Can I file a lawsuit after a car accident?

After a car accident, victims often experience a range of emotions. They can be angry that someone else crashed into them and now they must get their car fixed and possibly miss work. They might be scared about injuries and whether they will recover. They can also be confused as to whether they have any legal options.

In this post, we will help readers address the last point of whether there may be grounds to file a legal claim after a car accident. To get a better understanding of your options, it can be important to answer a few important questions.

Was someone negligent?

Negligence is often used to prove fault after a serious car accident, and it can take many forms when it comes to driving. Examples of negligence include speeding, texting and driving, failing to stop at a red light and not having headlights on at night.

What are the damages?

Negligence claims must involve damages to people or property stemming from an accident. In the context of a crash, think about your damages, which could include a wrecked car, painful injuries and emotional distress you experienced after the accident. Other damages to consider include lost wages and medical bills.

Who caused the accident?

In accordance with Pennsylvania negligence laws, contributing to an accident does not bar you from recovering damages unless you are more to blame for an accident than another party. If you are less than 50 percent to blame for a crash, you could be eligible for compensation. Understand, though, that any award you may receive will decrease in proportion to your percentage of fault.

Getting help when you need to get answers

Often, individual drivers don’t have these answers right away, and it can prove to be quite a challenge to get them from insurance companies, other drivers, police and witnesses without some assistance. This is why many people work with attorneys after an accident who have experience getting these answers and pursuing compensation, if appropriate.