AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENTS
Cars, Tractor Trailers, ATV, Motorcycles
NO FEES UNLESS WE WIN YOUR CASE! For personal injury cases, we work on a contingency fee basis. We do not charge any upfront fees and will only charge attorney’s fees if we obtain a financial settlement for you. We do not get paid unless you win. This means we both want to resolve the matter quickly and efficiently to recover maximum compensation for you.
At the Shaw Law Group, we are here to come to the aid of those whose lives were disrupted by the poor choices of another driver. Even the most defensive drivers among us can be affected by a negligent driver. Distracted, drunk, or reckless drivers can create highly dangerous situations on the roadways that can leave others badly injured and struggling to find a way to pay for medical bills. Negligent drivers can cause you injury while driving automobiles, ATVs, Tractor Trailers, or any motorized vehicle.
Our experienced auto accident lawyers believe that victims should not be forced to pay for careless actions of others, and we can do everything in our power to secure maximum compensation.
TRACTOR TRAILER ACCIDENTS
Trucks pose a unique and heightened risk on the roadways due to their size and the strain put on truck drivers. Many shipping companies make ridiculous demands of their employees, expecting impossible results. To attempt to meet these goals, truck drivers often drive longer hours than is legally allowed, which unfortunately leads to a higher rate of accidents.
Common causes of trucking accidents include all of the following:
- Improperly maintained trucks
- Intoxicated truck drivers with alcohol, illegal drugs, or medications
- Poorly packed or loaded equipment
- Failure to take precautions for intense weather conditions
- Driving while fatigued or tired
- If you were one of the many victims whose lives were interrupted by a truck or tractor-trailer accident, you may be wondering how you can seek justice. You should not have to pay medical expenses for an accident that you didn’t cause, but you may find yourself scrambling to make ends meet all the same. Insurance companies are notorious for offering settlements that are inadequate, leaving victims with the bill.
Truck Driving Regulations
Because of the risk large trucks pose in the event of an accident, truck drivers are heavily regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The FMCSA has many rules truck drivers are required to follow; one of these rules is called the Hours of Service regulations. Since tired drivers are much more likely to cause an accident, either by a mistake they would not make if they were fully awake or by falling asleep at the wheel, these regulations seek to ensure that drivers are well-rested and not overextended while on the road.
All too often, truckers are caught breaking these rules, either by their own choice or at the encouragement of their employer. If you have been injured in a tractor-trailer accident, we can help.
MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS
Every year, thousands of motorcyclists are injured or killed in accidents in Pennsylvania and that number is on the rise. Even the most careful motorcyclist is at risk of a head injury or other serious injury if they are hit by negligent drivers on the road. If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, the Shaw Law Group can help you.
Our legal team have the extensive experience, skill, and knowledge to pursue the compensation you need for your injuries after a motorcycle accident.
Serious Injuries Require Serious Representation
Motorcycles are popular in Central Pennsylvania and throughout the surrounding areas of Pennsylvania, especially during the summer months. With our open highways, industrial parks and manufacturing centers, motorcyclists are at risk of colliding with a tractor-trailer, truck, or other vehicle on the road. Our firm represents clients involved in accidents on local roads as well as major highways.
A collision with an automobile, with or without a helmet, can leave a biker with devastating injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Head trauma and concussive injuries
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Back and neck injuries
- Road rash and scarring
- Amputation injuries and lost limbs
- Providing Sound Legal Guidance
After an accident, medical bills can add up quickly and leave you unable to return to work. Our experienced lawyer can help you pursue past and future medical expenses, lost wages, and damages for pain and suffering. If you lost a loved one in an accident, we can also help you seek justice through a wrongful death action. For more information about motorcycle accidents and personal injury claims in contact us today for a free consultation.
If you have been injured in an automobile accident in Pennsylvania, you may be wondering what your legal options in order are to recover financial compensation and pay for your hospital bills, lost earnings from missed time from work, property damage, and other damages. Since every vehicle owner in the state is required to have car insurance coverage, the type of insurance the at-fault driver has may determine how you can recover the monetary damages you deserve.
The following are the minimum car insurance coverage limits in Pennsylvania:
$15,000 for bodily injury per person (if you are at fault)
$30,000 for total bodily injury per accident (if you are at fault)
$5,000 for property damage (if you are at fault)
$5,000 in medical care coverage (pays for your medical bills)
Unlike most states, Pennsylvania follows a “no-fault” car accident rule, which means all drivers must file a claim with their own insurer and your own policy will pay for medical treatment and other accident-related expenses up to your coverage limits. But if the injuries suffered are serious in nature (e.g. broken bones, disability, temporary or permanent loss of a body function or part, etc.), then a driver may file a third-party insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit against the liable motorist.
