Car Accident Lawyer in Levittown, PA

Types of Damages in Car Wreck Cases

The damages available in a vehicle collision case fall into several categories. A Levittown Car Accident Lawyer could advise someone injured in a car crash which damages might be available in their particular case.

Economic damages cover the out-of-pocket expenses the plaintiff has incurred and will incur as a result of their injuries. Economic damages include medical expenses, lost wages, rehabilitation costs, future expenses anticipated to accommodate the injury, as well as lost earning capacity.

Non-economic damages are not easy to quantify because they compensate for intangible losses that have no set monetary value but represent a claimant’s suffering. Examples include pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of companionship.

Pennsylvania allows a judge or jury to award punitive damages in some instances. Unlike economic or non-economic damages, punitive damages are meant to punish a defendant for intentional or reckless behavior that is egregious. In a car accident claim, punitive damages could apply if the defendant was intoxicated at the time of the collision.

Pennsylvania Vehicle Insurance Coverage

There is a Pennsylvania law that impacts the damages a claimant might seek. The Commonwealth requires drivers to have liability insurance coverage but permits drivers to select between two types. Under 75 P.S. §1705, Pennsylvania drivers can choose either limited tort or full tort coverage.

Full tort coverage is more expensive because drivers with this insurance have no restrictions on the damages they might seek after an accident. Limited tort coverage is less expensive, but if a driver is injured due to another motorist’s negligence, the injured driver cannot claim non-economic damages in most cases. However, the law offers exceptions in certain circumstances, for instance, if:

• The injured party was a pedestrian, riding a bicycle, or was a passenger in a bus or commercial vehicle when the injury occurred
• The at-fault driver was driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• The injured driver suffered a catastrophic injury
• A driver with limited tort coverage should not assume that they will not be fully compensated for their injuries. A local accident lawyer could investigate whether an exception applies to their vehicle collision case.

Limited Time to Bring an Action in Levittown

Pennsylvania law allows people two years to file a lawsuit seeking damages for personal injuries and begins on the date the injury occurred. An injured person who fails to bring a lawsuit within the statutory period loses their right to seek redress in the courts.

There are only limited exceptions to the two-year statute of limitations. If the person injured in a vehicle accident is a minor at the time of their injury, they have two years from their 18th birthday to bring a lawsuit. If a potential defendant leaves the Commonwealth, the statute of limitations clock stops running until they return. Consulting with an experienced injury attorney soon after an auto accident could help an injured person and their family understand the local statutory deadlines and set their expectations accordingly.

Plaintiffs benefit from seeking legal representation sooner rather than later, even when they hope to avoid going to court. It is important for a seasoned injury attorney to interview witnesses as soon after the wreck as possible when memories are still fresh. The evidence obtained from witnesses could move a negligent driver and their insurer toward offering a more reasonable settlement.

Insurance adjusters and defense lawyers might use intimidation or stonewalling to force an injured person into settling a case for less than they deserve. They could draw out negotiations, hoping to run out the statute of limitations and deprive the injured person of the opportunity to seek justice in court.  Swift action could prevent this.

Accidents Involving Government-Owned Vehicles

In some car accident cases, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or a local government is a potentially negligent party and could be a defendant in an injured person’s claim for damages. This could happen if:

• The other driver was a government employee on official business
• An involved vehicle was government-owned
• Poor road maintenance was an issue
• The accident happened in a government-funded work zone
• Inoperative, defective, or absent traffic control signals were a factor

People who were injured in an event for which a unit of government might be a defendant have little time to act. Pennsylvania law requires filing a notice of claim with the potentially liable government entity within six months of the event that led to the claim.  A claimant loses the right to pursue damages against the local government if the notice of claim is not timely filed.

If the notice of claim is filed in accordance with the law, the plaintiff still has until two years after their injury to file their lawsuit. A savvy legal professional could ensure that the claim is filed on time to preserve an injured person’s right to seek damages against a unit of government.

The law also limits the amount of damages an injured person might collect when their claim is against a government entity. For claims against the Commonwealth, recovery is limited to $250,000 per occurrence and $1,000,000 aggregate. If a claim is against a municipality or other local government, the cap is $500,000 aggregate.

