Personal injury accidents can be devastating enough, let alone if they take place on the property of a good friend. If you slipped and fell on a friend’s property and sustained serious injuries, it can be an uncomfortable situation. Most likely, you do not want to sue your friend for compensation to cover your damages. Continue reading below to learn more about what can be done in these situations and contact an experienced Pennsylvania personal injury attorney for assistance.
Do I Have to Sue my Friend for Compensation?
When dealing with situations where you are injured on a friend’s property, it can be a relief to know that the property owner is not responsible for your medical expenses, lost wages, or pain and suffering. Instead, their homeowner’s insurance is responsible for paying these costs. This is because one of the main purposes of a homeowner’s insurance company is the “duty to defend.” This means the company must defend a homeowner if a claim is brought against them. It is because of this that, if you are injured on their property, the insurance company takes over the claim instantly and pays for the amount of the claim up to the limits on the homeowner’s insurance.
What Do I Do After an Accident?
After falling and becoming injured on a friend’s property, there are certain steps you can take to protect your right to compensation. This includes the following:
- Notify the homeowner, even though it may feel uncomfortable to do so. However, you need their insurance information to receive proper coverage.
- Request your medical bills as soon as possible. This helps your claim if the insurance company tries to dispute your injuries.
- Document everything about the incident that you can. This includes taking pictures of the property and the hazard that caused your accident, making a list of witnesses, keeping track of medical expenses, etc.
- Contact an experienced personal injury attorney who can assist your case.
How Long Do I Have to Pursue Legal Action?
A personal injury claim must be filed within a certain period of time. This is because there is a statute of limitations that requires the injured party to meet a deadline. If they fail to do so, the individual can lose their opportunity to pursue legal action entirely. In the state of Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the injury.
Contact our Firm
If you or a loved one has been in a personal injury accident in Pennsylvania, it’s important that you contact an experienced Philadelphia personal injury attorney to help you with your case. Contact Spear Greenfield to get the right attorney in your corner.
Call or text (215) 985-2424 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
