Is It Worth Hiring an Attorney for a Car Accident in PA?

When you are injured in a car accident in Pennsylvania, you may think you have other options to avoid a lawsuit or time in court. You may believe that your injuries are not that serious, for example, or you may believe that you can simply file a report with your insurance company.

Unfortunately, many car accidents are not that simple. You may have difficulties getting the funds you need to recover from your accident, making it difficult to return to normal life. In these cases, you may need a lawyer on your side.

If you were struggling with your accident, it may be worth hiring and then in car accident attorney in Pennsylvania for your accident claim. If you are unsure whether you are ready to hire a Philadelphia car accident lawyer, contact the team at Kalikhman & Rayz for the answers you need about your car accident lawsuit.

Insurance Companies May Not Be On Your Side

Many Pennsylvania car accident victims consider simply filing a claim with their insurance company. They expect the no-fault coverage they must pay to cover the costs of their injuries and car repairs. 

Unfortunately, insurance companies are for-profit businesses, meaning they may not be on your side and will be more focused on protecting their profits. 

Because of this, you may need to fight back to get the compensation you need. The insurance company may try to downplay the costs of your injuries or even deny you in bad faith for your losses. 

If you are already speaking with your insurance company, contact a car accident attorney in Pennsylvania instead. Your lawyer can help you get compensated fairly for your injuries, negotiating with your insurance company and mediating your case for your needs. 

What Are Most Lawyer Fees for a Car Accident? 

When discussing hiring a lawyer, you may be concerned about the cost of hiring a lawyer first. Many people are concerned about the hourly rates they see on TV shows and movies. Fortunately, personal injury lawyers do not work by this same rule. 

Your personal injury lawyer will instead work on a contingency fee basis. That means you do not pay an hourly rate. Instead, you pay a set fee based on a percentage of your compensation. That prevents you from paying out of pocket for any costs associated with your car accident claim. 

This fee will only be charged if your claim is successful. If your claim is unsuccessful, you will not be charged for the services your lawyer has provided. That means we are committed to your claim and getting you the full compensation you are due, not just to getting your payment following your car accident claim. 

What Are the Top Qualities to Look For in a Car Accident Lawyer?

After a Pennsylvania car accident, you may be ready to contact a car accident attorney. But how do you know which lawyer to choose? It can be a difficult decision. 

Pennsylvania has many attorney options to choose from, so ensuring you are getting the legal guidance and support you need from the lawyer you choose is vital. Here are a few qualities our lawyers have that set us apart. 

Decades of Experience

After a car accident, you may not have the experience necessary to get the answers you need. Insurance companies have many powerful lawyers on their side and may fight back every step of the way to avoid paying for your injuries. 

Because of this, it is important to have an experienced attorney behind you throughout your case. Your lawyer should know all the laws and statutes for your state and should be able to provide specific, personalized answers to your questions about your claim.

Fortunately, our lawyers have the experience you need on your side. When you need decades of experience to help you through the claim process, contact us for the answers you need.

Resources for Gathering Evidence

After a car accident, you may have trouble gathering evidence to prove you are not at fault for your accident. In these cases, you may need help from an attorney with the resources and tools to gather this evidence. 

For example, many car accident victims cannot access expert testimony. Expert witnesses can make a big difference in your claim by providing more reputable information that supports your version of events. Without this evidence, you may have difficulty proving you are not liable for the accident.

Personalized Attention

When you are involved in a car accident, you do not want to feel like another number. You want to know that your lawyer gives personal attention to your claim and is invested in your recovery.

Our attorneys provide one-on-one attention to each of their clients. That means you will not speak with a legal assistant or paralegal for most of your case. You will speak directly to a lawyer who can help you get the specific claim questions you need answered. 

Our lawyers will prepare you for every step of your claim process. That includes representing you in the courtroom. That can be a stressful experience for many car accident victims, especially if you have never been to court. Our lawyers will ensure you have all the tools you need for your court date and can expect the support you need.

Car Accident Attorney FAQ 

Following a Pennsylvania car accident, you may have many questions about your claim and the suffering you have experienced. You may even have specific questions for your attorney as you get involved in your car accident claim. 

