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McKeesport Car Accident Lawyers

Car Accident Lawyer Serving McKeesport, PA

Have you been injured in a car accident in McKeesport? Are you dealing with the physical toll of their injuries, the financial cost of medical treatment, and the emotional stress of dealing with insurance companies? If someone else was to blame for the accident, they could owe you compensation for the harm they’ve caused you, and SMT Legal wants to help you demand it.

Our team has decades of legal experience, and we’ve recovered millions in compensation for clients like you. We’ll handle all the legal work in your case while you rest and recover, and you won’t owe us any fees unless we put money back in your pocket. 

Call now or complete our contact form for a free case review with a car accident lawyer serving McKeesport.

Why You Need a Car Accident Attorney After a Crash

Don’t make the mistake of trying to handle your McKeesport car accident case yourself. The insurance companies aren’t your friends, and they’ll do whatever they can to pay you as little as possible. Without legal help, you risk accepting pennies on the dollar—or walking away with nothing at all for your trouble.

Hiring a car accident attorney makes your life easier and gives you a better chance of recovering fair compensation for what happened. 

A capable attorney can investigate the collision to identify who’s liable for your injuries, thoroughly document the harm you’ve suffered to maximize your claim’s value, review your potential sources of compensation, and represent you in insurance settlement negotiations. If the insurer won’t make you a fair offer, you’ll want a lawyer’s help to stand up for you at trial and present an effective case to the judge or jury.

How Auto Insurance Works in Pennsylvania

While most states use a pure no-fault or fault-based system, Pennsylvania’s insurance system is a hybrid model. By law, all Pennsylvania auto insurance policies must include at least $5,000 in no-fault medical benefits. After an accident, you can use these benefits to cover your medical bills up to your policy’s limits, regardless of who caused the crash.

All Pennsylvania auto insurance policies must also include certain amounts of liability coverage. In the event of a collision, the driver who caused the crash uses their liability insurance to pay for any injuries or property damage other people suffered as a result. The minimum amounts of liability insurance required under Pennsylvania law are:

  • $15,000 for injuries to one person in an accident

  • $30,000 for injuries to more than one person in a single accident

  • $5,000 in property damage coverage per accident

Here’s where things get more complicated. When you sign up for auto insurance, you have the choice of either “limited tort” coverage or “full tort” coverage. If you choose limited tort coverage, you can file a liability insurance claim or lawsuit against the other driver, but they’re only liable for your direct economic losses, such as your lost income and medical expenses. You can’t pursue compensation for your non-economic losses (such as your pain and suffering) unless your injuries meet the “serious injury” threshold under Pennsylvania law. Pennsylvania’s no-fault insurance statute defines serious injuries as injuries resulting in death, permanent severe disfigurement, or the serious impairment of a bodily function.

If you choose full tort coverage for your policy, you don’t have to worry about the “serious injury” threshold to seek compensation for your non-economic losses. However, full tort coverage is more expensive than limited tort coverage. In many cases, though, the trade-off of higher premiums is worth not having to jump through as many legal hoops to seek full compensation after a collision.

What Are Common Causes of Car Accidents in McKeesport?

Most car accidents in McKeesport are the result of an error on the part of one or more of the drivers involved. While a driver usually bears the blame for a crash, other parties may also play a role, such as vehicle manufacturers or government agencies sometimes. Some common causes of accidents include:

  • Speeding

  • Tailgating

  • Distracted driving

  • Impaired driving

  • Drivers not adjusting their behavior to account for bad weather or other hazards

  • Drivers not checking their blind spots before merging or passing

  • Drivers not yielding the right-of-way when required

  • Weaving through traffic and other forms of aggressive driving

  • Catastrophic component failures due to manufacturing or design defects

  • Improper road maintenance, lack of proper signage, and other examples of government negligence

Compensation in McKeesport Car Accident Claims

Working with an experienced attorney is crucial for maximizing your compensation, as your lawyer can gather and review evidence to thoroughly document the financial and personal costs of what happened. With our help, your compensation could include money for:

  • Your current medical expenses

  • Your future medical needs

  • Your lost income

  • Your reduced future income due to a disability

  • Your pain and suffering

  • Your diminished quality of life due to a disability

  • Your damaged personal property

What To Do After a Car Accident in McKeesport

Once you’ve reported the collision to the police and sought medical attention, follow these steps in the coming weeks and months to strengthen your claim:

  • Attend all your follow-up medical appointments

  • Keep track of your accident-related expenses

  • Request copies of your medical records and store them in a secure place

  • Do not discuss the accident publicly or on social media

  • Report the accident to your insurance company, but avoid giving a detailed statement until you talk to a lawyer

  • Hire a car accident attorney

Deadline to File a Pennsylvania Car Accident Lawsuit

Pennsylvania law gives you two years from the date of a car accident to file a lawsuit. We urge you to speak to an attorney as soon as possible so they have enough time to build a strong case.

Contact Our Car Accident Attorneys Serving McKeesport Now

The sooner you talk to an attorney after a McKeesport car accident, the better positioned you are to recover maximum compensation. Call SMT Legal now or reach out online for a free case evaluation.

Directions to Our Law Office

We know it’s not always easy to leave your home or the hospital after a car accident, and we’re happy to come to you to discuss your case. If you’d like to visit our office, though, here’s how to find us at 114 Smithfield Street in Pittsburgh.

From the North:

  • Take I-279 South toward Pittsburgh
  • Continue onto I-579
  • Exit onto Bigelow Blvd
  • Turn right onto Seventh Ave
  • Turn left onto Smithfield St
  • Destination will be on the left

From the South:

  • Take I-376 West toward Pittsburgh
  • Take exit 71A for Grant Street
  • Turn right onto Grant Street
  • Turn left onto Boulevard of the Allies
  • Turn left onto Smithfield Street
  • Destination will be on the left

From the East:

  • Take I-79 N toward Pittsburgh
  • Exit onto I-376 W
  • Take exit 71A for Grant Street
  • Turn left onto Grant Street
  • Turn left onto Boulevard of the Allies
  • Turn left onto Smithfield Street
  • Destination will be on the left

From the West:

  • Take I-376 W toward Pittsburgh
  • Take exit 71A for Grant Street
  • Turn right onto Grant Street
  • Turn left onto Boulevard of the Allies
  • Turn left onto Smithfield Street
  • Destination will be on the left

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