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Respected Pittsburgh Car Accident Attorneys

Learn what to do after a car accident, and if you’re hurt, call a Pittsburgh car accident lawyer at D’Amico Law Offices, LLC, at 412-906-8180. Free consultation.

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What To Do After A Car Accident: How An Attorney Can Help

Nobody gets behind the wheel or into the passenger’s seat of a car expecting to be in a crash. But when the unexpected happens, the resulting injury or death of a loved one can feel unbearable.

D’Amico Law Offices, LLC, is here to help from day one. Our Pittsburgh car accident lawyers will guide you through the claim process with your own insurance company, the at-fault driver’s insurer, and, if necessary, in court.

Our family-run personal injury litigation firm has a track record of helping individuals and families put their lives back together after serious accidents. We have the legal experience to help and the human experience to care. Reach out at 412-906-8180 or through our online form to set up a consultation.

Female passenger clutching neck while getting out of a car after an accident

Common Car Accidents And Injuries In Pittsburgh

D’Amico Law Offices, LLC, has extensive experience representing individuals and families after motor vehicle accidents. Call us immediately after a:

Our experienced attorneys fight for drivers and passengers injured in crashes to receive maximum compensation from their Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. We’ll also explain when you have the right to sue the at-fault driver under Pennsylvania’s no-fault laws or West Virginia’s fault-based laws.

Common car accident injuries include:

  • Broken bones
  • Soft tissue injuries
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Neck and back injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Complete or partial paralysis
  • Nerve damage
  • Internal organ injuries
  • Burns
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder

When you hire us, you get more than a Pittsburgh car accident lawyer; you gain a family who will advocate on behalf of yours.

Proving Fault After A Crash

Pennsylvania is a no-fault state, which means you’ll rely on your PIP and full or limited tort insurance to cover your medical bills and lost wages. You may have the right to sue the other driver or file a third-party insurance claim — it depends on your insurance coverage.

If you carry full tort insurance, you’ve opted out of the no-fault system. You’ll have to prove the other driver was at fault to win compensation beyond your PIP benefits. We recommend calling us as soon as possible to navigate the state’s complex insurance laws.

When determining how we’ll prove the other driver was at fault, we consider many factors:

Negligence: Most car crash claims rely on proving the other driver was negligent. Every driver is responsible for behaving like a reasonable person. They have to obey traffic laws and drive carefully. A driver is negligent when they don’t behave like a reasonable person and cause a crash that hurts someone else.

Your burden of proof: Most people know the phrase “beyond a reasonable doubt.” In criminal cases, you must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed the crime. But in civil cases, such as car accident claims, the burden of proof is lighter and known as “a preponderance of the evidence.” You have to show the other driver was most likely at fault.

The police report and traffic tickets: We can use the police report to support your claim if the officer noted the other driver was at fault. It also may help your case if the officer cited the driver for violating a traffic law.

Witness testimony: Bystanders who saw the accident may issue statements that help support your case. Our team knows how to find possible witnesses and determine whether their testimony is reliable and helpful to your claim.

What To Do After A Car Accident

The outcome of your insurance claim or lawsuit might depend on what you did after a crash. But don’t panic if you didn’t follow these specific steps – call a Pittsburgh car accident lawyer for guidance.

  • Stay Safe And Help Others
    Always put your and your passengers’ health and safety first after a wreck. Avoiding further injury is more important than getting out of the car and exchanging information. But if you’re OK, help your passengers and anyone who may be hurt. Never leave the accident scene until you’ve spoken with the police or exchanged information with the other driver. Leaving too soon could result in a hit-and-run charge.
  • Call 911
    If anyone appears to be hurt, call 911 to ensure emergency responders arrive right away and transport injury victims to the nearest hospital. Police officers will conduct a review of the scene and write up a crash report. If the crash caused property damage only, call the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police non-emergency number 412-323-7800. However, the police aren’t required to come to the crash site if there are no injuries or fatalities. In this case, you’ll need to file an accident report with the Department of Transportation.
  • Exchange Information with Other Drivers
    Ask the other driver for their name, driver’s license number, and insurance information. It’s often easiest to ask if you can take pictures of their driver’s license and insurance card with your phone. Keep the conversation with the other driver to a minimum. Don’t get angry and yell at them, and don’t apologize or take responsibility. Now isn’t the time to hash out what happened and who’s at fault.
  • Ask for Witnesses’ Names and Information
    If the other vehicle had passengers or other witnesses stopped to help, politely ask for their names, phone numbers, and email addresses.
  • Document the Scene
    If you or a passenger still have a working cell phone, take pictures of the crash scene and anyone’s injuries. Document the damage as thoroughly as you can. It also helps to take notes about the location, road conditions, weather conditions, and any other factors that might be important in the future.
  • See a Doctor
    Either go to the emergency room or see your doctor as soon as possible. This step is essential. To win car accident compensation, you must prove you suffered an injury. Pittsburgh car accident lawyers do that with medical records and, in some cases, a medical expert’s testimony.
  • Notify Your Auto Insurance Company
    As soon as you’re safe and in stable condition, you should notify your insurer about the crash. If your loved one was seriously hurt in an accident, contact their insurer on their behalf. Notification is vital to receiving your PIP and other auto insurance benefits.
  • Don’t Answer Questions Right Away
    It’s best to avoid talking with the other driver’s insurance company until you’ve spoken with an attorney. You want to be sure you provide clear, accurate answers without saying anything that could hurt your claim. A Pittsburgh car accident attorney can help with that.
  • Call a Pittsburgh Car Accident Lawyer
    Insurance companies handle car accidents involving property damage only just fine. But if you suffered injuries or your relative died in the crash, it’s best to hire a car accident law firm in Pittsburgh within days of the crash. D’Amico Law Offices, LLC, can help at any point before you accept a settlement offer, but we can fight for a better outcome if we’re part of your case from the beginning.

