Traffic accidents can lead to severe injuries, even if they occur at relatively low speeds. In addition to your personal injuries, you will likely experience financial losses and emotional harm. To make matters worse, resolving an accident claim with your insurance company can be a headache.
If you are dealing with the aftermath of a vehicle collision, you could benefit from retaining an experienced personal injury lawyer. Jon Ostroff has been helping injured people in Meadville, since he opened his first Crawford County office on Washington Street 30 years ago.
In a past case, Founding Partner Jon Ostroff represented a client that was severely injured after he ran out of gas and stalled on I-79 in western Pa., before being rear-ended by a truck traveling at full speed after he ran out of gas. It only took Jon a year to win a $10 million settlement for this client. Speak with a Meadville car accident lawyer from our firm as soon as possible and we’ll get started on your case.
Pursuing Compensation Through an Insurance Claim
Pennsylvania operates under a “no-fault” car insurance system. This means that no matter who caused the accident, some of your bills will be paid through your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage provided in your car insurance policy. PIP insurance benefits cover medical bills, car repair or replacement costs and other out-of-pocket expenses.
The extent to which your insurance provider compensates you for accident-related losses depends on your specific policy. However, under state law, every licensed driver must maintain minimum coverage amounts of:
$5,000 for policyholder medical benefits
$15,000 for bodily injury a policyholder causes to another person in an accident
$30,000 for total bodily injury in a wreck for which the policyholder is responsible
$5,000 for vehicle and other personal property damage caused by the policyholder
A Meadville lawyer can review the terms of your specific policy and determine the amount of compensation you may be able to recover.
Pursuing Civil Litigation After a Car Wreck in Meadville
Drivers in Pennsylvania must buy “limited tort” or “full tort” insurance. The type of insurance you have affects whether you may file a lawsuit to recover against the negligent party for non-economic harm such as pain and suffering.
Individuals with “limited tort” car insurance can only seek non-economic damages under specific circumstances. For example, you may be entitled to financial recovery for pain and suffering if you suffered a “serious” injury. Conversely, “full tort” car insurance coverage allows policyholders to file suit and recover both economic and non-economic damages from a wreck.
Regardless of the type of insurance you have, you must file your case within two years of the accident, as stated in 42 Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes §5524. Support from a seasoned attorney is essential to building a comprehensive and compelling motor vehicle collision case within this deadline.
Speak with a Meadville Car Accident Attorney About Your Legal Options
Every car wreck case is different. It’s important to rely on an attorney who can help you determine the best course of action given your circumstances.
