Car Accident Attorney in Pittsburgh

Suffering severe injuries in a car accident can negatively impact your career, home life, and financial situation. However, you could seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages if your accident happened due to the negligence or recklessness of another. 

Morgan & Morgan’s Pittsburgh, PA car accident lawyers can fight for what you deserve. If you or a loved one got hurt in an accident in the city, we could help you seek justice and compensation. Get started today and contact us for a free consultation to learn about your legal rights.

Do You Have a Car Accident Case?

Getting involved in a car accident does not automatically give injured individuals the right to sue another driver. Victims must prove that another party’s negligent or reckless driving caused the car accident, injury, and damages. 

Drivers should act with reasonable care and attention when operating a vehicle. Another motorist could be responsible for your accident and damages if they drove in a risky or reckless way. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), risky driving includes behaviors such as: 

• Distracted driving
• Drunk driving
• Speeding 
• Fatigued driving

A driver who violated road laws or generally drove dangerously when causing your accident could also be responsible for your damages. If you have recently been involved in an accident and are unsure whether you have a case against another driver or another party, one of our car accident lawyers can advise you comprehensively.

Protecting Your Rights After a Car Accident in Pittsburgh

Immediately after a car accident, you may not think clearly or even suffer from shock. While this is entirely normal, it could make you vulnerable to compromising your legal rights. Some steps you can take to protect your rights can include:

Seeking Medical Advice as Soon as Possible

Car accident victims sometimes refuse medical help at the accident scene, thinking they are fine. A few days later, they might feel some minor symptoms but hope the pain and discomfort go away on their own. However, not seeking medical attention can be a mistake. According to the Mayo Clinic, some serious conditions, such as traumatic brain injury (TBI), may not show symptoms for days or even weeks after a car accident.

Therefore, seeing a doctor as soon as you can after a car crash can be critical for preserving your health and your legal rights. Receiving a comprehensive medical report provides victims with evidence of injuries suffered in the accident and is, therefore, a vital piece of evidence.

Collecting Evidence for Your Case

After receiving medical help, your thoughts should turn to recovering the evidence needed to prove your case against a reckless or careless driver. If you have any photographs or videos from the accident scene or witnesses’ contact details, make sure to provide this vital evidence to your attorney. 

Having appropriate evidence for your damages is also critically important as you will not be able to pursue adequate compensation without such proof. Therefore, collect all the relevant medical reports and receipts of your damages such as:

• Medical bills
• Prescription and over-the-counter medicines
• Car repair bills
• Transportation costs
• Out-of-pocket costs connected to the accident. 

Contact a Pittsburgh, PA Car Accident Lawyer

One of the best ways to protect your rights and find out whether you have a case for a lawsuit is by seeking legal advice from an experienced car accident attorney. A lawyer can work on the best possible outcome of your case by:

• Identifying all liable parties in your accident
• Communicating with the at-fault party and insurance company
• Negotiating a fair settlement on your behalf
• Presenting your case strongly at trial

Importantly, an experienced lawyer can provide a shoulder to lean on during a potentially stressful legal process. They can handle the case while you can concentrate on recovering. Our tenacious car accident lawyers can defend your best interests and work tirelessly to fight for justice and compensation on your behalf.  

How to Prove Negligence in a Car Accident

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), more than 60,000 individuals got hurt in car crashes in Pennsylvania in 2020 alone. However, to have a case and recover damages, victims must prove the negligence of the at-fault party. Specifically, you will be required to provide evidence proving the following elements of a personal injury case:

1. The defendant owed you a duty of care
2. They breached the duty of care, for example, by speeding
3. The defendant’s breach of duty caused the accident 
4. You have damages such as injuries, medical bills, income loss, and others.

A car accident attorney from our firm can leave no stone unturned in gathering the evidence needed to prove negligence in your car accident case.

How to Find the Best Car Accident Lawyers in Pittsburgh, PA 

Finding the best car accident attorney for your case will require some homework on your part. In the first instance, online research can help find the names of law firms and attorneys in your area. Potentially, any personal injury attorney could litigate car accident cases. However, a specialized car accident lawyer has the specific skill set required to litigate motor vehicle accident cases efficiently. 

Make sure to ask acquaintances and family members for attorney referrals. Some of your friends or family members may have had to initiate legal action to recover damages after an accident and may be able to recommend a good attorney. 

Arrange a Face-to-Face Meeting With Your Potential Attorney

The best car accident lawyers in Pittsburgh, PA, offer free consultations. Attending a face-to-face meeting can be an excellent way to find out if a lawyer is right for you. Make sure to quiz them about their experience and track record with car accidents. If your prospective attorney ticks all the right boxes and seems communicative and personable, you could have found the perfect match.

Car Accident Victims Could Recover Compensation 

If another caused your accident, injuries, and monetary damages, you should not be left to carry the financial burden. Holding the responsible party accountable can result in recovering adequate compensation such as:

Healthcare Costs

If you suffered significant injuries, you could be entitled to all medical care costs, including but not limited to:

• Surgeries and hospitalizations
• Rehabilitation such as physiotherapy
• Medications
• Medical transportation
• Specialist appointments
• In-home nursing care
• Medical devices

Wage Losses

Most individuals who suffer significant injuries in a car accident will require some time off work to recover and heal from their injuries. Those who suffer catastrophic or disabling injuries may never be able to return to their job. You could be entitled to awards for any past and present loss of income as well as any future loss of earning capacity.

Pain and Suffering

Serious accidents and injuries can result in considerable physical pain, emotional suffering, and other non-monetary damages for victims. Individuals impacted are entitled to seek so-called non-economic damages, which can include awards for:

• Reduction of life quality
• Physical pain
• Emotional distress
• Loss of a limb or a sense
• Disability
• Permanent scarring and disfigurement

Depending on your specific motor vehicle accident case, you could recover other or additional compensation. 

When to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Pittsburgh

According to the Pennsylvania Statute Title 42 §5524, the time for filing a personal injury lawsuit is generally limited to two years in Pittsburgh. This deadline is critically important as filing your lawsuit too late can lead to losing the right to pursue compensation. Moreover, there are some factors that could potentially shorten the statute, for example, when a local government entity is a defendant in your case. 

However, filing too soon could also be disadvantageous for your case. If you are in the middle of recovery, your doctors may not know what your future medical needs and costs will be. Consider consulting with an experienced car accident lawyer who can determine the right timing for your lawsuit and ensure that you are not missing any crucial deadlines.