It is difficult to evaluate your legal rights after a traffic accident, especially if the wreck caused you severe physical injuries. Depending on the circumstances, you could be entitled to substantial compensation from the person who caused your accident.
This is why it is crucial to seek legal help from a skilled attorney right after a collision. Our Lock Haven car accident lawyers can help you make the most out of your lawsuit. Founding Partner Jon Ostroff has represented thousands of injured clients in auto accident claims. In one case, he recovered $3.25 million on behalf of a truck driver who suffered severe injuries near Lock Haven, in a massive pileup on I-80 during a blizzard.
Recoverable Damages Through Car Accident Claims
Some car accident claims in Lock Haven begin with negotiations for insurance settlements. Under Pennsylvania’s “no-fault” approach to vehicle collisions, you must seek compensation for out-of-pocket financial expenses, like car repair costs and medical bills through your own personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, before seeking these benefits from the other driver’s insurance company.
PIP benefits are available no matter who is to blame for your accident, but they may not fully cover all your damages related to the accident. If this is the case for you, an auto accident attorney from our firm can file a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance on your behalf.
After seeking compensation through the other party’s insurance, you may file a lawsuit directly against the negligent driver. If you have full tort insurance, you may seek compensation for the full value of all accident-related damages, including:
Pain and suffering
Past and future medical expenses
Lost wages, including lost professional opportunities
Loss of life’s pleasures
Loss of consortium with a spouse
If you have “limited tort” insurance, you may only file for non-economic damages like pain and suffering under certain circumstances. Our lawyers in Lock Haven have recovered significant compensation for thousands of clients with limited tort and can help you understand how these insurance laws affect your claim.
Important Legal Statutes for Auto Wreck Claims
If you decide to file a car accident lawsuit, you must use evidence to prove the other driver is at fault for the crash. However, that motorist may also argue that you are partially to blame for the accident.
If the court deems you partially negligent, it can reduce your damages award by your percentage of fault. Furthermore, if the court finds that you are more at fault than the other parties, you may not be able to recover compensation at all.
Additionally, 42 Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes §5524 sets a filing deadline of two years for personal injury claims. If you miss this deadline, you will lose your right to file a lawsuit. Consequently, it is crucial to reach out to a lawyer as soon as possible after your vehicle collision.
Talk to a Lock Haven Car Accident Attorney Today
If you are facing severe injuries and damages due to a car accident caused by a reckless driver, consider seeking legal help. Without a Lock Haven car accident lawyer, you may have trouble recovering the fair compensation you deserve.
Defense attorneys and insurance providers know all the tricks to reduce their own financial responsibility for harm and losses caused by an accidents. They will not hesitate to use every one of them to reduce the value of your claim. Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers can help tilt the odds back in your favor. Call us today to schedule a free initial meeting.