Car Accident Lawyer in Bethlehem
If you or someone you love has recently been injured in a motor vehicle accident caused by someone else’s negligence, a Bethlehem car accident lawyer from Cordisco & Saile LLC can help you recover the compensation you deserve. For years our firm has fought for the rights of accident victims and helped them to collect money to cover their medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and a host of other accident-related damages.
At Cordisco & Saile LLC, we are a client-first law firm that prioritizes communication and transparency. When you choose us to represent you for your car accident damages, you will never have to wonder about the status of your case or struggle to get your attorney on the phone. We keep you closely involved every step of the way.
- Why should I hire a Bethlehem car accident lawyer?
- Who’s liable for my injuries after a car accident?
- The Damages Available in a Car Accident Case
- How much is my car accident case worth?
- Can I recover compensation if I’m blamed for a car accident in Pennsylvania?
- Common Injuries in a Car Accident Case
- What should I do after a car crash in Bethlehem?
- Contact Cordisco & Saile LLC for a Free Case Evaluation
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I hire a Bethlehem car accident lawyer?
A car accident can cause devastating physical injuries and emotional distress. Medical bills and related costs can add up quickly, and a sudden loss of income can put you in an incredibly tough financial situation.
Even though you may be entitled to compensation, an insurance company will undoubtedly make the claims process difficult for you. After all, they’re in the business of making a profit, not helping car accident victims like you pick up the pieces and move forward with their lives.
You deserve an advocate who will stand up and fight to make your voice heard. That’s why our Bethlehem personal injury lawyers should be your first call after your car accident.
At Cordisco & Saile LLC, our attorneys are respected litigators with a reputation for going above and beyond for our clients. We don’t back down and always invest the time, resources, and workforce necessary to get the best results. When you put us in your corner, you’ll show the insurer and at-fault parties that you won’t accept a penny less than what your car accident case is worth.
Our team will take care of every detail of your claim while you have the opportunity to spend your time focused on your recovery:
- Investigate your auto accident and gather evidence that can be used to determine causation, fault, liability, and the value of your claim for damages
- Work with accident reconstructionists, forensic specialists, medical professionals, mechanics, vocational rehabilitation specialists, and other experts who may be able to offer insight into your case
- File necessary claims, forms, and documents with insurance companies and/or the local court
- Seek damages from all liable parties
- Defend you against blame-the-victim strategies that could hurt your ability to recover compensation
- Negotiate with interested parties to get you a settlement that reflects what your car accident case is worth
- Argue your car accident lawsuit in front of a jury if the insurer refuses to negotiate fairly
We’re here to be your biggest advocate and your system of support. Let us help you work through this incredibly trying time. Your first consultation is free, so please don’t hesitate to give us a call at our Bethlehem law office today.
Who’s liable for my injuries after a car accident?
Under Pennsylvania state law, liability is shared by anyone who contributes to an accident. This is true whether a party is personally involved in the collision or if their conduct somehow indirectly played a part in the wreck.
Once our car accident attorneys have carefully analyzed your crash and determined why it happened, we may discover that one or more of the following parties are liable:
- Negligent motorist
- Truck driver
- Bus driver
- Uber or Lyft driver
- Motorcyclist
- Bicyclist
- Pedestrian
- Employer of a responsible party
- Vehicle manufacturer
- Government agency responsible for road design, maintenance, and repair
- Passenger
- Electric scooter operators
We will actively pursue damages from anyone who shares responsibility for your crash and the injuries you’ve suffered.
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The Damages Available in a Car Accident Case
Generally speaking, two categories of damage are available to crash victims in Pennsylvania: economic and noneconomic.
