A sudden crash on the Schuylkill Expressway or a collision near Independence Hall changes your life in a single second. When a careless driver hits you, you face physical pain, car repairs, and the stress of missing work.
Our Philadelphia Vehicle Accident Law Firm provides the strong legal support needed to hold negligent drivers accountable for the harm they cause. We recognize that young adults often make their own choices after a crash, rather than relying on their parents, and we respect that independence.
Whether you were driving your own car or riding in the back of a Lyft, you have rights that deserve protection. Our team helps you secure the funds you need to move forward.
Why Choose Wapner Newman as Your Philadelphia Vehicle Accident Law Firm
Choosing a legal team is a major step toward your recovery. Wapner Newman offers a high level of personal attention to residents throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey, from the busy streets of Philadelphia to the quiet roads of Mount Laurel.
We believe that your injuries should not prevent you from getting high-quality legal help. To make things easier, we provide several options for our clients:
- We will travel to your home or hospital room in Allentown or Harrisburg if you are unable to come to us.
- Our team provides transportation to and from our office if your car is totaled or you lack a way to get to your appointments.
- We offer virtual meetings so you can discuss your case from your own living room in Conshohocken.
- We handle all the paperwork and phone calls with insurance adjusters so you can focus on your health.
- Our firm knows the local court systems and the specific laws that apply to your crash.
With decades of experience, Wapner Newman has the resources to investigate your crash and prove who was at fault. We treat every client like a neighbor and work tirelessly to secure a fair outcome.
You are not just another number to us; you are a person who deserves justice. We take pride in our ability to provide capable assistance during difficult times. This commitment to our community drives everything we do.
How Philadelphia Vehicle Accident Law Firms Determine Fault
Proving who caused a crash is the foundation of any legal claim. In Pennsylvania, we follow specific rules to determine how liability is shared between drivers. Even if you were partially at fault, you may still have the right to recover money for your injuries.
We investigate the following factors to prove the other driver was negligent:
- Police reports that show if the other driver received a ticket for speeding or running a red light.
- Video footage from traffic cameras or nearby business security systems.
- Data from the black box inside modern vehicles that records speed and braking patterns.
- Cell phone records that might show the other driver was texting at the time of the impact.
- Statements from people who saw the crash happen and can describe what they witnessed.
The goal is to show that the other driver failed to exercise reasonable care on the road. This failure is what the law refers to as negligence. According to 75 Pa. C.S.A. § 3361, drivers must always travel at a speed that is safe for the current conditions.
When they ignore these rules, they are responsible for the injuries they cause. We work to ensure that the facts are clear and that the blame is placed where it belongs.
Types of Crashes a Philadelphia Vehicle Accident Law Firm Handles
Every collision is unique, and the way a crash happens often dictates the types of injuries you suffer. Our team has experience with a wide range of incidents on the roads of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. We know how to investigate different types of impacts to find the truth.
Common types of vehicle incidents include:
- Rear-end collisions that often happen in heavy traffic on I-95 or at busy intersections.
- T-bone accidents where one driver runs a stop sign or a red light and hits the side of another car.
- Head-on crashes that lead to the most severe injuries and long-term disabilities.
- Sideswipe incidents that occur when a driver changes lanes without looking or uses a phone while driving.
- Multi-vehicle pileups that involve several cars and require a detailed investigation to sort out fault.
Whether you were in a small fender-bender or a major highway wreck, the physical results are painful. We look at the mechanics of the crash to understand how your body was hurt. This information helps us explain the severity of your injuries to an insurance company or a jury.
Rideshare Incidents and Younger Drivers
If you are under 25, you likely use Uber or Lyft more often than older adults. Rideshare crashes differ from standard car accidents in that they involve multiple insurance policies.
It is common for these companies to try to avoid paying by saying the driver was not on the clock at the exact moment of the crash. Things to know about rideshare claims:
- The amount of insurance coverage changes depending on whether the driver had a passenger or was just looking for a ride.
- Passengers in a rideshare vehicle are almost always entitled to compensation because they were not driving and could not be at fault.
- You may need to file a claim against both the driver’s personal insurance and the rideshare company’s corporate policy.
- Digital records from the app provide a clear timeline of where the car was and how fast it was going.
Young adults making their own decisions should know that they do not have to accept the first small offer from an insurance company. These companies often try to settle quickly for a low amount before you know the full extent of your injuries. We help you stand your ground and ask for what is fair.
Injuries in a Philadelphia Vehicle Accident Law Firm Case
Injuries from a car crash range from minor cuts to life-changing disabilities. Some injuries, like whiplash or internal bleeding, do not show up immediately after the impact.
