FAQs

Your Questions,
Answered

After a serious accident, injury, or wrongful death of a loved one, it’s only natural to have questions. We’re here to offer you the answers. As part of our goal to help people who’ve been hurt, we’ve put together a list of the most common questions we hear from clients.

If you have any concerns that aren’t covered here, we invite you to contact us directly.

If someone else’s negligence caused your injury, you’re allowed to sue them for financial damages that cover medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. This type of lawsuit is known as a personal injury case. For such a case to succeed in court, your lawyer must prove that the person who caused your injury was at fault.

If you’ve been injured, you should always call a lawyer quickly. There are a few reasons why.

In Pennsylvania, you usually have six months to two years to file a claim after an injury. If you don’t file within the proper time frame, you may never be able to get justice.

So, it’s important to discuss the specifics of your case with an experienced attorney as soon as possible. And because there’s no fee unless we win your case, there’s no risk in speaking with one of our lawyers.

Settlements for personal injury cases can include payments for two types of damage awards:

  1. Compensatory damages – These cover all costs related to the injury, including medical bills, physical disability, loss of wages, the repair or replacement of property, and more.
  1. Punitive damages – These punishments, such as jail time or community service, may be awarded to discourage others from making the same mistake.

Dollar amounts are determined on a case-by-case basis. If your case goes to trial, the jury will decide the amount. However, if the judge overseeing the case feels that the amount is too high or too low, they do have the final say.

The number one quality to look for in a lawyer is experience with similar cases. Although many attorneys can handle personal injury cases, only some have relevant experience.

In many personal injury cases, the defendant is represented by an insurance company working to pay as little as possible. An inexperienced lawyer may struggle when the insurance company starts negotiating for the lowest price. On the other hand, an experienced attorney can help personal injury victims receive the full amount.

A skilled lawyer should be able to assess your case, estimate its value, and present the best strategy for it at the first meeting. They should also discuss the terms of their contract and review any fees you’ll be responsible for after the case is over.

The more your lawyer knows, the better their advice will be. Bring all the information you can, such as insurance information, police reports, hospital paperwork, and any other medical reports, including a list of medications.

You never have to pay for your first visit, and there are no fees or costs until we win your case. In the areas we work in, you won’t ever have to pay out of pocket for our legal services; our fee comes out of the final award amount.

First, stay calm. Don’t admit fault or make any statements about responsibility or blame. Don’t discuss how much liability insurance you carry or accept offers to settle on the spot. Instead, take photos of the scene, try to get contact information from witnesses, then contact a lawyer quickly.

When you speak with a lawyer, provide as much information as possible. Helpful details include damage to vehicles, weather, road conditions, the date and time of the collision, and the speed and circumstances of the cars involved.

If you believe you have a valid wrongful death claim, you should first consult with an experienced attorney. They can determine if you have a case, then help you gather evidence, fill out paperwork, and build a convincing lawsuit.

In general, immediate family members—including parents, spouses, and children—can almost always file a claim. Other family members may also be allowed to sue.

Always notify your employer as soon as an injury happens, and make sure a written accident report is filed. If your employer has a group of doctors you must see, see them immediately, and report all your injuries.

If you cannot return to your job and are not receiving pay from your employer, you may be entitled to Workers’ Compensation.

There are four legal means for establishing liability lawsuits involving defective or dangerous products:

  • Negligence – When a seller acts maliciously, carelessly, or fails to act when they should.
  • Breach of warranty – When a seller fails to deliver on a promise about their product.
  • Misrepresentation – When a seller misleads customers or makes a false claim about their product.
  • Strict liability – In many cases, the manufacturer or seller may be responsible for all injuries caused by their product, regardless of their intent.

Medical malpractice covers any injury that happened because a doctor, nurse, or other healthcare staff member failed to provide reasonable care. Medical malpractice cases can be brought against hospitals, clinics, or other places where provider-patient relationships exist.

Social Security Disability is a program that pays monthly cash benefits to people who can’t work because of an injury, illness, or worsening medical condition. To qualify for Social Security Disability, you must be unable to keep a substantial, gainful job due to your injuries.

Before you can collect Social Security Disability, you must apply with your medical records and/or evidence as to why you cannot work. An experienced attorney can help with this.

A deposition is an out-of-court testimony that happens before trial. Because you should always tell the truth and stick to known facts, you may not need to prepare much.

However, since the opposing attorney may ask you questions about the past ten years, you may want to refresh your memory by re-reading notes you took after the incident, diary entries, doctor records, and any other information related to your injury. You may also find it helpful to revisit the scene of your injury.

Here are some tips for testifying:

  • Tell the truth.
  • Think before you answer.
  • Speak slowly and clearly.
  • Never lose your temper or be combative.
  • Answer all questions directly, giving concise answers to the questions.
  • Testify only to “basic facts”; do not give opinions.
  • If you don’t understand the question, ask for an explanation.
  • If you didn’t fully hear the question, ask for them to repeat themselves.
  • If you don’t know or remember something, admit it.

Remember, your only job is to testify to the best of your ability. Your attorney will handle the rest and ensure you’re comfortable and safe.

No matter your age or income, you should have a will. A will ensures that your assets and belongings go to the right people after you pass and eliminates potential arguments among family members.

Pennsylvania Truck
Collision FAQs

Being involved in a truck collision can leave you facing not just severe physical and emotional trauma, but also the daunting complexity of legal battles.

Crashes can happen for many reasons. Possible causes include drowsy drivers, a lack of vehicle maintenance, or improper training. If any of these led to your injury, you may be eligible for compensation.

Truck collision injuries can be more serious than injuries from a car or pedestrian collision. Victims of truck collisions can sustain injuries such as traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), broken bones, spinal cord injuries, amputation, or loss of limbs.

Depending on the situation, several different parties could be at fault for your injuries. The truck driver and their company can usually be held accountable for improper training, driver drowsiness, or truck maintenance errors. However, you may need to sue a third party that owns the truck, and third-party claims can become complicated.

The best course of action is to contact an attorney. You may be able to receive compensation for lost wages, medical bills, or pain and suffering caused by your truck collision injury.

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