Lawrence County
Car Accident Lawyer

On This Page

1. Liability and Negligence in Car Accident Cases
2. Damages in Car Accident Cases
3. The Deadlines for Filing Car Accident Cases
4. How a Lawyer from Our Firm Can Help You
5. How Common are Car Accidents in Pennsylvania?
6. Call Us Today for a Free Case Review

REVIEWED BY

C. William Kenny

January 01, 2024

Board certified by National Board of Trial Advocacy

After a car accident, insurance companies may be contacting you and medical bills may quickly be piling up. You may even be unsure about when you will be able to return to work because of your injuries. If you are in this situation, a Lawrence County car accident lawyer from Berger and Green can help.

We can investigate the circumstances that led to your crash and identify the responsible parties. We can also communicate with the insurance companies for you. Once we have built your case, we can fight for compensation for your losses stemming from the accident, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and more.

Liability and Negligence in Car Accident Cases

To hold another person responsible for the costs of your injuries in a car accident case, you generally must prove that their negligent or wrongful act caused the accident. Common examples of driver negligence include speeding, driving while intoxicated, or other traffic violations.

Proving negligence typically requires evidence of four basic elements. These elements include:

• A legal duty of care to act lawfully and responsibly
• An action that violates the legal duty of care
• A link between this violation and the victim’s injuries
• Evidence that the victim’s injuries caused them damages (e.g., medical expenses)

All drivers have a duty to obey traffic laws and protect those around them from harm. When they violate this duty by committing traffic violations or other types of wrongful conduct, and their actions cause injuries to others, they can be held liable. Accident victims can then seek compensation for their injury-related losses from the at-fault driver in an insurance claim or lawsuit.

Evidence of Liability

In a car accident case, the evidence that we use to prove liability may include:

• The police report
• Photos from the accident scene
• Witness statements
• Our clients’ statements about the events
• Our clients’ medical records

Damages in Car Accident Cases

The effects of a severe car crash on you and your family can be substantial. A personal injury action may allow you to recover compensation for economic damages and non-economic damages:

Economic Damages

Economic damages are direct compensation for the financial losses that you suffered as a result of your car accident. These damages may include items such as:

• Medical, hospitalization, surgical, and rehabilitation expenses
• Lost income due to an inability to work
• Property damages, such as vehicle repair or replacement

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are more intangible losses that are significant but not tied to a bill or monetary expense.

Pain and suffering is a common type of non-economic damage that places a dollar amount on the trauma that you have endured as a result of your injuries. Other types of general damages include loss of enjoyment of life or a disability.

We Can Estimate the Value of Your Damages

As part of our services to you, a Lawrence County car accident lawyer from Berger and Green can calculate the value of your damages using evidence such as:

• Your medical bills
• Receipts for out-of-pocket expenses
• Statements from medical experts about your future costs of treatment

The Deadlines for Filing Car Accident Cases

All civil lawsuits are subject to strict filing deadlines. Under Pa. C.S.A. §5524, victims generally have two years from the date of their accidents to file their personal injury lawsuits. If you wait too long, you may not be able to file a lawsuit and get compensation for your injuries.

There are a few exceptions to the general statute of limitations in car accident causes. For instance, if your car accident involves a driver who was working for a government entity at the time of the crash, or if a government body was otherwise liable for your losses, you have less time to file your case. In most instances, you must give notice to the applicable government entity within only six months of the date of your accident.

How a Lawyer from Our Firm Can Help You

When you have been injured in a car accident, you may hear from an insurance adjuster while you are still hospitalized or actively receiving medical treatment. You may feel pressured to make quick decisions about your case or a settlement offer.

When you work with a Lawrence County car accident lawyer from Berger and Green, we can handle the insurance companies for you while you concentrate on your injuries. We can also:

• Investigate your accident and collect evidence of liability
• Estimate the value of your damages
• Assess the fairness of any settlement offers you receive
• Help you reject unfair settlement offers
• Take your case to trial, if necessary

How Common are Car Accidents in Pennsylvania?

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), on an average day in 2019, 343 reportable traffic accidents occurred in Pennsylvania. These crashes led to an average of three fatalities and 209 injuries daily. Generally, one out of every 45 people was involved in a crash in 2019 somewhere in the state.

The economic effects of traffic accidents are significant. PennDOT estimates that, in total, motor vehicle crashes cost more than $25 billion in Pennsylvania in 2019.

Call Us Today for a Free Case Review

Berger and Green offers free case reviews to car accident victims in Lawrence County. Call us today at (412) 661-1400 to discuss your accident and legal options with a member of our team.

We provide representation on a “no win, no fee” basis. If we are unable to secure you a settlement or court award, we do not charge you attorney’s fees.