Harrisburg, PA Car Accident Lawyer

If you have been involved in a car accident, it may be a good idea for you to consult with a car accident lawyer.

The unavoidable physical and emotional toll a road accident takes can be overwhelming for many people. Unfortunately, there are often financial concerns thrown into the mix as well, particularly in more serious cases.

Our auto accident attorneys have devoted their careers to helping people in this situation. If you are feeling helpless after your car accident, you can count on us.

How Our Car Accident Lawyer Serving Harrisburg Can Help You

After you have been in a Harrisburg road accident, there are a number of legal services you may require. We are in a position to provide them all.

Legal Consultation and Case Evaluation

All of our client relationships begin with a free initial telephone consultation. During this first no-obligation meeting, we will examine the details of your case and help you decide whether to pursue an insurance claim, legal action, or both.

Insurance Claim Handling

Motor insurance providers are notorious for doing everything in their power to deny or devalue claims. If you come to us before you submit your claim, we can help you make sure it contains everything necessary to succeed. Alternatively, if you have already received an initial claim denial, we can help you submit your appeal documents and secure compensation the second time around.

Litigation and Trial Representation

If insurance does not cover all the expenses arising from your accident, you may need to file suit against the at-fault party to recover the full amount of your compensation entitlements. We will take care of all the filing requirements on your behalf, negotiate with the defendant to try to secure a settlement, and, if necessary, bring your case to trial in pursuit of the outcome you need.

Types of Car Accident Cases We Handle

We have dealt with every kind of auto accident dispute over the years, and our experience has shown us how many different kinds of unique situations can arise in these cases.

Rear-End Collisions

A rear-end collision occurs when one vehicle plows into the back of another, typically when the vehicle in front slows down or stops. Occupants of the vehicle in front in this situation often develop whiplash.

Side-On Collisions

Side-on collisions (often referred to as T-bone or broadside collisions), occur when one vehicle drives into the side of another. These accidents typically happen at intersections, when drivers fail to obey red lights or yield the right of way.

The lack of structural support along the sides of vehicles can lead to significant injuries for occupants sitting on the side of the vehicle that absorbs the impact in a broadside collision, especially if the crash happens at high speed.

DUI-Related Accidents

It is against the law to operate a vehicle in Pennsylvania if your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is higher than 0.08%. However, drink driving remains a very common problem; according to the Pennsylvania DUI Association, alcohol-related deaths accounted for 25% of the overall number of fatalities on our state’s roads in 2021.

If you get into an accident and it transpires that the at-fault party was intoxicated, this will improve your chances of securing punitive damages. These are damages that seek to punish defendants, rather than directly compensate plaintiffs. They are only available in cases involving malicious or recklessly negligent conduct, so most road accident disputes do not qualify; however, intoxication on the part of the at-fault driver may meet this standard.

Distracted Driving Accidents

The rise of mobile technology has made distracted driving a huge problem on American roads. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are around 3,000 road deaths related to driver distraction every year.

As is the case with drunk driving, if you can prove distracted driving had a role to play in your accident, you may be entitled to punitive damages.

Commercial Vehicle and Trucking Accidents

Because they are so much bigger and heavier than other vehicles, commercial trucks present a particular risk on the road. Trucks also have much larger blind spots than cars.

An important point to consider in truck accident cases is that of vicarious liability. If you want to file a lawsuit following a collision with a commercial truck, you may need to name the owner of the trucking company as the defendant, rather than the driver.

The law in this area can be complex; if you are not sure what to do next, you should schedule a free initial telephone consultation with an attorney.

Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcyclists are among our most vulnerable road users. Impacts that cause no major damage or injury to cars or their drivers can be catastrophic for those riding motorcycles. However, it is often more difficult for motorcyclists to recover compensation than it is for other motorists, due to the different rules and circumstances involved.

