Media Car Accident Lawyers

Media is a small, quaint community located just outside of Philadelphia within Delaware County. It is less than a square mile and contains about 5,000 people. Despite its small size, it is the county seat and conveniently located just west of Philadelphia and 11 miles from Philadelphia International Airport.

There are no major highways that pass through the community, as Route 1, which used to cut right through the town, was reconfigured in 1960 to avoid the town altogether. The original Route 1, known as Baltimore Pike, still runs through the town, while Route 252 runs along the town’s eastern border.

Even with a lack of highways, the town still boasts a significant amount of traffic. Given its proximity to Philadelphia and the airport, the 11th busiest in the nation, along with use of the county buildings and courthouses, the town can still be the site of numerous car accidents from out-of-towners and those unfamiliar with its streets.

When this happens, you will need to bring in an experienced car accident lawyer who knows the area and can help.

What Compensation Can I Receive if I Was Injured in a Car Accident?

The laws on this matter are complicated in Pennsylvania because it is a no-fault state, meaning that it is easier to have your losses recouped. In a no-fault state, you are not required to file a claim against another driver and can file a claim against your own car insurance. You can do this to receive compensation for the amount you lost from medical bills and lost wages for time you had to miss out on work.

The source of this money is the personal injury protection (PIP) portion of your car insurance. Insurance companies are allowed to offer as little as $5,000 of this type of policy.

There are advantages and disadvantages with this arrangement. The positives are that you will not have to go through an extended legal proceeding to recoup your losses, and it does not matter who is at fault. You can still file a claim off your insurance.

On the other hand, you can only seek economic expenses such as medical bills. Less concrete expenses such as pain and suffering cannot be included in this claim. You also have no guarantee that an insurance company will pay you the full amount that you are seeking. That could mean dealing with insurance adjusters and may have to justify certain expenses.

There are circumstances in which you can file a claim against the at-fault driver, but it will depend on the type of insurance you are carrying and the severity of your injury. If you suffered a catastrophic injury or a death occurred, you or your family members will be entitled to file a claim against the other driver and seek compensation for your loss include pain and suffering and quality of life.

The other option will depend on the type of insurance you purchased prior to your accident. Changing your insurance after the fact will not have an impact. The two types of insurance that is available in Pennsylvania are as follows:

Limited-tort liability: This is the less expensive of the two options, as it lowers premiums. That reduced cost means that you will be prohibited from filing a claim against an at-fault driver for non-economic expenses unless you sustain a catastrophic injury.
Full-tort liability: This is the more expensive option but provides greater flexibility, as it allows you to seek non-economic claims against the at-fault driver. It will mean higher premiums and higher monthly bills but will provide you with more options if you are involved in a car accident.

Even if you already have car insurance, you should investigate the type you have and determine if the full-tort liability is a viable option. It might be the best way to protect you and your family.

What Are the Common Causes of Car Accidents?

Car accidents occur every year, and given Media’s location to a major metropolitan area, many residents will commute to work every day and spend an average of a half hour in the car to and from work. Because of the amount of time people are in their cars, accidents are bound to occur. A few of the common causes of these accidents include the following:

Distracted driving: Many people are in a rush to get to work, and they may try to finish their morning routine in the car, including having breakfast or coffee or trying to shave or apply makeup. Finally, a major distraction is the use of cell phones with drivers texting, checking email, and even playing games and surfing the web.
Lane drifting: This refers to drivers who drift in an out of their lane because they are not paying attention or do not care. It also includes those who change lanes without signaling. These aggressive and careless moves can result in the impact of two vehicles or force others to have to react.
Impaired driving: This includes anyone who gets behind the wheel of a vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicating substance, whether that be drugs or alcohol. When you drive impaired, your senses are reduced, and you fail to react as quickly as you do when you are sober.
Single-vehicle accident: A significant number of accidents occur in this area that did not involve two vehicles. This can mean a driver loses control of the vehicle for whatever reason and collides with a stationary object next to the street or a guardrail between the highways.
Speeding: Although most everyone has been guilty of going faster than the speed limit at one time or another, it is nonetheless a dangerous practice. It can cause you to lose control of your vehicle and reduces the time you must break should there be a sudden stoppage of traffic in front of you.
Aggressive driving: This includes tailgating, racing to red lights, failing to yield, and ignoring stop signs. These cause other drivers to have to react suddenly, which can cause an accident on their own, but by driving aggressively you run the risk of hitting another vehicle.
Vehicle failure: There are instances when it is not another driver’s fault that an accident occurred. There could be a problem with the vehicle that you are operating that leads to an accident. A tire could blow out or the car could stall, which could cause you to cause or get involved in an accident.
Drowsy driving: This can be just as bad as impaired driving, and those who do not get sufficient sleep will find themselves slow to react. More dangerous is if a person is tired enough, they could fall asleep behind the wheel of a vehicle and lose control of it or swerve on the highway. Make sure you get a good night’s sleep before driving.

Many of these accidents can be prevented with common sense from the driver. Give yourself plenty of time to get where you are going, and be sure that your full attention is on the road while you drive.

Media Car Accident Lawyers at Eckell, Sparks, Levy, Auerbach, Monte, Sloane, Matthews & Auslander, P.C. Help You Recover from Your Car Accident Injuries

If you have been hurt in a car accident, it can be difficult to determine what your legal options are in Pennsylvania. The Media car accident lawyers at Eckell, Sparks, Levy, Auerbach, Monte, Sloane, Matthews & Auslander, P.C. can help you sort it out. Out experienced lawyers will work with you and fight to get you the compensation you deserve. Call us at 610-565-3701 or contact us online to schedule an appointment. Located in Media and West Chester, Pennsylvania, we serve clients throughout Delaware County, Chester County, and Montgomery County.