Experiencing a car accident in Bucks County can be a deeply distressing event, impacting your life in profound ways. If another driver’s negligence caused your crash, you may have the right to seek fair compensation through their insurance.
Our Bucks County personal injury lawyers can help you successfully navigate your car accident claim and help you obtain the necessary resources to cover unaddressed losses and support your recovery journey.
How much does hiring a car accident lawyer in Bucks County cost?
At Stark & Stark, our commitment to justice is reflected in our contingency fee structure. You won’t incur any fees unless we successfully resolve your accident claim. Our attorneys provide free consultations, ensuring you can start your legal journey risk-free – Contact us today to schedule your free consultation and take the first step towards legal support.
What should I do after being in a car accident?
If you do not need immediate medical assistance, stay as calm as possible while following these steps:
- Move your vehicle to a safe spot, if you can, to avoid more problems.
- Call 911 for emergency help, even if the accident seems minor. The police report can help with your insurance claim. Let an emergency medical responder evaluate you at the scene, even if you feel fine. Adrenaline can mask injuries and pain.
- Tell the police officer your side of the story. Start with what happened just before the crash, and be honest. Ask for a copy of the report before you leave.
- If it’s safe to stay at the scene, collect evidence. Use your phone to take pictures, get the other driver’s information, and ask witnesses for their contact details.
- Tell your insurance company about the crash, but only give the necessary information. If they have more questions, tell them to talk to your attorney. Avoid saying anything that could blame you.
- Visit the ER, Urgent Care, or your primary care physician to check and document your injuries. Keep records of all medical bills.
- Arrange a free consultation with a Bucks County car accident lawyer to understand your legal options.
How long do I have to file a claim?
Car accident claims are personal injury claims under the law and are subject to Title 42 Section 5524 of the Pennsylvania Statutes. This statute, known as the statute of limitations, governs when someone can bring a lawsuit in Pennsylvania.
What kinds of damages may I be able to claim?
“Damages” refers to the physical and financial losses you experienced from the crash. The most common damages awarded in these cases are economic and non-economic.
Economic damages
Economic damages compensate you for costs directly related to the accident. This includes expenses like fixing or replacing your vehicle because of the crash. Economic losses may also cover lost wages and potential earnings if the injuries stop you from working. These damages should cover all medical costs, including ongoing therapy, treatment, and current and future medical expenses.
Non-economic damages
Non-economic damages, often called general damages, aim to compensate car accident victims for non-financial losses from the crash. These losses can include mental distress, physical pain, a lower quality of life, disfigurement, and temporary or permanent impairment.
If the insurance company isn’t offering fair compensation, you may need to file a lawsuit against the responsible party to seek full recovery.
Who may be liable for my injuries?
Several parties could be responsible for a car crash. Usually, the other driver is blamed, but not always. If a faulty car part caused the crash, the vehicle’s maker or dealer might be at fault. If the driver of a semi-truck or commercial vehicle caused the crash, the company owning those vehicles could be responsible.
How do you prove negligence in a car accident case?
In car accident cases, obtaining compensation hinges on your lawyer’s ability to prove that the other party acted carelessly, leading to injuries. This involves establishing four critical elements: duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and damages.
Duty of care
Duty of care is the obligation to act cautiously in situations. A common example is the responsibility of drivers to adhere to road rules and avoid distractions, thereby ensuring the safety of others on the road.
Breach of duty
After establishing the other party’s duty of care, your lawyer must prove that they failed to fulfill this duty. A breach occurs when someone’s actions deviate from how a reasonably careful person would behave under similar circumstances. For example, texting while driving or driving under the influence clearly breaches the duty of care.
Causation
Your lawyer must then link the other party’s breach of duty to your injury. For instance, if a driver distracted by texting runs a red light, causing an accident that results in injuries, this demonstrates causation. However, it’s important to note that the directly involved party may not always be at fault. For instance, if a collision is initially caused by a semi-truck running a red light, leading to another car hitting you, the fault primarily lies with the truck driver, not the driver that hit you.
Damages
The final step is proving that you suffered actual losses from the accident. The other party cannot be held liable without evidence of damages such as vehicle damage, physical injuries, or other forms of loss. There must be quantifiable financial, physical, or emotional losses to build a successful case.
Stark & Stark fights the insurance company to try and get you full compensation
Remember, the first offer from the insurance company is not the final one. They often start with a low offer, but your Bucks County car accident lawyer can negotiate for full compensation.
What are some common car accident injuries?
After a car accident, the most common diagnosis is whiplash. The injuries often reported include:
- Burns from airbags or seatbelts
- Back and spine injuries
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injuries
- Cuts from broken glass
- Head trauma
- Internal bleeding
- Neck injuries
Even if you don’t think you’re injured, getting medical help immediately after a car accident is important. Some injuries, like deep bruises, neck injuries, and internal bleeding, might not show up until three days or more after the collision.
“Dos” and “don’ts” of dealing with insurance after a crash
Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident can be tricky. To protect your claim, remember to:
- Share your auto insurance info with everyone involved
- Inform your insurance company about the incident
- Avoid agreeing to record your conversation
- Don’t say anything that might sound like admitting fault
Even seemingly harmless statements can hurt your claim. Consult a Bucks County, PA, car accident lawyer for legal guidance.
Why do I need to go to the doctor as soon as possible?
Not getting medical help can harm your claim. Car accidents often lead to injuries that show up later. Things like soft-tissue damage, head injuries, and spinal injuries may not have symptoms right away. If you delay getting treatment, the insurance company might say your injuries happened after the accident, and they could deny your claim.
Seeing a doctor right after a car crash creates a medical record. Even if symptoms appear later, a record will still show you felt unwell and received treatment.
Hurt in a car crash? The Bucks County car accident lawyers with Stark & Stark are ready to help.
Stark & Stark is here to help you get results. We have a track record of successfully winning client settlements and verdicts through hard work and commitment. If you got hurt because of someone else’s mistake and want compensation for your injuries, the team with Stark & Stark may be able to assist. Call (800) 535-3425 to arrange your free consultation.
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