Chester County Car Accident Lawyers

Chester County in Pennsylvania has many busy shopping centers, rural landscapes, and suburban centers of pedestrian traffic. Chester County sees thousands of visitors every day. The area is popular, with several college campuses, including West Chester University. It also has major highways, such as the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Due to the heavy traffic in the area, car accidents are bound to happen.

When you have been involved in a car accident, it could have a significant financial impact on you as well as your family. You should speak with a Chester County car accident lawyer who will determine if you can recoup any losses.

What Are Common Causes of Car Accidents?

There are multiple factors that can lead to car crashes, with some being more common than others. Some of the most common causes of car accidents in Pennsylvania include:

Drunk driving: When a driver is drunk, they are unable to process the events that are taking place on the road, nor can they react in time in emergencies. A drunk driver is also prone to falling asleep behind the wheel.
Aggressive driving: Aggressive driving encompasses many different negligent behaviors, such as speeding and weaving in and out of traffic. When you encounter an aggressive driver, you will not have time to respond to their sudden lane changes, accelerations, and decelerations.
Distracted driving: A growing problem throughout the country is distracted driving. Drivers who are too distracted by their radio or cellphone may cause accidents.
Poor weather conditions: In the winter, snow and ice can make the roadways slippery. The same can occur with wet leaves in the fall. In the spring and summer, heavy rains could temporarily obscure your vision and cause large puddles to form. No matter the weather, you must drive safely and according to the road conditions.
Drowsy driving: If you do not get enough sleep and you choose to continue to drive, you are putting yourself and others at risk. If you are drowsy, you may not respond quickly to emergencies. You could also fall asleep and lose control of your vehicle.

What Damages Can I Recover After a Car Accident?

The types of damages you can recover will depend on your car insurance. You have two main policies that you can purchase in Pennsylvania. The first is a limited tort option, which means that you can collect economic expenses that you incur from your car accident through your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. The other option is a full tort insurance coverage, and under this version, you can file a claim against an at fault driver for economic and non-economic expenses, including:

Medical expenses: If you require any medical coverage to treat your injuries, you can seek compensation to recoup any of the expenses that you incur. That includes visits to the doctor, any tests that you must undergo, treatments, surgeries, and any rehabilitation sessions.
Lost wages: Due to your injuries, you might not be able to return to work right away, or if you do, you may be unable to return in the same capacity as before. You might also have to take time off work to see the doctor or make a rehab appointment.
Loss of future earnings: Your injuries could be so severe that you will not be able to return to work at full capacity or be forced to have to take a different job with fewer responsibilities. In those instances, you can seek compensation to make up for that loss of future income.
Property damage: When you are involved in a car accident, your vehicle will likely sustain damage. It could be damaged beyond repair, meaning you have to purchase a new one. You can seek compensation for the damage or what expenses you will incur to replace your old car.
Pain and suffering: This is a non-economic expense and will be determined by the severity of your accident. The more traumatic an accident, the more compensation you can seek as part of your claim. This is a number that your lawyer will help you come up with after they assess your case.

There are some occasions when a judge will award punitive damages. Punitive damages are less about compensation and more about punishing the negligent driver. These damages are awarded in situations where extreme negligence has occurred, such as drunk driving accidents.

Fault in Pennsylvania

It is important to note that Pennsylvania follows the legal concept of modified comparative negligence. Everyone involved in the accident will be assigned a percentage of fault. Your percentage of fault will be reduced from the overall compensation award. This could mean that the amount you were hoping to receive could be reduced. If you are found to be more than 50 percent responsible for an accident, then you are barred from collecting compensation.

The Commonwealth also has a two-year statute of limitations. That timeline starts on the date of your accident. If you fail to file a case in that timeframe, you could lose out on your opportunity to recoup any of your losses.

Chester County Car Accident Lawyers at Eckell Sparks Will Help You Find Justice After a Collision

If you have been injured in a car accident in Pennsylvania, speak with one of our experienced Chester County car accident lawyers at Eckell, Sparks, Levy, Auerbach, Monte, Sloane, Matthews & Auslander, P.C. Call us at 610-565-3701 or contact us online to schedule an initial consultation. Located in Media and West Chester, Pennsylvania, we proudly serve clients in Delaware County, Chester County, and Montgomery County.