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Scranton, PA Car Accident Hotline
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Top Personal Injury and Car Accident Lawyers in Scranton, PA
A car accident can be a life-changing experience. The accident itself is often the beginning of a relatively lengthy process of determining fault, filing an insurance claim, and closing the incident to help you move on with your life.
Suing your insurance company and the law to get the proper compensation you deserve can be very scary. You don't have to go through this process alone.
Remember that from the moment you first contact an insurance company, experts will be on the move to identify and exploit every possible loophole to limit your claims.
But when you hire an experienced personal injury and car accident attorneyScrantonBy guiding you and fighting for your rights, you can be sure that it is a fair process. He/she will make sure that everything you do gives you an advantage over the insurance company.
Talk to a personal injury and car accident attorney
Call our car accident attorney hotline today!
(855) 740-5024
Being involved in a car accident in Scranton, Pennsylvania? Here's how a car accident attorney can help you
From the moment the insurance company finds out that you have been involved in an accident and have to pay for the damages they have to pay for, an insurance adjuster is assigned to your case. The adjuster's primary goal is to review the accident thoroughly and find loopholes that the insurance company can exploit to limit the settlement amount.
Typically, you will work closely with the claims adjuster for weeks or months as you investigate all aspects of the accident. He/she may even order an independent medical examination to confirm your injury.
Unfortunately, the entire investigation, including the independent medical examination, is designed to exploit loopholes in your claim to limit the amount the insurance company can pay you. In short, insurance companies are determined to make sure you don't get what you deserve.
Here are the top reasons why you should hire a Scranton car accident attorney. He or she will review your case and advise you on what to do during the investigation, statements to avoid, etc.
Your lawyer will also guide you through the claims process, provide ongoing legal advice, prioritize your needs, negotiate on your behalf and defend your rights throughout the process.
Most importantly, an attorney will take over your case and remove additional stressors so you can focus on recovery.
Scranton PA Car Accident Lawyers Frequently Asked Questions
In fact, you will have a lot of questions after the Scranton accident. Some of these have to do with accidents, while others have to do with the importance of working with a car accident attorney. We will answer some frequently asked questions about car accidents and car accident lawyers.
But in no way should you consider the answers we give here as legal advice. They are only to give you an idea of what to expect.
Is it worth it to hire a lawyer after a car accident?
In fact, not all car accidents in the Scranton case required an attorney. Although you can file a personal injury claim with your insurance company yourself, this route is only possible if you have minor injuries.
However, some accidents can lead to serious injuries and expensive hospital bills that can leave you exhausted. When this is the case, you should work with a qualified Scranton car accident attorney to help you get the proper compensation you deserve.
Your personal injury and car accident lawyer knows all the applicable laws relevant to your case and will be there to help you with your legal applications. A lawyer will represent you and act on your behalf throughout the life cycle of your case.
Do I need a Scranton car accident attorney to file an insurance claim?
Generally, there is no legal requirement to retain an attorney when making an insurance claim. But the many benefits of hiring a qualified attorney go beyond legality.
When you hire an experienced attorney, you benefit from their experience handling Scranton car accident claims, so you can focus on other important things.
Additionally, the attorney will go head to head with the insurance company to actively negotiate the settlement amount you truly deserve. He/she will assess your losses and make sure each loss is included in your claim.
In most cases, insurance companies will try to cover minor losses to cover your claim for as little as possible. However, an experienced attorney will ensure that all losses are taken into account when calculating the settlement amount.
How is compensation for car accidents calculated?
The amount of compensation for a car accident varies from state to state, depending on factors such as the jurisdiction in which the accident occurred.
Variables such as car repair costs, hospital bills and other damages play a large role in determining the cost of an accident. The estimated costs of the accident will determine what the insurance company will pay.
When Should You Hire a Personal Injury and Car Accident Attorney?
