For many of us, the holidays mean hitting the road to spend time with family and friends. However, an increase in travel around the holidays means more cars on the road. More cars mean more vehicle accidents.
The summer holidays are the most dangerous for vehicle travelers
According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), Independence Day was the deadliest holiday for travelers in 2019.
Impaired driving plays a major role in the increase in holiday accidents
More cars on the road and more vehicle miles traveled is one factor that leads to an increase in car accidents around the holidays. Alcohol is another. According to the III, around 30 to 40 percent of holiday crash fatalities involve impaired drivers.
If you were in an accident over the holidays, you may be entitled to compensation
Long car trips and tight travel schedules do not excuse negligent driving. There is never a justification for getting behind the wheel while intoxicated. If another driver’s dangerous or reckless actions caused your car accident, you could take action. You could have the right to seek financial compensation for your damages.
Our car accident lawyers can help you seek awards for:
Medical treatment
This includes all past and future care needs associated with your accident, including:
- Emergency transportation
- Medical treatment
- Hospitalizations
- Surgical procedures
- Rehabilitative therapy
Lost wages
This includes back pay from work missed due to your injuries and recovery. Your injuries might prevent you from returning to work. If so, you could seek compensation for your loss of future earning capacity.
Property damages
This includes the value of fixing or replacing your damaged vehicle. It may also include compensation for other damaged property, such as:
- Cell phones
- Jewelry
- Stereo equipment
Pain and suffering
According to Pennsylvania insurance laws, if you carry full tort coverage, you can seek compensation for your:
- Physical pain
- Mental anguish
- Emotional suffering
If you carry limited tort insurance, the law restricts you from seeking these damages unless you suffered a serious injury. Our accident attorneys can tell you more.
Wrongful death
If your loved one died from injuries sustained in a car accident, you might have the right to seek compensation for:
- Their funeral and burial expenses
- Final medical care
- Lost wages and benefits
- Your pain and suffering
- Loss of companionship, guidance, and society
What is negligent driving?
Negligent driving occurs when a motorist fails to operate their vehicle with reasonable care. To win compensation for your accident, you must prove your injuries resulted from another driver’s negligent actions.
Examples of negligent driving include:
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Speeding or driving too fast for weather or road conditions
- Aggressive driving (road rage)
- Driving distracted (eating, drinking, texting, or any other behavior that takes attention from the road)
- Failure to stop at stop lights and stop signs
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Failure to stay in the correct lane
- Tailgating
- Making an improper turn
Our car accident attorneys can help with your case
If you were involved in an accident in Bucks County during a holiday, our lawyers could help with your insurance claims. We can:
- Assist with claims against the driver who caused your crash
- File your claim
- Prove the other driver is liable for your damages
- Negotiate for the best possible settlement for you
- Handle all of the paperwork and deadlines
- Communicate with the insurance company on your behalf
We can also gather all available evidence about your crash, such as:
- Official accident reports
- Medical records
- Witness statements
- Surveillance video
- Photographs of your injuries
We will use this information to build a case for negligence against the at-fault driver. This means that you can turn your time and energy toward getting back on your feet.
If necessary, we can take action in court
If we cannot settle your case outside of court, we can help you with a lawsuit. There is no time limit for reaching an insurance agreement. If your case must go to court, though, you have two years to file the lawsuit. Victims of a personal injury or wrongful death action must keep to the statute of limitations imposed by 42 Pa. C.S.A. § 5524(2).
Contact Cordisco & Saile LLC
If you suffered injuries in a car accident during the holidays, do not wait any longer to seek help from our lawyers. Call Cordisco & Saile LLC at (215) 642-2335 to find out more about how our lawyers serving Bucks County can help.
