If you’re dealing with the ramifications of an accident that wasn’t your fault, it’s in your best interests to take legal action against the person or business that harmed you. When you work with West Chester personal injury lawyers from Shrager, Sachs, & Blanco, we’ll handle the legal paperwork and build a claim on your behalf that supports you deserving compensation for what you were put through.
Personal injury law covers a wide array of accidents, and it’s likely we handle cases like yours. Let’s take a look at claims we regularly see, how personal injury law operates in Pennsylvania, and why hiring a lawyer maximizes your chances of making a full recovery.
Types of Personal Injury Claims We Handle
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the majority of personal injury claims are filed as a result of motor vehicle accidents. Medical malpractice and product liability are also among the most commonly filed cases. At Shrager, Sachs, & Blanco, we focus on providing legal representation for a variety of personal injury cases. If you’ve been injured in any of the following situations in West Chester, we can help.
For those that live locally, traffic is something you have to deal with every day. While commutes generally go smoothly, accidents do happen on a daily basis. Whether you were struck at an intersection or someone rear-ended you, you could be facing a serious disruption in your everyday life. If you were involved in an accident with a tractor-trailer, it’s possible you’ve sustained catastrophic injuries and you may need to relearn to complete daily tasks or be unable to return to your previous job. Filing a personal injury claim can help you with those challenges.
Instances of medical malpractice occur when a physician or any medical provider is negligent. Maybe you were given an improper dosage of medication and had a severe reaction, or it’s possible your symptoms were disregarded and a serious condition went untreated. No matter what type of mistake a doctor made, you’re eligible for compensation if it’s determined they acted outside the standard of care they’re obligated to provide.
If you were injured in a slip and fall accident, it’s possible the owner of the property could be held accountable. Property owners in Pennsylvania have a responsibility to visitors to ensure their home or business isn’t dangerous. If a hazard like a broken step, torn rug, or icy sidewalk caused your fall, an attorney can help you determine if there are grounds for legal action.
Losing a loved one is always hard, but if a family member died as a result of someone else’s negligent actions, a wrongful death claim can be filed. Not only would you be securing your family’s future, but you’d also be letting the at-fault party know they cannot act that way again.
If you don’t see your accident discussed above, still reach out to us. We’re skilled in numerous litigation areas, and we’ll be able to provide you with advice on how you should proceed based on your situation.
Personal Injury Law in Pennsylvania
If you decide to proceed with a personal injury claim, you’ll need to have a comprehensive understanding of the laws that apply to your case. While your lawyer will go over them in-depth, let’s take a look at the general overview regarding shared fault and the concept of negligence, and the statute of limitations.
The concept of negligence is used to determine if someone acted reasonably in any given situation when compared to how the majority of people would react. For example, if a driver was disregarding the rules of the road by speeding and passing improperly when they cause an accident, it’s likely they’ll be found negligent. To prove negligence, your lawyer will look at the duty of care that was owed, how that duty was breached, how the breach connects to your injuries, and what those injuries cost you.
In some personal injury cases, the person or entity the injured party is filing against may argue they are only partially responsible for what happened. Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence rule. This means that if the injured party is found to be at-fault for a portion of their accident, their compensation will be reduced by that percentage. So if the damages total $100,000 but the injured party was 10% at fault, they’ll only be eligible for $90,000.
If a personal injury claim cannot be settled, there’s a possibility it could proceed to trial. When this happens, it’s important to be aware of the statute of limitations, which limits the amount of time there is to file. In Pennsylvania, personal injury cases can be filed within two years of the date of injury. Your West Chester attorney will make sure all deadlines are met.
Knowing When to Hire an Attorney
It’s not uncommon for personal injury victims to think about handling their claim on their own or forgoing any type of legal action. We advise against this because you could be jeopardizing your financial future. There are a number of reasons why working with a law firm is your best chance of receiving full and fair compensation.
For one, we can handle all discussions with insurance carriers. While you’re recovering, the last thing you want to do is have numerous, long conversations with insurance companies. Handling those conversations yourself could even jeopardize your claim because of the tactics adjusters use to reduce compensation offers.
In addition to taking difficult phone calls, we’ll also have resources to collect evidence that supports your claim. If you were in an auto wreck, we can have an accident reconstructionist determine what happened before, during, and after the collision. With medical malpractice claims, we can call on medical experts to prove why your physician acted negligently. No matter what your situation, we’ll have a way to build a claim that proves you were wronged.
West Chester: The Perfect Small Town
Located in the heart of Pennsylvania’s Brandywine Valley, West Chester is a small, historic community. Not only will you find locally owned boutiques and award-winning restaurants, but there is also a multitude of entertaining events to attend all throughout the year. If you’re looking to learn more about the area, check out the Chester County Historical Society, Chester County Art Association, or Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center.
We’re proud to represent the citizens of West Chester. We understand the impact a single accident can have on a small community, and our lawyers are dedicated to helping victims and their family recovery as quickly as possible.
Seek Legal Representation in West Chester
We won’t let injuries derail your life. If you’re ready to take control and secure your future after an accident you didn’t cause, our West Chester personal injury lawyers are prepared to represent you and help you seek the compensation you need to move forward.
No matter what type of accident you were in, we understand how physically, emotionally, and financially draining recovery can be. When you work with Shrager, Sachs, & Blanco, we’ll spearhead your claim and work to build a strong case on your behalf. You’ll be able to take time to focus on your recovery, and we’ll keep you updated every step of the way.
Depending on the accident, you could be eligible for economic and noneconomic damages to cover your medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and more. Your lawyer will take all your losses into consideration, and won’t settle for less than you deserve. Agreeing on a settlement can be challenging sometimes, so if we feel you’re not getting fair compensation, we’re not afraid to head to trial to get an official verdict.
Filing a claim takes time, so the sooner you contact our law firm to secure your legal representation, the better. We’ll start with a no-obligation, free consultation to give you an idea of your legal rights and options, so you can make the best decision for your family and your future.