Ideally, you should retain a Scranton car accident attorney before contacting your insurance company to file a claim. That way, your attorney gets to review your case, handle any conversation you have with your insurance company, and retain the adjuster assigned to your case.
When you have an attorney handle your claim, you don't have to worry about the possibility of underbilling. To avoid falling victim to certain loopholes that insurance companies can exploit to undervalue your claim, you should consider hiring an accident attorney as soon as possible.
How much does it cost to hire a car accident attorney?Scranton?
In most cases, the lawyers we connect with you will operate on a contingency plan. This means that the lawyer will only accept payment if you win the case. The lawyer's fees are actually a percentage of the won settlement amount.
So don't make the mistake of thinking that legal aid is beyond your means, especially if you're struggling with lost wages and high medical bills. The most important thing to do is contact us and let us connect you with a personal injury attorney.falmundWho will help you
How long does it take to settle a car accident claim after hiring an attorney?
The time it takes to resolve a claim depends on a number of factors that make your accident unique. Some claims are simple and can be resolved in a matter of weeks, while others are quite complex and can take years to reach a final resolution.
The most important thing to remember is that you may be forced to wait to get what you truly deserve. Therefore, do not rush to settle your claim faster with a smaller amount. By working closely with your attorney, you may be able to develop a timeline for your case.
Find a local car accident attorney in Scranton, PA at Legal Giant
Have you or a loved one been involved in a car accident in Scranton? After seeking medical attention, the most important thing you can do is hire an experienced car accident attorney.
At Legal Giant, we are ready to connect you with a local attorney who will review your case and fight for the compensation you deserve. We know that the process of finding a lawyer can be overwhelming, especially if you are trying to come to terms with the aftermath of an accident.
We take the stress off your hands so you can focus on your recovery and other personal needs. Remember that mental stress can have a huge impact on your recovery process. Therefore, the more relaxed you are, the faster you will recover and return to a normal life.
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation review of your car accident case.
Talk to a car accident attorney
Call our car accident hotline today!
(855) 740-5024
Scranton Pennsylvania Car Accident Legal Map
FAQs
How long can you sue after car accident in PA? ›
The Standard Time Limit to File a Lawsuit Is Two Years
The statute of limitations for a car accident in Pittsburgh and the rest of Pennsylvania is two years, as outlined by Pa. C.S.A. § 5524. State law sets the statute of limitations to expire two years from the date of the car accident.
Pennsylvania allows injured victims of car accidents to sue for their economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages may include medical bills, lost employment wages and/or any other out of pocket expenses. Non-economic damages may include physical and emotional pain and suffering.
How long do you have to report an accident in PA? ›Pennsylvania allows 5 days for you to report a car accident to law enforcement within five days of the accident. However, in most cases, you will want to call the police while on the scene of the crash to file a report.
Is a hit and run a felony in Pennsylvania? ›The answer to this question can depend upon several factors. If no one is injured, the hit and run is a third-degree misdemeanour. If there is a physical injury, the charge is a first-degree misdemeanour. If, however, someone is seriously injured, the crime becomes a felony of the third degree.
Can you sue for pain and suffering in PA? ›Under full tort coverage on your auto insurance, you can sue in Pennsylvania for "pain and suffering" non-economic losses including: Past and Future Pain and Suffering – This includes any past and future physical pain, mental anguish, discomfort, inconvenience, and stress.
How long does an insurance company have to settle a claim in PA? ›An insurance company has 15 days to settle a claim in Pennsylvania if you're making the claim to your own insurance company. If you're making the claim to another insurance company, they have 30 days to investigate and settle the claim. The insurance company has 10 days to acknowledge that you reported the accident.
Is PA a no-fault state for car accidents? ›In Pennsylvania, property damage insurance is a form of liability insurance. In other words, Pennsylvania applies an “at-fault” compensation system to car accident property damage claims. There is no no-fault option the way there is with bodily injury claims.
