Call a Williamsport car accident lawyer immediately if you are involved in a car accident. Victims often wait to call an experienced car accident lawyer once they realize the insurance settlement offer is insufficient to cover their damages. By being proactive and calling a PA car accident lawyer before meeting with the insurance company, you'll be a step ahead in seeking the compensation you need to move forward.
If you were in a car accident, call the Williamsport car accident lawyers of Munley Law today.
Why Work With a Williamsport Car Accident Lawyer?
You are never required to seek legal representation for a car accident. However, if you or your passenger suffered severe injuries, there are benefits to working with a Williamsport car accident lawyer.
An Experienced Car Accident Lawyer Will Establish Negligence
Determining who was at fault for the car crash will be the priority of your car accident lawyer. Pennsylvania follows the 51 percent comparative negligence rule, which means you must be less than 51 percent at fault for the collision. If you were more than 50 percent responsible for the auto accident, you could not seek compensation for damages.
This is not only important for lawsuits, but it will also impact the insurance company settlement. If your insurance provider can prove that you are responsible for the accident, that can minimize the amount of compensation you can collect.
Because of this, working with an auto accident attorney as soon as possible is crucial to protect your rights.
Calculating Total Damages
A is not just a physical ordeal for those involved; you also accumulate a lot of expenses as a result.
An experienced personal injury lawyer will work with you to assess the total damages you have incurred or may incur due to the collision. Forms of financial compensation you may be entitled to include:
- Current medical expenses and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death
Your Williamsport car accident attorney will be able to calculate these losses by gathering evidence, collecting witness testimonials, reviewing your medical records, and collecting the driver's accident report from the police.
Negotiate with the Insurance Company
Car accidents are complex because, without the proper evidence, auto insurance companies will do everything possible to minimize the compensation they must pay the driver.
Further, they'll look for the driver to slip up during the claims process, making an already sensitive ordeal all the more stressful. Unfortunately, even your insurance company is not seeking your best interest.
With a seasoned attorney at your side, they can handle the negotiations with the insurance company so you can focus on recovery.
Represent You in Court For Your Car Crash
Sometimes, even with the best policy coverage, the driver's insurance company or your insurance claim just won't be enough to handle your medical bills. Taking personal injury claims to court is your best option for substantial recoveries in these cases.
Your attorney will guide you through the legal process so you can focus on your recovery.
When Should I Call a Car Accident Lawyer in Williamsport, PA?
You should call a car accident attorney in Williamsport as soon as possible before undergoing the insurance claims or personal injury filing process. However, there are other steps you should take before you make that call to ensure your safety.
Call the Police After a Collision
Once you, your passengers, and any other drivers involved are safe and out of harm's way, call the police. This will be important as the insurance companies work with your official police report to determine the compensation you are entitled to. Further, seeking a personal injury claim against the at-fault party will be necessary to establish negligence.
Seek Medical Treatment
Even if you do not think you are hurt, seek medical attention. While serious physical injury will likely manifest immediately, some head injuries and internal injuries may not be so apparent. Further, adrenaline may mask any symptoms you may have. Keep a record of any medical treatment you receive, which will also be used to calculate damages.
Call a Lawyer
At this point, you should contact a lawyer in Central Pennsylvania for a free initial consultation. If someone else's negligence caused you to suffer serious injury, you can pursue compensation for those losses.
However, if you contact the insurance company and begin to discuss settlement options, you may lose your right to recover compensation if you accept a final settlement from them.
What Should I Expect From My Car Accident Attorneys?
The auto accident claims process is multi-stepped and can be made easier with the help of a law firm.
Review Insurance Offer
A car accident claim begins with the initial settlement offer from the insurance company. Here, your attorney will also make sure there is no evidence of bad faith claims that work to limit the payout an insurance provider is liable for.
Negotiate a Settlement
So long as you do not accept a settlement immediately, you can negotiate your settlement. Your attorney can bring forth evidence, show the value of your claim, and negotiate on your behalf.
Accept or Reject Settlement
You can then accept or reject the settlement. If you and your legal team find that your insurance is not providing adequate benefits for your losses, you can make a legal claim and reject the settlement.
However, if you accept a settlement, you cannot seek further compensation, so be careful.
Go to Court
If so, you can take the other driver to court to recover the compensation that insurance does not cover. Your attorney will discuss your legal options and ensure you get the personal attention and representation required for a successful case.
What Are the Injuries and Costs of an Auto Collision in Williamsport?
Car accidents can cause minor to life-threatening, serious injuries. Common injuries from car crashes include:
- Back, neck, and spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Fractured and broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Lacerations
These injuries not only result in immediate medical treatment but can cause long-term medical bills for medications, surgeries, therapy, and more.
In addition to physical injuries, you may also suffer from psychological impairment. This can include post-traumatic stress disorder, memory loss, etc.
Again, this will not just cause you to accumulate medical care costs but can lead to time away from work, leading to wage loss. In some cases, your injuries may lead to permanent disability, leaving you unable to return to work or unable to return to the position you once had.
Get Help From an Experienced Williamsport Car Accident Lawyer at Munley Law
Being involved in an accident can be a harrowing experience as you navigate injuries, lost income, property damage, and more. But you don't have to do it alone. With Munley Law, our Williamsport, PA, auto accident lawyers will work hard to make life easier for you in this difficult time.
Our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you have no upfront costs and only pay if we win.
For a no-obligation, free consultation, call Munley Law today.
