A car accident is a stressful situation. Even if nobody is hurt, it can be a lot of hassle. If you are also trying to recover from whiplash or other injuries, then it can be a nightmare.
The last thing you need to worry about is your legal situation. Pennsylvania has a complicated fault system – it is a Choice No Fault state, meaning you can choose between no fault or traditional insurance. No fault insurance means you cannot sue or be sued unless “serious injury” (which is not well defined in Pennsylvania) has occurred. If you have traditional insurance, you still cannot sue somebody with no fault insurance – which could leave you in the situation of your own insurers refusing to pay but being unable to even try to obtain damages from the other driver. No fault insurance is, thus, probably the better choice. Most lawyers will take your case on a contingency basis, and will not charge for initial consultations which may determine whether you have a case or not.
Because of the complexities surrounding the definition of “serious injury” in Pennsylvania, you should contact an accident lawyer Philadelphia PA if anyone, driver or passenger, was injured beyond bumps and bruises. Bear in mind that Pennsylvania also expects all accidents to be reported to the police – if you did not, you can end up with a suspended license. Make sure that you seek medical attention immediately for any injuries, and contact your insurance company right away – ideally before leaving the scene.
A good Philadelphia accident attorney will take your call right after the accident and give you a free consultation. They will be able to help you with the legal complexities so you can worry about recovering – and getting your car fixed.