Can you sue for whiplash in PA? ›If you are suffering from whiplash after a Pennsylvania car accident, you may be eligible for compensation for your medical treatment, lost wages, and other damages.
What happens when car accident claim exceeds insurance limits in PA? ›Pennsylvania Minimum Liability Insurance Requirements 2022
In simple terms, if damages exceed the defendant's insurance policy limits, you may pursue to a judgment. A legal judgment may help you to obtain more than policy limits.
5. Fatal Injury. K. Any injury that results in death within a 30 - 24 hour time period after the crash. occurred.
What is a Class 1 vehicle accident in PA? ›
6) Class I Accident: A Class IAccident shall be defined as one involving serious damage and/or serious injury. 7) Class II Accident: A Class" Accident shall be defined as one not involving serious damage and/or serious injury. Class I Accident.
Do you need a police report for a car accident in PA? ›Per Pennsylvania law, you must always report an accident that you were in. If someone was injured or killed in a crash you were involved in, you must also always call the police. The law also requires a police investigation when vehicles are damaged to the extent that they are unable to operate.
How long do police have to file charges in PA? ›What is the General Statute of Limitations? Under code 18 PA. CONS. STAT § 5552, a prosecution must bring charges for a criminal offense within two years after the offense was committed.
Can you sue someone for a hit and run in Pennsylvania? ›If you are the victim of a hit-and-run accident in Pennsylvania, you may be wondering if you can take legal action against the responsible party. The short answer is yes, you can sue someone for a hit and run in Pennsylvania.
What is the charge for leaving the scene of an accident in PA? ›Leaving the scene of an accident involving property damage to an unattended vehicle: When drivers fail to leave the required information during a hit and run to an unoccupied vehicle, it is punishable as a summary offense punishable by up to 90 days in jail and fines up to $300.
Can I sue for emotional distress in PA? ›Bystanders Suing for Emotional Distress in Pennsylvania
In the case of actual injury, you can sue for those injuries. In the case of emotional distress with no injuries, you can sometimes sue for “negligent infliction of emotional distress” (NIED).
File the complaint with state and civil cover sheets. The filing fee is $173.25.
Do you have to pay taxes on a lawsuit settlement in PA? ›In general, damages awarded from a Pennsylvania personal injury claim are not considered taxable income under state or federal law. This means that you typically will not have to pay taxes on compensation, but there are some exceptions.
Do insurance companies always offer a settlement? ›Unless the insurance representative has a solid reason not to pay the claim, you can almost always expect a settlement offer after filing a claim with an insurance company.
How long does personal injury lawsuit take in Pennsylvania? ›In Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations is two years. The average Philadelphia personal injury lawsuit or case takes anywhere from two months to a year if it is settled out of court. If it goes to trial, it could take one to two years to reach the docket.
What is the usual time that the insurance company is required to pay a claim? ›
An insurance company has 10-45 days to settle a claim in most states, and it takes about 30 days on average to settle a car insurance claim.
Whose insurance pays in a car accident in PA? ›Pennsylvania is a “choice no-fault" state for car accidents. In most cases, you will file a claim with your own insurance provider no matter who was at fault in the crash. The policy will have “full” or “limited” tort insurance, depending on what you chose to purchase.
Who pays for car damage in PA? ›Property Damage Car Insurance Coverage in Pennsylvania
A liability insurance policy pays to repair or replace damage caused by a car accident that is your fault. You may purchase higher policy limits. The law also requires drivers to have minimum bodily injury liability coverage of $15,000 ($30,000 per accident).
Pennsylvania's Comparative Negligence Explained
The laws are known as modified comparative negligence. In easy terms, the law states that investigators can assign fault to numerous individuals involved in an accident. The driver who is assigned more than 50% of responsibility for causing an accident is held liable.
For a whiplash claim, you will need as much evidence that you can provide, this could include photos, witnesses' details from the incident or statements, as well as any medical evidence your injuries. Medical reports will be vital when it comes to your whiplash compensation claim.
