Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyer
Don't settle for less than you deserve. Let Laffey Bucci D'Andrea Reich & Ryan evaluate your claim.
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You just had a wreck with someone, and now you’re all out of sorts. You know that you’re seriously hurt.
You’re already thinking about your future, wondering how you’re going to handle your everyday obligations. You’re worried about how you’re going to make it financially when you’re undoubtedly going to have to take some time off work to rehab if you’re even able to return to your job at all.
Or perhaps you’ve just learned that a member of your household has died in an auto collision.
You’re devastated at the thought of not being with each other anymore. Plus, you relied on them to keep your family financially afloat, and now that breadwinner is gone too soon, all because of a reckless driver’s actions.
While we can’t reverse fate and take away what happened, a Philadelphia car accident lawyer in our office can help you seek justice in the form of monetary compensation for your losses. Filing an insurance claim or a civil lawsuit isn’t going to be necessary to ultimately recover a settlement.
Meeting with one of our injury attorneys for a complimentary initial consultation is the first step in that process.
Philadelphia Car Crash Statistics
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) publishes an annual report detailing wrecks that occurred statewide for the year. Its latest 2023 Pennsylvania Crash Facts & Statistics report highlights the following regarding crashes in our area:
The counties that comprise the Philadelphia Metro area saw some of the highest rates of reported accidents statewide, with rates at the following percentages:
- Philadelphia County: 7.7%
- Bucks County: 4.9%
- Delaware County: 4.1%
- Chester County: 3.8%
- Montgomery County: 7%
Of all our state’s counties, Philadelphia County saw the highest 11.2% of fatal auto accidents.
Other counties in the area also made it on the top ten list at the following percentages:
- Bucks County: 4.5%
- Montgomery County: 4.0%
What Are the Most Common Types of Car Accidents?
As you’re likely aware, Pennsylvania motorists may be involved in many different types of motor vehicle crashes. Some of the most common types of passenger car collisions our Philadelphia accident attorneys handle include:
- Distracted driving accidents
- Head-on crashes
- Rollovers or overturn accidents
- Drowsy driving crashes
- T-bone collisions
- Drunk driving crashes
- Rear-end Accidents
- Hit and runs
- Road rage accidents
- Multi-car pileups
- High-speed crashes
- Parking lot collisions
- Road construction zone accidents
- School zone crashes
- Ridesharing accidents
The above list is just an overview of some of the wrecks we handle here at Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan. The truth is that we represent clients who’ve been seriously injured due to the intentional acts or recklessness of others in many different ways.
So, if you’ve been hurt due to someone else’s negligence, you should certainly reach out to our Philadelphia injury law firm to see what legal avenues you may be able to pursue to recover compensation for your losses.
Meet Our Attorneys
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535Jeffrey Laffey Jeffrey LaffeyAreas of Practice
Learn More -
536Paul Bucci Paul BucciAreas of Practice
- Car/Truck Accidents
- Construction Accidents
- Medical Malpractice
- Premises Liability
- Products Liability
- Workplace Accidents
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538Brian F. Lafferty Jr. Brian F. Lafferty Jr. -
539Sam Reich Sam ReichAreas of Practice
- Car/Truck Accidents
- Construction Accidents
- Medical Malpractice
- Premises Liability
- Products Liability
- Workplace Accidents
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6024Griffin Remick Griffin RemickAreas of Practice
- Car/Truck Accidents
- Construction Accidents
- Medical Malpractice
- Premises Liability
- Products Liability
- Workplace Accidents
Where Do Car Crashes in Philadelphia Happen Most Often?
Auto accidents can happen virtually anywhere. However, when combing through news stories regarding car crashes in Center City, PA, and Delaware, Chester, Montgomery, Philadelphia, and Bucks counties in general, the names of certain roadways, including the following, repeatedly pop up for these types of incidents:
- Street Road (in general)
- Roosevelt Boulevard (especially at Red Lion Road)
- Lincoln Highway
- Route 611 (which encompasses Old York Road, Easton Road, and Broad Street)
- Schuylkill Expressway
- Lehigh Avenue
- Interstates 78, 79, 80, 81, 83, and 95 (the Delaware Expressway)
Car Accident Injuries and What to Expect
Whether you were rear-ended at a red light or struck at full speed on the highway, car accident injuries can disrupt every part of your life. In the hours and days after a crash, you may be feeling confused, in pain, or unsure about the seriousness of your injuries.
