Bethel Park Car Accident Lawyers

It can happen in a second. You’re cruising down the road to pick up your child from school, go to work, or head into Pittsburgh for the day. The next, your car is a crumpled heap of metal and you’re not quite sure what happened. Car accidents are very common in Pennsylvania and across the United States, largely because of negligent and reckless drivers.

If you or someone you love has been hurt in a car accident, don’t wait to talk to a personal injury lawyer in Bethel Park. The team at Caroselli, Beachler & Coleman is ready to help you fight for fair compensation. Call us at 412-253-2925 to set up a consultation now.

Pennsylvania Car Accident Statistics

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation maintains a database of car accident statistics,  making it easy to track patterns over time and look for problematic trends. In 2020 alone, Pennsylvania saw almost 105,000 traffic accidents. They led to 1,129 deaths and over 61,000 injuries. While this number is trending downward, there is still a lot of work to be done.

Passenger cars were more likely to be involved in crashes than any other vehicles, followed closely by light trucks, vans, and SUVs. State highways and local roads had the highest number of crashes statewide. This may include local roads like State Route 88, Mount Lebanon Boulevard, and Connor Road.

Impaired driving is a huge issue in Pennsylvania. There were 7,700 alcohol-related collisions in 2020, resulting in nearly 300 deaths. This amounts to more than a quarter of all traffic deaths in the state.

What Causes Bethel Park Auto Accidents?

The state also has data on what causes car crashes. These trends reflect what is observed in other parts of the country—driver error is a huge factor in traffic collisions. One of the most common causes of crashes was speeding, followed by improper turns, driving while distracted, and driving without checking for obstacles. Other common errors include driving while drunk and passing unsafely.

While human error is the main reason crashes occur, there are other reasons that traffic collisions may happen. State and local municipalities have an obligation to keep roads safe and easy to navigate. In some cases, crashes are caused by poor signage and navigation or unsafe roads. Collisions may also be the result of vehicle malfunctions.

Compensation for Car Crash Injuries in Bethel Park

Navigating the aftermath of a motor vehicle collision in Bethel Park can be an overwhelming experience. Beyond the physical pain of recovery, victims are often thrust into a complex legal and financial landscape. Understanding how compensation works is essential for protecting your future. Knowing the cause of a car accident is the first step in seeking compensation; once you know why an accident happened, you can determine who is at fault. In Pennsylvania’s legal system, establishing this chain of causality is the foundation of any successful personal injury claim.

Establishing Liability and Proving Your Case

In Bethel Park, accidents often occur on busy stretches like Library Road (Route 88) or near the South Hills Village area. Proving fault in these locations requires a meticulous gathering of evidence, from traffic camera footage to eyewitness accounts. Once fault is established, it’s a matter of proving that your injuries were a direct result of the accident and that they deserve financial restitution. This involves connecting the dots between the impact, your immediate medical diagnosis, and the long-term prognosis provided by healthcare professionals.

The Strategic Value of Legal Representation

This is where your Bethel Park car accident attorney shines. Insurance companies are multi-billion-dollar entities that are very good at limiting the amount of compensation they pay victims. They often employ “adjusters” whose primary goal is to settle claims for the lowest possible amount, sometimes before the full extent of a victim’s injuries is even known. 

A Bethel Park car accident attorney acts as a shield against these tactics, ensuring you aren’t pressured into a “lowball” settlement. They understand the “tricks” of the trade—such as misconstruing your recorded statements or downplaying your pain—and help you avoid these common pitfalls.

Types of Compensation Available

With a successful personal injury claim, you may be able to receive compensation for a wide array of economic and non-economic damages:

• Medical Expenses: This covers the immediate and tangible costs of your recovery. It includes prescription medications, diagnostic tests (like MRIs and X-rays), surgical work, ambulance transportation, and necessary follow-up care. In the wake of a crash, these bills can accumulate rapidly, and a claim ensures the responsible party carries that burden.
• Lost Wages: If your injuries have forced you to take time off work, you are entitled to reimbursement for the income you have already lost. This provides a vital safety net for families who rely on every paycheck.
• Future Medical Expenses: For severe or catastrophic injuries, the healing process doesn’t end when the lawsuit is filed. Compensation can include the projected costs of ongoing physical therapy, future surgeries, or long-term medical equipment.
• Lost Future Earning Opportunities: If you are permanently unable to work or must take a lower-paying job due to your injuries, you can seek damages for the “diminished earning capacity” you will suffer over the course of your remaining career.
• Disability and Disfigurement: Beyond medical bills, the Law recognizes the profound impact of permanent physical changes. Compensation for disfigurement or the loss of use of a limb acknowledges the lifelong alteration of your quality of life.
• Property Damage: This covers the repair or replacement of your vehicle and any personal property inside the car that was destroyed during the collision.

Pain and Suffering: These “non-economic” damages are often the most significant part of a claim. They compensate you for the physical agony, emotional distress, anxiety, and loss of enjoyment of life that follow a traumatic event.

Pennsylvania Laws

To protect your shot at compensation, you’ll need to be familiar with Pennsylvania personal injury laws. The statute of limitations in Pennsylvania is two years. Filing your case after that date will almost certainly lead to a dismissal.

There are exceptions, of course. If your lawsuit is against the government, you need to go through an entirely separate procedure and you are subject to different timelines.

Like many other states, Pennsylvania uses a modified comparative negligence rule. If you are found to be partially at fault for the accident, you can still receive compensation. However, if you are more than 50% at fault, you will not be able to collect any compensation.

It is fairly easy to calculate. If you are awarded $10,000 and found to be 10% at fault, your award will be reduced to $9,000 to account for your share of fault.

Additionally, Pennsylvania has a unique car insurance system that may affect whether or not you can file a claim against the other party. If you opted for limited tort insurance, your claim will go through your own insurance company unless you suffered serious injuries. If you chose full tort insurance coverage, you can seek compensation from the liable party.

Why You Need a Car Accident Lawyer in Bethel Park, PA

If you’ve suffered serious injuries in a car accident, you may wonder if an attorney is really necessary. After all, shouldn’t the other party’s insurance company simply pay up if it’s clear that their client is at fault?

While this would be the preferable outcome, it just doesn’t work that way. Insurance companies are notoriously stingy with their money and they will do whatever it takes to protect it, including lying about claims, tricking victims into saying things that hurt their case and dragging cases out to discourage victims.

The team at Caroselli, Beachler & Coleman knows how insurance companies operate and how far they will go to protect their own best interests. We’ll go even further to protect your best interests and fight for the compensation you deserve. A car accident can leave you with staggering amounts of medical debt, limited income, and significant mental trauma.

You should not be left carrying these burdens on your own. By fully investigating the accident, learning more about your injuries, and building a strong case against the other party, we’ll advocate for you during negotiations and, if necessary, in court.

Reach Out to Caroselli, Beachler & Coleman Now

If you’re ready to pursue a personal injury claim for your car accident injuries, we’re ready to work with you and help you explore your options. Set up a consultation with our team now to get started. Call us at 412-253-2925 or fill out our online contact form.