After being injured in an auto accident, finding the right Pennsylvania injury lawyer is important. While there are many different attorneys, the results that you might receive may vary widely. Working with an experienced car accident injury attorney at DiCindio Law may greatly increase the compensation amount you might recover. We have won sizeable recoveries for many of our clients and will do everything possible to maximize the compensation that you might receive.
What qualifies for a car accident claim?
You can file a car accident claim when you are seriously injured in an accident because of the negligence of others. While all drivers are required to carry auto insurance, the plans might be insufficient to cover all of your losses. We work to identify all of the parties that may have contributed to your accident’s cause so that we can try to recover full compensation for you.
Determining the value of your claim In Chester County, PA
Most accident victims ask what their claims might be worth. However, an attorney cannot give you a figure over the phone about the value of your claim. What a case might be worth will depend on many factors.
DiCindio Law will analyze multiple factors to properly value your claim, including the following:
- The extent and seriousness of your injuries
- Past and likely future medical costs
- Rehabilitation costs
- Income losses
- Property losses
- Pain and suffering
After we analyze your case, we will provide you with an estimate of your claim’s value. While the settlement that you might ultimately receive may be different than the estimate, we will strive to recover as much as possible for you.
Understanding Pennsylvania's no-fault law
Under Pennsylvania’s no-fault laws, drivers must purchase insurance that includes personal injury protection coverage, or PIP. At the time that you purchase a policy, you choose the PIP amount. This coverage is meant to pay for your medical bills regardless of who was at fault. However, your PIP coverage could be as little as $5,000. If you are seriously injured, it will not be enough to cover your medical bills.
Pennsylvania allows you to purchase limited or full tort insurance. If you have a limited tort policy, you will need to file a claim with your insurance provider to recover compensation for your medical bills. PIP insurance does not provide compensation for pain and suffering. If your injuries are severe enough, however, you can file a claim against the at-fault driver to pursue pain and suffering damages. With full tort insurance, you can bypass the state’s no-fault insurance and directly file a claim against the at-fault driver.
Uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist coverage In Chester County, PA
While you are not required to carry uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist coverage in Pennsylvania, it is a good idea to have it. This type of coverage can pay for your losses up to the policy limits of your UM/UIM insurance when you are involved in an accident that is caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver. The minimum liability coverage requirement for bodily injury in Pennsylvania is only $15,000 or $30,000 per accident. If you are seriously injured, that may be insufficient to cover your losses. If you have UIM coverage, you can file a claim with your insurance company for the losses that exceed the at-fault driver’s policy limits.
Prevalence of auto accidents
Auto accidents are very common in Pennsylvania, and many people are injured or killed in car crashes every year. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, an average of 343 accidents happened per day in 2019. On average, 209 people were injured each day, and three people were killed in traffic accidents. There were a total of 55,552 injury accidents, 990 fatal crashes, and 68,725 property damage only collisions in Pennsylvania in 2019.
Traffic accidents are also problematic nationwide. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 36,094 people were killed in traffic accidents in the U.S. in 2019. Almost one-third of traffic fatalities were caused by intoxicated drivers.
Why should you file a car accident claim In Chester County, PA?
If you were not at fault in your accident and have insurance, you might not understand why you should file a car accident lawsuit against the other driver. However, there are many gaps in the coverage that is available to you. If you have a low PIP coverage amount, you may be left with extensive medical bills after your coverage is used up. Deductibles and copays from your medical insurance could quickly add up to thousands of dollars out-of-pocket. Your coverage will also likely not be enough to cover all of your income losses. Finally, many people suffer substantial pain and discomfort because of their injuries and the recovery process. When you suffer serious injuries, you deserve to recover damages for your pain and suffering. To recover compensation for these types of losses, you will need to file a car accident claim.
If you do not file a claim against the at-fault driver, you will not recover the money that you have lost. It might be difficult for you to pay for any ongoing medical care that you need. Finally, failing to file a claim might also put your financial well-being at stake. Getting help from an experienced Pennsylvania injury lawyer might allow you to recover full compensation for all of your losses.
Talk to an auto accident attorney near me
Finding a strong auto accident lawyer to handle your claim is essential for ensuring that you will recover the compensation that you deserve. At DiCindio Law, our experienced legal team is dedicated to helping auto accident victims to recover maximal compensation for their losses. We have built a strong reputation in the community for our dedication to our clients. When we start on your case, we will work closely with you to identify all of the liable parties so that you can recover the compensation to which you should be entitled. Call us today to request a free consultation at (610) 430-3535.