Economic damages are awarded to offset the financial costs and consequences of a crash, which may include:
- Present and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and income
- Rehabilitation and therapy
- Vocational training
- Nursing assistance
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket expenses
Non-economic damages are paid to make up for the non-tangible trauma of a wreck, such as:
- Chronic physical pain
- Emotional distress
- Depression and anxiety
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Reduced quality of life
- Disfigurement
- Scarring
- Embarrassment
Insurance will be your primary source of compensation after a car accident in Bethlehem. Pennsylvania has unique insurance rules that will impact what types of compensation you can recover and from whom.
How Insurance Plays a Role in Recovering Compensation
When you bought insurance, you were given two options: limited tort and full tort.
If you chose limited tort, you are limited to recovering noneconomic damages for your losses after a car accident. You generally waive the right to pursue additional damages from a responsible third party.
If you chose full tort, you can recover both economic and noneconomic awards. You can also file a claim or lawsuit against a negligent third party (or their insurance carrier).
Exceptions may apply to both scenarios. Insurance can be tricky, and it can be difficult to know your rights. Make the most of your insurance claim and maximize your opportunity to recover compensation by contacting our experienced car accident lawyers in Bethlehem for help today.
How much is my car accident case worth?
Every case is different. The circumstances of an accident are unique, and so is every victim. Ultimately, the value of your car accident case will depend on several different factors:
- What types of injuries did you sustain in the crash?
- What was your earning capacity before the accident?
- What’s your earning capacity now?
- Are you expected to make a full physical recovery?
- How has the trauma of being in a car accident affected you psychologically?
- Do you share responsibility for the auto accident?
- Did you take the proper steps to mitigate your injuries?
- How old are you?
The more catastrophic your injuries and the more your life changes resulting from the collision, the more you can expect your case to be worth.
Your choice of attorney can also affect how much money you receive after a car accident. At Cordisco & Saile LLC, we’ve won millions for crash victims in Pennsylvania, including a $2.470 million settlement for a client injured by an armored car and a $1.377 million verdict for another crash victim.
Can I recover compensation if I’m blamed for a car accident in Pennsylvania?
Victim-blaming tactics are common in car accident cases. Insurance companies and responsible parties love to point fingers in an effort to shift liability. If you stand back and do nothing, you could watch your right to recover compensation disappear.
Under Pennsylvania Statute § 7102, Pennsylvania is a modified comparative fault state with a 51 percent bar to recovery. This means you lose the right to recover compensation if were more than 51 percent responsible for a crash. Sharing some, but not most, of the blame will also impact your personal injury case. Damages will be reduced in direct proportion to your contribution to the accident.
How can you prove you’re not responsible for an accident or limit the impact of these blame-the-victim strategies? Our attorneys will be prepared to defend you by introducing evidence that can disprove the claims or shift fault to other parties.
Evidence that might be helpful can include:
- Photographs of tire tracks, vehicle damage, traffic signals, and injuries
- Video footage of the collision from dash cams, surveillance cameras, and bystander recordings
- Accident reports
- Witness statements
- Expert testimony
- Medical records, and
- Physical evidence from the scene
We will work to counter claims that you contributed to the wreck and limit how much (if any) fault is assigned to you. The less fault you share, the more money you can walk away with when your case is resolved.
Common Injuries in a Car Accident Case
Whether you’re rear-ended at an intersection, sideswiped while changing lanes, hit head-on while making a turn, or in another type of car accident, the force of impact has the potential to cause considerable physical trauma.
At Cordisco & Saile LLC, we represent clients who have suffered a range of injuries, including:
- Concussion
- Brain injury
- Whiplash
- Spinal cord injury
- Back injury
- Neck injury
- Nerve damage
- Paralysis
- Fractures and broken bones
- Crushing injury
- Burns
- Amputation
- Soft tissue injury
- Chest injury
- Internal organ damage
- Lacerations and cuts
- Eye injury
- Dental injury
- Hearing loss
- Wrongful death of a family member after a fatal car accident
Contact our Bethlehem law office to learn more about your legal rights and options after your crash. Our team would happily listen to your story, assess your case, and help you understand the best steps moving forward.
