After a car accident, you will likely be faced with a wide array of challenges. Beyond dealing with repairs to your vehicle, you may also be looking at a long recovery time from a severe injury. An injury can mean missed work, and all of these factors will add up financially. Recovering compensation from the liable party can be essential for digging yourself out of a hole.
At Rand Spear, our team of car accident lawyers in Philadelphia, PA, has been helping victims get the money they need for years. We understand the challenges you face after a crash and can help you through this difficult period. Contact us today by phone or through this website to schedule a free case review with a member of our team.
Actions a Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyer Will Take on Your Case
Once you hire a lawyer to work on your car accident case, there are many actions they will take to ensure you recover fair compensation. One of the first things they will do is investigate your accident to establish who is liable and collect evidence that backs up your claim. Steps in this investigation will likely include:
- Visiting the accident scene and taking photographs, and noting any relevant details
- Interviewing eyewitness
- Obtaining a copy of the accident report
- Collecting any photos or videos of the accident
- Consulting experts
- Reviewing your medical records relating to any injuries sustained in the crash
Once your lawyer has completed their investigation, they will assess the damages you incurred and calculate how much your claim is worth. Then they will either file the required paperwork for a claim with the liable party’s insurer or submit documents for a lawsuit with the court.
They will then go through the full process of an insurance claim or car accident lawsuit as they attempt to get you the money you need for your damages.
Recoverable Damages Following an Car Accident
After being injured in an car accident where another party was at fault, you will likely be eligible to collect several types of damages. Some of the damages most often available following an car accident include:
- Mental anguish
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Decreased earning ability
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Diminished quality of life
- Medical bills
- Future medical expenses
- Emotional distress
These compensatory damages are split between the primary categories of economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages account for any monetary loss, while non-economic damages cover every other loss you incur.
Punitive Damages
In a small percentage of cases, punitive damages are also available. Punitive damages are not used to replace the losses incurred by other accident victims. Instead, these damages are used to punish the liable party for their actions.
Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyer Near Me (215) 273-9636
Our Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyers Work on a Contingency Fee Basis
Money worries should never prevent you from hiring an attorney to help you recover compensation after a car accident. Our Philadelphia car accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only collect payment for our services if you recover money from the liable party.
We do not charge clients to retain our services, nor do we bill clients at an hourly rate. Instead, the sole fee our lawyers receive is assessed at the conclusion of your case and comes in the form of a fixed percentage of the compensation you recover. If we fail to get you money, we work for free. That is our no-win, no-fee guarantee.
Since the money paid to our attorneys is taken directly out of the compensation you receive, you will never have to worry about paying your attorney. With this setup, your financial situation will never bar you from being able to secure the services of an experienced lawyer.
Car Accident Cases Typically Conclude With Settlements
If you are attempting to recover compensation for your car accident through a lawsuit, you should know that it is unlikely your case will end up going to court. In most cases, car accident lawsuits end in an out-of-court settlement. This means of finalizing a lawsuit is common because it is generally what is best for all parties involved.
If you manage to reach a settlement agreement, you will be able to recover the money you need quickly while avoiding the unpredictability that is part of a trial. For the defendant, a settlement means less money in legal fees and the ability to avoid unwanted media exposure.
Although your case is unlikely to make it to trial, it is still critical that you prepare to go to court. There is still a chance that you and the at-fault party will not be able to reach a settlement agreement. If a deal can not be reached, you will have to fight for the money you need in the courtroom.
Be Sure to File Your Lawsuit Before Time Runs Out
If attempting to recover compensation by suing the liable party, you will need to ensure that you file your lawsuit on time. In New Jersey, accident victims have up to two years to file a lawsuit in most cases. Missing this deadline could mean the loss of your right to pursue damages.
In most cases, the deadline set forth by the statute of limitations is quite firm. However, in some situations, you may be able to file a lawsuit even if the usual two-year cutoff has already passed. Because of this, it is essential that you contact a Philadelphia, PA, car accident lawyer even if you think you have already missed your chances of collecting damages.
At the same time, the details of a case can further restrict the amount of time an accident victim has to file a lawsuit. Instead of two years, you could be limited to a matter of months. Hiring an attorney as soon as possible after your accident will help keep you from being caught off guard by an unexpected deadline.
Get a Free Consultation With an Car Accident Attorney in Philadelphia Today
Hiring an experienced attorney will give you the best chance of securing a favorable outcome for your case. At Rand Spear, our team of car accident lawyers in Philadelphia has a long history of making the liable party pay for the damages inflicted upon our clients.
Reach out to us today by giving us a call or filling out our contact form and schedule a free consultation.
Call or text (215) 273-9636 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
