2024 Year-in-Review: What You Need to Know After an Auto Accident in Pennsylvania
Each year, we publish dozens of articles on our blog with useful information for accident victims and their families, and 2024 was no exception. Many of these articles we published over the past 12 months focus specifically on what victims and family members need to know after auto accidents in Pennsylvania. If you are facing the costs of an auto accident, these articles will help you make informed decisions as you move forward.
Making Sure You Have the Information You Need to Assert Your Legal Rights
If you have a claim after an auto accident in Pennsylvania, you will need various pieces of information to assert your legal rights. Regardless of whether you have “limited tort” or “full tort” coverage under your insurance policy—or you aren’t covered at all—it will be up to you to make sure the insurance companies don’t take advantage of you. Toward the end of the year, we published a series of three articles discussing how you can help make sure you have the information you need to assert your legal rights effectively:
Understanding How Much You Can (and Should) Seek in Your Claim
When you have an auto accident claim in Pennsylvania, the amount you are entitled to recover depends on several different factors. These include why the accident happened (and who was at fault), the type(s) of claim(s) you need to file, and the extent of your financial and non-financial losses. Ensuring that you accurately calculate the value of your claim is critical—as you generally only get one chance to seek the financial compensation you deserve.
The damages you are entitled to recover for your accident-related losses are referred to as compensatory damages. While relatively rare, punitive damages are available as well. To learn about the damages you can (and should) be seeking in your auto accident claim, you can read:
Avoiding Mistakes that Could Jeopardize Your Financial Recovery
When you have an auto accident claim, mistakes can prove very costly. Some mistakes can prevent you from recovering the full compensation you deserve, while others can prevent you from recovering any compensation at all. This article discusses some all-too-common mistakes and links to another article we published a few years ago that discusses some additional mistakes to avoid if you have an auto insurance claim: 5 More Costly Mistakes to Avoid After a Car Accident in Pennsylvania.
How to Protect Yourself When Dealing with the Insurance Companies
While avoiding mistakes is critical, knowing what not to do is just half of the battle. You also need to know what to do in order to assert your legal rights effectively. With this in mind, we followed up our article on common mistakes with a list of tips for dealing with the insurance companies effectively: 7 Tips for Dealing with the Insurance Companies After an Auto Accident in Pennsylvania.
What if Your Auto Accident was Partially Your Fault?
One of the most common questions we receive from auto accident victims is, “What if the accident was partially my fault?” While it is easy to second-guess yourself, it is critical not to assume that you played a role in causing your collision.
But, what if you did? Even if you were partially at fault, you may still be entitled to compensation under Pennsylvania law (although the value of your claim may be reduced). To learn more, you can read: Can I File a Claim if I Was Partially At Fault in an Accident in Pennsylvania?
What if You Got Hit By a Truck or Other Commercial Vehicle?
While seeking to recover your losses after an accident usually involves filing an auto insurance claim, this will not be the case if you got hit by a commercial vehicle. Commercial vehicle cases are very different, and to file a successful claim, you will need an attorney with relevant experience on your side. For an introduction to what you need to know in this scenario, you can read:
Proving the Cause of Your (or Your Loved One’s) Auto Accident
Regardless of the type of vehicle that hit you (or your loved one), you will need to prove the cause of the accident in order to seek the full compensation you and your family deserve. Three of the most common causes of auto accidents in Pennsylvania are distracted driving, impaired driving and speeding. To find out what you need to know if you suspect one of these is to blame for your (or your loved one’s) injuries, you can read:
Filing an Auto Accident Claim for Child Injuries
Children who suffer injuries in auto accidents can face lifelong effects, and their parents can face substantial out-of-pocket costs. As a result, if your child was injured in an accident, it is critical to make sure you are seeking the full compensation your family deserves. This article provides an introduction to what parents need to know about filing claims for child injuries: My Child Was Injured While Riding in a Child Safety Seat or Booster Seat. What Are My Rights?
Contact Us for a Free Consultation Today
With offices in Allentown, Bethlehem, Doylestown, Easton and Stroudsburg, we represent auto accident victims and families throughout Pennsylvania. If you need to know more about your legal rights, call 888-777-7098 or contact us online for a free consultation.