If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Bucks County, you have the right under Pennsylvania law to seek payment for the harm caused by someone else’s actions. However, knowing you have rights and figuring out how to enforce them are two different things, especially when you are still recovering.
We’ll explain how the claims process works, what deadlines you need to know about, and how to protect yourself from common mistakes.
If you’re unsure about what comes next, call Leonard Hill – Personal Injury Lawyers And Car Accident Lawyers for a no-cost, no-obligation discussion about your case at (215) 567-7600.
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Our Commitment to You
We approach every case with a straightforward philosophy: your needs come first. This means we build a strategy tailored to the specific details of your accident and how it has affected your life.
A Different Dynamic in Negotiations.
Our readiness to take a case to trial is a core part of our practice. Insurance companies are aware of our preparation and willingness to argue a case before a jury, which fundamentally alters settlement discussions.
Decades of Focused Experience.
With more than 50 years of combined legal experience, our team has a deep understanding of personal injury law in Pennsylvania. We only represent injured individuals and their families, never corporations or insurance companies.
A History of Securing Financial Recoveries.
Our firm has recovered over $250 million for our clients, including notable results like a $12.2 million wrongful death settlement and numerous multi-million dollar recoveries for catastrophic injuries.
How We Work for You:
- Free Case Review: We will discuss your case with you at no charge to help you understand your options.
- No Win, No Fee: You do not pay us any fees unless we secure a financial recovery for you. This is known as working on a contingency basis.
- Personalized Attention: Your case will receive the focused dedication it requires from our team.
What Does a Car Accident Claim Cover?
The goal of a personal injury claim is to recover your losses—financial, physical, and emotional. In legal terms, these are called “damages.” They fall into a few distinct categories.
Economic Damages: The Billable Costs
These are the direct, calculable expenses that pile up after a crash.
- Medical Bills: This covers everything from the ambulance ride and emergency room visit to ongoing physical therapy, future surgeries, and medication costs.
- Lost Wages: Payment for the income you’ve lost while being unable to work.
- Diminished Earning Capacity: If your injuries permanently affect your ability to do your job or earn the same income, this damage covers that long-term financial gap.
- Property Damage: The cost to repair or replace your vehicle and any other personal items damaged in the accident.
Non-Economic Damages: The Human Costs
These damages address the ways the accident has rewritten your life in non-financial terms.
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress your injuries have caused.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: This applies if your injuries stop you from participating in hobbies, activities, or life experiences you once valued.
- Emotional Anguish: This includes anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress that develops because of the accident.
How Pennsylvania Law Can Affect Your Claim
Pennsylvania uses a “modified comparative negligence” rule. This means you could still recover damages even if you were partially at fault for the accident. However, your final compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if a jury finds you were 10% at fault, your total award would be reduced by 10%. But if you are found to be 51% or more at fault, you are prevented from recovering any compensation at all.
Where Do Accidents Happen Most in Bucks County?
Data from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and local reports show that some roads are more hazardous than others. Bucks County has previously ranked as high as fourth among Pennsylvania counties for total traffic crashes and third for traffic-related fatalities.
America’s Most Dangerous Intersection
You might be surprised to learn that one of the most dangerous intersections in the entire country is right here in Bucks County. Multiple studies, including one reported in TIME Magazine, identified the intersection of Knights Road and Street Road (SR-132) in Bensalem as a national hotspot for serious accidents. Contributing factors include its unconventional shape, dim lighting, and high traffic volume.
Other High-Risk Roads in Bucks County
Our firm regularly handles cases that originate on several major routes known for a high number of collisions:
- U.S. Route 1 (Lincoln Highway)
- U.S. Route 13 (Bristol Pike)
- Pennsylvania Route 611 (Easton Road)
- Interstate 95 (I-95)
Common Causes of Bucks County Accidents
Statewide data reveals several consistent reasons for serious collisions:
- Aggressive Driving & Speeding: These behaviors are a leading factor in fatal crashes across Pennsylvania.
- Distracted Driving: This is a factor in a significant percentage of accidents that result in fatalities.
- Impaired Driving: Driving under the influence contributed to about 9% of all vehicle crashes in Bucks County in a recent report.
Types of Accidents and Injuries We Handle
Common Collisions in Bucks County
- Rear-End Accidents: Common at traffic lights and in stop-and-go traffic.
- T-Bone (Side-Impact) Collisions: Frequently occur at intersections and could cause severe injuries.
- Head-On Crashes: Among the most severe types of accidents, these are frequently caused by impaired driving or loss of control.
- Sideswipe Accidents: These may cause a driver to lose control of their vehicle, sometimes leading to a more serious secondary crash.
- Truck and Commercial Vehicle Accidents: These cases involve an added layer of rules, as they are governed by federal regulations and involve corporate insurance policies.
