What’s the Average Car Accident Settlement in Pennsylvania?

Car Accident settlements can be a complex topic for most people to navigate. Several factors can influence the outcome of the average car accident settlement in Pennsylvania. Each case is unique, so it’s important to know what will affect your claim in the unfortunate chance you end up in a car accident.

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What is the Average Car Accident Settlement in Pennsylvania?

While some lawyers may try to give you a ballpark answer for how much they believe the average car accident settlement to be or how much your case specifically is worth during an initial consultation, we urge you to be wary of anyone who does so. The fact of the matter is that your case’s worth relies on several factors, including the extent of your injuries,insurance coverage (both yours and that of other parties involved), present evidence, and much more.

It would be irresponsible to give specific numbers without reviewing the facts, especially if there’s a chance for a case’s value to fall out of that range for a multitude of reasons. While we can’t provide a specific number, we are, however, able to determine what types of compensation you may be entitled to. Our team helps you maximize your settlement by reviewing the facts and assisting with paperwork and speaking with insurance companies so that we can have a better understanding of what you may been titled to.

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What Can Be Included in a Car Accident Settlement?

Here are a few things to keep in mind that can be included in your car accident settlement, thus affecting the outcome:

• Medical Bills: These are the medical costs accrued due to injury, such as emergency room/ urgent care visits, as well as the cost of treatment needed for your injuries.
• Lost Wages: This refers to the money you would’ve otherwise earned had it not been for your injury. In some instances, injuries can be severe enough to prevent you from working, leading to lost wages and missed earning opportunities.
• Property Damage: Usually refers to the economic damages sustained by your vehicle and other items in your immediate possession at the time of the accident.
• Pain and Suffering: These are non-economic damages not intended to compensate for a specific monetary loss. This is often subjective and varies from case to case.

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Additional Evidence That Can Help

Evidence is a crucial factor in determining your car accident claim. If you’re ever confused about what can be considered evidence for a car accident settlement, here are some examples to get you started:

• Photos
• Notes and information used to document the accident
• Witness Statements
• Medical Records

All of these things are vital and often directly linked to the success of your case. If you’re hurt in an accident,bringing the necessary information to your case review can make a huge difference.

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How Evidence Can Strengthen Your Claim

It’s important to ensure you have evidence to back up your car accident claim. Insurance companies will find any reason they can to pay as little as possible, and they’ve been known to fight tooth and nail to preserve their shareholders' best interests while undermining yours. If your evidence can reinforce the information surrounding the accident and prove damages, who is at fault, or even the severity of your injuries,insurance companies will have a harder time diminishing your claims, ultimately leading to you having a better shot of getting more of what you deserve.

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Importance of the Police Report in Car Accident Settlement

If you’re ever in a car accident, contacting the police is important. This gives you the opportunity to file a police report and discuss the facts surrounding the accident. This is your chance to capture information such as date, time, location, type of incident, and any other necessary details. Doing this can support your case by giving insurance companies less wiggle room to diminish your claim and may even maximize your car accident settlement if all your bases are covered.

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Statute of Limitations in Pennsylvania

The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Pennsylvania is 2 years. This is important to note because failing to meet your state’s car accident claim deadline will result in the loss of your right to sue and recover damages for your injury and potential future complications. While there are some exceptions, you will want to consult a lawyer for more information.

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How to Maximize Your Settlement Amount

In order to maximize your car accident settlement, you’ll want to make sure you’re following all the necessary steps to protect your rights and yourself. If you’re hurt in an accident, your priority should be your health. Receiving medical treatment is not only necessary for recovery, but it is also an opportunity to have your injuries officially documented by a medical professional so you can support your claims with medical records.