However, it is possible for drivers to opt-out of the no-fault system based on which auto insurance policy they purchase. In Pennsylvania, there are two types of policy coverages: Limited Tort coverage and Full Tort coverage.
Limited Tort coverage means your right – as well as your family members’ rights under your policy – to recover monetary damages from the accident is limited. While you can recover losses stemming from medical expenses, lost income, and property damage with this type of coverage, you cannot obtain pain and suffering and other non-economic damages. Yet, as we mentioned before, you may file a lawsuit directly against the at-fault driver if you suffer a serious injury.
By contrast, Full Tort coverage gives vehicle owners and any family members under their coverage have unlimited rights in the event of an accident. Injured drivers and passengers may recover all economic and non-economic damages – even if there are no serious injuries involved.
FAQ for Auto Accidents
I was involved in an accident that wasn’t my fault. A few days later, an adjuster from the insurance company of the driver who caused the accident called and asked me to give a recorded statement. What should I do?
You should not talk to the other insurance company and you should not give a recorded statement. Recorded statements could be used against you in the future. You need legal help, and you should call a lawyer immediately. Learn more about what to do and not to do after an auto accident.
You’ve called 911, and you’re waiting for police and emergency crews to arrive. Even if no one is hurt, police should be called to document the accident.
Exchange information with everyone who’s at the scene. If it’s a car accident, talk to the other driver involved and get the following information: name, address, and phone number; the make, model, and year of the car; driver’s insurance information; car registration; and driver’s license number. Also talk to witnesses, including any passengers, and document their names, addresses, and phone numbers.
Pay attention to, and record, the details. Note the time, weather conditions, road conditions, landmarks, and anything else you feel may be important.
Have a camera phone or a camera handy? Snap photos of the accident scene, including damage, the property, roads, landmarks, and anything else that could be important.
Don’t apologize or cast any blame. It may be difficult to do when you or someone else is hurt, but words can be twisted. Even a simple “I’m sorry,” or, “What were you thinking?” may be used against you.
Insurance companies won’t stop calling.
You’re in the hospital or recovering at home, but the insurance companies are calling or visiting you. They keep asking questions, and they say they want to record you giving a statement. Their questions might be making it seem or implying that the accident was your fault.
- Call an attorney.
- DON’T say or sign ANYTHING.
- DON’T give a statement. If an insurance agent asks to talk to you, you’re free to say no, hang up, and call an attorney.
- DON’T sign any documents, even if the insurance company claims you must. You could mistakenly sign away your rights to compensation.
- DON’T accept a settlement without talking to an attorney.
- Chances are, with legal representation, you can be offered more.
The police, insurance companies, friends, and family are asking about the accident. They want to hear “exactly what happened” one more time. You’re thinking about posting a status update on your social media accounts (such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instragram) saying what happened and how you’re feeling.
Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible. However, provide only basic facts and do not provide a written or recorded statement.
Again, DON’T say or sign ANYTHING, especially when it comes to the insurance companies. DON’T place any blame, even if the other person absolutely caused the accident. Simply share the facts. The police will document the accident and write a report to prevent any false claims.
You’re hurt.
You may already be in the hospital, seeing your doctor, going to therapy, or you’re simply feeling pain.
Don’t delay getting medical help. Not only is this better for your health, but it will also prevent insurance companies from asking, “Why did you wait?”
Document all medical progress for your records, including: how you’re feeling; your appointments; which practitioners you see; and what medications you’re instructed to take.
Document all medical bills that come your way.
Quick tip:
Choosing an experienced attorney can help you deal with medical bills.
Remember, don’t hesitate.
Even though the last thing on your mind after an accident is hiring an attorney, you shouldn’t wait. Statutes of limitations restrict the amount of time you have to file a lawsuit after an injury. For example, in Pennsylvania, you only have two years from the date the injury occurred. Even then, the longer you wait after your injury, the harder it becomes to prove your case.
When you choose us to represent you, we start working on your case immediately. We know that evidence can disappear quickly, and so we send our own experienced team of investigators to the scene. We’ll collect the evidence, we’ll get the police report, we’ll talk to the insurance companies – and we’ll update you as you recover.
