Pennsylvania & New Jersey Personal Injury Lawyers
:sssIf you have been injured because of another negligence, you have the right to pursue legal compensation for your damages from the responsible party. Personal injuries can result from many types of negligence-based accidents or incidents, including traffic accidents, slip and fall accidents on another’s premises, swimming pool accidents, public transportation accidents, boating accidents, and more.
An injury claim must be submitted to the negligent party’s insurance company, which may result in settlement negotiations or trial. If you have been injured due to another’s negligence, contact an experienced personal injury attorney in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at the Law Offices of Eric A. Shore. We may be able to help you obtain compensation for your medical expenses, loss of wages or earning capacity, pain, suffering, emotional trauma, and/or permanent disability.
Why Do You Need a Personal Injury Attorney in PA or NJ?
If you had only minor injuries and little property damage, employing an attorney might not be worthwhile. However, if you were wounded in a catastrophic auto accident, you may need to consult with an attorney. Medical expenses can skyrocket during therapy for significant injuries, leading insurance companies to hesitate to pay out fair settlement amounts.
The goal of insurance companies is to pay as little as possible. A personal injury attorney must represent you if you wish to stand up to insurance companies and combat their stalling tactics. Our seasoned personal injury attorneys can optimize the value of your case and guarantee that your injuries are supported by medical bills, medical records, and other documentation.
Here’s what our Pennsylvania and New Jersey-based attorneys can offer:
Reduce Stress
If you have been injured in a vehicle accident, you do not need the added worry of handling your claims on your own. Our skilled personal injury attorney in Philadelphia can collect medical records, medical bills, and other financial papers. We can also interact with insurance providers to safeguard your interests.
Avoid The Risks of Working Alone
Many unforeseen events may occur throughout a personal injury case. If you deal with insurance firms directly, they will use your words against you. They can lower your payout or even deny your claim altogether.
Hiring us is the most effective way to prevent these issues as you pursue your case. You should concentrate on healing and recovering from your injuries while our personal injury attorneys handle your case.
Courtroom Experience
If your personal injury lawsuit advances to state or federal court, you should be represented by a competent lawyer. We have the experience to deal with other attorneys and insurance claims adjusters. If you believe your case will proceed to court, you should consult our qualified Philadelphia personal injury attorney.
Knowledge of Specific State Legislation
Insurance and personal injury lawsuits are governed by statutes that vary by state. To pursue a personal injury case, you must comprehend the laws that support your claims. As a citizen of Pennsylvania or New Jersey, you need an attorney who understands the applicable state personal injury law and how it applies to your case.
Assessment of Who is Responsible for Your Injuries
You may be aware that another motorist hit your vehicle, but you may not understand that you can also hold the driver’s company accountable because the driver was on the job. Our skilled personal injury attorney in Pennsylvania will uncover all potential compensation sources and construct evidence of legal culpability. Calculating what your claim is worth.
Calculating Compensation
The calculation for damages involves more than simply adding up medical bills. We will consider lost income, future losses, pain, suffering, and other factors. Numerous individuals underestimate the financial compensation they receive, resulting in low settlement and future out-of-pocket expenses. Having us on your side will guarantee you receive all the payment you deserve.
What Constitutes Personal Injury?
Personal injury typically refers to bodily or emotional harm, as opposed to property damage. An accident victim could file a personal injury claim if their injuries were the consequence of negligent conduct committed by an individual or entity.
Types of Accidents
Many different types of accidents can lead to serious injuries or even wrongful death for those involved. If negligence is the underlying cause, accident victims may have the right to pursue a personal injury claim or lawsuit against the parties responsible under personal injury laws. Auto accidents are the most common type of negligence-based accidents.
Traffic accidents involving cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles, bicycles, buses, heavy commercial trucks, or pedestrians may result in personal injury.
Accidents may occur in a variety of ways; rear-end collisions, front-end collisions, T-bone or sideswipe crashes, rollovers with roof crushes, crashes caused by or exacerbated by defective auto parts, defective road maintenance or design, or faulty signage or traffic control devices. Below are different types of accidents that may cause injuries:
ACCIDENTS
BELOW ARE DIFFERENT TYPES OF ACCIDENTS THAT MAY CAUSE INJURIES:
Car Accident
Most of us have been comfortably driving cars since we passed the test as teenagers. When we get into our cars every morning, we may not recognize the substantial life-or-death risk we take to get where we need to go. No matter how skilled a driver you are, you are not the only person on the road. It only takes a blink of an eye for a text message, distracting thought, or fatigue to become a car accident. If you are the victim of a car accident that was someone else's fault, please contact us for a free consultation.
