Crashes that involve one vehicle slamming into the doors or side paneling of another can be extremely dangerous. Even low-speed wrecks can lead to injuries that keep you out of work for weeks or months. Higher-speed collisions may result in permanent and life-changing harm.
No matter how it happened, it’s important to understand and assert your legal rights following a side-impact car accident in Hershey. The dedicated attorneys at Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers are well-known for getting good case results on behalf of folks in your situation. We can put our experience and expertise to work for you.
Filing a Lawsuit After Getting T-Boned
One important thing to know about side-impact car crash claims in Hershey is that Pennsylvania law puts a few restrictions on when you can file a lawsuit. For instance, you’ll likely need to make a claim against your personal insurance protection (PIP) car insurance coverage—or sometimes the coverage held by the person who hit you—before you can begin a lawsuit. This insurance should cover most of your medical expenses, car repair bills, and a few other economic losses.
If you still have losses from the crash that insurance hasn’t compensated you for, your right to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver depends on your insurance coverage and the severity of your injuries. “Full tort” insurance puts virtually no restrictions on your right to file suit. If you have “limited tort” insurance, you may be restricted from filing suit unless you suffered a “serious injury” expected to cause significant and permanent disability or disfigurement. Our knowledgeable Hershey attorneys can further explain these legal nuances for side-impact car claims in a free consultation.
Who’s at Fault for Side-Impact Crashes?
PIP coverage works on a no-fault basis, meaning you should be able to get paid for your losses regardless of who’s at fault. However, if you’re able to file suit for additional damages, you can only recover compensation from someone else involved in the wreck if you can prove they were legally “negligent.”
This specifically means proving the following:
- The person you’re suing—the “defendant”—had the same duty of care all drivers have to act responsibly and lawfully behind the wheel
- The defendant did something illegal, reckless, or careless that counts as a breach of their duty
- That breach of duty directly led to a crash that injured you
- That crash is the main cause of all the losses you’re seeking compensation for
Your Hershey lawyer can explain how “negligence” works for T-bone collisions and help build a strong claim for compensation.
Contact a Hershey Attorney for Help After a Side-Impact Car Accident
Getting hit from the side while driving is a jarring and sometimes debilitating experience. If a negligent driver T-boned you, you deserve to be paid fairly for the losses you’ve suffered and will suffer in the future because of their misconduct.
Recovering compensation for the effects of a side-impact car accident in Hershey is much easier with a winning attorney by your side. Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers are well-known for helping people like you in the aftermath of severe accidents. Our track record of success includes a $900,000 settlement for a client who suffered hip, wrist, and rib fractures as well as a severe concussion after being T-boned by a truck. Call our firm today to discuss your case in a free, no-obligation consultation.
