Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyer
A Philadelphia car accident lawyer can help drivers and passengers that have been injured in a car accident caused by other negligent drivers. Your lawyer can help you get uninsured motorist (UM) benefits from your own car insurance if the driver that caused your accident is uninsured.
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If you were simply a passenger in a car that does not belong to you, your lawyer can still help you get compensation from a state fund set up for passengers like you. An experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyer will evaluate your case, answer your questions, and help you get the compensation you need.
Why You Need A Lawyer
It is not always clear who the at-fault driver is in an accident. A police report contains the reporting officer’s opinion about the at-fault driver, but such opinions are not admissible in court. In fact, a police report can be incomplete or inaccurate. The only solution to this is to do an independent investigation when you want to prove the other driver was negligent. Your lawyer can conduct an investigation with the help of accident reconstruction experts and other experts, to determine who the at-fault party is. Investigators working with your lawyer can take photos of the accident site and damage to the vehicles involved as part of the investigation. The things you do immediately after a car accident can also help with the investigation.
What To Do After A Car Accident
After an accident you need to pay attention to your surroundings and gather as much information as possible. Do the following after an accident:
- Move away from the traffic if you are not seriously injured. But severely injured people should not be moved
- Leave your hazard lights on or use flares to alert other drivers that you need help if it is dark and visibility is low
- Call the police or 911 and wait for them on the scene. Leaving the scene of an accident especially if someone is injured is a crime
- As you wait for help to arrive, collect witness contact information and take photos of the accident scene. Also get the contact information of the police officer that responds to your accident
- Contact your insurance company as soon as possible
- Preserve any medical bills and prescription receipts related to your visits to doctors, physical therapists and other health professionals
- Take photos of the accident scene and gather contact information of witnesses
- Do not discuss details of your accident with the other driver’s insurance company. If they approach you, call your lawyer
Common Causes Of Car Accidents
The following are the most common causes of car accidents in Pennsylvania:
- Speeding: Is the leading cause of car accidents in the state
- Drinking and driving: In 2017 there were 297 alcohol related fatalities in Pennsylvania
- Distracted drivers: About 15,000 crashes involving a distracted driver were reported in the state in 2015
The common types of car crashes in Pennsylvania include:
- Collision with a fixed object (31.8%)
- Head on collisions (3.2%)
- Rear end collision (21.8%)
- Hit pedestrian (3.2%)
- Angle Crashes (26.4%)