Can You Sue For A Car Accident If You Are Not Hurt in Philadelphia?
Ryan Zavodnick | September 24, 2021 | Car Accidents
If you’re injured in a car accident in Philadelphia, you can typically pursue compensation for your medical bills and similar losses by filing a claim to collect from your own insurance. This is because Pennsylvania is a no-fault state.
In a no-fault state, it doesn’t matter whose negligence caused an accident. An injured party’s first step in seeking compensation is to work through their own insurance. In Pennsylvania, you can also file an additional claim or lawsuit to collect from the insurance of a negligent party if your injuries are particularly severe.
However, there are instances when car accidents don’t result in injury. But such accidents still may cause other costly losses. For example, a car accident that doesn’t leave you injured can still result in property damage. You may be wondering whether you have grounds to seek compensation in these circumstances. Keep reading to learn what you need to know.
Seeking Compensation After a Philadelphia Car Accident That Didn’t Result in Injuries: What Are Your Options?
Typically, you do have the option of pursuing compensation after a car accident in Pennsylvania that caused property damage but didn’t cause injuries. This is due to Pennsylvania’s minimum insurance requirements for drivers. Drivers must carry insurance with a minimum limit of $5,000 in coverage for property damage.
Although you would seek compensation for your medical bills after an accident by filing a claim to collect from your own insurance, you can seek compensation for property damage by filing a claim to collect from the insurer of the at-fault party.
Naturally, the at-fault party must have insurance for this to be an option. They likely will be insured, as driving without meeting the minimum insurance requirements is against the law in Pennsylvania. Still, it’s smart to enlist the help of an attorney when filing a claim. A lawyer can negotiate with the insurance company to improve your chances of recovering the full amount of compensation you deserve.
An attorney can also help you prove negligence. You can only collect from the insurance of a negligent party if you can show that their actions caused your accident. Sometimes, this requires conducting an investigation to gather evidence. An attorney can help you do so if necessary.
Tips for Filing a Property Damage Claim After a Car Accident in Philadelphia
You need to document the extent of the property damage resulting from an accident as well as the costs of addressing the damage. This will help you demonstrate to an insurer why you may deserve a certain amount of money. Thus, in the aftermath of a car accident, you should take pictures of your vehicle and the scene. It’s also important to calmly exchange contact and insurance information with the other drivers involved in the accident.
Before seeking medical attention, call the police to report the accident. Avoid making any statements suggesting your own negligence may have caused the accident. Additionally, you should get the names and contact information of any witnesses. Their testimony may be helpful if proving negligence is a challenge.
Over the next few weeks, keep any receipts and other records related to the cost of addressing the damage to your vehicle. These will make negotiating for a fair amount of compensation with an insurance company much easier.
It’s also wise to seek medical attention in the immediate aftermath of an accident. You may not think you have been injured, but sometimes the signs of an injury resulting from a car accident are not obvious at first. You want to be confident you’re unharmed and don’t require any medical treatment.
Strongly consider reviewing your case with an attorney after your accident as well. Due to the complexities of Pennsylvania’s no-fault laws, you may not know whether you can seek compensation for certain damages. A lawyer can review the details of your case and inform you of your various legal options.
Contact Our Car Accident Law Firm in Philadelphia Today To Get Help With Your Case
To learn more and get the help you deserve, call Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers at (215) 875-7030 or contact us online.
You can also visit our law firm at 123 S Broad St #1220, Philadelphia, PA 19109.
