Statute of Limitations for Car Accidents in Pennsylvania

On This Page

1. Why do Statutes of Limitations Matter?
2. Does It Matter When I Seek Medical Attention After My Accident?
3. How Can a Lawyer Help After a Car Accident in Pennsylvania?
4. Call Berger and Green for a FREE Consultation About Your Case

REVIEWED BY

C. William Kenny

February 02, 2022

Board certified by National Board of Trial Advocacy

The statute of limitations for car accidents in Pennsylvania is generally two years, per Pa. C.S.A. § 5524. The same statute of limitations generally applies to wrongful death cases. However, there may be exceptions to this statute.

Whether you’ve been injured or lost a loved one, it’s important to act quickly. You may need to take several actions before you file your case.

Why do Statutes of Limitations Matter?

Statutes of limitations may determine whether you can file a lawsuit. For those who deserve (or need) compensation after a car accident, statutes of limitations are extremely important.

When does the Statute of Limitations Start?

For car accidents, the statute of limitations generally starts from the moment of the accident. Certain circumstances could affect the deadline for a personal injury claim. If you were unaware of certain injuries at the time of your accident or were incapacitated by your injuries, these factors may or may not affect the statute of limitations for your case.

What Other Deadlines May You Face After a Car Accident?

If you have not yet done so, you need to report the car accident itself. Pennsylvania generally requires you to report your accident to the police within five days of the collision.

Our firm can help you file any necessary accident report. You will report any apparent injuries when you file your report. You may be able to amend an existing report to include your injuries. We can also obtain an existing accident report for you.

Does It Matter When I Seek Medical Attention After My Accident?

Yes. You should seek medical attention as soon as possible after a car accident. By seeing a doctor shortly after your accident, you may:

• Find out the precise nature of your injuries
• Gather documentation of your injuries, which will show that they resulted from your accident
• Protect yourself from the danger of an undetected injury
• Preserve your chance to file any necessary legal action

Seeing a doctor may save your life. It may also save your insurance claim or lawsuit. Though there is no deadline to treat for car accident injuries, you should see a doctor as soon as you can.

How Can a Lawyer Help After a Car Accident in Pennsylvania?

A personal injury lawyer from our firm can explain all deadlines for your case. When we accept your case, we accept every duty that comes with it. This generally includes:

• Investigation of your car accident: We’ll obtain and preserve relevant evidence. We will also interview any witnesses whose accounts aren’t yet on the record. Our team may work with seasoned investigators to complete a thorough review.
• Documentation of your losses: We may secure medical bills, vehicle repair bills, doctors’ assessments, and other documentation.
• Calculation of damages: Once we’ve identified your losses, we’ll determine the monetary cost of those damages.
• All case-related paperwork: From complaints to claims and motions, we draft and file all case-related paperwork.
• Settlement negotiations: Liable parties may agree to a fair settlement. We’ll negotiate for the recovery you deserve. If we don’t obtain a fair settlement, we’ll be ready for trial.
• Defense of your rights: Hiring our firm is the first step in defending your rights. We’ll handle as much of the insurance and legal processes as possible. This will protect you from any attempts to violate your rights.

We’ll handle your case from start to finish.

What Damages Are Recoverable in a Car Accident Case?

Recoverable damages in your car accident case may include:

• The cost of ambulance transport, surgery, hospitalization, medications, doctors’ appointments, and other medical expenses
• Pain and suffering, including lost sleep, injury-related pain, emotional anguish, and diminished quality of life
• Vehicle repairs
• Replacement of damaged property
• Counseling
• Lost income
• Lost earning power and other professional harm
• Losses from a wrongful death

Our team will review your case. We will inform you of all your recoverable losses and seek a financial recovery that covers all of those losses.

Call Berger and Green for a FREE Consultation About Your Case

Berger and Green serves car accident victims throughout Pennsylvania. Our roots in the community make us familiar with Pennsylvania’s laws. We’ll use all of our resources to fight for you. We do not receive a fee unless we win or settle your case. You won’t pay anything out of pocket regardless of your case outcome.

Call Berger and Green today at (412) 661-1400 for a free consultation. Keep the statute of limitations in mind—don’t wait to call.