Thanks to modern technology, there have been some breakthroughs resulting in the reduction of fatal traffic accidents. In 2017, Pennsylvania saw the fewest traffic fatalities in the last 90 years, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. However, while fatalities have dropped, the number of accidents continues to rise, as has the number of severe injuries stemming from auto wrecks.
If you suffered an injury in a crash, you could be facing physical, emotional, and financial hardship. If another person’s negligence caused that crash, you have the right to seek compensation for your hardships with the help of a Johnstown car accident lawyer. A knowledgeable and experienced personal injury attorney could review your case and help you with the litigation process.
Injuries are commonplace in any collision involving motor vehicles traveling at high rates of speed. In many cases, an injury victim could struggle to pay for the cost of their medical treatment, especially if those injuries require them to miss work during their recovery. A Johnstown car accident attorney could help the victim of a car crash identify the damages available in their case and pursue monetary recovery from the negligent driver.
First and foremost, a plaintiff in a car crash lawsuit has the right to pursue damages from the negligent driver for bills stemming from accident-related medical treatment. They can seek compensation not only for bills incurred before filing suit but also for future medical expenses related to the collision.
Many injury victims miss time at work while recovering from their injuries, potentially leading to weeks or even months without a paycheck. Accordingly, a plaintiff can seek compensation for lost wages through their injury lawsuit. They may also seek monetary damages for the impact a car wreck has on their future wages if those injuries permanently diminish the plaintiff’s ability to make a living.
The at-fault party in a car accident is sometimes undisputed, but in some cases, it can be unclear who was at fault. In fact, many car accidents occur due, in part, to the actions of both involved drivers.
Some states bar an injured driver from recovering compensation from a crash if they were even marginally at fault. Fortunately, Pennsylvania law does not take such a harsh approach. According to 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 7102, a car accident case plaintiff may recover damages from another driver so long as that plaintiff is no more than 50 percent at fault for the accident.
However, a plaintiff who is found partially responsible for the accident that injured them would see their damage award reduced proportionally by their respective degree of fault, in accordance with the state’s comparative negligence law. At trial, a skilled car wreck lawyer in Johnstown could work to demonstrate to a jury that the plaintiff they represent bore little to no responsibility for the crash.
If you are recovering from injuries suffered during a car wreck, you deserve to focus on your physical well-being. With the guidance of a seasoned injury lawyer, you could hand off the stress of handling an injury claim and give yourself more time to heal.
With the right legal counsel, moving forward in your pursuit of monetary damages does not have to be burdensome. Contact us today to learn how a Johnstown car accident lawyer from Marcus & Mack could help.
By: Jessica G.
334 Budfield St, #132 Johnstown PA 15904 Phone: (814) 539-3213