In today’s busy world, car accidents are an all-too-common occurrence. People rush around disobeying speed limits and talk on their phones and text while driving. The sad fact is that these time saving measures can end up causing themselves and other drivers serious injuries and, in some cases, fatalities can occur.
If you have been injured in a Pennsylvania car accident due to someone else’s negligence, the law offices of Luschas, Naparsteck & Crane, LLP can help. With decades of experience, we have found justice for countless clients who have incurred serious injuries in car accidents. Read on to find out more about how we can do our part.
What are the Most Common Types of Car Accidents?
With so many vehicles and so much going on on the road, there are several types of accidents that can occur. Here are some of the most common.
Truck Accidents: Trucks are large vehicles that are difficult to control. When a wreck occurs, they can cause a considerable amount of damage. If you were involved in a truck accident, you may be able to seek compensation from the driver and/or the trucking company.
Passengers: If you were injured in an accident and someone else was doing the driving, you may be able to sue the driver. While many passengers think this means suing a friend or loved one, it’s actually the insurance company that will end up with the bill. Taking legal action will take some of the financial strain off your shoulders.
Multi-Vehicle Accidents: It’s not unusual for several cars to be involved in a car accident. Multi-car accidents can be caused by one driver or several drivers and can involve variety of scenarios including rear-ending, sideswipes, rollovers, t-bones, lane crossovers, head on collisions and more.
Distracted Driving: Distracted driving involves anything that takes the driver’s full attention off the road. It can include being on the phone or texting while driving, putting on makeup while driving, driving under the influence, checking out scenery or it can even involve being consumed with ones own thoughts.
Dangerous Roads: While most car accidents are caused by reckless driving, sometimes they are due to circumstances beyond the driver’s control. For instance, there could be ice on the roadway or construction debris. In these instances, the city or contractor may be responsible for damages.
Recall Accidents: Accidents can also be the fault of the car manufacturer. If equipment inside the car is faulty, the car may not act in a predictable manner. This can lead to hazardous situations and injuries to the driver and other parties.
Common Car Accident Injuries
A car accident can result in serious injuries. Here are a few of the most common.
Head Injuries: Head injuries occur due to the impact of collision. Passenger’s heads can come in contact with the car’s interior resulting in traumatic brain injuries (TBI’s) and other types of damage. Head injuries can result in concussions, comas or cognitive issues that can be temporary or permanent in nature.
Back, Neck and Spinal Cord Injuries: When a car hits an object, the impact can cause passenger’s necks to snap back resulting in what’s commonly called whiplash. In some cases, whiplash goes away in time. In other circumstances, the way the neck moves can result in severe spine, neck and back injuries and even paralysis.
Shoulder Injury: Shoulder injuries are a common occurrence in drivers using that part of their arm to try and control the car. A shoulder injury can seriously impede movement and lead to years of physical therapy and permanent disability.
Knee Injury: Injuring the joints in your leg such as a knee or ankle can lead to extensive rehabilitation and even permanent damage. It also increases the risk of arthritis developing in the future.
Wrongful Death: In a worse case scenario, fatalities can occur. If a person dies in a car accident, it is considered a wrongful death. Claims can be filed against the responsible party on behalf of eligible survivors who were harmed by the decedent’s death.
Other Injuries: While these are some of the more damaging injuries can occur, when it comes to car accidents injuries, the possibilities are endless. Passengers and drivers can suffer with cuts, lacerations, broken bones, amputations and more.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident Occurs?
After being involved in a car accident, there are steps you should take to document what happened. These actions will help you collect evidence so you can build a strong case.
- Take Pictures: If you are not severely injured, use your phone to take pictures at the scene. Take pictures from all angles capturing images of damages and injuries.
- Call 911: No matter how serious the accident was, it’s a good idea to call 911. The police will create a report that will be a valuable piece of evidence in your case.
- Get Witness’s Contact Info: Get the contact info of witnesses who may be able to testify on your behalf.
- Get Medical Help: No matter how injured you think you may be, it’s always a good idea to get medical care. Injuries can get worse over time and if you wait, it will be difficult to prove your injuries were caused by the accident. Getting immediate medical help will establish a timeline and allow you to track your progress over time.
- Don’t Talk to Insurance Companies: If you talk to an insurance company, you may end up saying something that makes you seem responsible for the accident. It’s best to hold off on talking to providers and let your lawyer do the work.
What Damages Can I Be Compensated For?
If you were involved in a car accident, you are eligible to be compensated for damages including lost wages, medical expenses and emotional pain and suffering. At Luschas, Naparsteck & Crane, LLP we will help you keep track of all the expenses incurred due to your accident including any immediate and future medical bills and any lost wages due to time taken off work to deal with injuries.
We will use our decades of experience to determine what you should be compensated for physical and emotional pain and suffering. We will leave no stone unturned when it comes to making sure you get the justice you deserve.
Do I Have a Case?
The likelihood that you have a case will depend on several factors including how serious your injuries are, who is at fault for your accident, whether or not you need to take time off work and what kind of insurance you have.
If your lawyer determines you have a case, the next step will be proving that the accident was due to negligence. It may seem apparent that a negligent driver caused your accident, but you will also have to have the evidence to prove it.
Evidence can take several forms including police reports, pictures and witness testimonies.
Local traffic laws will also need to be reviewed. For instance, drivers that are responsible for rear end collisions or left turn accidents are almost always found guilty. In other circumstances, determining liability may not be as cut and dried.
Not sure whether you have a case? Come into Luschas, Naparsteck & Crane, LLP for a free evaluation. We will give you an honest answer letting you know whether you have a case or not.
What Will My Car Accident Case Cost?
We understand that money is always a concern. That’s why we never charge our clients unless they win their case. If you don’t get paid, we don’t get paid, it’s that simple.
Why Hire a Lawyer?
A lawyer will help you collect evidence and see to it that you get the justice you deserve. They will argue your case in a court of law increasing your chances of a successful outcome.
While many victims choose to go through insurance to get the money they are owed, this is not always the best idea.
Insurance companies are out for themselves and will often give you a lowball offer. The offer may seem like a lot of money at the time and you may accept just to be done with the case. But in the long run, you’ll find the money they awarded to you barely covers your losses, expenses and pain and suffering.
Furthermore, you never know when you will say something to an insurance company that ends up incriminating you.
It’s always best to go to a lawyer to get the best outcome possible.
Why Luschas, Naparsteck & Crane, LLP?
With so many lawyers out there, it can be hard to find the one that’s right for you. Here’s why Bloomsurg, PA’s Luschas, Naparsteck & Crane, LLP is the best choice.
Our firm has over 40 years of experience dealing with personal injury and car accident cases. Our reputation proceeds us in testimonies from the many satisfied clients we have served. Our skilled team of lawyers have expertise in various areas of law ensuring we will find the representation that’s right for you.
If your quality of life was negatively affected by a car accident, Luschas, Naparsteck & Crane, LLP can help you find the closure you need. Call us for a free consultation to come one step closer to justice being served.
