By Joshua Perry
We are now in the midst of the summer travel season, which kicks off on Memorial Day and continues through Labor Day. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics most recent survey, on average 2,311,000 highway passengers are injured per year.
If you are unfortunate enough to be one if the many individuals injured while traveling via automobile, you may be able to recover for your injuries. Typically, in order for an injury to be covered by automobile insurance in Pennsylvania, it must be from an injury “arising out of the maintenance or use of a motor vehicle.” This term is quite broad and can cover a variety of injuries as long as the injury is the result of the maintenance or use of a motor vehicle.
If you are injured during the pre-vacation mechanical check of your vehicle, while performing maintenance of your vehicle, during the course of travel, while utilizing your automobile throughout your travel plans, and/or by another vehicle on the roadway, you may be able to recover for your injuries.
The most common injuries are those sustained in a motor vehicle collision. If the collision occurs within the state of Pennsylvania, then Pennsylvania law will apply to the collision. However, If you are involved in a collision outside of Pennsylvania, multiple states laws may apply. It is important to speak with a lawyer to understand the implications on your insurance policy relative to the location of the collision.
SOME IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS
If you are injured by a motor vehicle, be sure to seek appropriate medical care for your injuries. This may include an appointment with your family physician, a trip to an urgent care, or for more life threatening injuries, a trip to the emergency room at the local hospital.
If you are involved in a motor vehicle collision, be sure to obtain the insurance information from all drivers involved in the collision. It is also important to consider whether you are able to continue your travels as a result of the injury.
It is important to understand your automobile insurance policy to ensure that no exceptions or exclusions apply to your specific circumstance. If you have been injured and need assistance in determining if you can recover for your injuries, give O’Donnell Law Offices a call at (570)821-5717 and allow our team of skilled lawyers assist you in evaluating your claim.
Cite: Goworowska, Justyna and Smith, Sonya (2016). Passenger Travel Facts and
Figures 2016. https://doi.org/10.21949/1501617