The Personal Injury Claim Process In Pennsylvania

If you’ve recently experienced an injury due to someone else’s negligence, you’re probably wondering what the personal injury claim process involves. Located in Philadelphia, PA, Rooney Philly Law specializes in personal injury law and is here to help at every step of the way.

Steps Of The Personal Injury Claim Process

In Pennsylvania, the steps of a personal injury claim are often pretty straightforward. However, that doesn’t mean you need to give the other party’s insurance company a statement.

Insurance companies often try to get you to share your side of the story immediately, hoping you’ll mess up so they can avoid any responsibility on their end. As such, it’s important to make sure that you don’t say anything that might be damaging to your case.

Because even the smallest details can make a huge impact on your claim, you may need to hire a lawyer to get the compensation you deserve. Working with an attorney helps you ensure that you can recover for every kind of damage you have suffered – to the fullest amount possible.

1) Take Action As Soon As You Can

Depending on the nature of the incident, you may be too injured to take any steps at the scene of the accident. However, if you are well enough to speak with others and walk around, there are a few steps you can take right off the bat that can improve your chances of a full recovery…

Before you leave the scene of the accident, it’s important to gather any and all evidence you can. This can include taking photographs of the accident scene, any injuries, and obtaining the phone numbers of any witnesses.

Finally, you’ll want to make sure that you call law enforcement officials so that a police report can be filed. Police reports are often critical to proving liability (responsibility) in a personal injury claim, and they are required any time a person has been injured.

2) Go To The Doctor

Next, it’s essential to seek medical care as soon as possible. Not only will your medical records serve as evidence in your personal injury claim, but getting medical attention can ensure that you don’t discover any accident-related injuries before it’s too late to treat them.

3) Gather All The Evidence

Along the way, be sure to keep track of all relevant documentation related to your accident, such as receipts for:

• Copays
• Car rentals
• Prescriptions
• Medical bills
• Medical devices
• Time lost from work
• Medical miles driven
• Out-of-pocket expenses
• And more…

4) Contact A Lawyer For Help

Once you have collected all the necessary evidence for your case, you should contact an experienced personal injury lawyer who is well-versed in personal injury laws for Pennsylvania. A qualified attorney can review your case and advise you on how to proceed, offering support and guidance throughout the claims process.

5) Filing The Claim

The next step involves filing a claim with the responsible party’s insurance company. Filing a claim includes providing proof of damages and informing them of any settlement demands.

The insurer will then investigate the incident and gather evidence from their side before deciding whether to offer you a settlement. Finally, your lawyer will negotiate with the insurance company for you and try to reach a settlement without having to go to court.

6) You May Have To Go To Court

Suppose you and your lawyer can’t reach an agreement with the insurance company, and your case goes to court. In this situation, your personal injury lawyer will represent you in a trial before a judge or jury.

Your lawyer has a personal interest in your case, too – personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis. This means that there’s no cost to you up front, and we only collect a fee when you win your case. This way, you can be confident that your lawyer is just as invested in obtaining the best outcome as you are.

7) Be Patient

The personal injury claims process can take several months, and in some cases, longer than a year. During this time, your lawyer will work to ensure that you receive the compensation that you are due. Ultimately, if all goes well, you can expect to receive the money necessary to cover all your current and future expenses related to the injury.

8) Remember That You’re Not Alone

It’s important to remember that you don’t have to go through this process alone. A qualified personal injury lawyer can help you navigate the legal system and ensure to protect your rights throughout the entire case.

The Statute Of Limitations For Personal Injury In Philadelphia, PA

Personal injury claims have a statute of limitations, which is a fixed period of time you have to file a claim. Pennsylvania has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. You must file your court claim within two years from the accident date to be eligible for compensation.

When seeking damages for a personal injury, the earlier you take action, the better. Filing a claim before the statute of limitations ends ensures you are still eligible for any compensation to be awarded.

It is important to note that the statute of limitations can vary in certain situations. For instance, if the injury involves a minor child, the statute of limitations may not begin until they reach 18 years old. Additionally, if a government entity or agency caused the injury, the time frame may be shorter than two years.

It is best to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer like John Rooney, who is well-versed in Pennsylvania personal injury law, for more information on your specific situation.

About Our Personal Injury Lawyer John Rooney

Decades Of Experience

John Rooney is an experienced personal injury lawyer who has served the people of Pennsylvania for over 20 years. As a trusted advocate, he works tirelessly to ensure that his clients receive their due compensation.

Strategically Navigates Complex Cases

John understands the complexity of personal injury law and knows how to navigate it effectively. He has extensive knowledge of Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims. John will provide you with sound legal counsel on what steps to take after your accident or injury.

Stays Up-To-Date With Federal And State Laws

Attorney John Rooney keeps abreast of changing federal and state laws to remain current on case law on personal injury matters. With dedicated experience and vast resources at his disposal, he provides his clients with sound advice and representation.

We’re Ready To Help

At Rooney Philly Lawyer, we understand the complexities of personal injury law. The steps of the personal injury claim process can be daunting if you don’t have experience with something like negotiating with an insurance company or the process for personal injury claims.

We’re here and ready to help you through the process. We dedicate our time, energy, and experience to helping you receive fair compensation for your injuries. So you don’t have to go at this alone! Contact us today for a personalized consultation and discuss your legal options.

To learn more about the Personal Injury Claim Process In Pennsylvania, contact our Philadelphia, PA, office at (215) 279-8400.