Pennsylvania Personal Injury – Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I have a personal injury case?

If you have been harmed by the negligence of another party, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim.  Personal injury lawsuits can arise out of all sorts of accidents, such as motor vehicle wrecks, recreational accidents, medical malpractice, on-the-job accidents and slip-and-fall incidents. A successful claim is based upon proving that the negligent person, corporation, entity or agency acted – or failed to act – in a way that caused damage to you or your property.

How long do I have in Pennsylvania to file a personal injury claim?

It depends. Under Pennsylvania law, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. The rules differ for minors. If a child is injured, they are eligible to bring claims up to two years after they turn 18.  If the defendant is a government agency or other Pennsylvania entity, the statute of limitations is shorter and must be filed within six months after the date of injury.

The insurance company keeps calling me and asking for a statement. Should I provide one?

Not without talking to an attorney first. Insurance companies have one goal in mind – to save money. They will ask you for a recorded statement as quickly as possible in an effort to prevent you from investigating all of your legal options. Although you may feel like accepting the first settlement offer and getting rid of the hassle, that most likely means that you will not be obtaining the maximum amount of compensation you are entitled to. A skilled personal injury attorney like the ones at Munley, Munley & Cartwright can communicate directly with insurance companies so that you are not left wondering whether you’ve been treated fairly.

I know that I am partly at fault for the accident that caused my injuries. Does that mean I can’t recover any money?

Not necessarily. Pennsylvania courts determine fault using a modified comparative negligence rule. If you are less than 51% responsible for the accident that caused your injuries, then it may still be possible to obtain compensation for your injuries.

How much will it cost me to hire an attorney?

Many personal injury attorneys – including Munley, Munley & Cartwright – offer initial consultations free of charge. During your case evaluation, a lawyer will ask you questions about the circumstances surrounding your personal injury accident and explain what legal routes are available. He or she can also explain their firm’s fee arrangements with you. Most personal injury firms operate on a contingency fee basis, which means that a client agrees to pay a percentage of the award to the attorney if the case is won. If they don’t win, the client does not pay for the lawyer’s services.

Contact a Pennsylvania Personal Injury Lawyer Today

At Munley, Munley & Cartwright, our goal is to provide exceptional legal services to our clients. We strive to achieve the highest standard of excellence for the protection of individual rights through teamwork and the use of our considerable legal resources and experience. For a free consultation regarding your personal injury or wrongful death case, call 877-421-9173 or use our online form.