A car accident in Jefferson Hills is a significant disruption in your life. First, there are the tangible costs, such as medical treatment, lost income, and property damage. However, the effects of a car crash go deeper than the pocketbook. You might have a long-term impairment that limits your activities. You might experience traumatic nightmares or flashbacks for months afterward. It’s easy to feel like you’re drowning with no way back to shore.
SMT Legal can provide the legal lifeline you need to keep you from going under. Our car accident attorneys serving Jefferson Hills have represented Allegheny County residents for decades, and our client reviews speak to our dedication to our community.
Contact us today to get started with a free consultation, and let us pursue the compensation you need and deserve during this challenging time at no upfront cost to you.
You might think a car accident lawyer’s job is representing you in court, and while that’s true, an experienced lawyer’s skills go far beyond courtroom hearings. Your car accident attorney can help you at every stage of your case, starting right after a crash.
First, your attorney can investigate the crash to determine what happened and who’s to blame. They’ll comb through crash reports, surveillance footage, and eyewitness accounts to get a comprehensive picture of who caused the collision. While this at-fault party is likely the driver who hit you, others could also be to blame, such as the manufacturer of a defective auto part or the driver’s employer, if the driver was on the job at the time of the accident.
Next, your lawyer will document all your financial and personal losses to calculate how much compensation you’re owed. Your attorney will examine your medical records and talk to experts to fully understand your injuries and how they affect your life. The long-term effects of your injuries are particularly important, as they can severely interfere with your career and quality of life. A permanent spinal cord injury, for example, could prevent you from returning to your job and limit your physical activities. Your lawyer can talk to medical experts and other specialists to fully assess how your injuries impact your short- and long-term future.
Once these steps are finished, your lawyer can send demand letters to at-fault parties, informing them of your case against them and how much compensation you’re entitled to. This will likely start the negotiation process with the at-fault parties’ insurers, who are legally obligated to cover the cost of the accident up to their policy limits.
However, it’s important to understand that insurance companies don’t like paying out claims, because doing so leaves them with less profits to pass along to their shareholders. Your lawyer will need to convince the insurer through a combination of strong evidence, persuasive arguments, and the credible threat of a lawsuit that it’s better to settle your claim out of court than risk getting sued.
If an insurer tries to reduce your compensation, your lawyer can counter their arguments to protect your claim. For example, if an insurance company argues you caused the crash, your lawyer can use the police accident report, eyewitness accounts, and surveillance footage to prove the other driver is responsible.
Should the insurance company still refuse to compensate you fairly, your lawyer can escalate the matter by filing a lawsuit, which they will have prepared in advance while they were negotiating. Should a trial become necessary, your attorney can file motions to set the stage, present evidence before a judge or jury, and undercut the other side’s evidence or witnesses. Their goal is to do whatever it takes to secure a verdict in your favor.
The details of your auto insurance policy have a huge effect on a car accident claim. Pennsylvania’s hybrid insurance system can make things rather confusing. Under state law, all Pennsylvania auto insurance policies must include at least $5,000 in no-fault medical benefits. This coverage will go toward paying your medical expenses after a crash, no matter who caused the accident.
All Pennsylvania auto policies must also include liability coverage, which pays for injuries and property damage the policyholder causes others. The minimum liability coverage amounts in Pennsylvania are:
This is where things get tricky. When you buy an auto insurance policy, you must choose between “limited tort” and “full tort” options. Choosing a limited tort policy means you can file a personal injury claim against a driver at fault for a crash, but that you can only recover compensation for your economic losses, such as medical bills, lost income, and property damage. You can only recover compensation for non-economic losses like pain and suffering if your injuries meet specific standards under Pennsylvania law. With full tort privileges, you can seek compensation for your non-economic losses, no matter the severity of your injuries.
No matter what caused an accident or the crash type, SMT Legal can protect your rights and financial future. Some common car accident cases we handle include:
A car accident claim is an uphill legal battle, so it’s vital to do everything you can to protect your right to compensation. To start, call 911 immediately after the crash so the police and emergency medical personnel will respond. If your injuries allow, use your phone to document the damage to your car, your injuries, and the general area. Make sure you get the other driver’s name, contact information, and insurance details before seeking medical attention.
Once you see a doctor, follow their instructions and attend all follow-up appointments. Save your medical records and bills for proof of the crash’s effects. Make sure you contact a lawyer immediately so they can start your claim.
Direct any insurance companies that contact you to your attorney. Finally, it’s a smart move to start a daily journal noting your pain levels and how your injuries affect your activities. This evidence can help you seek compensation for your non-economic losses.
Depending on your injuries and other factors, your car accident claim could include compensation for:
Have you been injured in a car accident in Jefferson Hills? If so, SMT Legal is ready to assert your rights and help you demand the compensation you deserve.
Call now or complete our contact form for a free consultation with a car accident lawyer serving Jefferson Hills. We look forward to advising you on your rights, answering your questions, and helping you demand justice.
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