Pittsburgh Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer
Personal Injury Attorneys Fight for Those Seriously Injured in Motor Vehicle Accidents throughout Western Pennsylvania
Due to improvements in safety technology and features of motor vehicles, the rate of motor vehicle accidents in Pittsburgh and throughout Pennsylvania has decreased over the past 20 years. Unfortunately, despite the plethora of safety technology, motor vehicle accidents still occur on the road of Western Pennsylvania when one or more drivers operate their motor vehicles in a negligent manner. In many cases, motor vehicle accidents result in injuries to one or more occupants of the vehicles involved in the accident. When a motor vehicle accident is caused by a motorist’s negligence, that motorist should be held responsible to compensate the people injured in the accident. A skilled Pittsburgh motor vehicle accident lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve.
Injured In A Motor Vehicle Accident And Have Questions? We Can Help, Tell Us What Happened.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a motor vehicle accident in Pittsburgh or elsewhere in Western Pennsylvania, it is important that you have the assistance of experienced legal counsel who can put you in the best position to obtain full compensation for your damages and losses. For decades, the motor vehicle accident lawyers of Berger Lagnese & Paul, LLC have helped victims of motor vehicle accidents pursue claims for compensation from the parties responsible for their injuries. We have a proven track record of success helping our clients obtain the financial recovery that they need to help get their lives back to normal following their motor vehicle accident. Contact our firm today to schedule a free case evaluation; if you retain Berger Lagnese & Paul, LLC to represent you in your motor vehicle accident case, you will owe us no attorney’s fees unless we can obtain compensation for you.
Common Causes of Motor Vehicle Accidents in Pittsburgh
Although a motor vehicle accident can occur from any negligent act or omission by one or more drivers on the road, some causes of accidents are more common than others. Some of the most common causes of motor vehicle accidents seen by our Pittsburgh attorneys include:
- Distracted driving, including cell phone use, use of the vehicle’s navigation or infotainment system, eating or drinking, or interacting with other occupants of the vehicle
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Speeding
- Reckless driving, including swerving in and out of traffic, speeding well in excess of the speed limit, or tailgating other vehicles
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Adverse weather conditions
- Nighttime and low-lighting conditions
- Improper turns, including failing to signal and failing to yield the right of way
- Inexperienced drivers
- Poor road conditions, such as potholes
- Animals in the road
- Design or manufacturing defects in the vehicle or vehicle parts
- Brake or tire failures
No matter the cause of your motor vehicle accident, our attorneys can help you to understand your legal rights and options and who may be responsible for paying you compensation when you have been injured through no fault of your own.
Get Advice From An Experienced Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer. All You Have To Do Is Call 412-471-4300 To Receive Your Free Case Evaluation.
Frequent Injuries Suffered in Motor Vehicle Accidents in Pittsburgh, PA
In a motor vehicle accident, the occupants of the vehicles involved in the accident can suffer nearly any type of injury. Some of the most frequent injuries that victims of motor vehicle accidents in Pittsburgh suffer include:
- Bruises and lacerations, often caused by colliding with objects in the vehicle during impact
- Neck and back injuries, including whiplash injuries, sprains, strains, herniated spinal discs, or even spinal cord injury
- Soft tissue injuries to tendons, ligaments, and muscles, including sprains, strains, and tears
- Internal damage, including injury to internal organs or internal bleeding
- Broken bones
- Burn injuries, whether caused by fires or as a result of “road rash” if a victim is thrown from his or her vehicle
- Spinal cord injuries, including temporary or permanent paralysis
- Head and traumatic brain injuries, including skull fractures, intracranial bleeding, concussion, or coma
No matter how you were injured in a motor vehicle accident, our Western Pennsylvania motor vehicle accident lawyers can help you obtain the compensation that you are entitled to under the laws of Pennsylvania.
Dedicated Motor Vehicle Accident Attorneys at Berger Lagnese & Paul, LLC Help Accident Victims Recover Compensation
When you or a loved one are injured in a motor vehicle accident through no fault of your own, you may not be sure what to do next to seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. This is where the Western Pennsylvania motor vehicle accident attorneys of Berger Lagnese & Paul, LLC come in. Our attorneys will work tirelessly to ensure that you receive the full amount of compensation that you are entitled to under the law. We will thoroughly investigate your accident to identify the party or parties who may be responsible for causing the accident and who may be liable to you for compensation. Our lawyers will use their collective knowledge and our firm’s resources to develop a strong, effective legal strategy to pursue the compensation that you need and deserve.
