When another driver's carelessness has left you injured and overwhelmed, the last thing you should have to fight is an insurance company. At Wapner Newman, our Philadelphia car accident lawyers stand beside injured people across Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and we have done so for 40 years.
We know this city, from the crush of traffic on the Schuylkill Expressway to the crowded corners near City Hall, and we know how to build a strong case for the money you deserve.
You should not carry the financial weight of someone else's careless driving. When you call us, you reach a team that has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients and treats every person like a member of our extended family. Reach out today at (215) 569-0900 for a free consultation, and let us handle the legal side while you focus on healing.
For four decades, our Philadelphia car accident lawyers have guided injured people through some of the hardest moments of their lives, and we are ready to do the same for you.
SCHEDULE A CONSULTATIONHow Can Our Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyers Help After a Crash?
Our Philadelphia car accident lawyers handle every part of your claim, from investigating the crash to negotiating with insurers and, when needed, taking your case to trial. That means you can focus on your recovery while we manage the deadlines, the paperwork, and the pressure.
When we take your case, we get to work right away. We collect police reports, medical records, and witness statements, and we bring in accident reconstruction professionals when the cause of a crash is in dispute.
Insurance companies often try to settle quickly and for less than the claim is worth. We understand the tactics adjusters use to reduce payouts, and we push back with evidence and clear legal arguments. If the insurer refuses to offer a fair amount, we are ready to file suit in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas and argue your case before a jury.
Here is how we support you throughout your car accident claim:
- Investigate the crash and preserve key evidence before it disappears
- Handle all communication with the insurance companies on your behalf
- Calculate the full value of your medical costs, lost wages, and pain
- Work with medical and reconstruction professionals to prove fault
- Move your case toward settlement or trial, whichever serves you better
From your first phone call to the final resolution, we keep you informed and involved at every step.
What Is Your Philadelphia Car Accident Claim Worth?
There is no single average value for a Philadelphia car accident claim, because the amount depends on the specific details of your injuries and losses. Once we review the facts of your case, we can give you a realistic range.
Several factors shape what your claim may be worth. These include the severity of your injuries, the cost of your medical care, the wages you lost while unable to work, and the lasting effect the crash has on your daily life.
The number of at-fault parties and the insurance available to them also matters. In cases involving gross negligence or reckless conduct, a court may award punitive damages meant to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior.
Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence rule under 42 Pa.C.S. § 7102. This means you can still recover money even if you were partly at fault, as long as you were not more than 50 percent responsible, though your award is reduced by your share of the blame.
Because fault directly affects how much you can recover, insurers often try to shift blame onto you. A Philadelphia car accident lawyer at our firm gathers the evidence needed to answer those arguments and protect the value of your claim.
SCHEDULE A CONSULTATIONWhat Compensation Can You Recover After a Philadelphia Car Accident?
After a Philadelphia car accident, you can generally recover both economic and non-economic damages from the party who caused your crash. Economic damages cover measurable costs, while non-economic damages address the human toll of a serious injury.
Economic damages include your past and future medical bills, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle. These losses are usually supported by bills, pay records, and repair estimates that we gather and organize for you.
Non-economic damages cover pain and suffering, emotional distress, scarring, and the loss of activities you once enjoyed. When a crash results from especially reckless conduct, punitive damages may also be available.
We build your claim around the full picture of what the crash has cost you, both now and in the years ahead. Nothing about your recovery should be left out of the equation.
Types of Car Accident Cases We Handle in Philadelphia
Our team handles the full range of car accident cases across Philadelphia and the surrounding region. No two crashes are the same, and each type brings its own challenges and its own sources of insurance coverage.
We regularly represent people injured in:
- Rear-end and intersection collisions
- Rideshare crashes involving Uber and Lyft vehicles
- Hit-and-run accidents where the at-fault driver flees the scene
- Crashes caused by drunk or distracted drivers
- Truck and commercial vehicle accidents
- Motorcycle collisions and cases where a pedestrian is hit by a vehicle
Whatever kind of crash you were in, we can review your situation and explain your options during a free consultation.
How Long Do You Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Pennsylvania?
In most cases, you have two years from the date of the crash to file a car accident lawsuit in Pennsylvania. This deadline comes from the state's statute of limitations at 42 Pa.C.S. § 5524, and courts apply it strictly.
Missing this deadline usually means losing your right to compensation, no matter how strong your case is. A claim filed even one day late can be dismissed.
There are a few limited exceptions. If the injured person is a minor, the clock generally does not start until they turn 18, and claims against a government entity require written notice within six months.
Because evidence fades quickly, waiting is rarely in your interest. Surveillance video near busy corridors like Market Street is often recorded over within days, and witness memories dim as the weeks pass. The sooner you call us, the sooner we can protect the proof your claim depends on.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Car Accidents in Philadelphia?