Hiring a car accident lawyer is the next vital step to maximizing your settlement. If retained, lawyers can handle the paperwork and negotiate with the insurance companies on your behalf.Insurance companies have an incentive to pay out as little as possible and have their own teams of lawyers to help with that. Hiring a lawyer yourself will allow you to level the playing field and guide you through the process. While they may try to offer you a low early settlement (which is something to be mindful of and avoid), our team of car accident lawyers will fight to make sure you receive every dollar you’re entitled to.

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Get Legal Help for Your Car Accident Settlement

If you’re hurt in a car accident, speak with top-rated car accident lawyer today. At Edgar Snyder & Associates, we offer free case reviews where we look at the facts surrounding your accident and use that to our advantage to help maximize your settlement. You’ll want to act fast though,because evidence can disappear, and time is not on your side in these matters. You can call us, submit a form, or chat with us online 24/7. As always, there’s never a fee unless we get money for you.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do I have a Case?

Because of how unique each situation is,it’s essential to consider which factors determine whether or not you have a case and that’s just what our car accident attorneys do when we look at things such as:

• The extent of your injury or illness
• Hospital stays
• Past and future surgeries
• Scarring or permanent damage to your health
• Future medical needs
• The accident evidence
• Who was at fault
• And more

If you were injured in an accident, it’s important to contact an attorney right away. We offer free no-obligation consultations and can help determine whether or not you have a case.

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Do I need a Lawyer?

If you think you have an auto accident case, consulting with a lawyer is a smart move to help protect your rights.Lawyers can help with aspects of your case such as:

• The Complex legal claims processes
• Confusing paperwork
• Leveling the playing field against insurance company lawyers
• Legal deadlines that could jeopardize your case and ability to receive compensation if missed.

If you don’t know the legal system, it’ll be an uphill battle against insurance companies who do unless you consult with and retain a car accident attorney to give yourself a fighting chance.

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Who Pays my Medical Bills?

If you’re injured in an accident, there’s a chance you may be left with significant medical debt, setting you and your family back financially. Because of this, it’s important to contact a car accident attorney to review your case and determine not only whether you have a case or not, but also who’s responsible for covering your medical bills.  Every case is unique, and you only have a limited time to file, so if you or a loved one were injured in an accident, contact us today for a free case evaluation.

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Is Pennsylvania a No-Fault Accident State?

In Pennsylvania, there is a No-Fault System in place for car accidents. This means that if you’re involved in an auto accident, your insurance will pay for initial medical treatment regardless of who’s at fault. All policyholders in Pennsylvania must carry a minimum of$5,000 medical coverage as required by the state; however, you also have the option to elect more than the $5,000 to protect yourself even more.

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Why Hire Edgar Snyder & Associates/ THE ESA DIFFERENCE

Choosing a highly qualified law firm like Edgar Snyder & Associates can make a very substantial difference in the out come of your case.  Below are some of the many things we do that are vital to the success of your case:

Actively investigating the facts of your accident through our own team of investigators who:

• Go to the accident scene and take photos, videos and measurements.
• Locate and interview witnesses.
• Locate and obtain video from nearby cameras.
• Speak to investigating police officers.
• Obtain and preserve physical evidence from the accident scene.

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Doing this kind of thorough investigation early on can mean the difference between proving fault or losing a case. 

Actively making certain that all of your medical bills are paid by the correct source, including:

• “No fault” vehicle insurance.
• Applicable health insurance.
• Medicare/Medicaid.
• Workers’ compensation.
• The guilty party’s insurance.

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This can be a complex process that, if not done correctly, can result in unpaid medical bills. 

Actively building the case for your injuries and losses by obtaining expert reports and, if necessary, testimony from your own doctors and other experts to prove:

• The FULL extent of your injuries.
• Both present and future loss of function or disability.
• The need for future medical treatment and cost.
• Past and future wage loss and loss of earning ability.
• Present and future pain and suffering.

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Proper preparation and presentation of your case for all of these losses can mean the difference between full compensation or a woefully inadequate settlement.  At Edgar Snyder & Associates, we have the knowledge and resources to help obtain full compensation, whether by settlement or in court.