Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyers

How Can Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyers Help You After a Crash?

If you were injured in a car accident or a loved one died as a result of a crash, experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyers can help you in three very important ways, which include:

• Assessing the value of your settlement claim.
• Holding negligent parties accountable to obtain maximum compensation.
• Explaining how and when you can expect to be compensated.

In the event of a car accident, the other party’s insurance company will do everything in their power to avoid placing responsibility on their client, and try to avoid paying out compensation for your injuries. Their proposed settlements may only cover a fraction of the costs you will incur for the following:

• Medical bills, including ongoing physical therapy necessitated by your injuries
• Lost wages
• Loss of future earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium (if your loved one was killed in the accident)

Our experienced personal injury attorneys at McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb, LLC can help. We have recovered more than $200 million in verdicts and settlements for accident victims in the Philadelphia area.

A serious car accident can completely change your life. Everything may be upended as you seek medical care, struggle with police reports, and coordinate with insurance companies. You may not be able to work and bills might go unpaid as a result. If you are involved in an auto accident, you should contact one of our qualified Philadelphia car accident lawyers as soon as possible. We will stand up for your rights, fight your legal battles, and handle complicated issues that arise in the aftermath of a car accident.

How Costly are Car Accidents?

If you are the victim of a car accident, or if a member of your loved one died as the result of a motor vehicle crash, you need to begin building your case with an experienced car accident lawyer right away. The monetary burden of being in a car accident may end up being higher than you anticipated. According to PennDOT, the economic loss due to reportable traffic crashes was an average of $2,016 to every man, woman, and child in Pennsylvania during 2020.

THE COST BREAKDOWN IS AS FOLLOWS:

• Fatalities: $13,383,153
• Serious Injuries: $2,806,914,140
• Minor Injuries: $5,678,927,150
• Property Damage : $727,568,268 (including accidents for which the severity of the injuries could not be determined.  

The total economic loss attributable to reportable traffic accidents in Pennsylvania in 2020 exceeded $25.8 billion.

What is My Car Accident Case Worth?

The value of a car accident claim depends on several factors, including the nature of your injuries, the insurance involved, the type of car accident, and the at-fault parties. Attempting to settle a lawsuit with insurance companies or the other parties’ attorneys without a skilled car accident lawyer can be difficult and costly.

Philadelphia car accident settlement amounts widely vary from case to case. The value of your settlement will depend on the limits of available insurance coverage, whether or not you have UIM coverage, and the degree of damages and losses you suffered as a result of the car accident.

Damages and compensation that can be sought after a car accident include the following:

• Diminished earning capacity
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Lost wages
• Medical expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Punitive damages

Our Philadelphia car accident lawyers will advocate on your behalf to ensure that you are fully and fairly compensated for the harm you suffered. Our experience with car accident cases makes us a formidable match for opposing legal teams, allowing us to get you the settlement you need and deserve.

What Injuries Occur in Car Accidents?

A car accident can cause injuries ranging from minor bruises to brain injuries. A skilled lawyer will be able to help you obtain compensation for your costly medical bills. Common types of car accident injuries include:

• Whiplash
• Cuts and lacerations
• Bruises and contusions
• Broken bones
• Spinal cord injuries
• Chest injuries
• Arm and leg injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries

Even if you feel fine after a crash, some injuries do not become apparent until the following days or weeks. It is vital that you obtain medical treatment and document any doctors’ visits to help your case. A car accident lawyer knows how devastating car accident injuries can be for victims and will fight to obtain the compensation you rightfully deserve.

Why Choose McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb, LLC?

There are many reasons for choosing McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb, LLC. Our car accident attorneys are known for providing focused, results-oriented legal representation to injury victims who suffered at the hands of negligent drivers, including rideshare drivers. We also have a track record for maximizing compensation for plaintiffs involving personal injury or wrongful death due to auto defects.