Most car accidents in Philadelphia come down to driver error, and understanding the cause of your crash is the first step toward proving who is responsible. We investigate each collision to pinpoint exactly what went wrong.
Distracted driving is a frequent cause on busy roads like Roosevelt Boulevard, where a single glance at a phone can lead to a serious wreck. Speeding, running red lights, and following too closely account for a large share of crashes as well.
Impaired driving remains a danger on Philadelphia streets, especially late at night and on weekends. Poor weather, sudden lane changes, and driver fatigue add to the risk on highways like I-95 and the Schuylkill Expressway. Mechanical failures and defective vehicle parts can play a role as well, which sometimes brings a manufacturer into the case.
No matter what caused your crash, our job is to gather the evidence that shows how it happened. That evidence forms the foundation of a strong car accident claim.
SCHEDULE A CONSULTATIONFull Tort vs. Limited Tort: What Pennsylvania Drivers Should Know
Your car insurance tort choice affects whether you can seek money for pain and suffering after a crash. Pennsylvania is one of the few states that lets drivers pick between full tort and limited tort coverage under 75 Pa.C.S. § 1705.
Full tort coverage keeps your right to sue for all of your losses, including pain and suffering. Limited tort coverage lowers your premium but restricts your ability to claim non-economic damages unless your injury is serious. A serious injury generally means one that causes death, permanent harm, or lasting impairment of a body function.
Many people do not realize which option they chose until after a crash. The good news is that several exceptions can restore your full right to recover, such as when the at-fault driver was drunk or was driving a vehicle registered in another state.
We review your policy closely and identify every exception that may apply to your case. Please do not assume your options are limited before we have had a chance to look.
Why Choose a Philadelphia Car Accident Attorney from Wapner Newman?
When your future is on the line, experience and results matter. Our team has spent 40 years fighting for injured people in Philadelphia, and our record reflects that commitment.
We have recovered millions of dollars for our clients, including some of the largest verdicts and settlements in the region:
- $227 million in the Market Street building collapse
- $16 million for a pedestrian hit by an impaired driver
- $2.4 million verdict in a fatal three-car accident
These results grow out of careful preparation, courtroom skill, and a refusal to back down from insurers. Past results do not promise a specific outcome, yet they show what focused advocacy can achieve.
Just as important, we treat our clients like family. We answer your questions in plain language, keep you informed at every stage, and carry the legal load so you can heal. You pay nothing up front, and we collect a fee only if we recover money for you, so call us today for a free consultation and put our experience to work for your car accident claim.
FAQs about Philadelphia Auto Accident Claims
Below are answers to some of the questions we hear most often from injured drivers and passengers across Philadelphia.
What if the driver who hit me had no insurance?
You may still have a path to compensation through your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. This coverage steps in when the at-fault driver has no insurance or too little to cover your losses. We review your policy, identify every source of coverage, and pursue each one on your behalf.
Will my car accident case have to go to trial?
Most car accident claims settle without a trial, but we prepare every case as if it will reach a courtroom. Insurers tend to offer more when they know a firm is ready to try the case in front of a jury. If a fair settlement is not possible, we are prepared to file suit and fight for you at trial.
How long will it take to resolve my claim?
The timeline depends on the complexity of your case, the severity of your injuries, and whether the insurer offers a fair amount. Some claims resolve in a matter of months, while others that involve serious injuries or disputed fault take longer. We move your case forward as efficiently as we can while pursuing the full value you are owed, and we keep you updated so you are never left wondering where things stand.
What if I was a passenger in the car that crashed?
As a passenger, you are almost never at fault, and you may have claims against more than one driver. You can often seek compensation from the driver of the car you were riding in, the other driver, or both, depending on who caused the crash. We sort out the available coverage and pursue every party responsible for your injuries.
Can you help if my crash happened in New Jersey?
Yes. We handle car accident cases in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and we understand how each state's rules affect your claim. If you live in Philadelphia but were hurt in a crash across the river, we can still represent you.
How soon after a crash should I call a lawyer?
The sooner the better, because early action helps protect the evidence your case depends on. Video footage, vehicle damage, and witness memories all fade with time, and insurers begin building their side right away. Calling us soon after your crash gives your car accident claim the strongest possible foundation.
Talk to Our Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyers Today
You do not have to face the insurance companies alone. A Philadelphia car accident lawyer at Wapner Newman is ready to review your case, answer your questions, and fight for the full compensation you deserve.
The sooner you reach out, the sooner we can protect your rights and preserve the evidence your claim needs. Your consultation is free, and you owe us nothing unless we recover money for you.
Call us today at (215) 569-0900 to speak with our team. Let us carry the legal burden while you focus on your recovery and your family.
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