Pennsylvania Personal Injury Lawyer

What Does a Personal Injury Attorney Do?

A personal injury attorney represents people who have been harmed by the negligence of others. They typically try to recover compensation from the at-fault party or their insurance company. Personal injury lawyers often negotiate settlements, but they can represent their clients in court when needed.

What to Look for When Choosing Pennsylvania Personal Injury Attorneys

It’s important not to simply choose the first Pennsylvania personal injury lawyer you come across. To boost your chances of success, look for the following:

• A track record of success with cases like yours
• Strong communication skills
• Local experience
• A client-centered approach

Personal injury cases can be stressful, so it’s also essential to choose a lawyer you feel comfortable with.

Common Types of Personal Injury Claims Filed in Pennsylvania

Generally, you may file a personal injury claim any time someone’s negligence causes you to get hurt. Some types of personal injury cases are more common than others, though.

Car Accidents

At many personal injury firms, car accidents make up a bulk of the caseload. These accidents are very common, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t devastating.

Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents

Pedestrians and cyclists can be far more likely than drivers to suffer serious injuries. Even accidents that seem “minor” from a driver’s perspective can kill someone on a bike or on foot.

Truck Accidents

When involved in accidents, commercial trucks can cause enormous harm. Trucking companies can be held vicariously liable for their employees’ actions, so navigating these cases is often complicated.

Motorcycle Accidents

Some courts and insurance companies are biased against motorcyclists, making it possible to run into unexpected hurdles after a motorcycle accident.

Slip and Fall Accidents

“Slip and fall” may not sound serious. However, these incidents can cause major injuries. When they do, the right Pennsylvania personal injury lawyer can help you hold property owners accountable.

Medical Malpractice

These cases are far more complex than many people realize. While some personal injury firms will handle them, it’s not unusual to find medical malpractice lawyers who focus exclusively on malpractice cases.

Dog Bites

Dog bites can cause serious physical, emotional and financial harm. Pennsylvania is a strict liability state when it comes to dog bites, meaning you don’t need to prove that the owner knew the dog was aggressive.

Workplace Accidents

Depending on the circumstances, a workplace accident could mean you need to file a workers compensation claim, a personal injury lawsuit or both.

Do I Have a Personal Injury Case?

The best way to tell whether you have a valid personal injury case is to consult a lawyer. Generally, though, personal injury lawyers often look to see if they can prove the following when assessing a case:

• The at-fault party owed you a duty of care.
• They breached their duty.
• Their actions caused your injuries.
• You have damages to collect.

It’s important to note that Pennsylvania allows you to recover damages even if you were partially at fault. Your degree of fault must not be greater than the other party’s, however.

When Should I Hire a Personal Injury Law Firm?

If you’ve suffered a serious injury because another person was negligent, it’s worth consulting a personal injury firm. When you schedule a free consultation with one of these firms, a lawyer will discuss your case with you. If they think they can win your case, they’ll likely offer to represent you.

How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania has a two-year statute of limitations on personal injury cases. That means you have two years from your injury date to file. However, talking to a Pennsylvania personal injury lawyer early on may increase your chances of having a strong case.

Common Damages in Personal Injury Cases

In a personal injury case, “damages” refers to compensation for your losses. These are some of the most common losses you can recover damages for:

Medical Bills

Compensation for medical bills often makes up a large portion of personal injury settlements. Your lawyer may be able to secure compensation for past, current, and even future medical expenses.

Property Damage

If you’ve just suffered a life-altering injury, your main focus probably isn’t on property damage. However, if your car or other property was damaged in the accident that caused your injury, you likely can recover funds to repair or replace it.

Lost Income

In most cases, serious injuries leave you unable to work, at least temporarily. Your lawyer may be able to help you recover compensation to make up for lost wages.

Lost Earning Capacity

Some injuries cause disabilities that permanently impact your ability to make a living. If you win your lawsuit, you could be compensated for this loss of earning capacity.

Pain and Suffering

“Pain and suffering” is often used as an umbrella term for many kinds of non-economic losses. Physical pain, mental suffering, inconvenience and other non-quantifiable losses can seriously affect your quality of life.

Loss of Consortium

If your relationship with your spouse has been adversely affected by your injuries, your spouse may be able to file a loss of consortium claim and receive compensation.

Serving Personal Injury Clients Across Pennsylvania

ConsumerShield takes pride in helping people across the Keystone State find the legal advocates they need. We’ve assisted injured people in cities like these:

• Philadelphia
• Pittsburgh
• Allentown
• Erie
• Scranton
• Reading
• Lancaster
• Harrisburg
• Bethlehem
• Wilkes-Barre
• York
• Altoona
• Easton
• Lebanon

No need to worry if you don’t see your city—we partner with lawyers in every county in Pennsylvania.

Connect With Experienced Pennsylvania Personal Injury Lawyers

Dealing with a major injury can be overwhelming, but the right lawyer can make a tremendous difference. Not sure where to start your search? Let us help.

ConsumerShield matches people across the country with qualified lawyers in their area. Fill out our contact form for a free case review today.