No person should have to contend with severe injuries and various other issues because of the negligent actions of another. If you were injured because of the actions of another, our firm could help you pursue compensation for your injuries.
If you or a family member suffered an injury because of the negligent actions of another, you should consult with an experienced Allentown personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. The Reiff Law Firm is here to offer you the legal representation that you deserve to litigate your personal injury claim. We recognize how a severe injury can affect a person’s life, and we are here for you in your time of need. You do not have to fight your case alone.
To schedule a free consultation to discuss your potential lawsuit with our personal injury lawyers, contact the Reiff Law Firm at (215) 709-6940.
Common Personal Injury Claims Our Firm Handles in Allentown, PA
If you were injured in an accident in Allentown, you might be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against the person responsible for the accident. The type of claim you file will largely depend on the circumstances of your case, as personal injury encompasses a wide range of cases. However, some personal injury lawsuits are far more prevalent than others. The following is a list of common causes of personal injury claims that our firm is ready to litigate on your behalf.
Car Accidents
A car accident might happen for a wide range of reasons. When a negligent driver decides to operate a vehicle, they place many people at risk of being injured. For example, if a driver operates a car while they are fatigued, they could easily fall asleep at the wheel and cause a serious accident.
There are various reasons that might lead to car accidents, and it is important to be aware of them to prevent them from occurring. Some of the most common factors that contribute to car accidents include driving under the influence of alcohol, disregarding traffic signals, exceeding the speed limit, experiencing a tire blowout, and failing to adjust driving habits for adverse weather conditions.
Our team understands the dangers of being involved in a serious car accident, and we are here for you in your time of need. We handle a broad range of car accident claims, from bus and train accidents to motorcycle crashes.
Product Liability
A consumer should not have a reason to doubt whether a product they purchased will work adequately. Unfortunately, some companies might quickly manufacture goods without performing sufficient safety and quality tests. As a result, a consumer could buy a product that has the potential to seriously injure them even when used correctly. As a result, the maker of the product could be held liable for their negligent actions.
It is also important to note that there are often multiple people or entities that can be sued when a product malfunction occurs. Our firm can help you identify the parties that should be named in a product liability lawsuit.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall cases are a type of premises liability claim. A premises liability claim typically arises because a negligent property owner failed to keep their land free of hazards that could injure a visitor or patron. In some cases, a property owner might even be liable for an injury to a trespasser.
Slip and fall accidents happen under a broad range of circumstances. For example, if the owner of a parking lot failed to fill in potholes on their property, they could be held liable if a customer trips on a pothole and fractures their hip upon hitting the ground.
Slip and fall accidents can occur because of a variety of circumstances. For instance, walking on unplowed snow and ice can lead to a loss of balance and result in a fall. Similarly, failure to clean spills or put up wet floor signs can cause someone to slip and fall. Broken sections of steps or pavement can also be hazardous and cause a person to trip. Moreover, inadequate lighting in areas where a person could potentially trip is another contributing factor to slip and fall accidents.
We can help you explore your legal options if you were injured and wish to file a personal injury lawsuit. We handle many other types of personal injury cases in addition to the ones discussed above.
How the Personal Injury Lawsuit Process Works in Allentown, PA
Navigating the legal system for personal injury cases in Allentown can be a daunting and overwhelming process. However, understanding the process and having our personal injury attorneys on your side can help alleviate some of the stress and uncertainty associated with pursuing legal action. We will handle all aspects of your case, allowing you to focus on your recovery and getting back to your daily life. The following steps are what you can expect after filing a lawsuit in Allentown:
The Initial Case Review
The first step in pursuing a personal injury lawsuit is to schedule an initial consultation with one of our experienced attorneys. During this meeting, you will have the opportunity to discuss the details of your case and the potential damages you might be entitled to. Our team will listen carefully to your story, review any relevant evidence, and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your claim.
Investigation and Evidence Gathering
Once you have chosen our firm to represent you in your case, we will begin an in-depth investigation to gather all necessary evidence. This process entails a thorough analysis of medical records, accident reports, and statements from witnesses, in addition to consultations with experts in various relevant fields like accident reconstruction and medical treatment.
Evidence is critical to tell the story of your incident, and it will need to be submitted along with your complaint to substantiate your initial claims. In addition, it will be necessary for future settlement negotiations.