When choosing an attorney, it is important to remember that when you are involved in a car accident, the full financial impact of your injuries may not be immediately apparent. Some lawyers are interested in settling your case as quickly as possible without taking the time to do all the hard work necessary to maximize your compensation award.

At McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb, LLC, our process is different. Our priority is to fight aggressively and thoroughly to secure full compensation for all your injuries, as well as lost wages and damages, no matter how long it takes. Our results speak volumes:

What Steps Should You Follow After a Car Accident?

Most drivers will be involved in several car crashes during their lifetime, according to insurance industry estimates. Therefore, there are certain steps to take after a car accident that everyone should follow.

No matter the type of accident, all those involved must stop and remain at the scene. Those that do not remain at the scene can be charged with a hit-and-run, which can lead to fines, license suspensions, and jail time. Pennsylvania state laws dictate that drivers must stay to help the injured and exchange information. The state police, local police department, or 911 must be called if anyone is hurt or killed. The person calling should try to stay calm and remain on the line with the dispatcher until instructed to hang up.

If the accident is minor without significant damage or injury, police may only be necessary to help divert traffic. Otherwise, they will arrive at the location and make a report. It is a good idea to gather pertinent information before leaving the scene. Information includes names and contact information from all parties, recording or taking pictures of insurance cards, driver’s licenses, and license plate numbers. Taking pictures of the scene, noting the road and weather conditions, and speaking to witnesses can also help.

Immediate medical care is needed after many auto accidents, even if the victim feels that they were not seriously injured or feel ‘okay’ in the moment. Do not refuse medical attention at the scene of the accident. Certain types of injuries, like whiplash, are not immediately apparent but can actually be quite severe. This is also important because insurance companies check to see if anyone involved sought medical attention. Later claims could be denied if a victim did not do so. Therefore, keeping records of all medical treatment related to the crash is essential.

Once the medical issues have been addressed, it is essential to contact the insurance carrier as soon as possible. Some companies have specified time limits for making no-fault claims. If another person is liable for the accident, their insurance company should also be called.

Determining fault at the scene is not always possible. Accident scenes can be chaotic, and those involved may not have a clear memory of what happened. Anything said could be used against someone later, so it is important not to sign any documents or agree to pay for anything. This will be determined by the insurance companies.

Where Are the Most Dangerous Areas to Drive in Philadelphia?

Serious car accidents can happen anywhere in the Philadelphia area. However, according to data from PennDOT and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are a few areas in Philadelphia that regularly record higher crash rates than other parts of the city.

The 11-mile stretch of Roosevelt Boulevard that runs through Philadelphia notoriously sees the most fatal car crashes in the state of Pennsylvania. Other consistently deadly roads in Philadelphia include:

• The Delaware Expressway in Northeast Philadelphia
• The Schuylkill Expressway connecting Philadelphia to King of Prussia
• Broad Street
• Bustleton Avenue

Not only is Philadelphia home to many dangerous roads, but it also has several accident-prone intersections, including:

• Grant Ave and Southwest 49^th St
• Grant Ave and Roosevelt Blvd
• Red Lion Rd. and Roosevelt Blvd

Whether a car accident occurs on one of Philadelphia’s hectic roadways or at a hazardous intersection, injuries and damages can be devastating. Be sure to have a strong advocate on your side.

What are Some Important Laws in Pennsylvania Pertaining to Car Accidents?

The state of Pennsylvania has “choice” no-fault insurance. Drivers may choose a no-fault policy or one that is traditional, tort liability. The no-fault policies generally prohibit their owners from suing liable drivers when there are non-economic damages, plus policy owners cannot be sued. Traditional tort policies allow the owners to sue drivers with the same types of policies, but not those with no-fault policies.

In Pennsylvania, all drivers must carry minimum liability coverage on their insurance as follows: $5,000 for property damage; $15,000 for injury or death to one person in one accident; and $30,000 for injuries or deaths to more than one person in one accident.