Our attorneys will take on the work of negotiating with the insurance companies to get you the recovery that you are entitled to so that you can focus on your recovery and on your family. You can be assured that we will not rest until we receive an offer that we are confident will fully compensate you for all your past and future damages arising from your accident. If necessary, our attorneys are fully prepared to fight for your rights in court. Our lawyers are seasoned trial litigators who know what it takes to win in court. When you hire the Pittsburgh motor vehicle accident attorneys of Berger Lagnese & Paul, LLC you know that you have effective, passionate advocates fighting for you.
Contact a Pittsburgh Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer for Knowledgeable Legal Representation
If you have been injured in a car crash in Pittsburgh or elsewhere in Pennsylvania, don’t wait another day to start the process of pursuing the compensation you need to recover from your injuries. Contact Berger Lagnese & Paul, LLC today to schedule a free case evaluation to speak with one of our knowledgeable motor vehicle accident attorneys. Our attorneys will ensure that you are fully informed as to your legal rights and options for pursuing compensation for your injuries and damages and will help you to understand how our firm will use our collective experience and resources to fight for the compensation and justice that you deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions about Motor Vehicle Accidents
If you’ve been in a motor vehicle accident, there are steps you should take to protect your legal rights and options for financial compensation. If possible, you should take photographs of the vehicles involved in the accident and the accident scene itself. You should also seek prompt medical treatment for your injuries, which will not only improve your prognosis but will help you to establish that your injuries were actually caused by your accident. Finally, you should speak with an experienced motor vehicle accident attorney who can represent your interests with the insurance companies and help you obtain the compensation you need and deserve.
Some of the common types of motor vehicle accidents that our attorneys see include car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, bus accidents, bicycle & pedestrian accidents, and tractor-trailer accidents.
Before filing a motor vehicle lawsuit, it is important to gather your medical records from the treatment of the injuries you suffered in the accident, which will be used to prove what injuries you suffered and how they were caused by the accident. You should also collect documents to establish your monetary damages, including medical bills, pay stubs, and other bills and invoices you’ve incurred as a result of your injuries.
In order to prove the other driver’s liability or negligence in your accident, you will need to prove that the other driver owed you a duty of care. You must also prove that the other driver breached this duty of care through the operation of their vehicle. You further prove that the other driver’s breach of their duty of care was the direct and proximate cause of the accident. Finally, you must show that you suffered some form of compensable damages as a result of the accident.
If you wish to settle a motor vehicle accident claim, you will need to gather evidence that demonstrates that the other driver was responsible for the accident. You will also need to gather evidence that substantiates the amount of compensation that you are looking for. Typically, you will contact the other driver’s insurance company and file a claim for compensation. Once the insurance company is involved, you or your attorney will negotiate; if both sides agree on liability, you will need to get the other side to agree on an amount of compensation that you will be paid.
Pain and suffering damages are typically based upon the severity and permanency of your injuries. The more severe and permanent your injuries, the greater the pain and suffering damages that you may be entitled to. Some insurance companies will calculate pain and suffering by multiplying your medical expenses; the multiplier used will depend on the severity and permanency of your injuries.
Under Pennsylvania law, you generally have two years from the date of your accident to file a lawsuit for compensation. The statute of limitations for a minor who is injured in a motor vehicle accident can be different.
If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident, you can best protect your rights and options for compensation by avoiding making any statements admitting fault. It can be tempting to apologize immediately following an accident; however, the insurance companies may later point to your statements as an admission of fault for the accident. It is also important to promptly seek medical attention following an accident to document all the injuries that you have suffered. If you wait too long to seek medical attention, the insurance company or defense attorneys may argue that you were not really injured in the accident or that any injuries you claim were caused by the accident were caused by something else.
If you were involved in an accident where the at-fault driver has no insurance, you still can pursue a claim against the at-fault driver. Unfortunately, many drivers who lack insurance likely do not have the funds to pay compensation in a legal claim. However, your insurance policy may have uninsured motorist coverage; this coverage will provide you with compensation if you are involved in an accident where the at-fault driver lacks insurance coverage.
Yes. If your recovery from the injuries you suffered in an accident caused you to miss time from work, you may be entitled to recover any wages that you lose out on due to missed work. If you are temporarily or permanently disabled from performing the kind or quantity of work that you performed prior to your accident, you may be able to seek compensation for a loss of earning capacity.
Not necessarily. The first settlement offer from an insurance company is rarely the maximum amount of compensation that the company is willing to offer and likely will not compensate you for all your damages. You should first speak with an experienced motor vehicle accident lawyer who can evaluate your case and advise you as to the amount of compensation that you may be entitled to. If you need ongoing treatment, it is important that any insurance settlement accounts for these future expenses; once you settle your case, you cannot pursue the at-fault driver or their insurance for any additional compensation.