Even a minor car accident can be a jarring experience. But when the accident has resulted in injuries, the months following can be overwhelming. Not only is the victim trying to recover and heal from their injuries, but they also often face financial difficulties, with expensive medical bills and loss of income from being unable to work during their recovery. There is also the emotional impact the injuries can have, such as pain and suffering and being unable to do the day-to-day activities that we all tend to take for granted. Fortunately, Pennsylvania law allows victims to recover damages they suffer because of their injuries. A Philadelphia car accident lawyer can help.
What are my legal options if I am injured in a crash?
When a victim is injured in a vehicle accident – whether they were a driver, passenger, pedestrian, or cyclist – the law gives that victim some options to pursue in order to obtain financial compensation for the losses the accident causes them.
The first option is to submit an insurance claim with either your insurance company or the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Most states have some type of vehicle liability insurance requirements. The amount the victim receives will depend on the severity of the injuries they suffered and the liability limits that the other driver has on their vehicle. A Philadelphia car accident lawyer can help you obtain the best possible settlement for your situation.
Another option a victim has is to file a personal injury lawsuit. Your lawyer will usually pursue this option if the insurance company fails to negotiate in good faith and fails to offer a fair and just settlement to compensate the victim for their injuries.
Victims also have the option of filing a product liability lawsuit. This course of action can be taken if the cause of the accident was due to a defective or dangerous vehicle part. In these cases, the victim sues the manufacturer of that part or the vehicle manufacturer. Examples of some of the more recent types of product liability lawsuits involve defective airbags and faulty ignition switches which resulted in multiple fatalities and severe injuries.
What are the damages I can pursue in a car accident claim?
There are multiple expenses and losses that a victim is entitled to when they are injured due to the actions of another party. These damages may include:
- Medical expenses (emergency services, hospital stays, doctor visits, surgeries, medications, medical equipment, diagnostic testing, and more)
- Lost wages, benefits, and overtime
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of life enjoyment
- Permanent disability
- Disfigurement
- Scarring
Your lawyer can evaluate your particular case to determine what losses you have sustained and what those losses are valued at.
Contact Our Office Today
If you have sustained injuries in a crash caused by another driver, contact a trusted law firm today to set up a free consultation with a Philadelphia car accident lawyer. Call Wieand Law Firm LLC for legal assistance.
