Scranton Car Accident Attorney

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Award Winning Scranton Car Accident Attorneys

Have you recently suffered injuries due to the actions of a negligent driver in Scranton, Bucks County, or Montgomery County, PA? Has a member of your family recently been involved in a car, truck, motorcycle, or bicycle accident?

If you answered “yes” to one or both of these questions, it’s time for you to reach out to Kalikhman & Rayz, LLC immediately and schedule your free consultation with some of the best auto accident lawyers in the Scranton area. Every attorney on our team has vast experience helping victims of auto accidents, and they have even helped all of them obtain the compensation they deserve for their injuries.

Some of the motor vehicle accident cases we can handle consist include:

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Meet Our Attorneys

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Lawrence Kalikhman, Esquire

Lawrence Kalikhman, Esquire is a summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Temple University.  Mr. Kalikhman received his Juris Doctorate from the Rutgers University School of Law.  He has experience in Personal Injury Litigation in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. 

Mr. Kalikhman is admitted to practice before state and federal courts in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the State of New Jersey.  He is a member of the Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, and Bucks County Bar Associations, as well as the Pennsylvania Association for Justice.

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Eric Rayz, Esquire

Arkady “Eric” Rayz, Esquire is a summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Temple University.  As an undergraduate, Mr. Rayz was a recipient of the H. Thomas and Dorothy Willits Hallowell Scholarship and Temple University President’s Scholar Award.  Mr. Rayz obtained his Juris Doctorate from the James E. Beasley School of Law of Temple University, where he was a staff member and editor of the Temple International and Comparative Law Journal. 

Mr. Rayz has broad experience in handling matters in federal and state courts and is admitted to practice in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the State of New York.  He is a member of the Pennsylvania and Philadelphia Bar Associations.

When Should You Get an Attorney After a Car Accident?

Not every motor vehicle incident requires you to call a car accident attorney. However, if the accident was severe or complicated, it would be in your best interest to seek legal representation. While working with an auto accident attorney does not guarantee a specific outcome, they can help you investigate the crash and build up your case. It can also offer you peace of mind knowing someone is handling the legal aspects of the accident while you recover emotionally and physically.

If any of the following circumstances apply to your accident, reach out to a car accident lawyer as soon as possible:

  • You or someone else is significantly injured in the event of the accident
  • The crash occurred in a school zone, construction zone, or work zone
  • Fault is not clearly established
  • The incident involves an underinsured or uninsured driver
  • You disagree with the police report

It’s always best to call a car accident attorney right away so they can begin collecting valuable evidence and you can receive the compensation you deserve.

Is It Worth Getting a Lawyer for a Minor Auto Accident?

While it is less likely that a minor vehicle accident would require the assistance of a lawyer, you may find it helpful to seek the guidance of a car accident attorney in the following situations:

  • A vehicle or piece of property is significantly damaged
  • You or your passengers sustain injuries (even minor scrapes, bruises, or sore muscles)
  • You or your passengers miss work due to the incident
  • You or your passengers suffer psychological trauma and have subsequently incurred financial expenses from counseling or therapy
  • You experience complications with insurance limits or car repairs

The point to remember is that if you sustain any kind of injury or experience some form of financial loss due to the accident, you should hire a qualified and experienced auto accident attorney, even if you deem the accident “minor.”

Why You Shouldn’t Wait to Hire an Automobile Accident Lawyer for Your Case

The biggest reason you shouldn’t wait to hire a car accident attorney — especially if you’re not at fault for the accident and have suffered serious injuries — is because you’re vulnerable. The at-fault driver and his or her insurance company may intimidate you or come across as though they are trying to help but have other intentions in mind. Furthermore, some at-fault drivers might not only have their insurance companies behind them but also their lawyers to help ensure that they stay protected.

By getting in touch with an auto accident attorney soon after an automobile incident, you will not only get the help you need to obtain compensation for any injuries or loss, but you will have someone who can speak to the at-fault driver’s insurance company, and their lawyer, on your behalf.

Should I Get an Attorney for an Accident That Was My Fault?

If you were in a motor vehicle accident and were clearly at fault, your first step should be hiring an auto accident attorney, especially before you speak with the other driver’s insurance company. A lawyer can help mitigate the claims this insurance provider makes against you. If you are only partially at fault, a car accident attorney can ensure your rights are protected and that you are not paying more than is fair.

When Should You Hire a Bicycle Accident Attorney?

Have you or a loved one recently been involved in a bicycle accident? If so, it’s highly recommended that you consult a bicycle accident lawyer. As a victim, you could be entitled to compensation for your physical injuries, lost wages, or emotional distress.

If you’ve been involved in any of the following scenarios, you will want to consider hiring a bicycle accident attorney in Scranton:

  • You were injured in the crash or accident. If you get any severe injuries like a concussion or bone fractures, you may want to enlist the help of a bicycle accident attorney because they can seek compensation for any medical bills incurred.
  • Your insurance company refused to pay the claim. Insurance companies want to pay as little as possible and may deny you the necessary coverage after a bike accident. A lawyer can fight for your rights and ensure you get the compensation you need.
  • You’re having trouble determining fault in your accident. A bicycle accident attorney can identify who is liable for the accident, especially if several parties are involved.
  • You do not feel confident in your ability to manage your claim and compensation on your own. A competent lawyer will explain the legal process to you and guide you through every step. They will also provide a rough estimate of the compensation you will receive.

