Do You Need A Car Accident Personal Injury Lawyer Even If You Are Not At Fault?
If you have been injured in an automobile accident – even if it was not your fault – a car accident personal injury lawyer is essential in helping you to maximize recovery of compensation for pain and suffering (among other possible damage claims such as emotional distress, loss of earning capacity, and loss of consortium). An attorney will also assist you in obtaining reimbursement for medical bills, lost wages, and other accident-related expenses that you may have incurred. A car accident personal injury lawyer will represent your interests in dealing with the various insurance companies involved and, if necessary, will file a timely law suit on your behalf. In that case, the lawyer will help you to determine the monetary value of your damages, the proper parties to the action, and the nature of the claims that you are legally entitled to pursue. These matters can be quite complex and the expert professional assistance provided by a car accident personal injury lawyer can make a significant difference in the ultimate recovery obtained.
For example, if you were a driver injured in an accident that was not your fault, you might have a valid claim for pain and suffering against the other driver (and his or her auto insurance liability policy) whose negligence caused the accident and, depending on the circumstances, you might also have a claim against certain third parties. However, your ability to recover damages for pain and suffering will depend on several factors, including the type of insurance policy you own and the seriousness of your injuries. Because Pennsylvania is a “Choice No-Fault” state, if you did not choose the “full tort” option when purchasing your auto insurance policy, you cannot sue the negligent driver unless you sustained “serious injury” (defined as “injury resulting in death, serious impairment of a body function or permanent serious disfigurement”).
Similarly, if you were a passenger injured in an accident, the parties against whom you could properly assert claims will again depend on various facts. Potentially, you could recover from the drivers of both cars. Also, as a passenger, you would not be subject to the defenses of contributory or comparative negligence, which are legal doctrines that can prevent entirely or reduce the amount of a plaintiff’s recovery. If more than two vehicles were involved in the accident, the question of ‘who can sue whom for what’ becomes even more complicated.A car accident personal injury lawyer can offer the expertise necessary to successfully resolve these questions.
Finally, an experienced car accident personal injury lawyer will often be able to negotiate a satisfactory settlement of your claims thereby avoiding the risks, stress and expense of an arbitration hearing or trial.
Call Alfred Abel Law Offices for A Car Accident Personal Injury Lawyer
If you have been involved in an accident and have sustained injuries, good representation can help you get the compensation you need. Alfred Abel is an experienced and skilled car accident personal injury lawyer. For information about how we can help you, or to set up a consultation, contact us today!