When you have questions, your lawyer can be vital to your recovery. While waiting for your free consultation, however, you can check out our team’s list of commonly asked questions and get the answers you need when you are suffering. 

What Evidence Can My Attorney Help Me Seek? 

If you have been injured in a car accident, you need as much evidence as possible for your claim. Unfortunately, you may not have the tools to seek evidence alone. This is where a lawyer can be key. 

Your lawyer can access many resources, from camera footage to expert witness testimony. Your attorney can help you gain access to these resources, which you may not have access to otherwise. If you struggle to get sufficient evidence for your claim, your lawyer can gather the evidence you otherwise would not have available. 

How Long Will My Claim Take? 

The length of your car accident claim depends on many factors, including the severity of your accident, your insurance company’s response, and whether the at-fault party is willing to negotiate. For example, Pennsylvania’s no-fault insurance laws may cover minor car accidents, meaning your insurance company may simply cover the costs of your injuries. 

While we cannot guarantee that your claim will be completed in a certain amount of time, we can promise that if you choose to hire our attorneys, you can expect legal assistance throughout your claim. We will not settle for less for your recovery just to settle your claim quickly. We want you to get a full recovery for your claim. 

Will My Lawyer Always Take My Claim To Court? 

In many cases, going to court is not necessary. You and your attorney may be able to negotiate with the insurance company. Your lawyer should have the tools and experience that an insurance company may take more seriously than a car accident victim alone. 

However, that does not mean we will avoid taking your claim to court if needed. Sometimes, the insurance company may refuse to settle with you. If they fail to settle or engage in bad-faith tactics, you may need to speak with an attorney about taking your claim to court and ensuring you get the full compensation you are due. 

Put a Team on Your Side That Fights to Win

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Can I Represent Myself in a Car Accident Case in Civil Court?

Pennsylvania law doesn’t force people to hire attorneys to represent them in a motor vehicle wreck lawsuit. But not having an attorney may put you at a disadvantage. After all, you have other matters to take care of, like getting medical help, healing from your injuries, and handling your day-to-day obligations. If you add unfamiliar and complicated legal issues to your plate, you may miss deadlines or reflexively accept an offer that’s much lower than what you’re entitled to.

Moreover, without a legal education to guide you, you might overlook laws that can help you. Pennsylvania law contains many exceptions and nuances that people often miss if they don’t have special legal training. If this happens to you, it might unnecessarily delay when your car accident settlement comes in. Or you might sign away your rights because you didn’t understand the fine print of the legal form the insurance company sent you. You can limit these potential pitfalls by hiring a seasoned and effective advocate to represent you throughout the case.

What Does a Car Accident Lawyer Do?

Before you jump in and hire an attorney, you probably want to know what a car accident lawyer does, anyway. After all, you’ll be paying them to help you, so you want to know what your money is going towards. Motor vehicle accident lawyers perform many vital services, such as:

• Conducting an investigation into the cause of the crash
• Performing legal research
• Seeking compensation for you
• Communicating with third parties on your behalf

Car accident attorneys also guide victims through the claims process to help victims feel in control of what happens during their case without feeling overburdened.

Conducts an Investigation

Lawyers conduct extensive investigations into the cause of the crash and the fallout. When necessary, they call on the help of an accident reconstructionist to help rewind the tape and find out what happened. Evidence that attorneys look for to help them build a case includes medical documents, police reports, photographs, video footage (if available), and eyewitness testimony.

The lawyers get the bulk of the evidence in the case during the discovery phase. For example, they might send written questions to the other party to get information about what they say occurred. Or they might question witnesses or experts in person through a process called a deposition. The attorneys use these materials to determine if getting compensation is possible and, if so, the best way to make that happen.