What to Do After a Car Accident in Harrisburg

• Seek medical attention: If you do not see a doctor or paramedic at the scene of your collision, it is vital that you visit your primary care physician as soon as possible after the incident. This is important, first and foremost, because of your health; however, the medical record of this visit may serve as important evidence in an insurance claim or lawsuit later on.
• Document the scene and gather evidence: If you are able, and it is safe to do so, you should record as many details as possible about the scene of the accident. Take photos and videos of your vehicle and any other vehicles involved, as well as any new marks on the road or damage to nearby signs or structures.
• Report the accident: You are legally required to report any Pennsylvania car accident that causes injury, death, or significant vehicle damage to the police. If the police are not called to the scene of your collision, you should go to your nearest police station to submit a report at your earliest convenience.
• Contact a car accident lawyer: The sooner you involve a car accident attorney in your case, the better your chance will be of securing the compensation you need to get on with your life.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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

In Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including car accidents, is generally two years from the date of the accident. If you allow this deadline to pass, you will probably lose your right to file a lawsuit in relation to your accident.

Can I still receive compensation if I was partially at fault for the accident?

Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which means you can still recover damages in a personal injury case if you were less than 51% at fault for what happened. However, your compensation will be reduced in line with your share of the blame. So, if you were 20% at fault for your accident and the overall damages you incurred were $100,000, you will not be entitled to any more than $80,000 in compensation.

Can I claim compensation for emotional distress following a car accident? 

Yes, in Pennsylvania, you can seek compensation for emotional distress as part of a personal injury claim. However, these claims can be challenging to prove, often requiring expert testimony to link the distress directly to the accident. Our Harrisburg car accident lawyers can guide you through this process.

How much does it cost to hire a car accident lawyer? 

Our firm works on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no upfront fees, and we only receive a payment if we win your case. The fee you will end up paying will be calculated as a percentage of your verdict or settlement; this percentage will depend on various factors, including the complexity of your case and whether or not it goes to trial.

How is future loss of income calculated if I am unable to return to work? 

Calculating future loss of income involves considering your current earnings, potential future earnings, and the impact of your injuries on your ability to work. We often collaborate with economic experts to ensure that any settlement we accept accurately reflects the financial support you will need moving forward.

Is it possible to sue the government following a Pennsylvania car accident? 

When an accident involves a government vehicle or is due to negligence on the part of a government entity (such as in cases of poor road maintenance), it may be possible to file suit against the relevant government agency. However, there are strict notice requirements and a limited window of time within which you must file your notice of claim. Additionally, there are caps on the damages that can be recovered from government entities.

Car Accident Lawyers Who Will Fight for Your Rights

The aftermath of a car accident can be daunting, but you do not have to go through it alone. Our car accident lawyers serving victims in Harrisburg have the experience, knowledge, and dedication to handle every aspect of your case, allowing you to focus on your recovery.

Contact us today for a free telephone consultation. You can reach us over the phone at (570) 323-8711, or by using our online contact form.

Attorney Cliff Rieders

Cliff Rieders is a Nationally Board Certified Trial Lawyer practicing personal injury law. A large part of his practice involves multi-district litigation, including cases related to pharmaceuticals, vitamin supplements and medical devices. He is admitted in several state and federal courts, as well as the Supreme Court of the United States. Rieders is the past regional president of the Federal Bar Association and is a life member of the distinguished American Law Institute, which promulgates proposed rules adopted by many state courts. He is a past president of the Pennsylvania Association for Justice, formerly Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association. As a founder of the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority, he served on the Board for 15 years.

Not only has Rieders held many highly esteemed, leadership positions, he authored legislation related to the Patient Safety Authority and the Mcare Act, which governs medical and hospital liability actions in Pennsylvania. He authored texts upon which both practitioners and judges rely, including Pennsylvania Malpractice Laws and Forms, and Financial Responsibility Law Issues in Pennsylvania, the latter governing auto and truck collisions in Pennsylvania. In addition, he wrote several books on the practice of law in Pennsylvania regarding wrongful death and survivor actions, insurance bad faith, legal malpractice claims and worker rights, among others. Rieders also serves as a resource to practitioners as a regular speaker for Celesq, an arm of the world’s largest legal publisher, Thomson Reuters West Publishing.

As recognition of his wide range of contribution to his profession and of his dedication to protecting the rights of his clients, he received numerous awards, among them the George F. Douglas Amicus Curiae Award, the Milton D. Rosenberg Award, the B’nai B’rith Justice Award, and awards of recognition from the Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers. [ Attorney Bio ]