How Can You Request a Police Report in Philadelphia?

A police report is a key piece of evidence that can help build your claim for compensation after you were in a motor vehicle accident. If the accident caused a serious injury or death, the police may also have photographs available. If your accident occurred in Philadelphia, you can obtain a traffic accident report or photographs by mail or in person at City Hall. You will need to bring a government-issued ID to prove you are eligible to obtain a report. According to City Council Bill No. 11-0631, the following persons are eligible for obtaining photographs or copies of a traffic accident report:

• Individuals involved in the accident
• Lawyers representing individuals involved in the accident
• Automobile insurance companies
• Other government jurisdictions

You may have to wait up to three weeks after the accident before the report is available. If you go in-person to obtain a traffic accident report, you will need to fill out a form and pay a fee. Visit the city’s website prior to obtaining the form to make sure you have the appropriate form of payment and all necessary information, including date and location of the accident, as well as the police district number. The procedure for obtaining a police report in other municipalities will be similar; please visit the municipality website for details.

What Factors Can Reduce Injuries?

Observing the speed limit, wearing a seat belt properly, and practicing safe driving can help mitigate any injuries in the event of an accident. If the injured party wishes to litigate the accident and seek compensation, evidence of their lack of fault can be used as mitigating factors in calculating the damages they are entitled to.

What is Car Accident Negligence?

Most vehicle crashes occur due to human error, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Those who are injured in car accidents may be entitled to compensation to help cover the costs associated with their injuries. To recover compensation, plaintiffs in personal injury lawsuits must prove that the other driver’s negligence caused their injuries.

Negligence is a legal theory used to establish a defendant’s liability for underlying accidents. In order to obtain compensation from a responsible party, plaintiffs must prove that the defendant’s negligence caused or contributed to their injuries. To establish negligence in a car accident claim, four elements must be met:

• Duty: To hold a defendant responsible, it must first be established that they owed the plaintiff a duty of care. All drivers are required by law to exercise a reasonable duty of care, which they are expected to uphold by driving safely, obeying traffic laws, and maintaining their vehicles in safe working order.
• Breach: Next, it must be shown that the defendant breached this duty to the plaintiff. In car accident cases, this is typically established by showing that the defendant did not obey traffic laws, was distracted, or engaged in any behavior that constituted a breach of duty to drive safely.
• Causation: Plaintiffs must then prove that the defendant’s breach of duty caused their injuries. If a defendant’s actions were negligent, but did not cause the plaintiff’s injuries, the plaintiff will not be entitled to damages.
• Damages: To recover compensation, the defendant’s breach of duty must have caused quantifiable harm to the plaintiff. If the plaintiff did not suffer a legally recognized harm, they may not be able to hold the defendant legally responsible.

What Types of Damages are Available?

Plaintiffs in car accident cases may typically recover economic and non-economic damages to compensate for their losses. Economic damages are those designed to compensate the plaintiff for quantifiable losses, such as out-of-pocket medical expenses and lost wages. On the other hand, non-economic damages are those designed to compensate for losses that are not measurable or readily quantifiable, such as disfigurement, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.

What is Full Tort and Limited Tort Liability Insurance?

Pennsylvania drivers have the option to choose either full tort insurance or limited tort insurance. Full tort insurance allows drivers to sue the responsible party and recover compensation for potentially life-long effects of a car accident, such as pain and suffering. With limited tort insurance, an injured party may not sue the driver who caused their injuries but rather seek compensation from their own car insurance, which only covers economic damages.

However, there is an exception for serious injuries. Drivers with limited tort insurance may be able to sue the responsible driver if they can prove that their injuries meet the legal definition of serious; examples include traumatic brain injuries, disfiguring scars and burns, and amputations.

What is Comparative Negligence?

Cases in which two or more parties share fault for a car accident are handled differently by state. Pennsylvania follows the comparative negligence theory, which splits the responsibility for damages between the at-fault parties. Therefore, even if a plaintiff contributed to the accident, they will not be barred from recovery; their damage award will be reduced in proportion to their percentage of negligence.

