King of Prussia Car Accident Lawyers
Car accidents alter lives in moments, leaving individuals to cope with physical injuries, emotional trauma, and significant financial burdens. The aftermath often involves dealing with insurance companies, medical providers, and potentially difficult legal proceedings while trying to recover from injuries. These challenges can overwhelm anyone, particularly those unfamiliar with Pennsylvania’s specific traffic laws and insurance regulations.
Our King of Prussia car accident lawyers at McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb, LLC provide skilled legal representation for clients affected by motor vehicle accidents. With years of experience handling cases throughout the state, our lawyers have the knowledge and resources necessary to advocate effectively for your interests. We focus on obtaining fair compensation while allowing clients to concentrate on recovery and rehabilitation following their crashes.
What Are the Most Common Kinds of Car Accidents?
Pennsylvania roadways see numerous types of collisions daily:
- Rear-end impacts occur when one vehicle strikes another from behind, often resulting from following too closely or sudden stops.
- Side-impact or “T-bone” collisions happen when one vehicle strikes another perpendicularly, often at intersections.
- Head-on collisions, though less common, produce some of the most devastating outcomes due to combined impact forces.
- Rollovers represent another dangerous category, particularly with SUVs and trucks with higher centers of gravity.
- Multi-vehicle pileups on highways can create complicated liability situations with multiple injured parties.
- Sideswipe accidents occur when vehicles traveling parallel make contact, often during lane changes.
What Are the Procedural Steps in Resolving a Car Accident Claim?
The process begins with reporting the accident to law enforcement and your insurance company; documented information from the scene becomes valuable evidence. Following medical assessment and treatment, a claim is filed with the appropriate insurance company. In Pennsylvania’s no-fault system, your own insurance initially covers medical expenses regardless of fault through Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage.
If injuries meet specific thresholds or medical expenses exceed PIP limits, you may pursue compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance. Negotiations typically occur between lawyers and insurance adjusters, with most cases resolving through settlement. However, when a fair settlement cannot be reached, filing a lawsuit becomes necessary.
The litigation process involves discovery (exchanging information), depositions (formal questioning under oath), potential mediation attempts, and, if necessary, trial proceedings where a judge or jury determines the outcome.
How Is Liability Determined in Car Accidents?
Our King of Prussia car accident lawyers examine all available evidence to determine liability in our clients’ cases. Examples include:
- Police reports document officer observations and preliminary fault assessments. Witness testimonies provide independent accounts of the events leading to the collision.
- Physical evidence at the scene, including skid marks, vehicle positions, and property damage, often reveals critical information about what occurred.
- Traffic camera footage, dashcam recordings, and surveillance video from nearby establishments may capture the accident directly.
- Vehicle damage patterns can indicate impact angles and collision dynamics. Medical records establish injury causation and consistency with accident mechanics.
- In cases involving potential vehicle defects, mechanical inspections may identify contributing factors.
What Evidence Best Supports Claims of Driver Distraction?
Cell phone records are one of the most persuasive forms of evidence in distraction cases, documenting calls, texts, or app usage at the time of collision. Witness observations of driver behavior immediately preceding the accident can also prove valuable; video footage from traffic or surveillance cameras might capture inattentive behaviors directly.
Additionally, vehicle data recorders may show sudden braking or steering movements consistent with distracted driving. Social media posts sometimes reveal admissions of distracted driving. Finally, food wrappers, makeup, or other items found in the vehicle can support claims of manual distractions.
What Impact Does Pennsylvania’s Modified Comparative Negligence Rule Have?
Pennsylvania applies a modified comparative negligence standard that influences compensation recovery. Under this rule, accident survivors may recover damages even when partially responsible for the collision, provided their fault does not exceed 50%. The compensation amount decreases proportionally to the plaintiff’s assigned percentage of fault.
For example, if awarded $100,000 but found 20% responsible, the recovery would be reduced to $80,000. This system creates significant implications for accident cases, as proving the other driver’s predominant fault becomes essential for maximizing recovery. Our King of Prussia car accident lawyers work diligently to minimize any fault attributed to our clients through thorough investigation and effective presentation of evidence.
What if the Other Driver Is Uninsured?
Collisions with uninsured or underinsured motorists present distinct challenges. Pennsylvania law requires insurance companies to offer Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, though drivers may reject it. If you maintained this coverage, you could file a claim with your own insurance company to compensate for damages.
Without UM/UIM coverage, options become more limited. You may need to rely on your health insurance for medical expenses and pursue the at-fault driver directly through legal action. However, collecting judgments from individuals without insurance often proves difficult. Additional potential sources of compensation include your own collision coverage for vehicle damage and potential third-party claims if other factors contributed to the accident.
Who Pays My Medical Bills Before My Case Is Settled?
Initially, your PIP coverage handles medical expenses up to policy limits, typically between $5,000 and $100,000, depending on your selected coverage. Once those benefits are exhausted, health insurance generally becomes the secondary payment source. Many medical providers agree to place liens on potential settlements, allowing treatment to continue while postponing payment until case resolution. In cases involving workers on company business, Workers’ Compensation insurance might cover medical treatment.
How Can a King of Prussia Car Accident Lawyer Help Me?
Our King of Prussia car accident lawyers provide comprehensive legal representation throughout your case. We can explain your legal options, conduct thorough investigations, and gather critical evidence. Our legal team manages all communications with insurance companies, protecting you from potentially harmful statements. We also work with medical professionals to document injuries and establish causation links to the accident.
Accurate damage calculation is another one of our critical services. We work to calculate current and future medical expenses, lost income, diminished earning capacity, property damage, and non-economic impacts like pain and suffering.
Our team also handles the procedural aspects of your case, meeting filing deadlines, preparing required documentation, and representing your interests in all proceedings. We negotiate aggressively with insurance companies while preparing thoroughly for trial when necessary to obtain fair compensation.
Let the Trusted King of Prussia Car Accident Lawyers at McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb, LLC Fight to Protect Your Rights
Our skilled King of Prussia car accident lawyers at McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb, LLC stand ready to evaluate your case, explain applicable laws, and develop a strategy tailored to your specific circumstances. For a free consultation, contact us online or call 215-569-8488. With offices located in Philadelphia and Abington, Pennsylvania, and Wilmington, Delaware, we proudly serve clients in the surrounding areas.