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Your Guide to Hiring Expert Car Accident Lawyers

Attorneys for vehicle accidents: Win 98% Justice

 

Why You Need an Attorney After a Vehicle Accident

After a vehicle accident, you face mounting medical bills, lost income, and insurance adjusters who prioritize their company’s bottom linenot your recovery. Attorneys for vehicle accidents level the playing field by handling the legal complexities while you focus on healing.

An experienced attorney will:

  • Investigate the accident and gather critical evidence.
  • Handle all insurance company negotiations to protect you from lowball offers.
  • Identify all recoverable losses, including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
  • File your claim or lawsuit before the statute of limitations expires.
  • Work on contingency, meaning you pay nothing unless they win your case.

Insurance companies often pressure victims into accepting quick, inadequate settlements. With millions of accidents occurring annually in the U.S., having an expert who understands state laws is crucial.

I’m Jason Fine, a ten-time Pennsylvania Super Lawyer nominee with over 25 years of experience representing accident victims throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. My team of attorneys for vehicle accidents has secured top verdicts by aggressively representing clients against insurance companies and maximizing their compensation.

infographic showing five immediate steps after a car accident: 1) Check for injuries and call 911, 2) Move to safety and document the scene with photos, 3) Exchange information with other drivers, 4) Seek medical attention immediately, 5) Contact an attorney before speaking with insurance companies - attorneys for vehicle accidents infographic

What to Expect from the Best Attorneys for Vehicle Accidents

When you choose us, you gain a dedicated partner committed to your recovery. Heres what our expert attorneys for vehicle accidents provide:

1. Thorough Investigation: We carefully review police reports, gather witness statements, and examine all evidence to build a complete picture of your accident.

2. Expert Case Building: We provide clear legal advice, explain your rights, and build the strongest possible claim to prove the other party’s negligence.

3. Seamless Communication: We handle all communications with insurance companies, medical providers, and other parties, protecting your rights and removing the burden from you.

4. Aggressive Negotiation: Our skilled negotiators fight for a settlement that covers all your accident-related costs. We know the insurance companies’ tactics and won’t back down.

5. Comprehensive Litigation Support: While most cases settle, we prepare every case for trial. If a fair settlement isn’t reached, we are ready to fight for you in court.

6. Contingency Fee Structure: We work on a contingency fee basis, so you pay no upfront legal fees. We only get paid if we win your case.

What Types of Losses Can Be Recovered After an Accident?

A vehicle accident causes both financial (economic) and personal (non-economic) losses. Our goal is to ensure your compensation covers every impact. We can help you recover for:

  • Medical Bills: Emergency care, doctor visits, surgery, physical therapy, and prescriptions.
  • Future Medical Care: Ongoing treatment, rehabilitation, and assistive devices.
  • Lost Wages: Income lost while you are unable to work.
  • Reduced Earning Capacity: Long-term impact on your ability to earn a living.
  • Property Damage: Repair or replacement of your vehicle and personal items.
  • Pain and Suffering: Compensation for physical pain and discomfort.
  • Emotional Distress: For trauma, anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
  • Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Inability to participate in hobbies and daily activities.
  • Loss of Consortium: For the impact on a spousal relationship.
  • Funeral and Burial Costs: In wrongful death cases.

The value of your settlement depends on injury severity, total financial losses, and clarity of fault. Our attorneys for vehicle accidents are skilled at identifying all potential losses to maximize your compensation.

Understanding the laws in Pennsylvania and New Jersey is crucial for a successful claim.

Statute of Limitations:
In both Pennsylvania and New Jersey, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Missing this deadline can permanently bar you from seeking compensation. Learn more about how statutes of limitations work: Statute of limitations.

State Insurance Systems:

  • Pennsylvania uses a “choice no-fault” system. Your insurance policy will be either “full tort” (retaining full rights to sue for pain and suffering) or “limited tort” (restricting those rights). Your own PIP coverage pays for initial medical bills in a no-fault framework.
  • New Jersey is a “no-fault” state for initial medical benefits, paid by your PIP coverage. Your ability to sue for pain and suffering depends on meeting a “verbal threshold,” which requires a serious or permanent injury.

Comparative Negligence:
Both Pennsylvania and New Jersey use a modified comparative negligence (51% bar rule). You can recover damages as long as you are 50% or less at fault for the accident. Your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover anything. For an overview, see modified comparative negligence.

