Anyone who has experienced an auto accident knows how traumatizing these incidents can be. Additionally, the days and weeks after a collision can be chaotic, as you deal with your insurance company and car repairs.
Between financial expenses, physical injuries and various personal and professional consequences, a severe car crash can have lasting effects on your life. If a careless or reckless person or company caused your accident, you can hold them responsible for their actions.
Our seasoned personal injury attorneys at Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers can work with you to file a legal claim against the party responsible for your collision. By working with a seasoned Northampton car accident lawyer, you can increase your odds of succeeding in your claim.
Founding Partner Jon Ostroff and Managing Partner Rich Godshall have extensive experience with auto accident cases. They recovered $6 million in settlements recently on behalf of seven individuals who were hurt in a car crash on a rural highway near Northampton. Speak with a lawyer from our firm today to learn more about what we can do for you.
What Damages Are Available After a Car Crash?
Pennsylvania follows a “no-fault” for car accident litigation, meaning it is not necessary to prove someone else is to blame for a crash to recover certain benefits, such as medical coverage. Your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage in your car insurance policy will cover some of your expenses related to a crash, including vehicle repair or replacement costs, rental car fees, medical expenses, and sometimes even lost work income.
If your own insurance coverage does not provide enough coverage for your economic losses, you can make up the difference by filing a claim against the at-fault party’s insurance company. Likewise, if you want to recover compensation for your non-economic losses like pain and suffering, you may file a lawsuit directly against the negligent person or company.
It is important to note that there are laws determining when you can sue for non-economic damages like pain and suffering, if you carry “limited tort” insurance as opposed to “full tort.” Fortunately, our accident attorneys have won non-economic damages for clients with “limited tort” and “full tort” car insurance coverage.
Proving Fault for a Northampton Auto Accident
When filing a lawsuit after a vehicle collision, you must prove that someone else—another driver, their employer, or another third party like a municipal authority responsible for road maintenance—directly caused your injuries through some type of negligence. In a legal context, a person is “negligent” if they act in a careless way and directly cause an accident that would not have happened but for their irresponsible behavior. Negligence in car accident claims can range from obviously illegal actions like speeding or driving drunk, to more subtle behaviors like driving while distracted.
Partial Fault
Even if you are the one suffering from injuries, the at-fault party may claim that you were responsible for the accident. These types of allegations could cause you to miss out on much-needed compensation. A jury may reduce your damages award by your percentage of fault for the accident. A dedicated car crash lawyer can help you push back against accusations of partial negligence to maximize your compensation.
Discuss Legal Options with a Northampton Car Accident Attorney
There is no one-size-fits-all method for effectively pursuing a car accident claim. That is why it is crucial to seek representation from experienced legal counsel who can thoroughly investigate your case and determine the best plan of action.
Our Northampton car accident lawyers can help you get the financial recovery you need following a serious collision. Schedule a free, confidential consultation today to get started.