Symptoms often appear or worsen over time; injuries you didn’t notice immediately can become life-altering. Some of the most common ones we see in Philadelphia-area car accident cases include:
- Whiplash and soft tissue injuries
- Head and brain trauma
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Psychological trauma
In the aftermath of a serious accident, you may face a flood of medical appointments, calls from insurance companies, and uncertainty about your finances. This process can feel draining, especially when trying to focus on your health. Here’s what you should prepare for:
- Delays in symptom onset: You might feel “okay” right after the crash, only to experience serious pain days later. You always want to seek immediate medical attention and follow up regularly.
- A long road to recovery: Healing may involve multiple doctors, specialists, physical therapy, and surgery. Recovery timelines are unpredictable and often expensive.
- Time off work: Whether you’re out for a few weeks or permanently unable to return to your job, missed income can add additional stress.
- Mounting medical bills: Ambulance rides, ER visits, imaging, and rehab services all add up quickly, even with insurance.
- Pressure from insurance companies: Adjusters may get you to settle early for less than your injuries are worth. You never want to sign anything until you speak with a lawyer.
We have seen the actual impact of car accidents on individuals and families. Let our experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyers handle the legal battle while you focus on your recovery.
What Should You Do After a Car Accident in Philadelphia?
In the aftermath of a wreck, it’s not uncommon for those involved to be confused, in shock, or otherwise unable to think straight. After all, as the word “accident” suggests, they didn’t plan on the crash occurring, sidetracking their day and potentially upending their life.
Thus, if you’re looking for directions as to what steps to take after your crash, here are some steps you may want to take:
Check for Injuries
Perform a self-assessment to determine if you, your passengers, the other driver, pedestrians, bicyclists, or anyone else is hurt. If you (or they) are, call 911 to request that an ambulance be sent to the scene and render any assistance in the meantime that you can.
Even if you don’t believe you’ve suffered injuries, getting checked out by a doctor after a crash is important to ensure there isn’t underlying harm and that your symptoms just haven’t manifested themselves yet.
If you see a physician who prescribes a treatment plan, follow it until they decide you’ve reached maximum medical improvement.
Call 911 to Report the Accident
Various sections of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes (Pa. C.S.A.) of the Vehicle Code Title 75 outline requirements that motorists involved in crashes in our state must adhere to. Pa. C.S.A. §3744 outlines how drivers in accidents that cause injuries or deaths must report the incident to law enforcement.
The same requirement applies if a collision leaves a vehicle so severely damaged that its owners cannot operate it.
Get to Safety
While you may be unable to do this if you or your vehicle occupants have sustained catastrophic injuries, if you haven’t or cannot, consider turning on your car’s hazard lights and getting out of your automobile and as far away from active traffic as possible. Waiting in your vehicle puts you at risk of being struck again by speeding or distracted motorists.
Collect and Record Information
Take notes of anything you worry that you may not remember once the rush of adrenaline dissipates after your crash, as you wait for law enforcement to arrive, including details about the weather, traffic patterns, any surveillance cameras in the area, and other peculiarities.
This includes contact details for the person who struck you, including their name and phone number, the make and model of their car, and license plate and insurance information. Also, if you find that someone witnessed the accident, take down their contact info.
Make sure to get any responding officer’s card, too.
Begin Gathering Evidence
If you’re able to do so, the evidence you collect at a crash scene can prove invaluable in building your Philadelphia car accident case and proving liability. You should take pictures and videos of the accident scene, cars involved, injuries, and anything else you believe may be relevant while there.
