Unfortunately, car accidents are quite common. In Pennsylvania, there are more than 100,000 reported collisions each year. With so many car accidents taking place on the state’s roads, crash-related injuries are also common.
Even if you have quality car insurance, you still likely need to contact auto accident lawyers in Philadelphia to discuss your case. Here are just a few of the reasons to reach out to an attorney about your accident-related injuries.
The Insurance Company is Not Your Advocate
Car insurance companies are looking out for their bottom line. In many collision cases, the company will try to minimize its coverage by potentially downplaying the damage or arguing that your injuries weren’t related to the accident. Claiming your injuries existed prior to the crash is just one of the tactics they may take to reduce the amount of compensation that you can collect.
Since you can’t count on your insurance company or the company of another driver to advocate on your behalf, you need someone who is looking out for your best interests. This is where your Philadelphia car accident lawyer comes into play. Your attorney’s role is to be your advocate throughout the case, arguing to recover the compensation you deserve.
The Other Driver May Argue Against Their Liability
Liability in car accident cases isn’t always cut and dry. Even if you think the other party is entirely at fault, that driver might try to argue otherwise. In the aftermath of the crash, the story may become confusing, and you’ll need evidence to back your claim.
Even if the other party cannot completely blame you for the crash, they might argue that you are partially at fault. Under Pennsylvania’s comparative negligence rule, if you are partly, but not more than 50% at fault, you can still recover damages, but the court can reduce the amount. For instance, if it finds you 10% at fault, you would only collect 90% of the total amount of damages.
Your attorney can help collect the evidence that supports your case. Whether they are interviewing witnesses, or even hiring a crash reconstruction expert, your lawyer will have some strategies for demonstrating that the other story is mostly or entirely at fault.
The Legal Process is Complicated
Part of your attorney’s role is to negotiate on your behalf, but if you and your counsel decide the best path forward is in court, then your lawyer will be filing your claim and navigating the court system. In this case, your lawyer will need to collect evidence of the accident and your damages, find witnesses and experts, and file all of the necessary paperwork. While they will continue to negotiate to try to reach a favorable settlement, they will also need to be prepared to take your case to trial.
In the courtroom, your lawyer will present your case in a strategic effort to recover the compensation you deserve.
Find Your Philly Auto Accident Lawyer
When you are recovering from auto accident injuries, you need to focus on getting your health and life back on track. Having a dedicated legal advocate is the best way to navigate the process of recovering damages and compensation for your injuries.