Boat Accident
Being on the water is a wonderful way to spend a day. However, depending on the weather, the condition of the boat, and the abilities of the captain, boating can be hazardous. Whether you are injured in a boat accident or fire or are struggling with related insurance issues, please contact us for a free consultation.
Truck Accident
Trucks transport almost 70% of all US goods annually. There are over 5.5 million of these large vehicles registered in the US. It is nearly impossible to drive anywhere without sharing a road with one. Trucks can pose a considerable threat, even when operated by the most careful truck driver. If you have been involved in an accident with a truck and it was not your fault, don't hesitate to contact us for a free initial consultation.
Workers' Compensation
For most of us, working is a fact of life. No one should ever be injured while working; however, people suffer from injuries sustained daily at their jobs. All jobs have their dangers, whether you work in an office or clean the windows of skyscrapers. If you strained your back picking up a box of copier paper, broke your leg on a construction site, or were injured on the job in some other way, don't hesitate to call us for a free initial consultation.
Slip and Fall
Walking is one of the best and healthiest ways to get around. Unfortunately, because of icy sidewalks, crumbling staircases, and wet or uneven floors, many people are injured in slip-and-fall accidents in this country daily. If you were injured in a slip and fall accident, please contact us for a free consultation.
Motorcycle Accident
When a motorcyclist gets into an accident, the results can be much worse than an accident involving cars or trucks. Drivers of cars have a steel frame and a variety of safety features such as seat belts and airbags to protect them in case of an accident. Motorcycle drivers are more vulnerable and prone to severe or fatal motorcycle injuries.
Construction Site Accident
America is investing a lot of money in construction projects to improve our roads, bridges, and buildings. No matter where you go, you see something being built or updated. Of course, this growth in construction comes with an increase in dangerous conditions. Even with the best safety measures, accidents can still happen. If you were injured as a result of any construction accident, please contact us immediately for a free initial consultation.
What Are the Important Things You Must Do If You Were Injured in an Accident?
The actions you take following an accident are genuinely crucial. Your actions can affect your health and safety and your capacity to bring a successful claim for damages.
Report the Incident
Notify 911, your employer, or the company or property owner. You must report the accident to ensure that it is recorded in writing.
Seem Medical Attention
Consult a physician as soon as possible. This will guarantee that all of your injuries are correctly identified and addressed. In addition, it will provide evidence that may be utilized to establish the connection between your accident and injuries.
Never Apologize
Even saying “I’m very sorry” after an accident can affect your compensation. Other parties and insurers may attempt to distort your statements and use them out of context to claim that you caused the situation.
Don’t Accept Early Settlement Offers
Insurance companies are not motivated by your best interests. Ultimately, they are in business to generate profit. Consider why they would offer you money so soon after your catastrophic injury. Insurers frequently give quick settlements when they know the victim has a strong case that can cost them more money if it escalates.
It is far more difficult for insurance companies to have the upper hand against an experienced attorney. Contact us at the Law Offices of Eric A. Shore and request that our staff handle your personal injury accident case from start to end.
Why Should You Pursue a Personal Injury Lawsuit?
Listed below are some reasons for filing a personal injury lawsuit:
Pay for Medical Costs
Some personal injuries may necessitate several doctor visits, emergency medical bills, or surgical procedures. Counseling, therapy, and other types of mental health care may be required if you have experienced mental or emotional suffering. Even with insurance, these costs can quickly accumulate and overwhelm even the most financially sound individuals.
Filing a claim for your injuries can pay the accident-related medical expenses. In certain instances, personal injury claims may also cover future medical expenditures.
Recoup Additional Damages
Due to your injury, you may experience a decreased quality of life or a broken relationship. For example, if you lose the ability to use your legs due to a motor vehicle accident, you may seek maximum compensation for the things you would miss out on in life.
Prevent Future Accidents
Perhaps one of the fundamental reasons to file a claim for personal injury is to help prevent future mishaps. If a careless driver causes an auto accident, society will want the driver to be held responsible. Pursuing damages and revealing the individual’s guilt in the accident will discourage them from participating in a dangerous activity in the future. Additionally, it might serve as an example for others.
Accountability
It is vital to hold your insurance company and the negligent party responsible. Insurance firms will likely attempt to reimburse accident victims with a low settlement offer to safeguard their interests. Filing a claim for personal injury and getting legal counsel throughout the process assures that you will have assistance fighting for the compensation you deserve for your losses.
Who Might Be Responsible for Your Injuries?
