Car accidents can be life-changing events. Not only can they cause devastating and life-altering physical injuries, but they can also lead to emotional distress and long-term financial hardships. The last thing a car accident victim wants to think about is how they are going to recover the money they need to survive mounds of medical bills and extensive car repairs. You can give yourself the time and space you need to focus on healing by enlisting the help of an experienced and dedicated car accident attorney with SMT Legal.
At SMT Legal, we focus on delivering results. We understand how a car accident can complicate your life, and we work hard to advocate for you, fighting for the money you need to rebuild your life and recover from your injuries.
If you live in West Mifflin, contact our office today and ask to set up a free consultation. We are proud to represent West Mifflin residents and help them resolve their legal issues following a car accident caused by a careless individual.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is one of about a dozen states that follow a no-fault car insurance model. In a no-fault state, an accident victim files an insurance claim with their insurance company, as opposed to the at-fault driver’s insurance company, which is how it works in traditional fault states. What makes Pennsylvania unique is that instead of being a complete no-fault state, it gives drivers options, making it more of a hybrid jurisdiction.
Drivers can opt for limited tort or full tort car insurance coverage. Limited tort coverage limits your rights to recover compensation for non-economic damages like pain and suffering from another driver who is responsible for causing an accident unless your injuries fit specific legal exceptions. The benefit for many drivers is that limited tort coverage is often less expensive.
Drivers can also choose full tort coverage, meaning they retain full rights to seek compensation for their injuries and financial losses, accident-related expenses from medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering from the at-fault driver. Since full tort coverage provides more extensive financial protections to drivers, it is more costly than limited tort coverage.
Limited tort and full tort coverage options extend to medical expenses and other financial losses, not physical damage to your vehicle. Drivers may also opt for separate collision and comprehensive insurance coverage to cover the cost of car repairs.
However, a no-fault system doesn’t mean that the cause of the accident doesn’t matter. If your medical expenses eclipse your policy coverage limits, proving fault may be crucial because it could allow you to pursue a personal injury lawsuit seeking compensation for your extensive injuries and other financial losses.
Seeking legal advice early in the claim process is beneficial because an attorney can help you manage your claim, negotiate aggressively with insurers on your behalf, and prepare a personal injury lawsuit when necessary to pursue maximum compensation. We use our extensive resources and legal knowledge to build a strong case that offers you the best chance at achieving a favorable outcome, allowing you to move forward with your life.
Statistics from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation show 110,382 reportable traffic crashes in Pennsylvania. These collisions killed 1,209 people and injured 66,563. That amounts to three people dying in reportable accidents every single day. That’s nearly one fatality every seven hours.
The unfortunate reality is that most car accidents are preventable. The most common cause of car accidents tends to be driver error. That means the driver’s actions are to blame for the cause of the collision. In Pennsylvania, many car accidents are the result of:
Distracted driving
Impaired driving
Fatigued driving
Speeding
Failure to yield
Unsafe lane changes
Aggressive driving behaviors
Accidents can also occur due to mechanical defects and inclement weather conditions. Following a crash, your first call should be to local authorities. Your second call should be to a skilled car accident attorney who can help you manage the fallout from a significant collision.
Significant car accidents are violent events that often cause trauma and devastating physical and mental injuries. Some of the most common injuries associated with local car accidents in the West Mifflin area can include:
Traumatic brain injury
Spinal cord injuries
Other head and neck injuries
Amputations
Burns
Broken bones
Dislocations
Soft tissue damage
Internal bleeding
Organ damage
Lacerations
Abrasions
Contusions
Anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder are also commonly associated with catastrophic crashes. You deserve fair compensation for all your injuries, visible and invisible. An experienced car accident attorney can help you fight for the money you need to help you recover and afford your medical treatment.
You may not be ready to file a lawsuit immediately following a car accident. However, involving a resourceful car accident attorney as soon as possible will always be in your best interest, no matter the situation. Pennsylvania law limits when an accident victim must file a personal injury lawsuit seeking compensation for their financial losses. Generally, individuals only have two years from the accident date to file their case. If an insurer draws out negotiations in bad faith, they can run out the clock, preventing you from recovering maximum compensation for your injuries.
Filing a case after the legal deadline means the case faces dismissal by the court. You lose negotiating leverage with the insurer and the ability to bring your case before a judge or jury.
At SMT Legal, we know that time is precious. When you are significantly injured, it can feel overwhelming to complete what were once simple tasks. To help you find the information and help you need after a car accident, we want to provide you with some helpful West Mifflin resources.
A car accident can leave you an emotional wreck. Get the legal advice and support you need to manage what’s to come by speaking with an experienced car accident attorney with SMT Legal. Our legal team wants to help you recover the money you need to rebuild your life and start fresh. We’ll never stop fighting to protect the rights of West Mifflin car accident victims.
Contact our office today and arrange a free legal consultation to learn more.
Follow the directions provided to locate our office from anywhere. If you have any questions or need help finding our office, please contact us.
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