Car Accident

Pennsylvania Car Accident Attorney

Car accidents are always stressful. Even minor car accidents can lead to lots of questions and worries. People who have been in car accidents often want to know how the law in Pennsylvania will impact their experience with filing a claim and seeking compensation for damages related to their accident.

If you have been in a car accident and are not sure how car accident law in Pennsylvania will impact your claims process, you need to keep reading. There are some unique car accident laws in Pennsylvania that all drivers should be aware of before they start the claims process. If you believe that you need to seek damages beyond car repairs, you need to secure a skilled car accident lawyer in Pennsylvania right away.

If you are ready to learn more about car accident law in Pennsylvania, you need to read on or contact us now!

Pennsylvania Car Accident Statistics

This is actually a really safe state to drive in compared to the national average. That does not mean that serious accidents do not occur in Pennsylvania every day. As of 2018, there was one fatality every hour and 214 injuries in crashes each day. You do not want to be one of the people that is involved in a serious accident with no idea what to do next.

The Pennsylvania vehicle code can provide you with any information that you might need related to car accident procedures in the state, but there is a lot of information to sort through in this document. We will talk about the important information that you need to be clear about before you start the claims process or engage a lawyer for your needs after your accident.

Pennsylvania Fault Laws

Pennsylvania is a unique state because it is both an at fault and no-fault state. The type of insurance policy that you select determines this status for your accident. This can make it quite complex to figure out who was to blame for an accident and which car insurance company will need to pay for the damages related to the accident.

This arrangement can also make it really difficult to secure medical coverage from your policy before a lengthy claim investigation process. For people who have been hurt in an accident in their car in Pennsylvania, securing a lawyer is almost always essential due to the mixed fault arrangement in this state.

The mixed fault situation that is allowed in this state can lead to all kinds of slowdowns and issues with claims payment. Your lawyer will be able to attend to these issues and bring pressure to bear on the insurance companies to make sure that your claim is properly paid and that these payments are taken care of promptly. This can be a big benefit to the party that was not at fault and who should not have to wait for claims payments related to their accident.

Pennsylvania Distracted Driving Laws

In this state, it is not legal to use a wireless communication device to send, read, or write text-based communications while driving. If you are caught using a wireless device while driving or if this is the reason for your car accident, you can face serious penalties in this state.

If you have caused serious bodily injury due to this behavior, you can be sentenced to two years in jail. People who cause a fatality related to texting and driving can be sentenced to five years in jail. There are also fines associated with this kind of infraction in less serious situations.

Pennsylvania Drunk Driving Laws

If you get a DUI in this state for a blood-alcohol content level above .08%, you will be subject to a zero-tolerance law. If you have a commercial driver’s license, the legal limit is 0.4%. Those driving drunk under 21 are also subject to this same law.

This is a serious driving offense in Pennsylvania, and you could be faced with significant fines as well as many months of license suspension. The scale of the punishment increases with each offense as well.

Pennsylvania Hit and Run Laws

If you have been involved in a hit and run, you are required to stop your vehicle and try to secure insurance and personal information about the person who has hit your car. People who are involved in these accidents are also required by law to stop and assist anyone who is injured.

If the person that hit your vehicle drives away, they are subject to severe legal penalties. You will need to make sure that you call the police to the scene. There will need to be a police report as well as a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Driver’s Accident Report Form filled out within five days of the accident. This is the kind of accident that will always require the help of a lawyer to make sure that the investigation is done correctly and so that you can secure insurance coverage and help with your medical bills promptly.

Work With a Skilled Legal Team

Due to the complexity of Pennsylvania car accident laws, you will almost always need a lawyer to help you with your car accident claim. Your lawyer can also provide support if you need to seek further compensation related to long-term injury or property damage. The mix of fault and no-fault insurance in this state can lead to lots of confusion related to claims payment, and victims of serious accidents can be left hanging without claims payment for months.

If you have been hurt in a car accident in Pennsylvania or have suffered significant property damage as a result of a car accident, you need to contact us right away. We can take care of your car accident claims process and help make sure that you get the compensation that helps get your property replaced. Our team can also help you to get compensation for long-term injury and support to heal after a significant loss.

For more information about Car Accident and your rights, call 570-852-2175 or contact us online today for your free consultation!

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