Were you recently injured in a lane change crash in Lancaster, PA? Unfortunately, lane change crashes happen more often than you may suspect and can cause serious injuries. If someone else was at fault, you may be able to receive compensation for your injuries and other damages.
A skilled personal injury lawyer can help. At Marzzacco Nivens & Associates, we have over 120 years of combined personal injury law experience. Contact our office online or call us at (717) 616-2954 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.
Table of Contents
How Marzzacco Nivens & Associates Can Help After a Lane Change Crash in Lancaster
At Marzzacco Nivens & Associates, we have a track record of getting results for our clients. In fact, we have recovered tens of millions of dollars in damages for personal injury victims. Our top-notch legal team includes Lancaster car accident attorneys who have been recognized as:
- Super Lawyers
- Best Lawyers of America
- Super Lawyers’ “Rising Stars”
- National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40
- Certified Workers’ Compensation Specialist
When you hire Marzzacco Nivens & Associates, we’ll put our expertise to work for you by:
- Investigating the accident;
- Identifying the at-fault party or parties;
- Assessing your damages;
- Discussing your options with you and developing a cases strategy;
- Gathering evidence to support your claims;
- Negotiating a settlement on your behalf, if possible; and
- Taking your case to court, when necessary.
To discuss your lane change crash in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, today, contact us to set up your free case review.
What Kind of Damages Are Available to Lane Change Accident Victims?
If you’ve been involved in an accident in Lancaster, PA, due to someone else’s negligence or wrongful actions, you might be eligible to receive compensation—also known as damages in personal injury cases.
Damages are a financial remedy aimed at reimbursing a victim for their losses. In personal injury cases, there are primarily two categories of damages: economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages pertain to the actual financial burdens a victim has incurred or will incur as a result of the accident or injury. This includes medical expenses already paid, anticipated future medical costs, damage to vehicles or other property, and income lost due to the incident. Economic damages may also include the loss of potential future earnings.
Economic damages–also called tangible damages or special damages–are typically straightforward to calculate. However, estimating future medical expenses or future income loss can be more challenging. An adept personal injury lawyer can assess your claims and, if necessary, hire expert witnesses to bolster your case.
Non-Economic Damages
In contrast, non-economic damages are not tied to the direct financial burdens of an accident or injury. Instead, they relate to the emotional and lifestyle changes resulting from the injury. Non-economic damages may include pain and suffering, emotional distress, disability, disfigurement, loss of companionship, or a diminished quality of life.
Non-economic damages–also called intangible or general damages–are more difficult to quantify – they relate to the victim’s subjective experience following an accident. A knowledgeable personal injury attorney will discuss the non-economic damages that may be available to you and will fight for you to get the compensation you deserve.
How Much Does it Cost To Hire a Lane Change Crash Lawyer in Lancaster, PA?
Personal injury lawyers often take cases on a contingent fee basis. A contingent fee is a fee collected by lawyers at the end of a case, but only if the lawyer wins the lawsuit or obtains a favorable settlement for their client.
The contingent fee will be a percentage of the ultimate recovery in the case, usually between 33% and 40%. One of the benefits of a contingent fee is that the client does not have to come up with attorney’s fees upfront, which is especially useful if you’re already dealing with medical bills, lost wages, and other financial burdens.
Can I Still Recover Compensation if I’m Being Blamed for a Lane Change Crash in Pennsylvania?
Different states take different approaches to whether you can still recover damages if you were partially at fault in an accident. Pennsylvania is a “modified comparative negligence” or “modified contributory fault” state. This means that a victim can recover compensation as long as they are not found to be more at fault than the other party.
In Pennsylvania, you can recover damages as long as you are less than 51% responsible for the accident. Nonetheless, your recovery will be reduced by the percentage you were at fault. Keep in mind that this principle applies to claims against the at-fault driver, not your “limited tort” insurance coverage. You can still get benefits under that policy even if you were mostly to blame, in most cases.
For example, if you were in a car accident because another driver improperly changed lanes, but you were looking at your phone and that distraction contributed to the accident, then you can still recover damages. A jury may decide you were 40% at fault and the other driver was 60% at fault. If your damages were $10,000, then you could recover $6,000.
We’ll Fight To Recover Compensation for All of Your Lane Change Crash Injuries
Lane change crashes can cause mild, moderate, or even severe injuries. Some of the most common injuries caused by lane change crashes include:
- Neck and back injuries;
- Concussions;
- Broken bones;
- Muscle and ligament injuries; and
- Traumatic brain injuries.
Injuries after a car accident may take days or even weeks to become apparent. You should see a medical professional as soon as possible after your lane change crash to diagnose your injuries early and get on the path to recovery.
How Long Do I Have To File a Lawsuit After a Lane Change Crash in PA?
In Pennsylvania, you have two years from the date of a car accident to file a lawsuit. This time limit is called the statute of limitations. If your case is not brought within two years, then you likely will be unable to file your lawsuit.
Keep in mind that there are some exceptions to this two-year deadline. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you determine the deadline for filing your case and ensure that it is filed on time.
Contact Our Lancaster Lane Change Crash Lawyers for a Free Consultation
The attorneys at Marzzacco Nivens & Associates are here to help you through your personal injury case so you can focus on recovering and moving forward with your life. If you were injured in a lane change crash in Lancaster, PA, call us today at (717) 923-5583 or contact us online to schedule a free evaluation of your case.