No matter how, when, or where it happens, an accident that results in serious injuries can have a consequential and long-lasting effect on your life. Even if you are able to make a full physical recovery, you may face substantial financial and personal losses.
If you were injured due to another person’s negligence, you might have grounds to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. With a qualified lawyer’s help, you can pursue compensation to cover all your losses and minimize the impact of the at-fault party’s careless actions.
Jon Ostroff, Founding Partner at Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers, has helped tens of thousands of injured people recover substantial awards in accident cases. For example, Jon and his team of 11 attorneys won:
- Over $21m in settlements and verdicts for clients injured in a Greyhound Bus Crash. This case went to a jury trial in Philadelphia.
- $10 million settlement for a client that was seriously injured in a highway truck vs car crash. He ran out of gas on a PA interstate and was blocking the right lane. Moments later, a tractor-trailer slammed into his car.
- Over $6 million in total settlements for seven injured people after a catastrophic car crash on a rural highway.
- $5 million for the estate of a woman who died after being ejected from the vehicle she occupied.
If you or a loved one was injured in an accident, speak with one of our Bensalem personal injury lawyers to find out what we can do for you.
Determining Fault for an Accident in Bensalem
“Negligence” is the basic principle that forms the foundation of almost every successful personal injury claim. This legal theory allows people to be held responsible for any harm they did not intentionally cause.
If a person owes you a “duty” to act reasonably under specific circumstances and violates that duty, they can be considered legally negligent. When that negligence results in your injuries, they can be held liable for the losses you suffered.
Notably, a physical injury stemming from an accident must be severe enough to warrant professional medical attention. Additionally, the nature of a “duty of care” can vary significantly depending on the circumstances. Working with a skilled Bensalem attorney can be crucial to understanding how personal injury law works and what is necessary to recover compensation.
Pursuing Financial Recovery in a Personal Injury Claim
Through a successful personal injury claim, you can demand restitution for both economic and non-economic damages—in other words, losses with both objective and subjective monetary values. Common types of damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Medical expenses
- Property damage
- Lost income, including lost professional opportunities
- Loss of life’s pleasures
- Permanent disability and disfigurement
It is important to note that there are certain PA laws that restrict or eliminate an accident victim’s right to compensation.
Legal Deadline for Pursuing Compensation
All personal injury claims in Pennsylvania are subject to a statute of limitations, the legal deadline for filing a lawsuit. Under 42 Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes §5524, you likely have only two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit in Pennsylvania, or you may be barred from pursuing compensation.
Partial Fault in Accident Cases
42 PA Con. Stat. §7102 states that a court may reduce your damages award if you are deemed partially at fault for your accident injuries. For example, if the court determines you are 10% at fault, and your damages award is $100,000, you may only receive $90,000 in compensation. An experienced Bensalem lawyer at Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers can help you avoid these (and many other) potential roadblocks to being fairly compensated in your personal injury case.
Get in Touch with a Bensalem Personal Injury Attorney Today
There are many ways that someone else’s reckless or careless actions could lead to a preventable accident. If you were injured in this type of incident, you should speak with a Bensalem personal injury lawyer right away to discuss your legal options. Contact Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers to get started with a free consultation.