Which Legal Steps Should You Take After A Car Accident?
This post was created by the Law Offices of Greg Prosmushkin
The long-term physical, emotional, and financial repercussions are not immediately apparent in the aftermath of your car accident in Philadelphia. Your top priority after an accident should be to seek prompt medical treatment.
A Philadelphia car accident lawyer can significantly boost your chances of receiving maximum value for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. The significant legal steps to take after a Philadelphia car accident include:
Reporting The Accident To The Police
It is always a good idea to contact the police to make a report of the accident.
Many victims err by not contacting the police following a car accident and obtaining a copy of the police report. Without a police report, it can be more challenging to prove what occurred. A police report is an impartial third-party account by the reporting police officer summarizing the officer’s interpretation of what happened and who bears responsibility.
The police report will show which driver was suspected to be at fault and may also indicate that this at-fault driver was issued a citation. A traffic citation will not eventually prove who is responsible, but your lawyer can utilize it as evidence.
Compliance With Legal Obligations
It is crucial to comply with Pennsylvania laws on a driver’s legal obligations after an accident. Pennsylvania law requires drivers to report an accident to law enforcement. Pennsylvania drivers who are involved in an accident must stop at the scene without obstructing traffic and provide their name, address, and vehicle registration number to any driver or passenger of any other vehicle involved in the accident.
Enlist The Services Of A Car Accident Lawyer To Advocate For Your Rights
Pennsylvania is a no-fault insurance state. Under no-fault insurance rules, your insurance carrier will cover your medical bills, lost wages, and select losses regardless of who is responsible for the crash. The purpose of the no-fault insurance system is to make the entire claims process simpler and quicker for auto accident victims. However, that is not always the case.
If your lost wages and the cost of treating your injuries exceed your insurance coverage limits, you may need a lawyer to ensure you recover optimum compensation. If you decide to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver, your lawyer’s role becomes critical. Your lawyer will have to demonstrate that you suffered significant injuries in the accident and that the cost of these injuries exceeds the amount available for you as compensation. Proving liability in a car accident can be tricky. The at-fault driver and their lawyer will use every underhanded tactic imaginable to blame you for the accident.
Contact A Philadelphia Car Accident Attorney
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a car wreck in Philadelphia due to someone else’s negligence, you should focus on physical and emotional recovery rather than on legal matters. Hiring a car accident lawyer is a step that can level the playing field for you against insurance companies and the at-fault party’s defense counsels and put you in a better position to recover the compensation that you deserve.
A competent Philadelphia car accident can help you explore every option to seek optimum financial recovery for damages sustained. Call an experienced Philly car accident lawyer to schedule a free case evaluation immediately.
This content was produced independently from the Worldcrunch editorial team.