Also, if there’s any potentially relevant physical evidence you notice, like a beer can that the driver who hit you threw out of their window in the aftermath of the wreck, call it to law enforcement’s attention and ask that it be preserved as evidence.
Report Your Crash to Your Auto Insurance Company
Call your insurer or use their online reporting tool to let them know you were involved in an auto accident. Just be careful to report factual information. Be cautious about revealing details about potential injuries one way or another, as this could impact your ability to secure a settlement.
Preserve All Records and Bills Related to Your Crash
Make sure to keep the police report, medical bills and records, any pay statements issued by your employer showing missed work, and any other documentation relevant to your crash or injuries you suffered in it. All of these can be used by an attorney to describe the impact the wreck had on your life and show how much monetary losses you sustained.
Reach Out to a Philadelphia Car Accident Attorney
An injury lawyer that regularly represents clients hurt in motor vehicle crashes will have a comprehensive understanding of how violations of Pennsylvania vehicles lead to wrecks as well as state laws related to fault and liability, rights afforded to injury victims, and more — everything necessary to determine if you have a valid claim and, if so, how to build a solid case, and recover the maximum compensation you may be entitled to.
As for the latter point, we believe it’s important to point out that most law firms don’t charge for your initial consultation with an attorney. Nor to represent you if you have a viable legal claim unless they recover compensation for your losses.
What Does a Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyer Do?
A crash causing serious injuries or one that suddenly takes the life of a close family member can seriously throw your life off track.
Your own personal physical impairments and also your mental anguish can make it so that you’re constantly in and out of surgery, doctors’ visits, or therapy sessions. All of this may make it so that you’re unable to work, meaning you cannot pay your essential bills.
And, if a parent, spouse, or another close relative senselessly died in a crash, it may mean that you’ve been deprived of that person whom you counted on to cover your household finances and whom you looked to for counsel and companionship.
While no amount of compensation is likely to help you forget about what happened to you, and certainly won’t take away the pain you endured and perhaps continue to do so, it is what our legal system in Pennsylvania allows car accident victims or their surviving loved ones to recover when they sustain losses.
When working with a Philadelphia car accident attorney, you can expect us to help you in the following ways:
- Take time to listen to what happened to you
- Thoroughly investigate your case to determine if you have a valid car crash claim
- Compile any evidence necessary to prove your case
- Bring in auto accident reconstructionists, medical experts, actuaries, and others, as needed, to better understand causation and losses
- Identify all potentially liable parties and all sources of compensation
- Craft a demand letter chronicling how your accident occurred, your losses, and the settlement award you’re requesting
- Negotiate with insurance adjusters if and when they make an offer to ensure you receive maximum compensation
- File your lawsuit and litigate your case in court if an insurance company’s settlement offer is unjust
Results That Matter
Understanding How Liability Works in Accident Cases
Pennsylvania is one of a few no-fault insurance states. This generally would mean that you’d need to file a claim with your own insurer to recover compensation if you were hurt in a crash.
However, if you’ve suffered serious injuries or someone close to you has died, your losses likely exceed your own policy limits; you can likely hold that other party who struck you financially liable for your losses, provided you can prove the following elements of negligence:
- The other driver owed you a duty of care
- That motorist failed to exercise caution, breaching their duty of care
- You suffered harm because that driver struck you
- You sustained damages (i.e., financial losses) because of the harm they caused you
There is one more aspect regarding liability that you should be aware of as someone who had a wreck in the City of Brotherly Love: we have a modified comparative fault system in place. What impact does that have on you as a car crash victim? It prevents you from recovering compensation if you’re deemed 51% or more at fault for the collision.
This is often why attorneys will advise their clients to watch what they say and do after a wreck. It can impact their ability to recover compensation.
Who Can You Hold Responsible for Your Auto Collision?
There are many different people and entities you may be able to sue if you’ve been involved in an accident in Philly. These include some of the following:
- Another driver
- A vehicle manufacturer
- A bar or nightclub
- A property owner
- A mechanic
- An aftermarket auto parts company
- A government agency
The options for pursuing liability are endless, and responsibility for a wreck may rest on multiple parties’ shoulders, which is why you’ll want to connect with us at Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan for a free consultation to learn more about who you may be able to hold accountable for what happened to you.
