Car crashes can often turn your entire life upside down. Motor vehicle collisions often lead to serious injuries. They can also leave you with hefty medical bills, long-term rehabilitation and even lost wages from an inability to work.
If you were injured in a crash caused by someone else, a Carlisle car accident lawyer can help you pursue the compensation you deserve. Negotiating with insurers is dangerous without skilled legal representation from a personal injury lawyer in your corner. Do not take on this fight alone. Trust the winning team at Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers with your case. Founding Partner Jon Ostroff does not back down from a challenge and will pursue every avenue to get you the money you are entitled to.
The State’s Auto Insurance System is Unique
The rules that apply to auto insurance for Carlisle drivers are set forth in 75 Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes §1705(a)(1), which allows a choice between full tort coverage and limited tort coverage. Full tort coverage is slightly more expensive, but allows a driver more legal options in the event of a crash. Limited tort coverage limits a motorist’s compensation options after an accident.
A driver with full tort coverage who suffers an injury because of another party’s negligence can sue the other driver for all their injury-related expenses and pain and suffering. The at-fault driver’s insurer will pay the injured driver’s damages up to the coverage limit. The at-fault driver will be personally liable for the rest.
A driver with limited tort coverage can get reimbursement for their medical expenses and lost wages up to their own insurance company’s policy limit. They generally do not have the option to sue the at-fault driver, unless one of several exceptions applies. A Carlisle auto accident attorney can assess the facts of your case, including the type of insurance you have, and provide tailored representation.
Drivers with Limited Tort Coverage Still Have Options
The law contains several exceptions that allow a person with limited tort coverage to bring a lawsuit against an at-fault driver. A driver with limited tort coverage may recover damages from another motorist if the at-fault driver was:
Impaired by drugs or alcohol when the crash occurred
Uninsured
Driving a vehicle registered out-of-state
Intentionally trying to harm themself or others
A person with limited tort coverage can recover all damages from an at-fault driver if they were injured while on foot or riding a bicycle, or a passenger in a commercial vehicle, taxi, or bus. Finally, the most common exception is for a “serious injury” that causes death, significant impairment of a body part or system, or permanent disfigurement. If you have limited tort insurance coverage, a seasoned car accident lawyer in Carlisle can help you understand your legal options for seeking payments from a negligent driver. At Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers, we are not afraid to take on limited tort cases and will work with you to get the money you need.
Taking Legal Action Outside of Insurance Claims
Some accidents happen because of dangerous roads, a malfunctioning traffic control device, or a defective vehicle. An individual who suffered injuries in an accident caused by a party other than another driver can file a lawsuit against the negligent party.
A Carlisle car collision attorney can investigate the circumstances of an accident and discover whether a party other than a driver shares some of the blame. If so, you can pursue a claim against the other party—whether they are a vehicle manufacturer, a unit of government, or some other person or company that contributed to the accident.
However, special rules might apply if a government entity, like a town or a school district is partially responsible for an accident. For example, the law in PA limits the amount of damages a unit of government might have to pay to an injured person. PA law also requires that an injured person notify the government of their claim within six months of the accident or lose their right to sue.
Rely on a Carlisle Car Accident Attorney to Handle Your Claim
If you suffered significant injuries in a vehicle wreck, you should be spending your time recovering, not worrying about how to pay your medical bills. A Carlisle car accident lawyer can handle your claim and allow you to focus on your physical recovery. A seasoned attorney can also help you obtain a recovery that fairly compensates you for your injuries.
At Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers, we will fight for you. Our skilled team has recovered millions in verdicts and settlements statewide, including a recent $10 million settlement for a client seriously injured in a devastating car collision with a truck. To learn more about what we can do for you, schedule a free consultation at our office today.
