If you have been injured while traveling in or around Williamsport, you may feel physically and emotionally drained. Between paying for your hospital stay, doctors’ appointments, physical therapy, and other medical expenses, you may feel exhausted just trying to return to your old self. Sadly, the insurance company may repeatedly offer you low settlements, making it difficult to get the help you need.
Suppose you or a loved one has recently fallen victim to a crash in Williamsport, PA. In that case, the car accident lawyers at Shollenberger, Januzzi & Wolfe LLP are here to assist you in navigating the complex claims process. Attempting to settle on your own may result in receiving less than you deserve. To take control of the situation, do not hesitate to contact our legal team today.
What is Required to Prove Fault?
Negligence is defined as using less than reasonable care in performing a task, causing harm to someone to whom you owe a duty to protect. In a car accident case, this boils down to the following:
- Duty of Care: All motorists owe a duty to other road users. This entails adhering to traffic laws and regulations.
- Breach of Duty: A driver breaches their duty when they fail to follow the rules of the road. This may involve running a red light, speeding, or failing to yield right-of-way.
- Causation: Your injuries were the direct result of the other driver’s actions. If not for their actions, you would not be harmed.
- Damages: Suppose you have sustained measurable losses (damages). Common car accident damages include medical expenses, lost wages, and vehicle repairs. A car accident attorney can help you collect invoices, bills, and other documentation to demonstrate damages.
Gathering Evidence to Establish Fault
Gathering the following information at the accident scene can support your case:
Video Footage
A dashcam, cell phone, or surveillance camera can capture video of the crash. Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure generally permit the admission of video evidence at trial that is not privileged (protected from disclosure).
Photographs
Any pictures that you can take of vehicle debris, skid marks, the final resting position of vehicles, or the location of the event can be critical to your claim. Photos can provide missing clues that can help an accident reconstruction or car accident lawyer piece together what occurred.
Vehicle Crash Report
Although the officer may not have observed the accident directly, a crash report offers essential information that can help you estimate repair costs. Furthermore, the report usually states who the officer believes is at fault based on the collected details.
Eyewitness Testimony
A bystander who witnessed the accident can describe what they saw or heard and the general atmosphere at the scene. If you do see anyone lingering after the wreck, be sure to get their names and phone numbers. Having their contact information can be helpful if they are to be deposed at a later date.
What Losses May Be Reimbursed?
The insurance claims process can be daunting, with a claims adjuster questioning the seriousness of your injuries. You may even have your claim denied or be offered a lower settlement that barely covers your necessities. Given all the hassle, you may consider paying for your costs out-of-pocket.
You deserve adequate compensation for your hardship. The wrongful party should pay for your losses, none of which is your responsibility. Any compensable losses are eligible to be recovered if you provide proof of these losses. These damages may be tangible in nature, such as lost wages, medical expenses, and vehicle repairs, as well as intangible losses, including the infliction of emotional distress, pain and suffering, and permanent disability. In retaining experienced counsel, you will have a solid foundation to recoup the entirety of your losses.
Our Car Accident Lawyers Providing Skilled Counsel
If you have been injured in a motor vehicle crash, you likely feel perplexed. Sadly, even the most cautious drivers can find themselves victims of a collision. At Shollenberger Januzzi & Wolfe, we take a personal interest in the outcome of each case in Williamsport, PA. If you are interested in recovering the most compensation for your injuries, our car accident attorneys are eager to speak with you. To get started, contact us online or by phone at (717) 229-6580 to schedule your free case evaluation.