This is why you should always seek medical attention, even if you think you feel fine at first.
Frequent injuries caused by vehicle crashes include:
- Traumatic brain injuries that result in headaches, memory loss, and changes in personality.
- Spinal cord damage that leads to numbness, chronic pain, or paralysis.
- Broken bones in the arms, legs, or ribs that require surgery and physical therapy.
- Soft tissue injuries like sprains and tears that cause long-term mobility issues.
- Internal organ damage that requires immediate emergency intervention.
- Psychological trauma, such as anxiety or a fear of driving, that affects your quality of life.
The cost of treating these injuries adds up quickly. A single stay in a Philadelphia hospital costs thousands of dollars. We work to ensure that your legal claim covers all these medical costs so you do not have to pay for someone else’s mistake.
Financial Effects of a Vehicle Crash
The money you seek in a legal claim is called damages. These damages are divided into two main groups: economic and non-economic. Economic damages are the bills you can easily count, while non-economic damages are the human costs of the injury.
You may be eligible to recover money for:
- Current and future medical bills related to the crash.
- Lost wages for the time you spent away from your job while healing.
- A loss of earning capacity if you can no longer do the same work you did before.
- The cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle.
- Pain and suffering for the physical and emotional distress you endured.
- The loss of enjoyment of life if you can no longer participate in hobbies or sports.
Our firm works with financial professionals to calculate the total cost of your crash. We look at how the injury will affect your life next year and ten years from now. This ensures that any settlement you accept is enough to provide for your needs in the long term.
Proving Negligence in a Philadelphia Vehicle Accident Law Firm Case
To win your case, we must show that four specific things are true. This is the legal standard for negligence in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Without these four elements, a legal claim cannot move forward.
The elements of negligence are:
- Duty: The other driver had a legal duty to follow the rules of the road and keep others safe.
- Breach: The other driver broke that duty by speeding, drinking, or being distracted.
- Causation: The other driver’s actions were the direct cause of the crash and your injuries.
- Damages: You suffered actual losses, such as physical injuries or financial costs.
We gather the evidence needed to check every one of these boxes. This involves looking at everything from the police report to the maintenance records of the vehicles involved. We leave no stone unturned when it comes to proving your case.
FAQs
How long do I have to file a lawsuit after a car accident?
In Pennsylvania and New Jersey, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years from the date of the crash. This means you must start your legal case within that two-year window. If you miss this deadline, you lose your right to ask for money. It is best to start the process as soon as possible to ensure that evidence is not lost.
What if the other driver does not have insurance?
If you are hit by an uninsured driver, you can file a claim under your own insurance policy if you have uninsured motorist coverage. This part of your policy steps in to pay for your injuries when the at-fault driver cannot. Our team helps you look through your policy to see what coverage you have and how to use it.
Can I still recover money if I was not wearing a seatbelt?
Yes, you can still pursue a claim if you were not wearing a seatbelt, but it may affect the amount of money you receive. The defense might argue that your injuries would have been less severe if you had been buckled up. This is a part of the comparative negligence rules in our state. We work to show that the other driver’s actions were still the primary cause of the crash.
What happens if I was a passenger in a car driven by a friend?
If you were a passenger, you generally have a very strong case because you were not driving and could not have caused the crash. You may be able to file a claim against your friend’s insurance, the other driver’s insurance, or your own insurance policy. Many people worry about suing a friend, but the claim is actually against their insurance company, not the friend personally.
Does it cost money to talk to a lawyer about my crash?
No, we offer free consultations to discuss your situation and explain your legal options. Most personal injury firms work on a contingency fee basis. This means we only get paid if we successfully recover money for you. There are no upfront costs, which allows you to get the legal help you need without adding to your financial stress.
Take the Next Step with Wapner Newman
The physical pain and financial stress of a crash are a heavy burden, but you do not have to carry it by yourself. Wapner Newman is here to provide the strength and capable assistance required to secure your future.
We serve residents in Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Allentown, and Mount Laurel, ensuring that every person has access to the justice they deserve. Whether you need us to visit your home or provide a ride to our office, we are committed to making the legal process as easy as possible for you.
Do not let an insurance company decide what your recovery is worth. Call Wapner Newman today or visit our website to speak with an experienced Philadelphia personal injury lawyer about your crash and learn how we can help you move forward.
Wapner Newman Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice Lawyers – Philadelphia, PA (Main Office)
1628 John F Kennedy Boulevard Suite 800
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Ph: (215) 569-0900