Lehigh County Car Accident Lawyer
An auto accident could cause devastating damage from a minor scratch or dent to your vehicle, all the way to significant property damage, injuries, or even death. If you are injured due to a negligent motor vehicle driver and wish to seek legal recourse for your injuries and property damage, a Lehigh County car accident lawyer may be right for you.
A knowledgeable personal injury attorney could strive to represent your claim and help you seek compensation for your damages. You may be eligible to recover compensation for damages such as medical expenses, mental anguish, pain, and suffering, as well as loss of enjoyment of life.
Choice No-Fault Insurance Coverage
Pennsylvania is a choice no-fault state. This type of insurance coverage means that if a driver elects to sign up for no-fault coverage, then their financial compensation for a crash would be through the insurance company regardless of who caused the accident.
The State of Pennsylvania permits drivers to opt-in or out of this type of coverage under 75 Pennsylvania Statutes §1705. A seasoned Lehigh County lawyer could verify an injured claimant’s type of coverage in order to determine their options after a car accident. The kind of coverage would determine whether to initially file a claim with the insurance company for their damages before pursuing a claim against the other party.
Deadline to File a Lawsuit in Lehigh County
Like most personal injury actions, there is a statute of limitations for a person to file a lawsuit to pursue compensation for damages. The statute of limitations to file a claim is two years from the day the accident occurred per 42 Pa. Code §5524.
It is paramount that the injured party keeps the deadline in mind if they are considering filing a lawsuit. If a suit is brought after the statutory period has expired, they may be unable to recover compensation for their damages. The sooner a case is brought to the attention of a Lehigh County car accident attorney, the sooner they can build a case before the statute of limitations expires.
Understanding Modified Comparative Negligence
If a driver chooses to bring a claim against the other party, the driver who is “at fault” will likely argue that the other driver was also negligent, and as such, they should receive less money. This conventional defense of sharing fault is called modified comparative negligence.
If the injured party is found to be more than 51 percent responsible for the accident, then they will be unable to recover compensation for damages. Additionally, if the injured claimant is less than 50 percent at fault, their compensation award will be reduced by their degree of fault. A diligent Lehigh County car crash attorney could argue against any claims of shared fault to help the injured claimant recover more compensation for damages.
Consult with a Lehigh County Car Accident Attorney Today
Car wreck cases could be difficult to handle without the help of an experienced legal professional. Often, cases are settled for less than they are worth. Fortunately, a Lehigh County car accident lawyer could help your case.
A dedicated attorney could calculate your losses and help you recover compensation for your damages. Call today to learn about how a legal professional could help your case.