Auto Accident Injury in Allentown, PA
Have you suffered an injury due to a car accident in Allentown? If so, your life may never be the same again. Injuries from a car accident can interfere with your ability both to work and to enjoy everyday activities. They can also be incredibly painful. As such, you need an auto accident attorney who understands the laws in and around Allentown, PA that will fight for your legal rights and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.
Auto Accident Injury Statistics in Allentown, Pennsylvania
According to the National Safety Council, in 2019 about 4.4 million people suffered serious injuries in motor vehicle accidents and an estimated 38,000 were killed. Crash Facts & Statistics from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation report 125,267 traffic crashes that same year. Every day an average of 343 reportable crashes occur on the state’s 120,000 miles of roads and highways. Lehigh County residents added 5,089 accidents to the total number of incidents. Additionally, while the Allentown area only represents 4.3% of the population, it contributed 4.1% of the state’s motor vehicle accidents.
What to Do After an Auto Accident
It’s important to be prepared in the event you are a victim of a car accident. Below are the steps to remember immediately after your crash.
Receive Immediate Medical Attention
What is the most important step that you need to take after an auto accident? You need to receive immediate and proper medical treatment. You may believe that the injuries sustained after an auto accident are minor. Proper medical treatment helps ensure that you have not sustained any internal injuries that you may not be aware of.
File a Police Report
Even if no one sustained injuries, you still need to call 911 and request law enforcement assistance. When officers arrive, jot down each one’s name and badge number. Answer their questions honestly, but don’t volunteer any unasked-for information, especially your thoughts on exactly what happened or who caused the car accident. Be sure to ask the officers for the number of their police reports. Also ask when and where you can get a copy of it, including how much it will cost you.
Obtaining a copy of the report from the Allentown Police Department costs a flat fee of $15 currently. If you received an incident number, you should include that in the letter you send to the city.
Gather the Appropriate Documentation
While waiting for officers to arrive after a car accident, collect information from all other drivers involved in the accident, including the following:
- Full name, address, phone number, and email address
- Driver’s license state and number
- Auto insurance company name, policy number, and phone number
Use your cell phone to take pictures of each driver’s license, auto insurance card, vehicle, and each additional vehicle involved in the car accident. Don’t rely on verbal communication. Having as much information as possible will only help you and your case later on. Try to keep this exchange as civil and friendly as possible. However, do not apologize for causing the accident or indicate in any way that you think you may have caused it.
Recovering Damages After an Auto Accident Injury
After surviving a car accident, the emotional and economic toll it takes can be staggering. You are not only dealing with the mental anguish that comes with being involved in a crash, but you may also be experiencing severe physical harm as well.
Common injuries associated with motor vehicle accidents include:
- Burn injuries
- Back and neck injuries, such as whiplash
- Brain and head injuries
- Broken bones
- Spinal injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
The CDC collected reports that added up to $1.79 billion in costs for traffic crash deaths in Pennsylvania in 2018. A collection of damages from 2019 by the PA Department of Transportation estimates minor injuries alone cost $6.25 million. As of July 2019, the U.S. Census Bureau counted 121,422 people in Allentown. Total economic loss due to crashes for each individual in Pennsylvania averaged $1,996 recently. Therefore if the averages apply, people living across Allentown pay approximately $242.35 million each year for motor vehicle crashes.
Hiring a car accident lawyer ensures you have the financial ability to cover any losses that have occurred as a result of a crash. An auto accident attorney will also help you handle the paperwork that you will have to complete from insurance companies. This boosts your odds of receiving the insurance compensation you deserve.
Auto Accident Laws in Pennsylvania
Liability Laws for Allentown
When car accidents happen, it is essential to determine who bears responsibility for the resulting damage and medical bills. Determining fault impacts everything from your insurance claim and level of liability to the amount of confusion you may endure during the claims process.
A guide from the Pennsylvania Insurance Department states that drivers in Allentown should have these minimums:
- $5,000 for medical benefits
- $15,000 for bodily injury to one person and $30,000 for a single accident
- $5,000 for damage to personal property
Statute of Limitations in Allentown
Each state has its own tort laws that determine the statute of limitations on a claim. In some states, this gives you just one year to file a claim in court, while some others may give you up to six years. Allentown residents have up to 2 years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit.
This is why it is important to consult with an attorney immediately after your car crash. Don’t wait and risk losing out on any compensation they can recover.
Work With an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer Near Allentown, PA
After a car accident, you have enough to worry about. We can help you find an auto accident attorney for your unique case. Get the financial restitution that you deserve if you’re the victim of someone else’s conduct. We can even help you connect with legal help across Pennsylvania state lines.
Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an attorney in your area!
