Allentown Personal Injury Lawyer
A personal injury can sweep the rug from under your life, leaving you with physical pain, emotional trauma, and financial uncertainty. Whether it’s a car accident on Route 22, a slip and fall at the bustling Lehigh Valley Mall, or a pedestrian accident along Hamilton Street, injuries can happen when you least expect them.
If you’re dealing with the aftermath of an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, Leonard Hill – Personal Injury Lawyers And Car Accident Lawyers – is here for you. We know how overwhelming this time can feel, and our goal is to make the process of pursuing justice as smooth and stress-free as possible. An experienced Allentown personal injury lawyer from our firm will stand by your side to seek the compensation you need to move forward.
Take the first step toward recovery. Contact us today for a free consultation with a caring member of our team.
Why Choose Leonard Hill for Your Allentown Personal Injury Claim?
When you’re dealing with the fallout of an accident, you need more than just any attorney. You deserve a legal team with experience, compassion, and a proven commitment to results. That’s where Leonard Hill comes in.
With over 50 years of combined legal experience, our firm has built a reputation as a fierce advocate for personal injury victims throughout Pennsylvania. We don’t believe in treating clients like case numbers. Instead, we listen to your story, provide honest guidance, and fight tirelessly to achieve the justice you deserve.
Here’s what sets Leonard Hill apart:
- Personalized Attention: We take the time to understand your situation and craft a legal strategy tailored to your needs.
- Proven Results: Our team has achieved meaningful results for clients, holding negligent parties accountable for their actions.
- No Upfront Costs: You don’t pay unless we win your case. Period.
- Compassionate Advocacy: We provide support every step of the way, handling the legal complexities so you can focus on healing.
When you work with us, you’re not just hiring a lawyer—you’re gaining a partner who truly cares about your future.
What is a Personal Injury Claim?
A personal injury claim is a legal process that allows someone who has been harmed by another person or entity’s negligence to seek compensation for their losses. These claims can cover a wide range of situations, from auto accidents to medical malpractice.
For many victims in Allentown, a personal injury claim is the first step toward getting their life back on track. It’s your chance to hold the responsible party accountable and secure the financial support you need after an accident.
Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle
Many types of injuries fall under the umbrella of personal injury law. Some of the most common include:
- Broken and/or dangerous consumer products
- Attacks from domesticated animals
- Mistakes by a doctor or other medical professional
- Motor vehicle accidents
- A hazard on public or private property that the owner or operator failed to address
- Accidents involving children
- Trips and falls on other people’s property
Under Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations law, a person must file a personal injury lawsuit in most circumstances within two years of the date of the injury. Should the injury involve a medical mishap, the person has two years from the date of discovery of the source of the injury.
If a person dies from their injuries, their family may file a wrongful death suit within two years of the date of death. An Allentown personal injury attorney could help clarify what deadlines apply to a particular situation and ensure a potential plaintiff files their case within them.
No matter what kind of personal injury accident harmed you, a Pennsylvania personal injury lawyer from our firm is here to listen, guide, and help you recover the financial compensation you deserve.
Do I Have a Personal Injury Case in Pennsylvania?
The foundation of most personal injury lawsuits is negligence, which occurs when someone fails to act with the level of care a reasonable person would use in the same situation. If that negligence caused your injury, you may have a case.
To build a successful personal injury claim, four elements must be established:
- Duty of Care: The other party owed you a legal duty to act in a safe and careful manner. For example, drivers have a duty to follow traffic laws to protect others on the road.
- Breach of Duty: The responsible party violated their duty of care through reckless or negligent behavior.
- Causation: Their actions (or inaction) directly caused your injury.
- Damages: You suffered physical, emotional, or financial harm as a result.
If you’re unsure whether your situation meets these criteria, don’t worry—an experienced personal injury lawyer from our firm can evaluate your case during a free consultation.
Negligence by an Injured Party
Sometimes, identifying the party responsible for a personal injury is not a straightforward process. Under Pennsylvania’s modified comparative negligence system, codified in Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes §7102, an injured party can only recover civil compensation if they bear 50 percent or less of the total liability for their accident.
For example, if the plaintiff is found 60 percent responsible for the accident, they cannot collect damages. If they are found to be 20 percent responsible, they can collect damages, but any award they receive will be reduced by 20 percent of the fault they were found to bear. In other words, they could only recover 80 percent of their total losses.
When a person suffers a personal injury, it is generally important that they seek immediate medical attention and follow their doctor’s instructions. In addition to ensuring they are as healthy as possible following an injurious incident, this action also serves to formally document injuries resulting from an accident, which could be key to proving damages and recovering compensation in civil court.
Failure to do this could indicate to insurance companies that the injury was not as serious as the plaintiff claims. Throughout any civil litigation, it is important to keep in mind that insurance companies often try to find any evidence downplaying the severity of the injury so they can avoid paying out compensation.
Should I Accept the First Offer from the Insurance Company?
One of the first calls many accident victims receive is from an insurance adjuster offering a settlement. While it might be tempting to accept a quick payout, it’s critical to consult an attorney before agreeing to anything.
Insurance companies are businesses, and their goal is to protect their bottom line. They may use tactics like lowballing your claim or downplaying the seriousness of your injuries to minimize how much they pay out. Without a lawyer, you risk accepting far less than you deserve.
An experienced personal injury lawyer will help you understand the true value of your claim, including medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. We’ll negotiate fiercely on your behalf, ensuring you’re not shortchanged by the insurance company.
Compensation Available to Personal Injury Victims in Allentown
If your injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, you shouldn’t have to shoulder the burden of medical bills, lost income, and other expenses alone. A successful personal injury claim can help you recover compensation for a variety of damages, including:
- Medical Expenses: From emergency room visits to ongoing treatment and rehabilitation.
- Lost Wages: If your injury has forced you to take time off work, you can seek compensation for your lost income.
- Pain and Suffering: Injuries don’t just hurt physically—they can take a significant emotional toll as well.
- Future Loss of Earnings: If your injury has permanently impacted your ability to work, you may be entitled to damages for future income losses.
- Property Damage: For example, vehicle repairs after a car accident.
Every case is unique, and the exact value of your compensation will depend on the details of your situation. Our team will fight tirelessly to maximize your recovery.
Contact an Allentown Personal Injury Attorney Today
After a severe injury, you should be able to concentrate on healing rather than worry about legal claims and financial concerns. You may hear from the negligent party’s insurance company soon afterward with a settlement offer, but you should never accept such an offer without contacting a personal injury attorney first. Insurance companies want to pay as little as possible, and what seems like a reasonable settlement at first may end up being insufficient in the long term.
If the reckless or negligent actions of another party cause you harm, an experienced Allentown personal injury lawyer could help you take proactive action. Our law firm works on a contingency fee basis, so you don’t pay any attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation in your case. Call today to get professional help pursuing the compensation you may deserve for your injuries.