Any type of car accident can be traumatizing, whether it’s a minor fender bender or a serious head-on crash. Regardless of the severity, you need to know what to do after a collision. Your actions can significantly impact your health, legal rights, and ability to recover compensation for your injuries.
If you’ve been injured in a collision in Philadelphia, PA, an attorney from Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers can help. We’ll take on your case from start to finish, giving you time to rest and heal.
Call our law firm at (215) 875-7030 or complete an online form to schedule a free case evaluation. You can discuss your car accident with an experienced Philadelphia personal injury lawyer.
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How Can a Philadelphia Car Accident Attorney Help Me?
After a crash, you may be dealing with painful injuries and undergoing medical treatment. It’s difficult to build a case and negotiate with insurance adjusters when you’re trying to recuperate.
A Philadelphia car accident lawyer will handle the legal issues on your behalf and work for the most favorable outcome in your case. You won’t have to worry about gathering evidence or meeting deadlines – you can simply focus on healing.
If you hire Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers after a collision in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, we’ll:
- Investigate the crash to evaluate how it happened and who shares liability for your damages
- Collect evidence proving crucial elements of your case
- Identify your losses and calculate how much your claim is worth
- Negotiate with insurance companies and defense attorneys and push back against low settlement offers
- Fight for you in court if we cannot settle your case
Call our Philadelphia personal injury law office today for a free consultation to learn more about our legal services.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Philadelphia, PA?
The aftermath of a car accident can be overwhelming and hectic. However, it’s important to remain calm and take the following steps to protect yourself.
Remain At the Scene of the Crash
After a motor vehicle accident, you should remain at the scene until you fulfill your obligations, as explained below. Failure to do so could result in hit-and-run charges.
Remove your vehicle from the road if there aren’t apparent serious injuries or death. For example, you may move it to the nearest shoulder or a median. This will prevent further accidents and ensure that everyone stays safe.
Call 911
Under Pennsylvania law, you must immediately report a collision that results in injury, death, or a damaged vehicle that requires towing. You can do this by calling 911. Even if the accident seems minor, consider calling the police to report the incident.
The police will investigate the accident scene and generate an accident report providing details of the collision. This report is objective evidence that can be used if you file an insurance claim or personal injury case.
If law enforcement isn’t dispatched to the crash scene, you must submit a Driver’s Accident Report to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation within five days.
Exchange Information and Render Aid
At the accident scene, you should exchange the following information with other involved parties:
- Name
- Address
- Vehicle registration number
- Driver’s license
- Insurance information
You also have a duty to provide reasonable assistance to anyone who is injured. That includes requesting an ambulance.
Collect Evidence at the Accident Scene
If you can, get the contact information of anyone who witnessed the collision. They can provide an objective account of what they saw, which can be useful for legal purposes.
Additionally, take photos and videos of various aspects of the accident scene, including:
- Property damage
- The position of the vehicles
- Traffic conditions
- The location of the crash
- Injuries
- Skid marks
- Debris
This evidence will help you or your attorney build your personal injury case and establish how it happened.
Don’t Apologize or Admit Fault
Without thinking, many people apologize at the crash site or make statements that can hurt them in the future. You cannot be certain how the accident happened until a thorough investigation is completed.
The other driver or an insurance adjuster may use a statement like “I didn’t see you” as an admission of fault. This can negatively affect your claim and result in a lower payout. Therefore, be careful what you say after a collision.
Seek Prompt Medical Attention
You should see a doctor after a car crash, even if you don’t think you’re injured. You may have underlying issues that aren’t readily apparent or internal injuries that can only be diagnosed with testing.
Additionally, if you sustained injuries, your medical record will be an essential piece of evidence proving that they occurred due to the accident. This is important in a negligence case to prove causation.
Contact an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer in Philadelphia
Before speaking to an insurance adjuster, seek legal advice from a car accident attorney in Philadelphia. An attorney can communicate with insurance adjusters on your behalf and ensure that you receive fair compensation.
Any early settlement offer from an insurance company will undoubtedly be low, so resist the urge to accept it before speaking to a lawyer.
Need Help After a Car Accident? Contact Our Philadelphia Personal Injury Attorneys for a Free Consultation
You have a limited amount of time to take action after a collision in Pennsylvania, so it’s essential to start building your case as soon as possible.
Contact Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers today to speak with an experienced Philadelphia car accident attorney. We’ll ensure that your rights are protected and that you fulfill all obligations required by law.
