Injuries sustained in a vehicle wreck can be severe, with potentially life-long consequences. If you sustained injuries in a car accident, you could be facing serious physical and emotional trauma, as well as new financial burdens brought on by medical bills or lost wages.
In this situation, you could benefit from reaching out to a DuBois personal injury attorney. A DuBois car accident lawyer could assist you in protecting your rights in court and recovering compensation for the accident.
The circumstances surrounding a vehicle wreck are important for determining liability. An experienced DuBois attorney could gather evidence to determine who is responsible for the car accident. Lawyers could gather the names of witnesses, video footage, and find experts, such as accident reconstructionists who may be able to provide testimony regarding who is liable for the accident.
Negligent actions are a common cause of vehicle wrecks. These can include:
In some cases, multiple parties may be liable for a single accident. A government entity might be responsible for a roadway that was not designed safely, or a car manufacturer might be responsible if a defect in the vehicle caused the crash.
Car accident claimants have three different kinds of damages that may available in a civil case, including economic, non-economic, and in some cases, punitive damages.
Pennsylvania law allows claimants to seek economic damages. Economic damages are tangible, quantifiable losses. These damages could include past and future medical expenses, out of pocket expenses, lost wages, and future lost earning capacity.
Non-economic damages are designed to compensate the plaintiff for pain and suffering. Non-economic damages can be difficult to quantify, but a DuBois attorney experienced with car wreck cases could help calculate fair compensation. Non-economic damages may be precluded if the plaintiff selected the “limited tort” option on his or her own automobile insurance policy, unless one of the certain exceptions are met.
Punitive damages may be pursued in cases where the defendant acted in a reckless manner, such as driving under the influence, texting while driving, or speeding in a construction zone. Punitive damages are designed to send a message to the wrongdoer that this conduct is reprehensible. In these cases, punitive damages serve to punish the defendant rather than to make the plaintiff whole again.
It is important for injury victims to be aware of the restrictive timeline in which they must file their claims. In most instances, the statute of limitations requires that plaintiffs file their claims within two years from the date of the accident. After that period expires, the court could dismiss the case permanently. A vehicle crash lawyer could help a DuBois victim file his or her claim within the given timeframe.
A DuBois car accident lawyer could assist you by investigating the facts of a particular case to determine who may be liable for the injuries and associated losses. Additionally, an attorney could calculate the amount of damages you could potentially receive and ensure that claims are timely filed so that they are not time-barred. Call an attorney at Marcus & Mack now to schedule a consultation.
By: Lori R.
12 West Long Ave. Suite 203 DuBois PA 15801 Phone: (724) 349-5602