Life in Bucks County is defined by its vibrant communities and scenic roadways, from the daily commute on the Pennsylvania Turnpike to a relaxing weekend in Neshaminy State Park. But that sense of safety can be shattered instantly by a serious accident caused by another’s negligence. Suddenly, you are left with painful injuries and financial strain from medical bills.
During a time like this, you need more than just an attorney; you need a local advocate who understands the challenges you face. A Bucks County personal injury lawyer from Leonard Hill – Personal Injury Lawyers And Car Accident Lawyers can help you hold the responsible party accountable and pursue the financial recovery you need.
Our team understands the physical, emotional, and financial toll an unexpected injury can take. We are here to listen to your story, explain your legal options in clear and simple terms, and provide the guidance you need. We invite you to reach out and learn how we can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
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Key Takeaways for Personal Injury Lawyer in Bucks County
- A personal injury claim is a legal process for seeking financial compensation when an individual suffers harm due to another party’s negligence.
- Negligence is the foundation of most personal injury cases and involves proving that another party had a duty of care, breached that duty, and caused the victim’s injuries and damages.
- Compensation in a personal injury case can cover economic damages like medical bills and lost income, as well as non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
- Insurance companies often make initial settlement offers that are far lower than what a claim is truly worth.
- An experienced personal injury attorney can handle all aspects of a claim, from investigation and evidence gathering to negotiations and, if necessary, litigation.
- Pennsylvania law sets a time limit, known as the statute of limitations, for filing a personal injury lawsuit.
Why Us for Your Bucks County, Pennsylvania Personal Injury Claim?
Choosing the right legal team to represent you is one of the most important decisions you will make after an injury. At Leonard Hill, we bring more than 50 years of combined legal experience to every case we handle. Our attorneys have dedicated their careers to advocating for the injured and fighting for justice. We believe in building strong relationships with our clients through honest and direct communication, ensuring you are always informed and involved.
We understand that you are going through a difficult time, and we provide the personalized attention your case deserves. Our approach is thorough and results-focused. We commit to helping our clients by:
- Conducting a comprehensive investigation into the accident to determine all liable parties.
- Gathering critical evidence, including police reports, medical records, and witness statements.
- Working with you to understand the full impact of your injuries on your life and finances.
- Aggressively negotiating with insurance companies on your behalf to secure a fair settlement.
Our team is prepared to take your case to court if a fair agreement cannot be reached. We are focused on helping you obtain the maximum compensation available under the law so you can focus on what matters most: your recovery.
What is a Personal Injury Claim?
You have probably heard the term “personal injury,” but you might not be sure exactly what it means. In simple terms, a personal injury claim is a formal request for compensation made when you have been hurt because of someone else’s actions or failure to act. The injury can be physical, like a broken bone from a car accident, or emotional, like the trauma following a serious incident.
This legal process is based on the idea of negligence. Negligence is a legal term that means someone did not use reasonable care to avoid harming others. For example, a driver who runs a red light is being negligent. A store owner who knows about a spill on the floor but does not clean it up is also being negligent.
A personal injury claim is your way of holding that negligent person or company financially responsible for the harm they caused you. It is not about punishing someone; it is about making you “whole” again financially by covering the costs and losses you have suffered because of your injury.
Types of Personal Injury Claims We Handle
Our team has a wide range of experience handling various types of injury cases throughout Bucks County. We understand the unique details involved in each type of accident and are prepared to build a strong case for you. We frequently assist clients with claims involving:
- Car Accidents
- Truck Accidents
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Pedestrian Accidents
- Bicycle Accidents
- Ride Share Accidents (Uber & Lyft)
- Drunk Driving Accidents
- Slip & Fall Accidents / Premises Liability
- Construction Accidents
- Medical Malpractice
- Wrongful Death
No matter the circumstances of your injury, our legal team is ready to discuss your situation and explore your options.
Do I Have a Personal Injury Case?
Many people who get hurt wonder if they have a valid personal injury case. The answer almost always depends on whether your injury was caused by another party’s negligence. To have a successful claim, your Bucks County personal injury attorney must prove four specific elements.
Think of these four elements as building blocks. You need all four for your case to stand strong.
- Duty of Care: First, we must show that the person who hurt you owed you a “duty of care.” This is a legal responsibility to act in a certain way to avoid harming others. For example, every driver on the road has a duty to obey traffic laws and drive safely to protect other drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists.
- Breach of Duty: Next, we have to prove that the person breached, or violated, that duty. A driver who texts while behind the wheel on the I-295 is breaching their duty to drive safely. A property owner who fails to fix a broken staircase is breaching their duty to keep their property safe for visitors.
- Causation: The third element is causation. We must directly link the breach of duty to your injuries. In other words, we have to show that you would not have been hurt if not for the other person’s careless actions. For instance, the driver’s texting directly caused the crash that broke your leg.
- Damages: Finally, we must demonstrate that you suffered actual damages as a result of your injuries. Damages refer to the losses you have incurred. This includes things that are easy to calculate, like medical bills and lost wages, as well as things that are harder to put a number on, like physical pain and emotional suffering.
