State College Car Accident Attorneys

As the home of Penn State University’s main campus, State College, Pennsylvania, sees its share of car accidents, particularly when school is in session.

If you suffered injuries or lost a loved one in a car crash in State College, you may qualify to obtain compensation for your injuries and losses. However, the process of pursuing compensation is complex and often challenging. Thus, you need an experienced State College car accident lawyer for help.

Fortunately, a skilled personal injury attorney at Marcus & Mack could help you hold the at-fault party accountable and obtain the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation about your case. We’ll inform you of your rights and options for seeking compensation and represent you throughout the process to increase your chances for success.

How Can Marcus & Mack Help With My State College Car Accident Claim?

Serving injured clients throughout Pennsylvania for nearly 50 years, the attorneys at Marcus & Mack possess more than 100 years of collective personal injury law experience.

Over the years, we have secured substantial settlements and verdicts for our clients, including:

• $3 million for a motor vehicle collision
• $2.085 million for a car accident
• $1.3 million for a motor vehicle accident

Our case results speak for themselves, but they do not guarantee an outcome. While we can’t promise a dollar amount you will receive, we can promise to fight for you to improve your odds of getting the maximum compensation possible.

Our lawyers can assess the specifics of your car accident, including the extent of injuries, property damage, and liability issues. We can evaluate the strength of your case and advise you on the potential outcomes.

Other ways our attorneys can help include:

• Thoroughly investigating the circumstances of the accident and gathering evidence to establish liability to the at-fault party
• Handling all communications with insurance companies on your behalf.
• Negotiating with insurers to seek fair compensation to cover all costs of your injuries
• Taking your case to court and representing you at trial if the at-fault driver’s insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement

Having an attorney from our firm handle your claim should offer you peace of mind knowing an experienced, dedicated legal professional is working diligently for you. We aim to reduce the stress and uncertainty of dealing with the aftermath of a car accident so you can focus instead on your physical recovery.

Since our lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, you won’t have to worry about having to pay for an attorney. We charge no upfront fees and will only accept attorney fees if we win your case.

To speak with one of our State College car accident attorneys, contact us to request a no-cost case evaluation.

What Are the Main Causes of Car Accidents in State College?

Various factors can cause car accidents in State College, such as:

• Distracted Driving: The use of mobile phones, texting, or other distractions while driving is a significant cause of accidents. Distractions can take a driver’s attention away from the road and increase the risk of collisions.
• Speeding: Driving at speeds higher than the posted speed limits or too fast for road conditions reduces a driver’s ability to react quickly to obstacles or changes in traffic.
• Drunk Driving: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs impairs a driver’s judgment, coordination, and reaction time, leading to an increased risk of accidents.
• Reckless or Aggressive Driving: Aggressive behaviors such as tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic, and road rage can contribute to accidents. Drivers who disregard traffic laws and exhibit aggressive behavior pose a danger to themselves and others.
• Failure to Obey Traffic Signals: Disregarding traffic signals, running red lights, or failing to yield the right of way can result in collisions at intersections.
• Fatigue: Driver fatigue can impair concentration and reaction times, increasing the likelihood of accidents. Long hours of driving without adequate rest can lead to drowsy driving.
• Failure to Signal: Drivers who fail to use turn signals or indicate their intentions may cause confusion and increase the risk of collisions.
• Inexperienced Drivers: Inexperienced drivers may lack the skills to navigate challenging traffic situations or respond effectively to hazards on the road.

Other causes of car accidents include inclement weather, vehicle defects, and poor road conditions. Drivers can take steps to prioritize safety, such as avoiding distractions, obeying speed limits, and driving responsibly in adverse weather conditions. However, you can’t control the actions of others, but you can work with a car accident lawyer to hold them accountable if their careless or reckless actions caused a car crash that injured you.

What Should I Do After a Car Wreck in State College?

Making sense of the situation right after a car accident is often confusing when a person is suffering from physical and emotional injuries, along with property damage.

Immediately after a collision, both drivers should move to the shoulder of the road and turn on their hazard lights. Drivers should also exchange information, take pictures of the accident scene, and not engage in a verbal altercation with the other driver.

Someone should call the police right away to investigate and write a report. The official accident report will serve as valuable evidence when pursuing a personal injury claim since it will contain the officer’s version of events and opinion as to what caused the accident.

If you sustained an injury, you must seek medical care, no matter how minor your injuries may seem. Some injuries don’t manifest symptoms immediately, and a medical evaluation can rule out underlying issues that may cause problems later. Additionally, you’ll need documentation you received treatment for your injuries to pursue an injury claim.

You should also report the accident to your own auto insurance company and follow their recommendations for filing a claim. Be sure not to offer too much information to your insurance company or the at-fault driver’s insurance company, as they may try to use your words against you and blame you for the crash.

The best thing you can do after receiving treatment for your injuries is to contact a State College car accident attorney. They can walk you through the steps you need to take to pursue compensation and help you collect evidence to support your claim.