File Your Complaint
After collecting all the necessary evidence related to your case, our team will move forward to create a comprehensive document called the complaint. This document will contain all the essential details and specifics of your lawsuit, including the compensation you are seeking.
Our team will take care of identifying the court that has jurisdiction over your case and submitting the complaint on your behalf. Once the complaint is filed, the legal process begins. However, just filing the complaint is not enough. It must also be served on the defendant. Before filing the complaint, our legal team will identify the location where the defendant can be served so that the complaint can be served immediately upon filing.
Discovery
At this stage, the legal process requires gathering more direct evidence through a process known as discovery. During the discovery phase, both parties in the case exchange information and evidence related to the case. This might include written interrogatories that are answered under oath, requests for documents such as medical records and accident reports, and depositions where witnesses provide sworn testimony outside of court.
During a deposition, each side is questioned by opposing counsel. This questioning can cover a wide range of topics related to the case, and the responses are given under oath. This phase enables both sides to gather information that can bolster their case or uncover weaknesses in the other side’s argument. The information gathered during the discovery phase is used to build your case and to prepare for trial.
Settlement Negotiations
Once we complete the discovery phase, the next step of the legal process is to try and reach a settlement with the insurance company before going to trial. This process involves presenting all the evidence and arguments we have gathered during the discovery phase that supports your claim, as well as discussing potential settlement amounts and terms.
Negotiating a settlement out of court can be beneficial for both parties involved. It can save significant time and resources while still ensuring that you receive fair compensation for your injuries.
However, the longer a case goes on, the more resources it takes to conclude it successfully. So, if we are unable to reach a fair settlement during negotiations, we might need to proceed with a trial to fight for your rights and protect your interests in the case.
Trial
If your case cannot be settled through negotiations, we are prepared to take it to trial. This means that both parties will present their evidence and arguments to a judge or jury. It will be their responsibility to determine whether the defendant is liable and, if so, how much compensation you are entitled to receive.
Trials can be lengthy and complex, requiring you to provide detailed testimony and evidence. However, not all cases will go to trial, as most insurance companies and defense attorneys prefer to resolve matters through alternative means.
Determining Liability in an Allentown, PA Personal Injury Lawsuit
Liability is an important aspect of a personal injury lawsuit in Allentown. A plaintiff must identify the person or entity responsible for their injuries and prove how they acted negligently. This will require the defendant to have sufficient evidence to show the defendant’s negligence. For example, taking photos of the scene of the accident and the damage to yourself and your property will help paint a picture of how the accident occurred.
In some cases, a plaintiff might even require the need of an expert to prove their case. For example, a medical expert can help show how a doctor committed medical malpractice.
Our firm can help investigate your case and help you collect evidence that will be instrumental in fighting for the damages you deserve. This evidence will also be vital when calculating damages for your injuries and other losses.
Damages You Can Recover in an Allentown, PA Personal Injury Lawsuit
When an individual who has suffered a personal injury wins their lawsuit, they are compensated financially based on the harm that their injuries have caused. In the legal field, this compensation is commonly known as “damages.” Damages are determined based on both economic and non-economic losses.
Economic Damages
Economic damages refer to the financial losses that a victim experiences as a direct result of an accident. These losses can take many forms, including medical expenses, lost wages, and missed opportunities for advancement.
Medical expenses might include the cost of emergency care, doctor’s visits, medications, and any necessary medical equipment or devices. Lost wages can result from missed work because of the injury, as well as the reduced ability to work in the future.
Additionally, the victim might miss out on opportunities for promotion or career advancement if they are unable to work as a result of their injuries.
Non-Economic Damages
While economic damages cover the quantifiable financial losses that the victim has incurred because of the injury, such as medical expenses and lost wages, non-economic damages are meant to compensate the victim for the more subjective and intangible impacts of the injury. These impacts can take many forms but usually include things like chronic pain, disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life, and damage to personal relationships.
When a court calculates non-economic damages, they will consider a variety of factors, including the severity and duration of the injury, the impact it has had on the victim’s life, and the extent to which the injury was caused by the defendant’s negligence. We can help you understand how a court might calculate these damages and can work to find expert witnesses who can help quantify the harm you have suffered in financial terms.
Our Allentown Personal Injury Attorney Can Help
For a free case assessment, speak with our personal injury lawyers at The Reiff Law Firm today by calling (215) 709-6940.