Turn to Dedicated and Aggressive Auto Accident Lawyers

When you choose a lawyer at our firm to handle your accident or injury case, you can expect your auto or bicycle accident attorney to look into how and why the accident happened, thoroughly answer any questions you have, and, most importantly of all: make sure you receive just compensation. Your lawyer may also speak with other experts to make sure your case has a positive outcome.

Here at Kalikhman & Rayz, LLC, we take pride in giving each and every client the personalized attention he or she deserves. To get in touch with an automobile accident or personal injury attorney at our Montgomery County, PA office, reach out to us today.

Last but not least, if you’re in need of a reliable business dispute lawyer near Bucks County, PA, please also feel free to contact us at your earliest convenience.

Scranton Car Accident Lawyer FAQ

Scranton is known for its heavy traffic, and it’s no stranger to dangerous traffic accidents. Because obtaining the compensation to which you’re entitled can play a critical role in your ability to fully regain your health and well-being, working closely with an experienced Scranton car accident lawyer is always to your advantage.

Yes, Pennsylvania operates under a no-fault system for car accidents. This means that regardless of who is at fault in an accident, each party’s own insurance company is generally responsible for covering their medical expenses and other related losses. 

In Pennsylvania, drivers are required to have Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage as part of their auto insurance policy. PIP helps pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and other accident-related costs for the insured driver and their passengers, regardless of fault. The minimum PIP coverage limit in Pennsylvania is $5,000.

Despite being a no-fault state, car accident victims can file lawsuits if their injuries are severe enough. The best way to file a claim is to discuss your situation with an attorney as soon as you can.

For relatively minor car accidents in Scranton, a police response is not required. To qualify as minor in this context, all the following must apply:

  • There is no property damage other than to the vehicles involved. 
  • Both involved vehicles are able to drive away.
  • Neither driver flees the scene. 

If, however, anyone is injured to the point that they require an emergency response, it’s time to call 911.

When it comes to car accidents, vehicle speed is a double-edged sword. Not only does excess speed make accidents more likely but also increases the severity of resulting injuries. For more than 20 years, the element of speed has played a pivotal role in about a third of all traffic fatalities, making it one of the most dangerous forms of driver negligence.

If another driver’s negligence leaves you with property damage to your car, they are responsible for your loss, and you can seek compensation through their car accident insurance provider.

If you’re responsible for an accident in Scranton, the following potential insurance scenarios apply:

  • Your own no-fault coverage – if you carry it – will cover your medical expenses and lost income. Otherwise, your full coverage policy will cover your medical bills up to the policy’s limit.
  • If the other driver’s losses aren’t classified as serious and they carry no-fault coverage, their own policy will cover their losses.
  • If the other driver doesn’t carry no-fault coverage, they will likely file a claim with your insurance provider.

Those who opt into Pennsylvania’s no-fault car insurance coverage and who are injured in car accidents are not required to take any action against the at-fault drivers involved in order to recover on their losses. Instead, they turn to their own no-fault policies. 

Yes, you can sue a motorist whose negligence leaves you injured in a car accident for your full range of covered losses. Only if your injuries are considerably less serious and you purchased no-fault insurance is this option off the table. 

Yes, if you suffer whiplash as a result of another driver’s negligence, you can sue for the physical, financial, and emotional losses you experience, which can be substantial. That said, if your case of whiplash does not result in serious health issues, you may need to make a claim on your own PIP insurance, if you carry it.

In Pennsylvania, you have only two years from the date of an injury-causing car accident to sue the at-fault driver. This makes reaching out to a seasoned car accident lawyer as soon after the accident as possible the best course of action.

The statute of limitations refers to the time limit for filing a lawsuit, and when it comes to car accidents and other personal injury claims in Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations is only two years from the date of the accident.

Yes, even if you don’t carry the car insurance that the State of Pennsylvania requires you to, you can sue an at-fault driver who leaves you injured for the covered losses you experience. 

In Pennsylvania, a serious injury that allows a claimant who opted into no-fault coverage to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver is an injury that causes serious impairment of a bodily function, a serious and permanent disfigurement, or death. If your injury leaves you with serious health concerns or interferes with your former lifestyle, it may qualify as serious – even if the involved insurance company rules otherwise. Consulting with a knowledgeable car accident lawyer is advised.   

The insurance coverage minimums for Pennsylvania drivers related to bodily injury include the following:

  • $15,000 of coverage per injured party
  • A total of $30,000 coverage per accident

 

Every motorist is required by law to carry this minimum coverage.

Pennsylvania employs a comparative negligence law in relation to car accidents and other kinds of personal injury claims. This means that, even if you share responsibility for the accident that leaves you injured, you can seek compensation for the percentage of your covered losses that the other driver is responsible for – as long as they bear at least 50 percent of the responsibility. 

For example, if you suffered $100,000 in physical, financial, and emotional losses in a car accident that was caused by a drunk driver who is determined to be 90 percent responsible, your compensation will be reduced by the 10 percent of responsibility that is assigned to you. As such, your compensation will be reduced by $10,000 – leaving you with a $90,000 settlement or court award.

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