Damages Recoverable by Car Wreck Victims in Pennsylvania
At Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan, we’re generally able to recover compensation for accident-related losses, such as the following, through the filing of an insurance claim or injury lawsuit:
- Medical expenses: This may include surgical bills, physical therapy costs, follow-up doctors’ visits, prescription medications, assistive devices, etc.
- Lost wages: Included in this category may include pay you’ve already missed because you were unable to work as well as any compensation you may not make in the future if you have to switch to a different, lower-paying career, work less, or can’t remain employed at all and also if the car crash claimed your loved one’s life.
- Noneconomic losses: This is a catchall category of sorts for the often unseen harm individuals suffer in crashes that victims endure behind closed doors. This may include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of companionship, scarring, etc.
Additionally, you may be entitled to recover compensation to pay for property damage if your vehicle was damaged. Punitive damages may also be available in rare cases if the negligent acts that caused you to get hurt or your relative to lose their life were particularly reckless or ill-intentioned.
How To Determine the Value of Your Car Accident Claim?
While no Philadelphia car accident lawyer can give you a definitive value for your case, some factors that may influence your settlement include:
- Your age and overall health
- Where you were in life when you became involved in that crash (i.e., whether you had your own family, had a successful career, etc.)
- Who is at fault (and at what percentage) for the collision
- How significant of injuries the accident caused
- Efforts and costs it will take to build your case (i.e., securing evidence and hiring crash reconstructionists)
- How much in insurance coverage is available for you to tap into
Why Pursue Legal Action After a Car Accident?
If you’ve been seriously injured in a car crash, you may be wondering whether it’s worth pursuing legal action or filing a claim. Maybe you are overwhelmed by your injuries and just trying to get through the day. But the reality is that you didn’t ask for this accident and should not have to carry the burden alone.
A collision’s financial, physical, and emotional toll can be life-changing. Medical bills add up fast.
You may be unable to return to work. Your daily routine, relationships, and quality of life can all suffer. Many times, this is for months or even years after the crash.
Recovering compensation means holding the at-fault party accountable and securing the resources you need to rebuild your life.
Philadelphia Car Accident FAQ
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Pennsylvania?
The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Pennsylvania is two years from the date of the accident. However, waiting too long can result in lost evidence and weakened claims. The sooner you speak with an attorney, the better the outcome for you.
How long will my case take to resolve?
Each case is different. Some claims may settle in a few months, while others, especially those involving serious injuries or litigation, can take a year or longer. Our attorneys will keep you informed every step of the way and work to resolve your case as quickly as possible.
What if the other driver doesn't have insurance?
You may still have options. If you carry uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM), we can help you file a claim through your policy. We will also explore whether third-party liability may apply in your situation.
Why should I hire your firm instead of handling the claim myself?
Insurance companies are not on your side. They want to minimize payouts. Our lawyers know how to negotiate, build strong cases backed by evidence, and take matters to court when needed. With Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan on your side, you have experienced advocates ready to protect your rights and fight for maximum compensation.
Contact an Accomplished Team of Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyers
When you have been hurt or lost a family member, you don’t need any more stressful situations to deal with. This is why you want to have an experienced car accident attorney representing you who’s well-experienced in handling complex cases and knows that negotiating with insurers to secure a fair settlement is an effort in futility and litigation is the best option. You can count on this when you work with Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan.
Each Philadelphia car accident lawyer on our team will stick with you as their client from start to finish, treating your case as if it were a family member’s and aggressively fighting for your rights every step of the way. We’ll also maintain regular communication so that you’re clear about the work that we’re doing on your behalf.
If competent legal counsel and a zealous advocate are what you’re seeking, you’ve found your match.
Contact our law firm for a free, no-risk, no-obligation case review. We’re ready to roll up our sleeves and get to work for you as soon as today.
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Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
1100 Ludlow Street, Suite 300
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107
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