What are the Common Causes of Car Accidents?

Considering the number of vehicles on the road, the increased aggression of many drivers, and the pervasiveness of distracted driving, motor vehicle accidents occur at a tremendous rate. Our car accident attorneys handle accidents of all types and severities. The following list includes the many common causes of car accidents in the Philadelphia area:

• Aggressive driving and road rage
• Distracted driving
• Drowsy driving
• Drugged driving
• Drunk driving
• Reckless driving
• Speeding
• Teen driving
• Texting while driving
• Unsafe road conditions
• Unsecured cargo
• Weather-related accidents

While factors, such as bad weather, unsafe road conditions, or automobile defects, can cause an accident, most traffic crashes involve driver error, according to PennDOT.

The severity of a car accident depends on the speed and location of impact, as well as the make and model of the cars involved in the accident. The NHTSA distributes different ratings for the crash worthiness of many types of vehicles. Generally, crashes will be labeled as frontal impact, side-impact, or as a rollover accident. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), 56 percent of passenger vehicle deaths are due to frontal impacts on average, while side impacts account for 24 percent of car accident fatalities.

What are the Different Types of Car Accidents?

When an accident occurs, documenting exactly what happened is a vital step in building your claim. Within the three main categories of impact; frontal, side, and rear-end; there different variations of motor vehicle accidents, including the following:

• Chain reaction accidents
• Ejection from automobile
• Fender benders
• Head-on collisions
• Multi-vehicle accidents
• Rear-end collisions
• Rollover accidents and tire blowouts
• Side-impact collisions

Our Philadelphia car accident lawyers at McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb, LLC have years of experience with various types of accidents and more. We follow a very hands-on approach to all cases, maintaining an open line of communication with you and taking all the time necessary to capture critical details. Our results speak for themselves; we have been successful in securing multi-million-dollar settlements for injured victims throughout the Philadelphia area.

How Do You Get Paid for Car Accident Injuries?

If you are injured in a motor vehicle crash and you are entitled to compensation, you will be paid for your car accident injuries by an insurance company. However, the amount of money you receive depends on several factors. One factor is whether you were injured due to the negligence of another driver. Another factor is the type of automobile insurance that you have. An experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyer can help you maximize your payment. The types of insurance payments include the following:

• First-party personal injury protection (PIP): These are benefits from your insurance company.
• Third party benefits: These are paid by the negligent driver’s insurance company.
• Full tort or limited tort coverage: These are options that you choose when you purchase insurance.
• Uninsured (UM) and underinsured (US) coverage: These are also optional.

First-party PIP compensation is designed to be paid regardless if you are at-fault. PIP coverage is mandatory in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, but the amount of compensation may not be very much. For example, in Pennsylvania, the minimum compensation limit for medical bills is $5,000, but you can choose to pay for more coverage. Also, if you damage someone else’s vehicle and you are at-fault, your insurance company will pay a minimum of $5,000.

You will pay lower insurance premiums if you choose limited tort coverage. However, you will be less likely to recover damages for pain and suffering. If you choose full tort coverage, you have unrestricted rights to sue negligent parties. Uninsured motorist and underinsured coverage provide benefits if a negligent driver caused the accident and they were uninsured or underinsured.

Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyers at McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb, LLC Advocate for Injured Car Accident Victims

If you or someone you love was seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident, contact one of our skilled Philadelphia car accident lawyers at McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb, LLC today. We will pursue damages and compensation to the fullest extent on your behalf so you can focus on recovery. For a free consultation, contact us online or call us at 215-515-7644. From our offices located in Philadelphia, Media, and Abington, Pennsylvania and our offices in Wilmington, Delaware and Haddonfield, New Jersey, we represent clients throughout the surrounding areas.

Visit our convenient Philadelphia office.