Seek Guidance from a Levittown Car Accident Lawyer

If you have been involved in a car wreck and suffered severe harm, do not try to get compensation without the help of an experienced legal professional. Insurance adjusters and defense lawyers often offer injured claimants unfair settlement awards. Contact a Levittown Car Accident Lawyer at KaplunMarx who can work hard so you recover all the compensation you deserve. Call today for a complimentary case review.

Rear-End Car Accidents in Levittown, Pennsylvania

Rear-end auto collisions are common occurrences and can be some of the most severe roadway accidents. Nearly a quarter of all car wrecks in Pennsylvania were rear-ended collisions.

If you were involved in a rear-end car accident in Levittown, it is important that you document your injuries and damages with photographs and medical reports as soon as possible. An experienced Levittown, PA accidents attorney can use the photos and medical reports to help you pursue any compensation available to you.

Causes of Rear-End Motor Vehicle Accidents

Those who are struck from behind by another vehicle usually do not have a chance to anticipate and brace for impact, which can oftentimes make injuries more severe. Because of the nature of rear-end motor vehicle accidents, there is generally no time for a person to brace themselves and prepare for the impact, making the sudden collision and injuries sustained that much more traumatic. Common injuries that are a result of a rear-end car crash are whiplash, concussion, radiating pain from the neck through the arms and hands, radiating pain from the back into the legs and feet, fractures and broken bones, spinal cord injury, TBI, and even death. These types of collisions are most often caused by negligence, carelessness, and/or recklessness on the part of the driver in the back.

In Levittown, lawyers often see rear-endings caused by motorists following too closely, speeding, engaging in distracted driving, or even driving under the influence of intoxicants. In cases where driver fault or negligence is involved, there may be grounds for filing a lawsuit.

Who is at Fault in a Rear-End Collision?

There is a common perception that the driver of the vehicle that rear-ends another vehicle is always at fault. This is often the truth, as there is a law in Pennsylvania commonly called the “assured clear distance” or maintaining a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you to make sure you can safely break before striking the vehicle in front.

Issues that will factor into a determination of fault include whether there were faulty tail lights on the vehicle that was rear-ended, whether the driver of the car that did the rear-ending was speeding or following too closely behind the other car, as well as outside influences such as poor road conditions or bad weather. If the collision was part of a pile-up of vehicles or there was another accident occurring at the time of the crash, these are some of the facts that will be considered while evaluating a rear-end auto collision case.

Legal Deadline to File a Claim in Levittown

In Levittown and throughout the state of Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations on personal injury matters is generally two years from the incident that caused the injury. Therefore, those who were injured in a rear-end vehicle crash in the area should seek legal representation promptly after the wreck. Prompt medical treatment is also important for medical and legal reasons, as it can help to illustrate the connection between the accident and the injury, as well as document both financial and human losses.

Rear-End Car Accidents

Rear-end car accidents in Levittown are an unfortunately common occurrence and can result in substantial property damage as well as severe injuries for drivers and passengers. In some situations, there may be a legal right to compensation for these injuries and damages if the other driver was behaving negligently.

With an experienced and knowledgeable local injury attorney on your side, you could assess your legal options for compensation with confidence. Contact our law firm today and schedule a free case consultation with our team of trustworthy attorneys. We look forward to speaking with you.

Side-Impact Car Accidents

Side-impact car accidents in Levittown include collisions commonly known as broadside and T-bone crashes. If the side of your vehicle was struck by a negligent driver, causing you harm, you should speak with an experienced local attorney.

Since the sides of vehicles offer little in terms of protection for their occupants, the resulting harm from these collisions can be substantial. A hardworking legal representative could help you seek fair compensation for all your personal and financial losses stemming from the crash.

T-bone Accidents

In a T-bone accident, a car is struck at a perpendicular angle on its side by another vehicle’s front end and is most prevalent in intersections. T-bone collisions can occur when a driver runs a red light and drives into the path of an oncoming vehicle.

Unfortunately, as these collisions often occur at high speeds, the resulting injuries can often be catastrophic. The side panels of automobiles are generally not as impact resistant as the front or rear ends, and therefore may not be strong enough to prevent substantial physical injuries. The occupants of the vehicle that is T-boned may suffer soft tissue injuries, traumatic brain injuries, neck and back trauma, and spinal cord damage. In especially severe cases, these wrecks can be fatal.

