Each year, over 40,000 people die in motor vehicle accidents, with millions suffering serious injuries. Even as car manufacturers continually add and update safety features, traffic collisions continue to rise. If you have recently been involved in a crash and are unsure whom to contact, our legal team is available to answer any questions.
Our car accident injury attorneys combine legal insight with exceptional negotiation skills to help our clients recover the maximum compensation. Do not wait another moment to schedule your free consultation to learn what damages you may be eligible to recoup.
Do I Have “Limited Tort” or “Full Tort” Coverage?
Pennsylvania auto insurance coverage is unique in that drivers can choose between at-fault and no-fault coverage. This modified no-fault system makes the Commonwealth a “choice no-fault” state. Drivers are given the option to choose between “limited tort” and “full tort” coverage. While “limited tort” coverage only permits a driver to recover for monetary losses, such as medical costs and lost wages, “full tort” coverage would allow you to recover for non-economic damages as well. “Full tort” coverage will enable drivers to sue in court for full damages as long as they prove the other driver’s fault.
However, there are exceptions in which you may experience the advantage of a “full tort” policy even if you only have “limited tort” coverage. This includes if you sustained a serious injury or one of the other several exceptions under Pennsylvania law. Given the complexity of car insurance claims in the state, you must speak with a member of our Lebanon car accident team to discuss your options as well as alternatives to litigation.
Potential Damages in a Car Accident Claim
A driver who experiences an accident in Pennsylvania may be eligible to recover economic or non-economic damages. As previously discussed, the type of policy you carry will be the deciding factor in what kinds of damages you may receive through a settlement or award.
Economic damages comprise any financial losses that directly take money out of a person’s bank account. Under a “limited tort” policy, car accident victims may be eligible to recover the following economic damages:
- Lost wages
- Emergency room care
- Surgeries and procedures
- Prescriptions
- Medical imaging and laboratory testing
- Medical equipment, such as wheelchairs, walkers, and crutches
- Physical therapy and other rehabilitative therapies
- Home modifications
In contrast, noneconomic damages encompass any intangible losses that affect a person’s emotional or mental health. Although these damages are more difficult to calculate, our legal team’s attention to detail ensures that you are compensated for the entirety of your losses.
Common non-economic damages in a car accident case include any of the following:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of companionship and society
- Infliction of emotional distress
- Damage to reputation
- Disfigurement and/or scarring
- Humiliation
- Permanent disability
- Loss of consortium
Representing You in a Variety of Car Accident Claims
Our legal team has experience working with individuals who have fallen victim to the following types of accidents:
- Accidents involving two or more motorists
- Truck collisions and other commercial vehicle crashes
- Motorcycle accidents
- Accidents caused by hazardous roads or improper highway maintenance
- Bicycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Drunk driving accidents
- Hit-and-run accidents
- Injuries suffered by professional drivers
Speak with Our Dedicated Injury Lawyers Today
A car accident can happen in the blink of an eye, turning your world upside down. At Shollenberger Januzzi & Wolfe, LLP, we understand the anxiety that accompanies a collision. If you or a family member has been injured in a crash in Lebanon or the surrounding area, you deserve to have your interests protected. That is why our legal team is devoted to helping clients secure the maximum compensation possible while streamlining the process. To arrange your free consultation with a Lebanon car accident attorney, contact our office online or by phone at (717) 229-6580.