Car Accident Compensation

Your possible car accident compensation depends on several factors, including whether you carry full or limited tort insurance. We’ll review your insurance coverage and fight for you to receive the maximum benefits under your policy.

When your policy can’t cover all your damages, we’ll explain how to move forward with a third-party insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit.

Through a claim against the at-fault driver, you can demand compensation for:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Reduced earning capacity
  • Property damage
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional anguish
  • Loss of companionship of a spouse

Blue sedan scratched and dented on the side after an accident

Get In Touch With A Car Accident Lawyer

Car accidents can involve serious injuries and permanent, long-term life changes. If you or a loved one were injured in a car crash, knowing what to do after an accident can help you as you prepare for a legal claim. You should contact a lawyer for advice and guidance early on, so they can prepare you properly for your case.

At D’Amico Law Offices, LLC, we strive to be the best representatives for our clients and fight zealously to obtain the best possible results. We are a family-oriented law firm and treat all of our clients as if they were one of our own. Get in touch with us online or call 412-906-8180 for a free, no-obligation consultation for your case. Taking action is the first step toward regaining control of your life.

Frequently Asked Questions About Car Accidents In Pennsylvania

Understanding car insurance options and legal protocols post-accident can be challenging. To clarify, below we answer some commonly asked questions about car insurance choices and Pennsylvania’s legal framework for managing accidents.

Should I See A Doctor After A Car Accident?

Yes, always see a doctor after a car accident, even if you don’t need to go to the emergency room immediately. You may have sustained an injury without realizing it, like a concussion. Documenting your injuries is vital to winning a personal injury claim.

How Do I Get A Copy Of The Car Accident Report?

You can request a copy of the accident report from the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Central Records and Reporting Unit. You can call 412-255-2920 if you have questions. If the Pennsylvania State Police responded to the incident, request a crash report online. A Pittsburgh car accident lawyer can help you obtain the report as well.

How Much Is My Car Accident Claim Worth?

The value of your car accident damages depends on several factors, including the severity of your injuries and insurance policy limits. It’s best to talk with an experienced Pittsburgh car accident attorney about your specific situation.

What Is The Difference Between ‘Full Tort’ And ‘Limited Tort’ Car Insurance?

Full tort and limited tort are the available options for car insurance coverage in Pennsylvania. The main difference lies in the rights you retain to pursue legal action for personal injury in the event of a car accident.

With limited tort coverage, you have restricted rights to seek compensation for pain and suffering unless the injuries meet certain criteria defined by the state law. The specific criteria outlined in state law include meeting the “serious injury” threshold. This threshold involves sustaining injuries like disfigurement, impairment of bodily function or permanent injury because of the accident.

On the other hand, full tort coverage gives you unlimited rights to pursue compensation for all damages resulting from an accident, including pain and suffering, despite the injuries’ severity.

How Does Pennsylvania’s ‘No-Fault’ System Affect My Car Accident Claim?

Pennsylvania follows a no-fault system for car insurance. This means that after a car accident, each party involved seeks compensation from their insurance provider, regardless of who was at fault for the accident.

Pennsylvania’s no-fault system allows individuals to step outside this framework and pursue legal action against the at-fault party under certain circumstances, such as when the injuries exceed a specified threshold or are deemed severe. However, it also restricts a victim’s ability to sue for noneconomic damages like pain and suffering unless the injuries meet the specific thresholds.

While the no-fault system streamlines the claims process, it can complicate issues for those seeking additional compensation beyond what their insurance covers. This makes it necessary to have a deeper understanding of the state’s regulations or consult an experienced attorney for help navigating car accident cases effectively.

How Much Does A Car Accident Lawyer Cost?

At D’Amico Law Offices, LLC, we accept car accident claims on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing up front. You only pay us if we recover car accident compensation for you. To talk with our respected Pittsburgh car accident lawyers, contact us at 412-906-8180 or through our online form. Your initial consultation is free.