Driving is a privilege for a reason. When someone abuses that privilege, people can get hurt or killed. In Pennsylvania, if you are seriously injured in any type of vehicle accident, depending on the circumstances of the crash, you may be able to get compensation for your injuries from your insurance company or the insurance company of the responsible driver. Experienced Philadelphia vehicle accident attorneys from Wapner Newman can help you understand your rights and what you need to do to exercise them.
Different Types of Vehicle Accidents
Pennsylvania Vehicle Accident Lawyers Approach Each Type Differently
Regardless of what type of accident you are in, vehicle accident attorneys in Philadelphia can help you get fair compensation for your injuries. However, that doesn’t mean all accident types are the same. Your lawyer needs to understand the unique challenges of each type of accident and how to approach them.
Motorcycle Accidents
The differences in how motorcycles and cars operate are quite stark. Many accidents involving motorcycles occur because car drivers don’t understand these differences. For example, motorcycles . . .
- Are affected more by slick surfaces than cars are, limiting their ability to brake and turn quickly
- May decelerate in a way that doesn’t activate brake lights
- Are difficult to see and judge the speed of
- Have mirrors that distort distances (even more than car mirrors do).
However, this doesn’t mean all motorcycle accidents are caused by the person driving the car. When car drivers are responsible, it is often because they don’t give the motorcyclist the room they need to turn, brake, or make other adjustments safely. Conversely, when a motorcyclist is responsible, it may be because they are attempting unsafe maneuvers for the road conditions. Vehicle accident lawyers in Philadelphia have experience determining fault in these complex crash scenarios.
Rear-End Accidents
On paper, rear-end accidents are relatively simple to deal with. Insurance companies and the police typically assume that the car in the back was responsible for a rear-end accident. However, this isn’t always the case. The front car driver may be responsible if they were driving unsafely or cut off the rear driver. This is why you need to consult with Philadelphia vehicle accident lawyers from Wapner Newman if you are seriously injured in a rear-end accident, regardless of which car you were driving. In addition to determining fault, we can help you find a doctor who specializes in whiplash treatment. This is the most common injury from rear-end accidents, and it often goes undetected.
Truck Crashes
Truck drivers receive significantly more training and testing than the average car driver. That is because trucks weigh several dozens of tons more than cars do. A truck accident is likely to obliterate a car and anyone inside of it, so truck drivers must take great care.
When a truck is properly maintained and piloted by a cautious driver, it is a reasonably safe vehicle. Trucks represent roughly 10% of all vehicle miles traveled in the U.S. but are involved in only about 3% of all accidents. However, when a truck is involved, the accident is more likely to be fatal. Almost one in eight vehicle accident fatalities involve a truck. This highlights how dangerous it is when truck drivers ignore regulations, fail to maintain their vehicles, or drive when tired.
Drunk Driving Accidents
Any amount of alcohol, no matter how little, can potentially impair your ability to drive. Unfortunately, many Americans either don’t understand this fact or refuse to believe it. This results in countless drunk driving accidents that could have been prevented. When a driver has been drinking, they are almost always responsible for a car accident they are involved in. However, due to the way U.S. law works, just because they are responsible for an accident doesn’t mean they are responsible for injuries resulting from the accident.
If you were injured in a drunk driving accident, vehicle accident attorneys in Philadelphia from Wapner Newman can focus on proving that the other driver being drunk is directly responsible for the injuries you suffered. That is critical to getting you compensation.
Pedestrian Accidents
Injuries in a pedestrian accident present an interesting challenge for Philadelphia vehicle accident attorneys. Typically, in Pennsylvania, all parties in a car accident are covered by the personal injury protection (PIP) section of their car insurance policy. However, in a pedestrian accident, there is no guarantee that the pedestrian has car insurance.
The first thing vehicle accident lawyers in Philadelphia need to do is navigate this unusual insurance situation. They also need to determine who is responsible. Pedestrians may be partially at fault if they are distracted or violating PA laws, but it’s likely that the driver was also partially responsible. This means the pedestrian would be eligible for reduced compensation, and the lawyer must determine the value of that.
Rideshare Accidents
Who compensates you for serious injuries when a rideshare vehicle was involved in the crash that injured you? That depends on several factors. For example, if you were a passenger of the rideshare vehicle, your injuries would likely be covered by the insurance of the rideshare company. But if you were the driver of the other vehicle, the rideshare company’s insurance only matters in specific situations. Our legal team at Wapner Newman understands the intricacies of these complex scenarios and will help you negotiate with the correct insurance company.