Under Pennsylvania law, anybody who intentionally or negligently caused you injury may be liable for your costs and suffering. Depending on the nature of the accident, this may include:
- Negligent drivers
- Business owners
- Government institutions
- Product manufacturers
- Medical practitioners
- Nursing personnel and facilities
- Property owners
- Enterprises
Multiple parties may share responsibility for your injuries. Our skilled personal injury attorney in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, will conduct a comprehensive investigation into the cause of your accident. Once we have determined the reason, we may identify those who share responsibility and attempt to hold them accountable.
How Can You Prove Liabilities for Your Injuries?
Such incidents generally include a negligence claim, which can be difficult to show when deciding blame or fault. When a defendant confesses to an accident and the resulting injuries, it is easier to establish liability. However, this is not always the case.
Therefore, you will likely need many types of proof to provide the insurance company or court with a comprehensive and thorough account of the event and your injuries. Evidence can include:
- Images and recordings of the incident
- Legal records, such as police reports and contracts
- Witness statements
- Medical files
- Documentation of every correspondence between concerned parties
- Insurance claims
How to Prove Another Party’s Negligence?
Typically, personal injury lawsuits are filed because an individual’s negligent behavior led to an accident that injured another individual. Negligence is any conduct or activity that resulted in injury to another individual and did not reach the standard of reasonable care a typical and practical person would be expected to exercise.
You must show the following elements of negligence:
Duty
The defendant owes you a duty under the law. For instance, all drivers owe other motorists a legal duty of care.
Breach
You must demonstrate that the defendant violated or broke a legal duty. For instance, considering the previous scenario, if the defendant responded to an email while driving, that would constitute a breach of their duty.
Causation
The defendant’s negligence should have resulted in your injuries. Typically, this legal aspect is readily apparent. For example, if the collision between your car and the defendant’s vehicle occurred because the defendant was texting while driving, then the causation is clear.
Damages
You should have suffered actual, typically monetary, damages due to the accident. This may include medical costs, property damage, pain and suffering, and missed wages.
What Damages Can You Receive?
If you decide to file a personal injury claim against the insurance company, your employer, or another party, it is essential to understand the types of compensation available to you. Depending on the outcome of your case, you may receive the following:
- Medical Services. You may be eligible for compensation for accident-related medical expenses. This may involve physical therapy and other forms of aftercare.
- Income Loss. Your personal injury may impact your current and future income.
- Property Damage. The Law Firm of Eric A. Shore will assist in determining liability for lost or damaged property.
- Pain and Suffering. Pain immediately following an incident, as well as chronic pain or discomfort, can harm your lifestyle and talents.
- Emotional Struggle. After a stressful event, many individuals experience worry, panic, or disorientation, as well as sleeplessness.
- Funeral and Burial Expenses. If you lost a loved one from wrongful death, you might be entitled to compensation for funeral costs.
- Loss of Pleasure. Your personal injury may hinder your ability to engage in your favorite activities, such as fishing, hiking, or crafts, which will negatively affect your way of life.
- Loss of Consortium. This refers to the loss of a relationship or relationship characteristics that negatively influence the injured family and close friends. This may include the lack of companionship or the inability to engage in sexual activity.
Your family may even be able to collect damages, depending on how and why your accident impacted their connection with you. Our competent Philadelphia personal injury attorney can help you determine your choices for pursuing the compensation you deserve.
Can You Still Receive Compensation If You Were Partially Responsible for the Accident?
The state of Pennsylvania employs modified comparative negligence legislation with a recovery threshold of 51%. Under this approach, you are eligible for compensation if you are given less than 51% of the responsibility. If you are mainly at fault, you forfeit the right to demand damages.
Furthermore, damages will be reduced proportionally to your degree of responsibility. If you are found to be 15% at blame, your monetary reward is supposed to be $100,000; then you would only receive $85,000.
Sometimes unfairly, insurance firms utilize this provision to their advantage. The skilled Philadelphia personal injury attorney at the Law Offices of Eric A. Shore will contest attempts to attribute fault for your accident to you.
How Long Do You Have Before You Can File a Lawsuit?
The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Pennsylvania is two years from the date of the accident. Pursuing your claim for two years may seem like a long time. It isn’t. Investigation, negotiation, and trial preparation need time. By calling our qualified personal injury attorney, you should assert your rights as soon as possible.
Contact our Philadelphia or New Jersey Personal Injury Lawyers Today
If you are looking for a personal injury attorney in Philadelphia, contact the Law Offices of Eric A. Shore now to book a free consultation. We care for our clients and do not want you to risk losing the monetary compensation that the law entitles you.
Hiring our experienced personal injury attorney in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, will allow you to focus on yourself and your family while a professional like us handles the legal end of things.
