Pennsylvania’s car insurance system is a bit complicated. It is both a fault and no-fault state. Drivers have the choice to pay for the type of insurance they want. Mostly, if you were injured in a car crash in Philadelphia, you will file a claim with your insurer. If you want to file a personal injury claim and sue the other driver for their action, you should consider seeking legal help. How can Philadelphia, PA personal injury attorneys help? We have an overview below for your help.
Determine fault & liability
Do you have a valid claim against the other driver? How much can you expect for your lawsuit? What are the odds that the matter may end up in court? Your lawyer can answer all those questions. The good news is most law firms in Philadelphia offer free initial consultations for victims. You can call a lawyer’s office and get an appointment to discuss your injury claim, and it doesn’t have to cost a penny.
Gather documents and evidence
Your lawyer is also in charge of gathering evidence and documents for your injury case. From getting a copy of the police report to gathering evidence and documentation related to employment history, medical bills, and lost wages, your lawyer will do it all. If there were witnesses to the car crash, your lawyer could get their statements. In many cases, lawyers also contact experts and doctors to better understand the injuries and extent of the damages.
Dealing with the lawsuit
Most car accident and personal injury lawsuits in Pennsylvania are settled outside of court. However, if the offered settlement is too low or there is no ground for further negotiation, your lawyer may have to file a lawsuit in court. This could mean considerable work, and without an attorney, you may end up making serious mistakes. Your lawyer will convince the court of your losses and get a settlement that can cover all your losses.
It is important to understand that you cannot always expect a huge settlement when filing a personal injury claim. A lot depends on the circumstances surrounding the car accident. If you were at fault to an extent for the crash, your attorney would have to work on the strategy accordingly. In Pennsylvania, you cannot sue the other driver if you were over 50% at fault for the crash. Talk to an attorney to know your case.
