What should Pennsylvania drivers do immediately after a motor vehicle accident?
Pennsylvania – October 31, 2020
Understand insurance rules.
An auto accident attorney can explain Pennsylvania’s “modified comparative negligence” rule, where an individual can still recover damages in a personal injury lawsuit, but the amount of compensation will be reduced by an amount that is equal to their percentage of fault, but a plaintiff can only seek damages from the defendant if they are less than 51 percent at fault. The state also has a “no-fault” component where victims can access payment from their own insurance companies to cover certain expenses related to the accident.
Post-accident action.
Certain actions taken by car accident victims can strengthen a personal injury case because of the collection of supporting documentation. They include:
- Evaluate for injuries, call emergency personnel.
- File accident report.
- Gather evidence at the scene, pictures of the cars, tag numbers and surrounding location.
- Collect witness contact information.
- Collect insurance information.
- Seek examination by a medical professional.
- Contact insurance carriers.
- Consult with an attorney.
Personal injury.
Car accidents are often the result of the action, or inaction of another, and a victim may recover compensation if fault and/or liability is proven. Accident reports, witness testimony and medical reports are important documentation for a personal injury attorney to prove negligence after a car accident. An experienced car accident attorney has years of personal injury experience dealing with automobile accident claims, providing strong case actions in court that support higher monetary award requests. They can utilize expert testimony by accident scene re-constructionists, financial professionals, and medical professionals who can convey the need for higher awards based on catastrophic injury requiring lifelong medical treatment, prolonged pain and suffering, and continued negative impacts to financial stability caused by diminished, or lost present and future earnings.
Wrongful death.
An attorney can initiate a wrongful death legal action for a decedent’s legal representatives and loved ones, when a person dies as a result of the negligent, reckless, or deliberate act of another. Pittsburgh car accident attorneys can request necessary damages that cover medical bills, funeral and related expenses, lost wage compensation, pain and suffering, and punitive damages.
Hire legal counsel.
Experienced accident attorneys can build strong cases with supporting evidence, and objectively speak on a victim’s behalf in court, or with an insurance company’s legal team to yield a positive result. Call an accident attorney in the Pittsburgh area to assist in the determination of “fault” and move forward with a legal proceeding. An experienced accident lawyer at Scanlon & Wojton will fight for your rights for a comprehensive insurance settlement, or court award to cover damages.
Scanlon & Wojton, Attorneys at Law
The Mitchell Building
304 Ross Street, Suite 510
Pittsburgh, Pa 15219
Phone: (412) 918-1241
Fax: (412) 235-7275
Sources.
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/42/00.085.053.000..HTM
https://www.dot.state.pa.us/Public/DVSPubsForms/BMV/BMV%20Forms/AA-600.pdf
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/42/00.071.002.000..HTM
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/42/00.055.024.000..HTM