When this type of side-impact vehicle wreck occurs, it is vital for the injured party to seek representation from a skilled lawyer in the area. While the claimant receives the necessary medical treatment, a hardworking attorney could help collect evidence of the accident, such as photos of the scene and the police report.

Sideswipe Collisions

When the sides of two vehicles collide, this is sometimes referred to as a sideswipe collision. Sideswipe accidents can occur on the freeway or other motorways when a driver veers out of their lane and into another motorist. While sometimes these accidents only cause damage to the vehicles involved, these side-impact crashes can also result in the automobiles spinning out or overturning, which can result in devastating harm, especially if there is oncoming traffic.

Vehicle occupants may suffer broken bones, head trauma, spine damage, and lacerations. If the collision results in one or both vehicles overturning, the occupants will likely suffer crushing injuries that could lead to paralysis or even death. A seasoned attorney in Levittown experienced with handling side-impact auto accident cases could ensure the injured parties are fairly compensated for the substantial damages they have endured.

Side-Impact Car Accidents

Despite every precaution that drivers may take to drive attentively and follow the rules of the road, auto collisions can still occur and often will leave a lasting impact. Negligence, recklessness, or inattentive driving often contribute to vehicle crashes and are grounds for civil litigation.

If you were involved in a side-impact car accident in Levittown, call an experienced local attorney to see what your legal options may be under the circumstances. However, the statute of limitations limits the time you have to file a claim, so contact our office today to speak with our team.

Front-End Car Accidents

When two vehicles both sustain the force of an impact head-on, this is called a front-end car accident. These types of collisions can be some of the most damaging due to the force between the two vehicles, as well as the high speeds that are often at play when these collisions occur.

If you or someone you love has been in a head-on crash, you may have a rightful claim to compensation. The guidance of a dedicated local attorney could help you recover financial compensation for the losses that resulted from a front-end car accident in Levittown.

Common Injuries Involved in Head-On Collision Cases

Unfortunately, front-end vehicle wrecks in the area can result in severe personal injuries. While some injuries can eventually heal, others can result in permanent disability or disfigurement.

Neck and Back Trauma

Caused by the rapid directional and speed changes that occur in a head-on crash, neck and back injuries can be painful with extensive recovery times. These injuries include whiplash, herniated discs, lower back injuries, nerve damage, cracked vertebrae, and others. In severe cases, they can result in permanent paralysis.

Brain Damage

In front-end collisions, head injuries are especially common because of the high speeds involved. Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries may occur as a result of these accidents and should be examined by appropriate medical professionals immediately.

Rib or Lung Injuries

The seatbelt itself, while lifesaving, can also cause damage to the body in a high-speed collision. When the pressure of the seatbelt presses into the body, it can damage ribs or lungs.

Texting While Driving Car Accidents in Levittown

Although it is a well-known fact that texting while operating a motor vehicle is extremely distracting and a significant cause of vehicle accidents nationwide, this type of inattentive driving still occurs regularly. Unfortunately, drivers who choose to use their cellphone while behind the wheel of a car put themselves and all others on the road at risk of catastrophic harm.

If you were involved in a texting while driving car accident in Levittown, having an experienced local attorney by your side could help you achieve a positive outcome in your case. A hardworking lawyer could investigate the cause of the wreck and gather evidence to prove the defendant driver was using their cellphone at the time of the wreck.

PA Laws Regarding Driver Cellphone Use

In an effort to reduce distracted driving collisions and make roadways safer, Pennsylvania has enacted laws to ban texting while driving, as per 75 Pa. C.S.A. Vehicles §1621. In fact, statutory law even states that texting while driving by itself is punishable by a fine. However, the law does not ban the use of a GPS system or other hands-free devices while operating a vehicle.

Additionally, a 2016 law known as Daniel’s Law increases criminal penalties of vehicular homicide when there was also a violation of the texting while driving law. With the help of an experienced attorney, anyone who was involved in a car accident caused by texting while driving in Levittown can better assess how local cellphone laws may affect their case. Since the statutes of limitations may limit a plaintiff’s time to file a claim, injured parties should contact an attorney as soon as possible.

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