Weatherly is a rural community in Pennsylvania that does not have much in the way of public transit. As such, most residents get around by car. Unfortunately, this means accidents happen from time to time, and people sometimes get hurt.
Injured drivers in Pennsylvania may file no-fault insurance claims with their own insurance provider. Whether you can sue for your damages depends on what kind of insurance you have and the nature of your injuries. If you have limited tort coverage, you may only sue if you have a serious injury. If you have full tort coverage, you do not have to prove serious injuries to sue the other driver.
Our car accident attorneys can help you begin with a free, private case review when you call The Reiff Law Firm at (215) 709-6940.
How Do You Prove the Other Driver Caused Your Accident?
If you believe another driver is directly responsible for a car accident, you cannot get compensation for your injuries unless you have proof of your claim.
Call the Police
You should call 911 for emergency help after an accident, and make sure to ask for the police. The police may take control of the scene, get injured drivers to safety while they wait for an ambulance, and begin investigating the crash. The police may help us uncover valuable evidence that we might otherwise miss.
Photograph the Scene
As you wait for help, try to take photos of the accident scene. Photograph your car, the other car, license plates, and specific areas of damage. If you are injured, try to photograph your injuries, if you can. These photos may be used as evidence later.
Obtain Video Footage
If possible, our car accident lawyers will try to find video footage of the accident. Nearby security cameras might have recorded the crash, or you or other drivers involved might have had dashcams. Video footage can be very powerful, and it is often difficult for defendants to dispute in court.
Interview Witnesses
Witness testimony can help us paint a clearer picture of the accident. If other people saw the accident or stopped to help, we should interview them to see if they have valuable information and testimony.
You should exchange names and contact information with as many people as possible at the accident scene. Doing so will help us locate potential witnesses later.
How Do You File Insurance Claims After a Car Accident in Weatherly, PA?
Insurance is a crucial part of your car accident case. In Pennsylvania, you must have no-fault insurance and, depending on your policy, you might be restricted from suing.
Full Tort Insurance
You may elect full tort insurance, which allows you to sue for a car accident under almost any circumstances. Such coverage does not restrict your ability to file a lawsuit.
Limited Tort Insurance
If you have limited tort coverage, you can still sue, but only under specific circumstances. You must have a “serious injury” as defined by your insurance policy to sue. If you cannot prove a serious injury, you might be unable to pursue a lawsuit.
Can You Sue for an Accident in Weatherly, PA?
Depending on your insurance and the extent of your injuries, you can sue the person or people responsible for the car accident.
Sue the At-Fault Driver
First, we should consider suing the driver directly responsible for the accident. If they were speeding, failed to signal, ran a red light, drove recklessly, or did anything else that can be directly linked to the accident, they should be held accountable.
Suing Multiple Drivers
In multi-vehicle accidents, more than one driver may be responsible for the accident. In such cases, you may include as many defendants as necessary to cover the fully extent of our damages.
Suing a Driver’s Employer
If a negligent driver was working when they caused a car accident, such as a delivery driver or truck driver, their employer should be included in the case. Employers may be held vicariously liable for accidents caused by negligent employees, and they often have greater resources to pay for damages.
FAQs About Getting Compensation After a Car Accident in Weatherly, PA
How Can You Get Compensation for a Car Accident from Insurance?
You may get compensation by filing a first-party claim with your no-fault insurance. If that is not enough, you can file claims with the at-fault driver’s liability coverage or your uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, if you have any.
Who Can You Sue for Compensation After a Car Crash?
You may sue for damages depending on what kind of insurance you have and the extent of your injuries. You may sue the other driver, multiple drivers, or even a driver’s employer if they were working when the accident happened.
How Do You Prove Your Claims for Damages in a Car Accident Case?
To prove your claims, we must have evidence. We should review police reports to find any evidence we might not have already. We should also speak to witnesses, obtain video evidence, and review medical records about your injuries.
Does it Take Long to Get Compensation for a Car Accident?
Sometimes. Before you can take your case to court, you must navigate the insurance process, which can take several months in some cases. Once you file a lawsuit, it may be several more months before your case comes to a trial. It is not unusual for some cases to take as long as a year to finish.
Contact Our Weatherly, PA Car Accident Attorneys for Legal Help Today
Our car accident attorneys can help you begin with a free, private case review when you call The Reiff Law Firm at (215) 709-6940.
