a trusted name amongst accident victims. Our team can guide you through the process, whether you’re working through insurance claims, seeking damages, or simply looking for guidance post-accident. Contact the Pittston car accident lawyers today for a no-obligation, free consultation.
$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
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$8 Million Truck Accident
$7.5 Million Auto Accident
$6.9 Million Garbage Truck Accident
$6.5 Million Traumatic Brain Injury
How Can a Pittston Car Accident Attorney Help With My Case?
When you’ve suffered severe injuries in an accident, you need an experienced Pittston car accident attorney to help you navigate the legal process. With their understanding of personal injury law, your legal team will ensure you receive fair compensation.
Pittston car accident lawyers are instrumental in helping victims secure compensation. Depending on the severity of the auto accident and the resulting injuries, securing the proper compensation can be critical for the victim’s recovery and financial stability.
Given the complexities of auto accidents and the likelihood of the insurance company minimizing compensation to victims, it is all the more important to have a Pittston car accident lawyer by your side in the process.
You must adhere to Pennsylvania’s legal requirements to file a personal injury claim following an accident. This includes acting promptly, as there is a two-year statute of limitations from the accident date to file a personal injury claim.
Utilizing the legal prowess of a lawyer from the start of the claims process means having someone to help you gather evidence, including medical reports and accident scene details, to establish liability and calculate damages.
Further, this is beneficial in establishing liability, as Pennsylvania follows the comparative negligence law, which can impact your compensation if you are found partially liable.
Common Types of Car Accidents in Pittston, PA
With its varied traffic patterns and proximity to the Turnpike, Pittston experiences many car accidents each year. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Luzerne County saw 3,204 car accidents in 2023, making it one of the Commonwealth’s top counties with the most traffic-related accidents.
While no two car accidents are the same, accident victims, lawyers, law enforcement, and insurance companies can categorize the types of accidents on Pittston’s roadways.
- Rear-End Collisions: Rear-end collisions are some of the most common types of car accidents. These collisions occur when a vehicle crashes into the one in front of it, often resulting from distracted driving or failing to maintain a safe following distance. Rear-end collisions can range from minor fender-benders to severe crashes.
- Side-Impact Collisions: Also known as T-bone accidents, side-impact collisions happen when the front or rear of one vehicle hits the side of another vehicle. Most commonly, a T-bone accident occurs at intersections. These car accidents are considerably more dangerous than rear-end collisions due to the limited protection offered by the sides of a vehicle. The severity of a side-impact collision depends on the speed at which the striking vehicle traveled.
- Head-On Collisions: Although less common, head-on collisions are among the most deadly types of car accidents. Head-on collisions are primarily the result of wrong-way driving, distracted driving, or driving under the influence. High speeds and the direct impact of each vehicle make these accidents extremely serious and often fatal.
- Multi-Vehicle Pileups: One of the more complex types of car accidents, multi-vehicle pile-ups are chain-reaction crashes involving several vehicles. They mainly occur on highways and during poor weather conditions that reduce visibility and road traction. Due to the involvement of multiple parties, determining liability in these accidents can be complex.
- Hit and Run Accidents: In hit and run accidents, the at-fault party flees the scene without providing contact information or aiding the injured. These accidents are particularly complex as the fleeing person needs to be identified before the victim can recover compensation.
- Accidents Involving Pedestrians or Cyclists: Accidents involving pedestrians or cyclists often result from driver inattention or failure to yield the right-of-way. Because of the difference in size between a motor vehicle and a person or bicycle, the results of these collisions can be catastrophic.
Each accident has challenges, making it all the more critical that car accident victims in Pittston seek legal representation before taking action.
Compensation Available in Pittston Car Accident Claims
After experiencing a car accident in Pittston, victims often face mounting medical bills, vehicle repair costs, lost income, and significant pain and suffering. Understanding the types of compensation available is vital for ensuring you receive fair treatment from insurance companies and at-fault parties. You may be eligible to receive the following:
- Medical Bills: This includes compensation for immediate and future medical treatments, surgeries, hospital stays, medication, and long-term healthcare needs like rehabilitation or therapy.
- Lost Wages and Earning Capacity: Victims are entitled to compensation for wages lost due to time off work following the accident. If they cannot return to work in the future or return to their old position, compensation for the loss of earning capacity can also be claimed.
- Pain and Suffering: This non-economic compensation addresses the physical pain and emotional distress suffered by the victim.
- Property Damage: Compensation for repairing or replacing the vehicle and any personal property damaged in the accident is also recoverable.
- Emotional Distress: Separate from pain and suffering, this covers the psychological impact of the accident, including conditions like anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If the injuries prevent victims from enjoying their hobbies and daily activities, they can seek compensation for the loss of enjoyment of life.
- Punitive Damages: In cases where the at-fault party’s actions were reckless or egregious, punitive damages might be awarded.
Common Injuries Found in Car Accidents in Pittston
Regardless of their severity, car accidents can lead to various injuries. Some of these injuries are immediately apparent, while others may manifest symptoms days or even weeks later. Understanding the common injuries sustained in car accidents is critical for victims seeking medical attention and appropriate legal representation.
- Whiplash: Whiplash is a neck injury commonly associated with rear-end collisions, where the sudden movement of the head and neck leads to muscle and ligament strain. Symptoms include neck pain, stiffness, and headaches. Although it’s often considered a minor injury, whiplash can lead to long-term discomfort if not properly treated.
- Concussions and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): Concussions, a form of mild traumatic brain injury, occur when the brain is jolted inside the skull due to a sudden impact. Symptoms include headaches, dizziness, confusion, and memory problems. Severe TBIs can have long-lasting effects on cognitive function, motor skills, and emotional well-being.
- Broken Bones: The force of a car accident can easily break and fracture bones. Common fractures include the arms, legs, ribs, and pelvis. The severity of these fractures can vary greatly, with some requiring surgery and prolonged rehabilitation.
- Soft Tissue Injuries: Soft tissue injuries damage the muscles, ligaments, and tendons. These injuries can cause pain, swelling, and reduced mobility. Sprains and strains are typical soft tissue injuries from car accidents.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Spinal cord injuries are among the most severe injuries resulting from car accidents. Depending on the location and severity of the injury. It may result in partial or complete paralysis. These injuries can have life-altering implications, often requiring long-term medical care and assistance. In many cases, it means victims cannot return to their previous forms of employment, further complicating their legal case.
- Cuts and Lacerations: Glass from shattered windows, metal from the car’s frame, or loose objects inside the car can cause cuts and lacerations during an accident. Though often superficial, they may require surgical intervention to prevent infection and ensure proper healing.
- Internal Injuries: Internal bleeding and organ damage are particularly dangerous as they may not be immediately apparent. As a result of the blunt force trauma of a car accident, they require immediate medical attention.
- Psychological Trauma: The impact of a car accident isn’t just physical; it can also lead to psychological trauma. Conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression are common among car accident victims. These mental health conditions can be just as debilitating as physical injuries and deserve equal attention and care.
Car accident injuries can have significant implications on a victim’s life, affecting their ability to work, perform daily activities, and enjoy life as they did before the accident.
Contact a Pittston Car Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one were injured in a car accident, you need a Pittston car accident lawyer from Munley Law. We help bring the negligent party to task for their wrongdoing. Call our Pittston car accident lawyer today for a free consultation.
Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys
1170 PA-315
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702
(570) 399-0406