Is it worth claiming for whiplash? ›Whiplash injury claims are only recommended if the accident that caused the injury wasn't your fault. In this instance, you'll be raising a claim with the other party's insurance provider, rather than your own.
How much can you settle for with whiplash? ›Generally, whiplash injury settlement payouts range from: $10,000 to $100,000 for minor cases. $1 million to $5 million for life-altering cases.
How much are most car accident settlements? ›The average car accident settlement could vary depending on the facts and circumstances of each individual case. Recent U.S. data show that a large number of car accident cases settle for between $14,000 and $28,000 with the average amount around $21,000.
Who pays the damages that exceed the policy limits? ›If the insurer refuses a reasonable settlement offer within policy limits, it is playing a risky game. If, ultimately, “the judgment exceeds the policy limits,” the insurance company is liable “for the entire judgment,” including the amount in excess of policy limits.
What is maximum claim liability? ›The aggregate limit of liability is the maximum total amount your insurer will pay out for all such claims over the course of your policy term. It is a cumulative total, combining the sum of all payouts for all individual claims. Think of it as the ceiling on coverage you can get over the duration of your policy term.
What is Category 1 injury? ›
Triage category 1
People in this category are critically ill and require immediate attention. Most would have arrived in emergency department by ambulance. They would probably be suffering from a critical injury or cardiac arrest.
Grade 1: Usually mild and involves up to 10 per cent of the muscle or ligament. Usually recovery will take a few days. Grade 2: These are moderate tears involving 10-90 percent of the structure and will take several weeks to repair. Grade 3: Tears are severe and indicate complete rupture of that muscle or ligament.
What is a Class 1 injury? ›A Class 1 injury or illness is a fatal and permanently disabling injury.
What is a Class 2 patient in accident? ›Class 2 is represented by a patient who is seriously injured but quite stabilized by intensive care such as massive vascular loading.
What is a Class 2 accident in Pennsylvania? ›If part of a load (or chunk of ice) falls from a vehicle, and in the process of falling strikes another vehicle, then the resultant crash would be considered a two (2) vehicle crash.
What type of injury is likely to be the victim of a vehicle accident Cannot feel his or her legs? ›Tetraplegia. With tetraplegia, you cannot feel or move your arms, legs, hands, or pelvis.
What to do after a car accident in PA? ›- Stop your vehicle and then move as close to the accident site as possible. ...
- Try to provide help to the other driver and passengers or pedestrians. ...
- Call local police, especially if the accident is interfering with traffic or if multiple vehicles are involved.
The report must be made within 15 days of the accident.
Can you file an insurance claim without a police report in Pennsylvania? ›State law only requires that you file an accident report in specific situations, including if someone was hurt or if you were in a hit and run accident, among other scenarios. However, just because you may not be required to call the police, does not mean you shouldn't.
What is Title 42 5551 in PA? ›(1) Murder. (2) Voluntary manslaughter. (3) Conspiracy to commit murder or solicitation to commit murder if a murder results from the conspiracy or solicitation. (4) Any felony alleged to have been perpetrated in connection with a murder of the first or second degree, as set forth in 18 Pa.
Can you sue police in PA? ›
If you or your loved one was a victim, there are legal options available. You can bring a civil rights lawsuit against the Pennsylvania State Police or a local law enforcement department if your due process rights were violated.
How long can a cop follow you before pulling you over in PA? ›If police witness a dangerous driving behavior or have reason to suspect that your vehicle was involved in the commission of a crime, they can follow you for miles until they either believe there is enough reasonable suspicion to conduct a stop or to let you drive away.
How long after a car accident can you sue in PA? ›The Standard Time Limit to File a Lawsuit Is Two Years
The statute of limitations for a car accident in Pittsburgh and the rest of Pennsylvania is two years, as outlined by Pa. C.S.A. § 5524. State law sets the statute of limitations to expire two years from the date of the car accident.