Were you or a loved one seriously injured in a vehicle accident in Philadelphia? Getting fair compensation is never easy when dealing with insurance companies. Contact Wapner Newman today at (215) 569-0900 to learn more about your legal options.
How Pennsylvania Vehicle Accident Lawyers Can Help
What to Expect After a Vehicle Accident in Philadelphia
While every Philadelphia vehicle accident is different, the accident claim process usually follows similar steps. An experienced vehicle accident lawyer from Wapner Newman can help you in every step of this process.
At the Accident Scene
The best time to contact our law firm is while you are still at the accident scene. While you may not yet be certain that you need a lawyer, that shouldn’t stop you from contacting one. We offer free consultations on all cases and can help guide you through the initial steps of your claims process. Some of the immediate assistance we can provide is:
- Communicating with the appropriate insurance companies
- Advising you during any conversations with police
- Investigating the accident scene
- Collecting and preserving evidence, including medical records.
If you were seriously injured in the accident, you might be unable to do any of these activities. Having an experienced attorney take the lead and act in your stead increases the likelihood that you’ll get fair compensation for your injuries.
Recovery and Negotiations With the Insurance Company
During the weeks after your accident, you will be focused on recovery and adapting to your injury. You likely won’t be able to work for a bit, and you may need assistance with daily activities. This can be overwhelming, especially if you are in pain. At Wapner Newman, we assist in your recovery and deal with the insurance companies.
Our law firm can help you find the right doctors to treat your injuries. We’ll communicate with you regularly while you are recovering to let you know how your claim is proceeding and to ensure that all the right evidence is preserved. When we have enough evidence, an experienced lawyer will negotiate a settlement with the insurance company. The goal of any settlement is to get you enough money to pay for all expenses and lost wages you incurred due to your injury.
Finishing the Case
If everything goes right, your case ends as soon as possible with a fair settlement. Getting you money quickly is one of our priorities. But that doesn’t mean we won’t go to court. If the insurance company won’t agree to a fair settlement, we’ll take your case to trial and fight as hard as possible to get you every cent the law allows.
An experienced lawyer from Wapner Newman will focus on your case so you can focus on recovery.
Why Choose Us?
Wapner Newman is a large law firm with over a dozen attorneys. Our legal team has centuries of collective legal experience. Every case is assigned a principal partner who can call on any of our resources. This means that there is always someone who has the type of unique knowledge your case demands. Working as a team is the reason our firm has successfully obtained hundreds of verdicts and settlements for hundreds of thousands and even millions of dollars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fortunately, few people will ever be involved in more than one major vehicle accident during their lives. But this means that you are likely to be uncertain about your legal options and rights after getting seriously injured in an accident. Our legal team tries to answer as many of your questions as possible before you contact us.
How much will a Wapner Newman attorney cost?
We take cases on contingency. That means we take a percentage of the money we obtain for you, whether from a court verdict or a settlement. Our legal team will explain the full fee structure during your free case evaluation and consultation.
Do I have to pay you anything if I decide not to hire Wapner Newman?
No. We offer a free case evaluation and consultation. We will discuss your case, try to determine the approximate value of your claim, and answer any questions that we can, all for free. If you decide after that discussion that we aren’t the law firm you need, you are under no obligation.
What does it mean that Pennsylvania is a no-fault state?
This means that your PIP policy will cover the costs of your medical bills and lost wages until you hit the limit of that policy. If you are seriously injured, you can pursue additional compensation from the responsible driver after you hit your policy limit.
Why do I need a lawyer for a vehicle accident claim?
Insurance companies typically undervalue accident claims even if they don’t deny them. By hiring a lawyer early in the claim process, you are likely to get more money (even after attorney fees) than you would otherwise.
If you still have questions, our legal team will answer them during your free consultation.
Contact Philadelphia Vehicle Accident Attorneys at Wapner Newman Today
Between the physical toll on your body and all of the insurance red tape, recovering from a vehicle accident injury can be extremely stressful. At Wapner Newman, we take away as much of that stress as we can.
Want to know more? Contact our law firm at (215) 569-0900 as soon as possible to schedule a free case evaluation.