Performs Legal Research

Car accident lawyers spend a great deal of time researching Pennsylvania’s negligence laws and other statutes. The attorney uses the law to decide how to shape their legal arguments in court or at the negotiation table. Pennsylvania law also tells the lawyer how long the injured victim has to file a lawsuit against the liable driver. For example, Pennsylvania law typically requires victims to file court claims within two years. But minors and those who are incapacitated (e.g., because of a mental disability) may have more time. On the other hand, claims against the government usually need to be brought in less time and have additional requirements (like extended notice). Lawyers can identify these deadlines and other applicable laws to create an effective legal strategy.

Maximizes Your Chance of Receiving Compensation

At the heart of every liability claim is a request for compensation. Often, this, along with the need to be heard and secure justice, is the primary reason the victim decides to sue. Understanding Pennsylvania’s laws around compensation can be challenging for victims without legal training. Furthermore, they may not know how to appropriately respond to pressure from the insurance company to accept quick-fix settlement offers. Seasoned attorneys help their clients by identifying all possible avenues for recovery to maximize the chance that the victim wins their claim.

Communicates With Third Parties on Your Behalf

Another essential job that a car accident lawyer does for you is to communicate with third parties on your behalf. Answering calls and responding to emails or letters from those involved in a car crash can be disorienting. You may receive competing requests for information from the insurance company and at-fault party or their lawyers. All the while, you are trying to focus on recovering from the crash and resuming your life as best you can.

An attorney swoops in and takes the lead on the legal aspects of the case. They communicate with third parties on your behalf while keeping you up-to-date on the case status. If they need information from you before they can proceed, they’ll reach out to you. But you usually won’t have to talk to the insurance company or at-fault party if you have an attorney. This frees up your time and energy to focus on what matters to you.

What Are the Benefits of Hiring an Attorney for Your Car Accident Case?

Having a car accident attorney represent you during your case can provide you with immense value. They explain the law so you understand the legal jargon the insurance company might throw around. They advocate for you during negotiations to keep the greedy at-fault parties and insurance companies at bay. Finally, they represent you during the trial by presenting legal arguments and evidence that work in your favor.

Explains the Law So You Can Make Informed Decisions

Muddling through legal terms in insurance contracts, settlement offers, court papers, and online articles can be a tremendous undertaking. But the trenches of the law are where the victim will find an effective path to help them win their case. If you’re an accident victim, your lawyer can help you understand the law and explain it to you in a way that makes sense. Doing this ensures that you truly know your options and can decide what to do next.

Advocates for You During Negotiations

Despite what the insurance companies may tell you, they’re in it for the money, not for your best interests. Most decisions they make are to protect their bottom line rather than get you the compensation you need to move forward.

If you hire an attorney, they serve as your legal advocate throughout the case. By law, they must fight for your best interests. They can act as a buffer against tactics the insurance company may use to wear your patience thin. Your lawyer can champion your case and empower you throughout the process of fighting to get the compensation you deserve. They’ll also tell you if a settlement offer is a good deal or if you’re better off asking for more money.

Provides Legal Representation at Trial

Another benefit of having an attorney at your side is that they can represent you at trial. If settlement negotiations are unsuccessful, taking the case to trial may be necessary. The trial gives you the chance to tell your story and ask for compensation, using the evidence and the law to support your claim. During the trial, you (or your attorney) might call witnesses to testify and present legal arguments to the judge or jury. When the trial ends, the judge or jury makes a final decision.

Car accident lawyers understand how to prepare for trial adequately. They might also know what arguments tend to work and what ones do not. If you have an attorney, they can do the heavy lifting during the trial to help showcase the strengths of your case and the weaknesses of the opposing party’s arguments.

Put a Team on Your Side That Fights to Win

Book a Call Call for a Free Case Evaluation

Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in PA 

When you are injured in a Pennsylvania car accident, getting the help you need can be tricky. You may not have the tools at your disposal for your recovery. Worse, the at-fault party may try to place the blame on you for your injuries. 

When this happens, it may be time to speak with an attorney from Kalikhman & Rayz. Our team offers free consultations about your case so you know what to expect when you file a car accident claim. To learn more, reach out by calling or by completing our online contact form. 

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Lawrence Kalikhman

Lawrence Kalikhman is an attorney at Kalikhman & Rayz, helping injured clients pursue compensation after serious accidents.

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