Remember, leaving the accident scene in PA is a punishable crime. Depending upon the severity of the accident, and your involvement, you can face hefty fines and possibly even jail time.
What is the penalty for hit-and-run in PA? ›Penalties for a hit-and-run in Pennsylvania
Up to 1 year in prison. A fine up to $2,500.
Yes, in Pennsylvania there is a two-year statute of limitations on car accident claims.
How long does a car accident stay on your record in PA? ›Typically, an accident will stay on your driving and insurance records for three years.
Will insurance pay if you leave the scene? ›Uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD): In most states, a driver who flees the scene of an accident will be considered "uninsured" by your insurance company. So, if you don't carry collision coverage, consider UMPD for damage to your car caused by a hit-and-run incident.
How long do you have to sue in Pennsylvania? ›Two Year Statute of Limitations
As in most states, the statute of limitations in civil cases in Pennsylvania is two years. In most cases, this means that victims have two years from the date of their injury to file a civil lawsuit.
Understand The Statute Of Limitations
Statutes of limitations establish the period for which you can bring legal action. In New York, you have three years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit. If there is a fatality, you have two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
Is Pennsylvania a no fault state for car accidents? ›
In Pennsylvania, property damage insurance is a form of liability insurance. In other words, Pennsylvania applies an “at-fault” compensation system to car accident property damage claims. There is no no-fault option the way there is with bodily injury claims.
How much does it cost to sue in PA? ›File the complaint with state and civil cover sheets. The filing fee is $173.25.
What is the maximum amount you can sue for in civil court in Pennsylvania? ›You may file a suit with a district justice if you have a complaint against a person or business and wish to recover an amount of money totaling $12,000 or less. This is called a civil lawsuit. The $12,000 limit does not in-clude the court costs involved in the suit, or any interest that may be due on your claim.
How much can you sue for in Pennsylvania? ›Pennsylvania's Sovereign Immunity Act limits damages against the state to $250,000 for any single-plaintiff and $1,000,000 for any single incident. There are only certain damages allowed: Lost earnings and earning capacity. Pain and suffering.
How long do most car accident settlements take? ›In some cases, a settlement may be reached relatively quickly, within a matter of weeks or a few months. However, in more complex cases where there are disputes over liability, damages, or insurance coverage, it can take several months or even years to reach a fair settlement.
How long does an insurance company have to settle a claim in New York? ›Insurance companies in New York have 35 business days to settle a claim after it is filed. New York insurance companies also have specific time frames in which they must acknowledge the claim and then decide whether to accept it, before paying out the final settlement.
What is the statute of limitations on uninsured motorist claims in NY? ›The statute of limitations for UM or SUM claim is six years. For a UM claim, the statute begins either from the date of the accident, or from the time when subsequent events render the offending vehicle uninsured.
At what point do most cases settle? ›Some cases settle within days of a lawsuit being filed, or are even settled before the court paperwork is filed by a plaintiff to take civil action. In other situations, a settlement may be reached just before a jury reaches a verdict or even after a jury has made a decision and an appeal is pending.
How long do you get to make a personal injury claim? ›Time limits
You should get legal advice urgently if you want to claim compensation. The most common claim in a personal injury case is negligence and the time limit for this is 3 years. This means that court proceedings must be issued within 3 years of you first being aware that you have suffered an injury.
In Pennsylvania, there is a two-year statute of limitations on personal injury lawsuits and wrongful death claims. If you fail to bring a lawsuit within the two-year limit, your case likely will be dismissed and you won't have another opportunity to recover damages for accidents and injuries.
Who determines fault in a car accident Pennsylvania? ›
The process is typically accomplished by the insurance company investigators who look at the body of evidence and make a determination. A car accident lawyer who knows the laws in Pennsylvania can help to prevent insurance adjusters from wrongly assigning fault.