What Are Common Injuries Associated with Car Accidents in State College?

Despite automobile manufacturers building more safety features into their cars in recent years, car accidents remain one of the leading causes of personal injuries.

Some common injuries people sustain in State College car accidents include:

• Whiplash
• Broken bones
• Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries
• Cuts and lacerations
• Internal injuries and organ damage
• Back and spinal cord injuries
• Soft tissue injuries
• Psychological and emotional injuries, such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression

You can suffer various other injuries in a car accident, and you must seek prompt medical attention for any injuries you sustain.

What Are Auto Insurance Requirements in Pennsylvania?

Injured drivers can rely on their own automobile insurance company to pay some of their medical benefits, no matter who was responsible for the accident.

Pennsylvania requires drivers to carry a minimum of $5,000 in medical benefits. Pennsylvania further requires a driver to carry liability insurance to compensate anyone injured through the fault of that driver. The required minimum is $15,000 per person, and $30,000 per accident (if there is more than one victim), and $5,000 for property damage.

Pennsylvania drivers also choose between being Full Tort or Limited Tort.  It is recommended that you choose Full Tort. A Limited Tort driver may be restricted in their ability to make a monetary recovery following a collision and may only be able to recover economic damages (i.e. lost wages, unpaid medical bills).

A limited tort driver may be precluded from pursuing noneconomic damages (such as pain and suffering).

Dealing with insurance companies can be challenging. A knowledgeable car crash lawyer in State College who is familiar with insurance and car wrecks could advise an injured party about the best course of action. An injury attorney can also review a person’s auto policy at any time to provide guidance as to the coverages available.

How Do I Establish Liability for a State College Car Accident?

Establishing liability for a car accident in State College involves demonstrating that another party was at fault for the collision. Liability is typically determined by assessing the actions and behaviors of the involved parties and having an attorney help you with the process is imperative.

Some methods a lawyer can use to establish liability include:

• Reviewing police reports and any other evidence, such as photographs
• Questioning witnesses, including experts
• Analyzing medical reports and records
• Reconstructing the scene of the accident

A lawyer from Marcus & Mack will collect all necessary evidence to hold the at-fault party liable, whether it’s another driver or the manufacturer of a faulty component in your car that contributed to the crash.

What Damages Can I Recover After a State College Car Accident?

After a car accident in State College, you may be entitled to recover various damages, depending on the circumstances of the accident and the extent of your injuries. The damages you recover could be both economic and non-economic.

Economic Damages

• Medical Expenses: This includes costs for hospitalization, surgeries, doctor’s visits, medications, rehabilitation, and any other necessary medical treatments related to the accident.
• Lost Income: If the accident causes you to miss work, you may recover compensation for the income you would have earned during that time.
• Property Damage: This covers the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle and any other personal property damaged in the accident.
• Future Medical Expenses: If your injuries require ongoing or future medical care, you may be able to recover these anticipated costs.

Non-Economic Damages

• Pain and Suffering: This includes compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and the overall impact the accident has had on your quality of life.
• Loss of Consortium: In some cases, a spouse may be entitled to compensation for the loss of companionship, support, and intimacy resulting from the injured party’s injuries.
• Disfigurement or Scarring: If the accident causes visible scars or disfigurement, you may be eligible for compensation for the negative impact on your appearance and well-being.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: This compensates you for the limitations the accident places on your ability to enjoy life’s activities and experiences.
• Loss of Consortium: In some cases, a spouse may be entitled to compensation for the loss of companionship, support, and intimacy resulting from the injured party’s injuries.

In certain situations where the court finds the at-fault party’s conduct particularly reckless or intentional, punitive damages may be awarded. Punitive damages are intended to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior in the future.

To maximize your chances of recovering the full extent of damages you deserve, consult an experienced personal injury attorney.

Can I Recover Damages If I Was Partially At Fault for the Car Crash?

Most likely, yes. Pennsylvania’s comparative negligence statutes allow an injured party to recover from the other driver as long as the plaintiff is not more than 50 percent responsible for the accident. So, as long as your percentage of fault is 50 percent or below, you should recover damages. However, any compensation you receive will decrease by your percentage of fault.

How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in State College?

Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations allows you two years from the date of your injury to file a lawsuit in civil court, seeking damages. If you don’t have an attorney file suit for you within that time, you risk losing your rights to pursue compensation. Keep in mind that claims against government entities typically have far shorter deadlines.

Although some exceptions may exist to extend the time you have to file, you should not wait to get started. The sooner you get started on your claim the better since your lawyer will have to collect a lot of evidence and you will need to assess the full extent of your injuries.

Robert S. Marcus Personal Injury Attorney in  State College

Reach Out to a State College Car Accident Attorney for Help

Recovering your losses following a vehicle collision could be difficult to do on your own. If you were hurt in a car crash, you need someone on your side to guide you through the legal issues you may face. Contact a State College car accident lawyer at Marcus & Mack today at (814) 942-9443 for your free consultation.

Schedule a Free Initial Consultation Today!