These complex rules make expert legal guidance from attorneys for vehicle accidents indispensable. We ensure your claim is filed correctly and your rights are protected. The settlement process can take a few months to over a year, but if a fair offer isn’t made, we are prepared to file a lawsuit to pursue the justice you deserve.

How Expert Attorneys for Vehicle Accidents Build and Win Your Case

an attorney reviewing case files and evidence with a client in an office setting - attorneys for vehicle accidents

Winning a car accident case requires building a rock-solid foundation of evidence and presenting it with precision. Our attorneys for vehicle accidents treat every detail as a critical piece of your path to justice, starting from the moment the crash occurs.

The First Steps to Take and the Importance of Evidence

What you do immediately after an accident can significantly impact your claim. After ensuring everyone’s safety, focus on these crucial steps:

  • Call 911: Request police and medical assistance. A police report provides an official record, and immediate medical attention links your injuries to the crash.
  • Document the Scene: Take photos and videos of vehicle damage, road conditions, traffic signals, and any visible injuries.
  • Exchange Information: Get the names, contact details, and insurance information from all drivers involved. Collect contact info from any witnesses.
  • Seek Medical Attention: Even if you feel fine, get a medical evaluation. Some serious injuries, like concussions or internal trauma, have delayed symptoms.
  • Contact an Attorney: Before speaking to an insurance adjuster, consult with a lawyer to protect your rights. Avoid admitting fault or downplaying your injuries.

Evidence is the backbone of a successful case. We use police reports, medical records, witness statements, photos, and expert testimony to prove the other party’s negligence and the full extent of your damages. Common causes of accidents we investigate include distracted driving, drunk or impaired driving, speeding, and reckless driving.

How Attorneys for Vehicle Accidents Handle Complex Cases

Not all accidents are straightforward. Our attorneys for vehicle accidents have the expertise to manage even the most challenging scenarios, ensuring all responsible parties are held accountable.

  • Catastrophic Injuries: We handle cases involving traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), spinal cord injuries, amputations, and wrongful death. We work with medical and financial experts to calculate the full lifetime costs of these devastating injuries.
  • Multiple Liable Parties: Accidents can have more than one cause. We investigate to identify every individual or entity that shares responsibility to maximize your recovery.
  • Commercial Vehicle Accidents: Crashes involving large trucks are complex. Liability can extend to the trucking company for negligent hiring, poor maintenance, or improper cargo loading. We are well-versed in the federal and state regulations governing the trucking industry.
  • Rideshare Accidents: We steer the complicated insurance policies of Uber and Lyft to determine liability, whether it falls on the driver’s personal policy or the rideshare company’s multi-million dollar commercial coverage.
  • Government Vehicles: Claims involving government-owned vehicles have special rules and shorter deadlines. Early legal action is critical in these cases.
  • Defective Vehicle Parts: If a manufacturing defect like faulty brakes or airbags contributed to the crash, we can pursue a product liability claim against the manufacturer.

Deciding Your Case’s Path: The Pros and Cons of Settling vs. Trial

Most personal injury cases settle out of court, but it’s important to understand your options. Our attorneys for vehicle accidents will provide a clear assessment to help you decide whether to accept a settlement or proceed to trial.

Feature Settling a Car Accident Case Going to Trial
Pros Certainty & Speed: Guaranteed, faster payment.
Privacy: Terms remain confidential.
Lower Stress: Avoids court proceedings.
Higher Award Potential: Juries may award more.
Public Accountability: Holds the at-fault party responsible publicly.
No Forced Settlement: You don’t have to accept a low offer.
Cons Potentially Lower Payout: May be less than a jury award.
Finality: You cannot reopen the case later.
No “Day in Court”: Your story isn’t heard publicly.
Uncertainty & Risk: You could receive less or lose.
Lengthy Process: Can take years to resolve.
Public Record: Proceedings are not private.
Higher Stress: Testifying can be emotionally taxing.

A settlement offers a predictable outcome and quicker access to funds, which provides peace of mind for many clients. A trial, while riskier and longer, can sometimes result in a higher award and offers a sense of public justice. The final decision is always yours. We provide the expert guidance you need to make the best choice for your future.

 

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