Proving all four of these elements is essential for a successful personal injury claim, and our attorneys are skilled at gathering the evidence needed to build a compelling case.
Should I Accept the First Offer from the Insurance Company?
After an accident, you will likely be contacted by an insurance adjuster from the at-fault party’s insurance company. They may seem friendly and helpful, and they might even offer you a quick settlement. While it can be tempting to accept this money, especially when bills are piling up, it is very important to be cautious. The insurance company’s primary goal is to protect its own financial interests, which means paying out as little as possible on claims.
The first settlement offer is almost always much lower than what your claim is actually worth. Adjusters know that you are in a vulnerable position and may be desperate for cash. They hope you will accept the low offer before you have a chance to understand the full extent of your injuries and losses.
Many injuries have long-term consequences that are not immediately obvious. You might need ongoing physical therapy, future surgeries, or prescription medications for years to come. You may not be able to return to the same job, resulting in a long-term loss of income. A quick settlement offer will not account for these future costs. Once you accept an offer and sign a release, you give up your right to seek any more compensation for that accident, even if your condition worsens.
Before you speak to an adjuster or sign any paperwork, it is wise to discuss your case with an experienced personal injury lawyer who can help you determine the true value of your claim.
Compensation Available in a Bucks County Personal Injury Lawsuit
If you were injured due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to recover compensation for a wide range of losses. This compensation, legally known as “damages,” is intended to help you get back to the financial position you were in before the accident occurred. In Pennsylvania, damages are typically categorized into two main types: economic and non-economic.
Our legal team works diligently to identify and calculate all of your losses to ensure we are pursuing the full amount of compensation you deserve. These damages can include:
- Economic Damages: These are the financial losses that have a clear dollar value. They include things like all past and future medical expenses, lost wages and income, reduced earning capacity for the future, property damage (such as vehicle repairs), and any other out-of-pocket costs related to your injury.
- Non-Economic Damages: These damages are for losses that do not have a specific price tag but have a profound impact on your life. This category covers your physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, scarring or disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium (the impact on your relationship with your spouse).
- Punitive Damages: In some rare cases where the at-fault party’s conduct was especially reckless or malicious, a court may award punitive damages. These are not meant to compensate the victim but rather to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior in the future.
Calculating the full value of a claim requires careful analysis of your current and future needs, which is a critical part of the legal support we provide.
How Our Bucks County Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help You
A personal injury attorney from our firm can lift this burden from your shoulders, allowing you to concentrate on your health and well-being. We manage every detail of your case from start to finish. Our goal is to handle the legal complexities so you do not have to.
When you work with us, our dedicated legal team will:
- Provide a Free Case Evaluation: We will sit down with you, listen to your story, and provide an honest assessment of your legal options at no cost to you.
- Investigate Your Accident: Our team will promptly begin a thorough investigation to secure evidence before it disappears. This includes obtaining police reports, interviewing witnesses, and taking photos of the accident scene and your injuries.
- Calculate Your Total Damages: We will work with you and potentially financial and medical professionals to determine the full value of your claim, including future medical needs and lost earning potential.
- Handle All Communications: We will take over all communication with insurance companies, adjusters, and other attorneys, protecting you from tactics designed to weaken your claim.
- Negotiate a Fair Settlement: We are skilled negotiators who will fight for a settlement that fully and fairly compensates you for all of your losses.
- Represent You in Court: If the insurance company refuses to make a fair offer, we are fully prepared to file a lawsuit and advocate for your rights in front of a judge and jury.
Throughout this entire process, we will be your advocates, providing guidance, support, and straightforward communication every step of the way.
FAQs: Bucks County Personal Injury Lawyer
Here are answers to some questions we often hear from people who have been injured in Bucks County.
What is the statute of limitations for a personal injury case in Pennsylvania?
In Pennsylvania, you generally have two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. This time limit is known as the statute of limitations. There are some exceptions to this rule, but it is critical to act quickly. If you miss this deadline, you will likely lose your right to seek compensation forever.
What if I am partially at fault for my accident in Bucks County?
Pennsylvania follows a “modified comparative negligence” rule. This means you can still recover damages as long as you were not more than 50% at fault for the accident. However, your compensation award will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found to be 20% at fault, your final award will be reduced by 20%. If you are found to be 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover any compensation.
How much does it cost to hire a Bucks County personal injury lawyer?
Our firm, like most personal injury firms, works on a contingency fee basis. This means you do not pay any attorney’s fees upfront. We only get paid attorney’s fees if we successfully recover compensation for you, either through a settlement or a court verdict. Our fee is a percentage of the total amount recovered. If we do not win your case, you owe us nothing for our legal services.
Contact Our Experienced Bucks County Personal Injury Lawyers Today
After a serious injury, you may feel lost and unsure where to turn. The road to recovery can be long, but you do not have to walk it alone. The legal team at Leonard Hill is here to provide the compassionate support and determined advocacy you need. We are committed to holding negligent parties accountable and helping you secure the financial resources necessary to rebuild your life.
Let us handle the legal fight so you can focus on healing. Contact us today at (215) 567-7600 or through our online form for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case with an experienced Bucks County personal injury lawyer. We are ready to help.