According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 36,000 people died on U.S. roads in 2018, and there were more than 2.7 million injuries. Of those, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) reports that Pennsylvania car accidents accounted for over 78,000 injuries and nearly 1,200 deaths.
In 2017, 99 motor vehicle fatalities occurred in Philadelphia alone, making the city’s rate of deadly car accidents higher than both New York City and Boston. The most commonly occurring type of accident in Pennsylvania is when a driver strikes another vehicle at an angle, which accounts for more injuries and fatalities than any other kind.
If you or a loved one suffered serious or fatal injuries after another driver hit the side of your vehicle, a Philadelphia side-impact collisions lawyer can help you determine if you have a case. Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC today at (844) 730-0233 to schedule a free case evaluation with our legal team.
Dangers of Side Impact Motor Vehicle Accidents
Many studies have been conducted on the relationship between speed and the dangers of side-impact collisions. As a common contributor to car accidents, speed presents a danger on its own. When speeding leads to an accident that occurs at an angle, it substantially increases the risk and severity of serious injuries and fatalities.
Researchers at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine conducted research on the severity of side-impact collisions, particularly on children. They found that nearly one-quarter of the children studied had suffered clinically significant injuries as a result of their accident, particularly to the head, extremities, and abdomen.
For a free legal consultation with a side impact collisions accidents lawyer serving Philadelphia, call (844) 730-0233
Proving Liability in Your Case
Victims of car accidents in Pennsylvania often find proving the liability of the at-fault driver to be challenging. Because Pennsylvania offers drivers a choice between at-fault and no-fault coverage, drivers must sometimes pay for their own damages up to a certain amount. In other cases, they must prove fault to receive compensation for their injuries. According to the Pennsylvania Insurance Department, driver coverage must include at least:
- $5,000 for medical benefits
- $15,000 for bodily injury for one person and $30,000 for all passengers involved in the accident
- $5,000 for property damage
Regardless of the type of insurance involved, victims must present appropriate evidence to establish liability and seek financial awards in their case. To find out how a Philadelphia side-impact collisions lawyer can help, contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC today.
At-Fault Insurance Process
Also known as full tort coverage, at-fault insurance gives you the opportunity to file claims against the other driver for all of your damages. Your own insurance policy does not have to pay for your injuries. However, you must prove the other driver’s liability in the accident to seek compensation for your losses.
No-Fault Insurance Process
With limited tort or no-fault coverage, your insurance policy will cover your personal injuries and property damage up to a certain amount. However, this type of policy limits your ability to file claims against the other driver. To do so, you must prove that your expenses exceeded the amount allowed by your insurance. Drivers with no-fault insurance cannot seek awards for pain and suffering from the other driver.
Philadelphia Side Impact Collisions Accident Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-0233
Compensation for Side Impact Collisions
The type(s) of financial awards that car accident victims can seek from the at-fault driver depends on the insurance they carry and the extent of their injuries or losses. Compensation may include payment for economic damages, which the court can measure, as well as non-economic damages, which involve unquantifiable and subjective losses. Examples include:
- Medical bills and expenses, including those that exceed your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage if you have no-fault insurance
- Lost wages for time missed at work
- Death benefits if you lost a loved one in the accident, including funeral and burial costs
- Pain and suffering, such as mental anguish or disfigurement, if you carry at-fault insurance
If you suffered injuries or lost someone you love in a side-impact car accident, a Philadelphia side-impact collisions lawyer can help determine the types of compensation you may seek from the at-fault driver. Contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.
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Pennsylvania Statute of Limitations
In some cases, the statute of limitations on car accident claims may make pursuing compensation more complex. As with other personal injury claims, Pennsylvania requires that car accident victims file within two years of the date of their accident. This means that if it takes an extended period of time for victims to expend their own insurance coverage due to excessive injuries, these victims have an even shorter amount of time to file lawsuits against the at-fault driver.
In wrongful death cases, when a family pursues compensation for the death of a loved one in a car accident, the victim’s family has up to two years from the date of the victim’s passing as opposed to the date of the accident.
In either circumstance, victims and/or their families should pursue their claim as soon as possible, as personal injury lawsuits often involve complicated processes. The sooner you seek the help of a Philadelphia side-impact collisions lawyer, the sooner you can begin building your case.
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Contact Us Today to Get Started
If you or a loved one suffered an injury or lost their life as the result of a side-impact collision in Philadelphia, you may not feel confident about holding the at-fault driver accountable on your own. With the help of Ben Crump Law, PLLC, you do not have to approach the legal system alone. Our team will be with you every step of the way, from your free case evaluation through your representation in court.
We work on a contingency basis, so you do not owe us any fees unless we win your case. Call us today at (844) 730-0233 to learn how a Philadelphia side-impact collisions lawyer can help you get the justice you deserve.
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