Philadelphia Auto & Car Accident Lawyer
Injuries from an automobile accident can impact you both physically and emotionally. They can affect your personal relationships and the ability to take on regular tasks again. On top of the physical and emotional pain, your medical bills, lost time at work, pain and suffering, and the need for ongoing treatment can leave you and your family wondering if life will ever go back to normal. If you are suffering because of someone else’s carelessness on the road, it’s important to act immediately. You deserve an experienced car accident lawyer on your side now.
The car accident lawyers at Gay Chacker & Ginsburg can seek compensation on your behalf for your medical bills, loss of income, pain and suffering, and more, and we can help ensure your future related costs are covered as well. We welcome you to contact our law firm as soon as possible for a free case evaluation. Evidence and witnesses disappear with time. In addition, your state limits the time you have to take legal action. Contacting us after seeking medical treatment can help protect your rights and move forward with your claim.
Common Causes of Automobile Crashes
All motorists in Pennsylvania must follow the laws in the PA Vehicle Code. These state laws cover the full scope of motor vehicle ownership and rules of the road. Failure to abide by the traffic laws in the Pennsylvania vehicle code is illegal and can cause accidents on the roadways.
Following traffic laws can help avoid collisions. When motorists disregard safe driving practices, crashes can happen, causing injuries and fatalities.
Common causes of auto accidents include speeding, distracted driving, Impaired or drowsy driving, hazardous road conditions. Car Accidents can also involved driving in low visibility, such as at night or in bad weather, or driver errors such as failing to yield to other vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians before proceeding or turning. Ride share accidents are also on the rise. After an accident that causes injuries or wrongful death, seeking the help of an attorney is advisable.
Injuries from Vehicle Crashes
Injuries from a motor vehicle accident can vary depending on the severity of the crash and the vehicles involved. Some common injuries include
Head, Neck, and Spine Injuries
Broken bones, fractures and bone bruising
Internal bleeding and organ damage
Lacerations and puncture wounds
Victims’ injuries can be so severe that they are fatal at the accident scene or later in the hospital. If they are not fatal, they could cause permanent disfigurement and disability.
Regardless of the injuries you’ve suffered in a vehicle accident, the insurance companies involved with still likely try to minimize your payout. That’s why it’s helpful to get the assistance of an experienced auto accident attorney who practices in your state. Your lawyer can handle the insurance companies and ensure that you can maximize your financial recovery.
Compensation A Car Accident Lawsuit Can Help You Recover
Compensation in Pennsylvania and New Jersey can cover many areas, including:
- Medical expenses,
- Lost wages and benefits now and in the future,
- Pain and suffering,
- Loss of participation in family life,
- End-of-life expenses (if a loved one was struck and killed), and more.
Every case is different, so the type of compensation and how much you can recover will depend on the unique facts of your case. The best thing to do is to speak with an experienced lawyer for advice. Our firm offers free case evaluations to auto accident victims and their families.
Past Auto Accident Case Results
We have helped thousands of injured individuals obtain justice and compensation after automobile accidents. Below are examples of some of these case types.
Left-hand Turn Accidents
One case involved a client who was traveling in the right outside lane of traffic when another motorist negligently turned left in front of his vehicle and caused a collision. Our client suffered severe injuries to his shoulder, arm, and neck.
Hit from Behind
One client was rear-ended while at a Pennsylvania Turnpike exit ramp. The defendant had pushed his car into another car, causing our client to suffer injuries to his ribs, abdomen, chest, diaphragm, and back injuries that required epidural injections.
Commercial Trucking Accidents
In one commercial truck accident case, a diesel fuel tank fell from a truck and spilled onto Interstate 95. Our client pulled his vehicle over on the shoulder. The driver of an oncoming vehicle lost control after hitting the fuel slick and struck him. Our client suffered a traumatic brain injury, which led to amnesia. After multiple surgeries and therapies, he was declared disabled in terms of employment and not medically cleared to drive. Gay Chacker & Ginsburg obtained $16.5 million from the insurance companies of the two defendants, a produce wholesaler and a trailer repair company, whose negligence had led to the fuel tank spill.
SUV Accidents and Rollovers
One client was a passenger of an SUV traveling in Philadelphia when another motorist made a left turn from the outside lane and struck the vehicle. The crash led our client to suffer severe back injuries that prevent him from working and taking on daily tasks.
