Because there are many different types of car accidents, there is no one set definition. Many people define a car accident as a collision between two vehicles that results in injuries and property damage. However, some car accidents only involve one vehicle, yet still have the potential to result in injuries and property damage.
While these “accidents” are usually unintentional, injured drivers and passengers still have legal recourse options when pursuing compensation. If you or a loved one were injured in a car accident, you may choose to work with a personal injury lawyer who can help you pursue financial recovery.
Car Accidents Can Result in Lifelong Impairments
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that more than 2.3 million people receive emergency care or are hospitalized because of car accident-related injuries each year. Being injured in a car accident can be traumatic, and the negative outcomes of an injury can be lifelong.
As a result of your Pennsylvania car accident, you might be experiencing:
- Changes in your personality
- Mood changes
- Harm to your cognitive abilities
- Physical limitations
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of limbs
- Physical pain
Your injuries may cause secondary losses that place limitations on your ability to work and live your life as you did before the collision. If you decide to work with a personal injury lawyer, they can examine the effects of your injuries on your life and assign a monetary value to these impairments.
Such secondary losses may include:
- A period where you are unable to work and collect your normal income
- The inability for you to pursue personal, professional, or academic opportunities because of changes to your body or mind
- Changes in your relationships with others
- A lingering fear of driving or riding in motor vehicles
- The cost of doctors’ appointments
- The cost of transportation to doctors’ appointments
- The cost of psychotherapy and medication to address your trauma
The losses that you suffer because of a car accident have a monetary value. Your lawyer can determine what those losses are and pursue compensation on your behalf.
For a free legal consultation, call (412) 661-1400
Your Lawyer Will Build a Case Based on Evidence
You do not need to know the definition of a car accident to understand how devastating a motor vehicle collision can be. However, a lawyer can serve as your guide throughout the financial recovery process. They can calculate the cost of your damages and use evidence to build your case.
During negotiations with the insurance company, your lawyer may:
- Present photographs and videos of the accident scene
- Refer to details outlined in the police report
- Assert the severity of your injuries, how long they will take to recover from, and how those injuries impact your ability to work
- Provide witness testimony pertaining to your accident as well as the ways that your injuries have affected you
- Allow experts to speak on your behalf
- Negotiate with other parties to obtain the compensation you deserve
Your lawyer will need to demonstrate how another party’s negligence resulted in the collision, your injuries, and damages.
Behaviors That May Qualify as Negligence
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) lists several motorist behaviors that are considered to be “risky.” These behaviors are among the actions that could make a driver responsible for your losses.
Some forms of possible negligence that may have contributed to your car accident include:
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Running a red light
- Running a stop sign
- Failing to yield to vehicles or pedestrians with the right-of-way
- Driving while drunk
- Driving under the influence of drugs
- Making dangerous turns
- Posting to or monitoring social media
- Taking photographs or videos
- Adjusting the vehicle’s entertainment system
- Eating or drinking
An at-fault motorist may not be the only party that your lawyer can hold accountable for your losses. Government municipalities, mechanics, vehicle manufacturers, and employers are among those who could also be liable for a car accident under certain conditions. Your lawyer will determine who is liable for your losses and seek compensation from those parties.
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Call Berger and Green Today
If you or a loved one was in a car accident in Pennsylvania, then Berger and Green can handle your case. When you call our team today, we can explain the legal definition of a car accident. We want to build a case on your behalf and fight for the compensation you deserve. We encourage you to take action quickly since 42 Pa. C.S.A. § 5524(2) does not give you a long time to file a lawsuit.
Call Berger and Green today at (412) 661-1400 for a free consultation.
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