Injuries That Can Change Your Life
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- Whiplash and Soft Tissue Injuries: These neck and back injuries involve the stretching and tearing of muscles and tendons. Symptoms might not appear for hours or even days but could lead to chronic pain.
- Broken Bones: Fractures may range from simple breaks to complex injuries requiring surgery and months of rehabilitation.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): A TBI is any sudden injury that damages the brain. Even a “mild” TBI like a concussion has lasting cognitive and physical effects.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Damage to the spinal cord may interrupt signals between the brain and the rest of the body, potentially resulting in partial or full paralysis and requiring a lifetime of medical care.
- Internal Injuries: Damage to organs can be life-threatening and may not be immediately obvious at the scene of the accident.
The Clock is Ticking: Pennsylvania’s Deadline for Filing a Lawsuit
Pennsylvania law sets a firm time limit for filing a personal injury lawsuit, known as the statute of limitations. For most car accident cases, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit.
If you miss this deadline, the court will almost certainly refuse to hear your case, and you will lose your right to seek compensation permanently.
There are very few exceptions. One important one involves claims against a government body, where the deadline is much shorter in which you must provide formal notice within just six months.
Dealing with the Insurance Company
After an accident, you will find yourself dealing with at least one insurance company. It’s important to remember that insurance companies are businesses. They have a responsibility to their shareholders to remain profitable, which means they must balance paying valid claims with controlling their expenses.
What to Expect in the Process:
- A Quick Settlement Offer: An insurer might offer a settlement before the true extent of your injuries is known. An injury that seems minor at first could flare up and require long-term treatment. Once you accept an offer, your case is closed for good.
- Requests for a Recorded Statement: You are not obligated to provide a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company. They could use your words, taken out of context, to argue you were partially at fault. It is best to let an attorney handle all communications.
- A Slow Claims Process: The claims process is methodical and filled with paperwork. As medical bills begin to arrive, it’s easy to get frustrated. This pressure may lead some people to accept a lower offer just to resolve the matter. Our role is to manage this process for you.
- Looking for Shared Fault: The insurance company will conduct its own investigation. It will look for any evidence to argue that your actions contributed to the accident. As mentioned earlier, this could reduce the value of your claim under Pennsylvania’s comparative negligence rule. Our job is to build a case that ensures no blame is unfairly shifted to you.
Practical Steps to Strengthen Your Case
While your legal team manages the claims process, there are several things you should do to help your case.
Follow Your Doctor’s Treatment Plan.
Attending all medical appointments and following through with prescribed care demonstrates that you are taking your recovery seriously. This creates a clear record of your injuries and treatment.
Keep a Journal.
Write down how your injuries affect your day-to-day life. Note your pain levels, activities you can no longer perform, and the emotional toll of the accident. This could become valuable evidence for demonstrating your pain and suffering.
Hold Onto All Receipts and Paperwork.
Keep a dedicated file for all accident-related expenses, including medical bills, co-pays, prescription costs, and receipts for any other out-of-pocket costs.
Get a Copy of the Police Report.
The official crash report is a key piece of evidence. In Pennsylvania, you are able to request a copy from the police department that responded to the scene or through the Pennsylvania State Police website.
Stay Off Social Media.
Insurance companies frequently look at social media profiles. A single photo or post, even something innocent, could be misinterpreted and used to argue that your injuries are not as severe as you claim.
Answers to Common Questions
Do I have to report a car accident to the police in Pennsylvania?
Yes, under Pennsylvania law, you must report an accident to the police if it results in any injury, death, or damage that is so severe a vehicle cannot be driven from the scene. Even for minor accidents, a police report creates an official record that is very helpful for an insurance claim.
What if the other driver was uninsured or fled the scene?
This is precisely why Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage exists. If you have this on your own auto insurance policy, you can file a claim with your own provider to cover your damages. This coverage acts as a safety net when the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough to cover your losses.
Pennsylvania is a “no-fault” state. What does that mean for me?
Pennsylvania’s system is more accurately called “choice no-fault.” When you purchase auto insurance, you must choose between “limited tort” and “full tort” options. If you choose limited tort, your ability to sue for pain and suffering is restricted unless your injuries are defined as “serious” under the law. If you have full tort, you retain the unrestricted right to sue the at-fault driver for all damages, including pain and suffering.
How long will it take to resolve my case?
The timeline varies a great deal. A straightforward claim with clear fault and minor injuries might be resolved in a few months. A case involving serious injuries or a dispute over who was at fault could take a year or longer, particularly if a lawsuit is necessary to secure a fair outcome.
Take the First Step
If you were injured in a car accident in Bucks County, let us help you understand your legal options. Contact Leonard Hill – Personal Injury Lawyers And Car Accident Lawyers for a free, no-obligation consultation. Call us today at (215) 567-7600.