Gay Chacker & Ginsburg has also successfully handled cases involving:
Uninsured or underinsured motorists
Bicycle and pedestrian accidents
Claims for motorists with limited tort insurance
Passengers injured in personal vehicles, ride share vehicles or commercial vehicles such as buses or trains.
Defective auto parts, such as defective tires, seatbelts, and airbags
If you have been in an auto accident in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, or a nearby state, call us immediately. Our Philadelphia car accidents lawyers can give you a free consultation to find out what happened and discuss how we can help with your accident case. There is no risk or obligation. We’ll charge you no legal fees unless we recover compensation for your damages. Call us today at (215) 567-7955 for a free consultation and start getting your life back.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to some common questions about auto accidents and obtaining compensation for victims’ injuries.
What is the average settlement for a car accident lawsuit?
According to the 2021 car accident settlement examples listed on this page, the typical Pennsylvania car accident lawsuit settlement is anywhere from $333,333 to $5,000,000 – with an average settlement across this set of examples of $2.7 million.
How long after a car accident can you sue in PA?
Each state has its own time limits by law, called the statute of limitations, for injured victims to take legal action. Failure to file a claim within these time frames could forever bar a person from seeking compensation and justice for his or her injuries.
For car accidents, like most personal injury cases in the state, the statute of limitations in Pennsylvania is two years. The date begins on the day the car accident happens. If someone is killed or injured, a lawsuit must be filed two years or less to the day of the actual accident.
For minors, that two-year time limit does not begin until the child turns 18.
CAN’T I HANDLE MY AUTO ACCIDENT CLAIM ON MY OWN?
After suffering injuries in an automobile accident, it is possible to file an insurance claim on your own. However, insurers look for ways to pay you as little as possible without a lawyer on your side – regardless of the strength of your claim. You could lose thousands of dollars you might have received if you had had an experienced attorney guiding the process for you. Our attorneys work on contingency fees, which means that we do not collect a fee unless we recover compensation for the damages you’ve suffered from you car accident case.
What if I have Limited Tort Insurance Coverage?
Vehicle owners have a choice of full tort and limited tort coverage when they start their car insurance policy. Selecting limited tort puts certain limitations on the type of compensation a person may recover in the event he or she suffers injuries in a crash. More specifically, people with limited tort insurance are barred from collecting non-economic damages like pain and suffering. However, there are several exceptions that will allow people to collect full compensation under Pennsylvania law.
If you suffered injuries in a crash and you have limited tort on your policy, a car accident attorney can help. Our Philadelphia car accident attorneys can review your case for free and determine whether you qualify for one of these exceptions and can recover fully for your injuries, even if you don’t have full tort insurance.
The insurance company offered a settlement, do I need a lawyer?
Insurance companies are expert at paying out the lowest amount possible—or nothing—to those who apply for compensation. They exist to earn large profits, not to help you or your family. The insurance adjuster may seem very friendly and helpful, and might even provide a lot of detail about the compensation they say their company will pay you. But their main goal is to pay out as small an amount as possible. When they say they will pay for medical care, for example, they may only be referring to your first doctor’s appointment, not weeks or months of appointments. Keep in mind that adjusters are usually rewarded and/or promoted for resolving claims for little or nothing, as quickly as possible. Do not allow an insurance company to cheat you. Get an attorney who has the legal skills, knowledge and experience you need to settle your claim for the highest amount possible.
How do I find the best car accident lawyer for my case?
Crash victims should ask potential attorneys for their car accident settlement examples so they can understand how the attorney has performed for past clients. It’s also important to make sure the attorney has experience with similar crash types.
Get Assistance from Experienced Auto Accident Attorneys
Founded in Philadelphia in 1965, the law offices of Gay Chacker & Ginsburg has gained a powerful reputation by holding true to our founding mission for over half a century: to serve our clients with respect, honest legal advice, and outstanding case results.
Gay Chacker & Ginsburg has handled thousands of auto accident claims for people who were injured when someone else was at fault. We take on both big and small cases, from fender benders to serious accidents and wrongful death. Our attorneys can guide you through the complex process of filing a claim, returning your calls, and keeping you informed on the status of your claim. When you hire us, we will work hard to get financial recovery for you, whether that means settling out of court or going to trial. We have gotten excellent money compensation for drivers, passengers, and pedestrians who have been injured in car, truck, and motorcycle accidents. Our attorneys practice in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and surrounding states.
