Erie Car Accident Attorney With Over 40 Years of Proven Results
Car crashes are a seemingly unavoidable part of life, but if everyone on the road took the appropriate amount of care, they would be few and far between. When your accident is caused by someone else’s negligence, you should not have to suffer the consequences alone.
That’s where McNair Law Offices, PLLC can help. We pursue compensation from the at-fault party, so you do not have to deal with the stress of medical bills and missed wages in addition to the pain and suffering of your injury. Call us for a free initial consultation today.
Common Causes Of Car Accidents And The Types Of Crashes We Handle
Most collisions stem from driver error – whether someone takes their eyes off the road for a moment or gets behind the wheel under the influence. Whenever another driver’s carelessness causes you harm, you may be entitled to financial compensation.
At McNair Law Offices, PLLC, we handle claims involving a wide range of negligent behaviors and accident types, including:
- Dangerous driving behaviors: Speeding, distracted or texting driving, drunk driving, tailgating, aggressive maneuvers, drowsy driving and failing to yield right-of-way.
- Complex collision types: Rear-end collisions, side-impact crashes (T-bones and sideswipes), head-on crashes, single-vehicle accidents and rollovers.
We also represent individuals injured in crashes that occur while on the job. In addition to guiding you through a workers’ compensation claim, our firm can evaluate whether a third party caused the crash so we can pursue a negligence claim to maximize your overall recovery. If the accident was caused by a third party, our firm may also be able to pursue a third-party negligence claim to maximize your compensation.
Whenever someone else’s carelessness harms you, you may be entitled to compensation. Our Erie car accident attorney can help you get it.
What Is the Statute of Limitations on Car Accident Injuries in Pennsylvania?
The statute of limitations in Pennsylvania states that you have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. To determine if you should file a lawsuit for your injury and when you should do it, speak with our experienced Erie car accident attorney today.
How Long Does It Usually Take to Settle a Car Accident Lawsuit?
Every accident lawsuit moves on its own timeline, some wrap up in just a few weeks, while others can drag on for a couple of years. Cases usually take longer to resolve due to a few key factors:
- The amount of damage done
- The compliancy of parties involved
- Evidence
- And more
Why Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
A car accident lawyer can help you pursue damages, which are monetary compensation for your injuries and expenses.
A successful settlement or verdict can help you with:
- Past and future medical bills
- Rehabilitative care and therapy
- Missed wages
- Diminished earning potential
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Pain and suffering
- And more
In cases of extreme negligence, such as texting while driving or driving under the influence, you may also be entitled to punitive or exemplary damages. These damages are designed to punish the wrongdoer and make an example of them to discourage similar behavior in the future.
Understanding Full Tort Vs. Limited Tort In Pennsylvania
Securing car insurance in Pennsylvania forces a decision between full tort and limited tort options. That choice plays a major role in how your legal claim proceeds following an accident.
Limited tort insurance usually costs less each month. However, it limits your legal right to seek financial recovery. If you hold limited tort, you can generally recover compensation for medical bills and lost wages. You cannot seek payment for pain and suffering unless your injuries meet the standard of serious body impairment.
Full tort coverage gives you complete legal rights. With full tort, you can seek recovery for all economic losses. You can also pursue noneconomic damages like pain, suffering and emotional distress, no matter how minor your injury seems. We know how confusing these insurance policies feel while you recover from an accident. We will look at your specific policy details to find your choices and help you demand every dollar you deserve.
How Pennsylvania Modified Comparative Negligence Works
You might worry that you cannot receive compensation if you contributed to the crash in some small way. Luckily, Pennsylvania follows a rule called modified comparative negligence. This law allows you to collect compensation as long as you were not more than 50% at fault for the accident.
If you share part of the blame, your final payout drops by that exact percentage. For example, if a court sets your total damages at $100,000 but finds you were 10 percent at fault, your final recovery will be $90,000. Insurance companies often try to place unfair blame on crash victims. They do this so they can reduce the money they must pay out. We will gather strong evidence, talk to witnesses and build clear claims to shield you from taking unfair blame.
Can You Recover Damages If The Other Driver Is Uninsured?
Learning that the driver who hit you lacks auto insurance causes real panic. Fortunately, you still have paths to seek financial recovery through Uninsured Motorist (UM) and Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage.
Uninsured motorist coverage steps in when the driver who caused the accident carries no liability insurance or flees the scene in a hit-and-run crash. Underinsured motorist coverage applies when the at-fault driver has insurance, but their policy limits fail to match the true cost of your harm, including pain and suffering as well as medical bills and lost income.
You are seeking compensation through your own insurance provider in these moments, yet the process remains an adversarial one. Insurance adjusters often try to lower payouts even for their own policyholders. We will handle the insurance companies directly for you. This approach lets you focus on healing while we work to secure the financial support you need.
Schedule A Free Initial Consultation Today
You shouldn’t have to navigate the stress of a car accident alone, especially when medical bills and recovery need your full attention. Our experienced personal injury attorney is ready to stand up for your rights and fight for the fair compensation you deserve. Call us at 814-616-7499 a free consultation or contact us online today.