Auto Accident Injury in Philadelphia, PA
Have you suffered an injury due to a car accident in Philadelphia? 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 Philadelphia, PA that will fight for your legal rights and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.
Auto Accident Injury Statistics In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
There were 11,120 auto accidents reported in Philadelphia in 2022, resulting in 6,202 injuries and 154 reported fatalities, clearly indicating an issue of public safety. Of these, there were 57 pedestrian fatalities and 3 cyclist fatalities, indicating an increased risk to non-motorists lives on Philadelphia streets. The vision of Vision Zero is to reduce deaths from traffic to zero by 2030, an achievable feat upon the redesigning of streets, improving traffic enforcement projects, and safer driving behaviors.
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.
In Philadelphia, some accidents won’t involve the police depending on the severity. You should always call 911, but authorities may determine your accident is not severe enough to warrant the submission of a report over the phone. Should you need to fill out a report, or obtain a copy of an over-the-phone report you can visit Philadelphia’s Records Department. Traffic accident reports can only be obtained either in person or by mail. They cannot be filled out or obtained online. There is a nonrefundable $25 cash fee per transaction.
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, your 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
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 Philadelphia
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.
Pennsylvania is unique because it is one of a few states that is neither a fault nor a no-fault state. It instead classifies itself as a choice insurance, or hybrid insurance, state. This means it is up to each individual driver as to whether they choose to purchase either fault or no-fault auto insurance. So, depending on which driver has which insurance, coming to a consensus on liability and damages could be difficult or more easily vulnerable to scrutiny from other parties involved.
Statute of Limitations In Philadelphia
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 others may give you up to six years. In the state of Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations is two years. Car accidents involving injuries or death fall under the umbrella of Personal Injury Cases according to the state, which requires you to file any suit within two years of the day of the accident.
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 Philadelphia, 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.
Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in Pennsylvania!
About the Author
Aaron is a professional legal writer with a B.S. in English Education from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. He has written, published, and edited thousands of legal articles for RequestLegalHelp, which has connected over 5 million people to legal help in the United States.
With over five years of experience writing thousands of legal articles for law firms across the U.S. and Canada, Aaron specializes in covering federal, state, and city-level legal issues ranging from auto accidents to wrongful terminations.
