Tens of billions of dollars are lost every year as a result of motor vehicle accidents. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), car accidents can cost the victim $57,000 or more in hospitalization and treatment costs over their lifetime. This is in addition to any lost income, vehicle damage, property damage, or other losses the victim suffers.
It is likely that you should seek a lawyer if you are hurt in a car accident in Lehigh Valley. An attorney can help you navigate personal injury law and file a claim. They can help you make case-related decisions, analyze evidence about your case, and keep you informed as your case makes its way through the legal and insurance systems.
How an Attorney Can Help
Car accident laws and insurance rules can be complex and difficult to understand. After an accident, you will likely be shaken, and you may even be injured. However, it is in such a state that you will be expected to know which rules and laws apply to your situation and what you must do to protect your rights. You will also need to know what you must not do, including accepting a settlement offer without your lawyer’s advice or signing anything for anyone else involved in the accident. You must also know which insurance policies apply to your case, and up to what limits.
All of this can be difficult to do, and this is where an attorney may be able to help you.
An attorney can help you determine the fault and liability for an accident by ascertaining who or what caused an accident. An attorney can also help you determine how badly you were injured, how much property or other losses were involved, and whether the at-fault party owed you a duty of care. An attorney will also identify potentially compensable losses and evaluate those losses. Finally, an attorney will help you understand how the insurance you have can cover some of your costs.
When to Contact an Attorney
Every state has regulations on how long you have to file a personal injury or wrongful death claim after an accident, and these limits vary from state to state.
These laws are known as statutes of limitations. If you fail to file a claim by the limited time specified, you may forfeit your right to any sort of compensation from the at-fault party or his or her insurer for your injuries or losses. In Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Consolidated Codes Section § 5524 of Title 42 gives a two-year limit to file a claim.
With this in mind, it is highly recommended that you speak with a car accident or personal injury attorney as soon as you can after an accident. As soon as an accident occurs, you should document the accident scene, undergo a physical, contact your insurer, and contact the insurer of the at-fault party that caused the accident.
You will likely have to deal with law enforcement personnel and insurance adjusters along the way as well. Unless you are experienced in car accident law, you may inadvertently miss out on documenting important accident evidence. You may also agree to settle with the at-fault party before fully understanding the extent of your injuries or what you may be entitled to in terms of compensation.
To avoid these common pitfalls, contact an attorney as soon as you can. You should seek a lawyer if you are hurt in a car accident in Lehigh Valley to avoid the common pitfalls that car accident victims tend to fall into when they attempt to handle their car accident claim themselves.
Never Underestimate an Accident
Some accident victims do not feel they have been injured after an accident, only to later find that they injured nerves or muscles but were unaware of their injuries. If you do not report your accident to your insurer or the police, you may inadvertently lose out on any compensation you may have been entitled to. In some cases, you may even be committing a crime, especially if you do not report an accident in which significant bodily injuries or property damage is involved.
The long-term effects of an accident can catch you off guard. You may end up paying out-of-pocket for medical treatment or incidental expenses such as laundry, home care, or related services after an accident. These are overheads that could potentially have been included in a compensation claim filed against the at-fault party that caused your accident. You should never underestimate an accident and you should seek a lawyer if you are hurt in a car accident in Lehigh Valley.
Contact Us for Legal Assistance
Please contact Cordisco & Saile LLC today at (215) 642-2335 for assistance with car accident and personal injury cases in Lehigh. We have multiple offices in Lehigh Valley and we are just a call away. Please do not hesitate to contact us today for a free consultation.
