Hiring an Attorney After a Car Accident in Philadelphia
When you are involved in a car accident, you may incur costs to repair damage to your vehicle. You may have also suffered injuries that leave you with medical bills to pay after your own insurance coverage has been exhausted. If you still have expenses to pay after using your own insurance, you may need to pursue litigation against the other driver or drivers involved in the accident. This usually begins by initiating a claim against the other driver’s insurance company, which often leads to an informal negotiation for settlement of your claim.
When negotiations fail to quickly resolve your claim, it is usually necessary to retain the services of an attorney. An attorney can ensure that you have a viable legal claim to move forward with and can help you build a strong and persuasive case in the event you need to pursue your claim in court.
Although hiring an attorney is arguably the most important step in pursuing a legal claim for damages arising from a car accident, it is important for claimants to understand how the process works. Most car accident claims are handled by insurance companies, which means that any claim for damages must go through these companies. An experienced motor vehicle accident attorney will be able to explain when and how your claim should proceed to the next stage.
What Information Is Needed for a Claim?
First, it is critical that you collect all important evidence in your case. This includes obtaining the names of all the parties involved in the accident, along with the contact information for any eyewitnesses. If the police were called to the scene, you should also obtain the accident report prepared by the responding officer. In particular, you should obtain the contact and insurance information from the other drivers involved in the accident so you can contact their insurance companies when necessary. Finally, you should also photograph the area for evidence, including the locations of vehicle, any damage to the vehicles, and road, lighting, and weather conditions.
What Does the Claim Process Entail?
It is important to remember through the car accident claim process that insurance companies are not necessarily interested in protecting victims of car accidents. Their primary goal is to ensure that they pay out the least amount of money possible in settling a claim. As a result, in many cases, an insurance company will oppose a claim and deny full or even partial responsibility on behalf of their insured, or may even deny liability to pay out benefits to their own insured who has been injured in an accident. In some cases, insurance companies even engaged in bad faith activity to avoid liability.
However, the more information that you are able to collect and provide to the insurance companies, the better of a chance you will have in obtaining compensation for your losses. Resolving a car accident claim through settlement or litigation is best done with the assistance of an attorney. An insurance company may decide that a certain dollar amount represents a fair settlement; however, if that amount does not cover your expenses, it may be necessary to file a lawsuit to recover more compensation.
What Can I be Compensated For?
If you are successful in your car accident claim, you may receive compensation for vehicle damage or other property damage to fix or replace broken or destroyed property. You can also receive reimbursement for medical expenses you incurred to treat injuries sustained in your accident. You may also be entitled to damages for ancillary expenses, such as car rentals for when your car is in the shop. However, it is necessary that you have documentary proof to substantiate any expenses you incur.
Contact a Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Car Accident Case in Pennsylvania
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a car accident in Pennsylvania? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at the Marrone Law Firm, LLC represent clients injured because of car accidents and other types of auto accidents in Philadelphia, Center City, University City, and throughout Pennsylvania. Call 215-709-7360 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 200 S. Broad St., Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19102, as well as offices in Cherry Hill, NJ.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