What should I do after a car crash in Bethlehem?
Did you know the decisions you make in the aftermath of a car crash can significantly impact your personal injury case? It’s true. Even minor missteps could seriously jeopardize your ability to recover the compensation you need and deserve.
Here’s what you should do after you’re involved in a motor vehicle accident in Bethlehem.
Remain at the scene
Pennsylvania law requires all parties to remain at the scene of a crash causing property damage, injury, or death. It could be considered a hit-and-run if you leave.
Report the car accident
Call 911 or the local police department and explain what happened. An officer and emergency medical assistance will be dispatched to the scene.
Resist the urge to say you’re sorry
Apologizing might seem like a nice or appropriate gesture in the moment. However, your words can be twisted, taken out of context, and used against you down the line. You’ll never know exactly why the crash happened until it’s thoroughly investigated.
Don’t offer a recorded statement
The insurance adjuster will seem like they genuinely care about helping you. However, the questions they’re asking are designed to elicit information that can be used to deny your claim or reduce its value. Don’t answer anything other than basic questions (name, address, occupation), and certainly don’t allow them to record your statement. Save any conversations for after you’ve hired a car accident lawyer.
Resist the urge to accept an early settlement
An insurance company might offer you cash shortly after your accident in the hopes that you’ll accept it without giving it a second thought. After all, you need money to offset the serious financial consequences of the collision. However, once you settle your car accident claim, you give up the right to receive additional compensation in the future. Accepting money before you know what your case is truly worth could do more harm than good.
Seek medical treatment
Get to the closest emergency room in Bethlehem or see your physician as soon as possible after your accident. Prompt care will reduce the likelihood of complications, infection, and death. Your visit will also formally document your injury, which can help to establish a causal link between the accident and your trauma.
Hire an experienced car accident lawyer in Bethlehem
Hiring a lawyer is one of the best steps you can take after your car accident. Your attorney will represent you throughout the claims process, handle communications with other parties, advocate for you, and work to ensure your rights are fully asserted. You’re more likely to win your case (and maximize your financial recovery) when you turn to a trusted attorney for help.
Contact Cordisco & Saile LLC for a Free Case Evaluation
Don’t let the people who caused your devastating Bethlehem car accident walk away without accepting responsibility. Demand compensation for your medical bills, loss of income, and suffering. Better yet, let our Bethlehem car accident lawyers seek financial justice for you.
Cordisco & Saile LLC is a leader in personal injury litigation in Eastern Pennsylvania, and we’re here to lead you to a sizable financial recovery.
Contact our Bethlehem team to arrange a free, no-obligation case evaluation to get started. Our team is standing by to take your call today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to our most frequently asked questions.
What does it cost to hire a car accident attorney?
Hiring a car accident lawyer in Bethlehem costs nothing out of pocket. We work on contingency, meaning there’s no fee until we win your case. If we take your case, it means we’re confident we’ll win. We will front the costs of litigation and assume the risks. You only pay us if we get you a settlement or win a verdict for you at trial.
When you win, your attorney will recover a pre-agreed-upon percentage of your financial award. Generally, this ranges between 33 and 40 percent but can vary based on the attorney’s experience, how complex the case is, and other factors.
There’s no risk involved in hiring an experienced car accident lawyer from Cordisco & Saile LLC to help you after a wreck. Contact our law firm to learn more.
Is there a time limit for filing a lawsuit after a car crash in Pennsylvania?
Under Pennsylvania Statute § 5524, a two-year statute of limitations applies to most car accident lawsuits. The second anniversary of your accident or loved one’s death will serve as the deadline for filing a claim.
If you haven’t filed a claim by the time the statute of limitations expires, you give up the right to recover the compensation you need and deserve.
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The nationally recognized and award winning team of attorneys at Cordisco & Saile LLC have been fighting for residents of Pennsylvania & New Jersey for 30 years.
