Bethlehem Car Accident Lawyer

As the second most populated city in the Lehigh Valley, Bethlehem sees a large amount of vehicle traffic. We get many visitors here in the “Christmas City” who want to experience our rich colonial and industrial history at a variety of landmarks and museums. But with the influx of visitors and traffic on our roads, the chances of car accidents rise.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), in 2022 there were 7,883 traffic crashes in Lehigh and Northampton counties, where Bethlehem resides. Of those, 48 were fatality crashes and 3,522 were injury crashes.

If you or someone you know has been involved in a car wreck, a Bethlehem car accident lawyer is here to help with your case, whether just to answer questions or file on your behalf. We’re available to assist with the success of your claim.

What Causes Vehicle Collisions in Bethlehem?

There were 115,938 traffic crashes reported by PennDOT in 2022. If so many accidents occur on our roads, it begs the question of how these wrecks occur, and while we might like to blame driver errors for all accidents, that’s not always the case. Our firm has seen the following as the most common causes of vehicle collisions:

• Speeding
• Distracted driving
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Reckless or careless driving
• Weather conditions
• Faulty vehicles
• Failure to yield
• Fatigued driving
• Poor road conditions

As you can see, it’s not just driver error that can cause vehicle collisions, although data from PennDOT suggests that certain driver errors are either the main contributing factor or are at least present in the majority of crashes. For example, in 2022, there were 26,848 crashes where speed was the contributing factor and another 13,079 where improper turning was the contributing factor. Additionally, speed-related accidents caused 404 deaths on Pennsylvania roads that year.

Best Steps To Take After Your Car Wreck

Although the immediate aftermath of a vehicle collision can be confusing and traumatic, it’s important to do as many of the following steps as you can:

• Seek medical attention
• Exchange insurance and contact information with the at-fault party
• File a report with local police or law enforcement
• Get witness statements
• Take photos and video of the scene, the damaged vehicles, and anything else pertaining to the crash
• Contact an experienced car accident lawyer

If you want to have the best chance at a successful personal injury case against the individual who caused your injuries or damages, you need to have as much information and evidence as you can. And if you were unable to follow the previous steps yourself, our law office can help you. We have the resources and expertise to collect evidence, speak to witnesses, and file your claim on your behalf. Whatever it takes to improve your chances of winning your case.

Why You Should Hire a Car Accident Attorney

You may think that because you are not required to hire a lawyer for your vehicle collision case, you don’t need one, but having an attorney can benefit your case. Many insurance companies are notorious for denying claims for whatever reason or choosing to take advantage of accident victims and grossly underpaying claims.

It’s in your best interest and in the best interest of the success of your case to hire us at Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan. Every Bethlehem car accident lawyer on our staff understands car accident claims and Pennsylvania laws, and we’re here to fight for you and with you to ensure your best chance of success and that you’ll receive the compensation you deserve.

Determining Liability

Your lawyer will understand how Pennsylvania laws work, which is especially important for car accident cases as our state allows for both limited and full tort insurance policies.

If you have a limited tort policy, you typically pay lower insurance premiums. However, your ability to recover noneconomic damages such as pain and suffering is restricted. In most cases, you’ll only be allowed to pursue compensation for out-of-pocket medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage. Generally, the only exception to this is if you suffer a “serious injury” as defined by Pennsylvania law or if the at-fault driver is found to be under the influence, uninsured, or intentionally caused the accident.

With a full tort policy, you are allowed to pursue economic and noneconomic damages generally associated with most personal injury cases, regardless of the severity of your injuries. This usually is a higher cost premium. However, it provides policyholders with more coverage and protection and the ability to recover a full range of damages when you’ve been involved in a vehicle crash.

Proving Negligence

Once you decide to pursue legal action in the form of a personal injury claim against the person who caused your accident, you and your attorney will have to prove elements of negligence. These elements are:

Duty of Care

A duty of care is a legal obligation between people or entities created by certain relationships, this could be a doctor and a patient or a property owner and a guest. This obligation is defined by the relationship between the at-fault party and the victim. In the case of a car accident, all drivers are legally obligated to operate their vehicles in a manner that follows the law and causes no harm to others.

Breach of Duty

Once a duty of care is proven, your attorney will have to prove that the at-fault driver breached that duty. Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, while distracted by texting, or any other action that does not comply with driving laws and regulations or that puts others at risk is considered a breach of duty.

Causation

Causation means that the at-fault driver’s negligent action caused your injuries and damages. If you suffered a broken leg after a driver ran a red light and hit the side of your car, it will be pretty evident that the other driver’s actions caused your injury.

Damages

This element is often the most crucial as far as determining how much compensation you may receive in your claim. You and your attorney must provide proof that you have suffered economic losses, such as medical bills and lost wages, as well as noneconomic damages, such as pain and suffering.

Possible Compensation

When you have a car accident attorney on your side, you have a better chance of receiving compensation for economic (financial) and noneconomic (non-financial) damages. Those usually are:

• Past and future medical bills
• Lost wages
• Loss of future earning capacity
• Property damage
• Physical impairment
• Disfigurement or scarring
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Wrongful death

It’s important to understand that all claims are unique, and what another victim might receive in compensation for their crash will likely differ from what you receive, even if your case details are similar. In most car accident cases, your attorney will be able to negotiate and settle out of court, earning you the compensation you deserve and holding accountable the person responsible for your injuries and damages.

If you’ve been involved in a vehicle collision in Lehigh Valley or anywhere in Pennsylvania, don’t hesitate to contact our office to speak with a Bethlehem car accident lawyer today and see how we can assist with your case. You shouldn’t have to pay for someone else’s negligent actions, and your initial consultation with one of our attorneys is always free.