Time stands still at the point of impact. But once the vehicles come to rest, everything moves forward in a blur. So many issues arise. Am I hurt? Is everyone else alright? Will I be able to go back to work? What will this cost? Who will pay my medical bills? Why did this happen? Who is responsible?
Your focus after an accident is necessarily on healing, but these other questions require immediate and constant attention, and answering them is difficult enough without having to consider the confusing realms of insurance and litigation.
At Conlon Tarker, we are equipped to act immediately to investigate accidents and preserve necessary evidence, while aggressively protecting your rights in the face of inquiry by insurance adjusters and others looking to minimize your recovery. More importantly, Ray Conlon and Jeff Tarker are trial lawyers by trade, so if an insurance company or defendant takes an unreasonable position, they will stand with you all the way to secure the fair compensation you deserve.
If you or someone you know has been injured in a car accident, the law firm of Conlon Tarker, P.C., in Butler, Pennsylvania, will take the fight to the insurance company and do everything we can to ensure that fair compensation is secured.
We Are Your First Point of Contact:
- When you contact our firm to discuss your car accident injury, you will not be passed around from attorney to attorney. You meet with either Ray Conlon or Jeff Tarker.
- Our lawyers strive to understand your auto crash, your injuries, your medical treatment, and your priorities in order to develop a detailed plan to handle your case and maximize your recovery.
Investigating the Accident Site:
- At Conlon Tarker, we have investigators ready to quickly and accurately gather information about your accident and get you the answers you need.
- It is important that you contact our office immediately after an accident. The sooner our investigators can get to the accident site, the better our chances are of gathering vital evidence to build a strong case.
Effective Trial Lawyers and Negotiators:
- As attorneys who have handled cases throughout western Pennsylvania, both for and against insurance companies, our lawyers have extensive experience successfully representing clients in car accident cases.
- We know how to handle insurance adjusters who are trying to build a defense to your claim. We become the point of contact so you can focus on healing while we take care of everything else.
Statute of Limitations on Filing a Car Accident Claim in Pennsylvania
Every state has a “statute of limitations” on personal injury claims. This prohibits people from taking legal action over injuries sustained by another person’s negligence, recklessness, or deliberate actions. In Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations is two years.
While it is always best to seek legal guidance about an injury as soon as possible, many people wait for a while, thinking that their injuries from a car accident are minor and will resolve on their own. They do not realize that even a seemingly minor injury can sometimes negatively affect them for months or years – or even have life-long consequences.
Whiplash Injuries and Car Accidents
One of the most common injuries that people experience in car accidents is whiplash. This type of injury can happen from the sudden impact of a collision, causing the victim’s head to jolt back and forth. Depending on the angle of an accident, the victim’s head may hit the steering wheel or window.
Whiplash can affect anyone, but certain people may be more prone to this injury, such as people over 65 years of age and women. Even a very minor whiplash, with no visible injury, can result in neck stiffness and make it tender to the touch. When whiplash leaves visible signs of injury, such as bruises and swelling, you may experience radiating pain into your face, shoulder, head, and back, along with muscle spasms.
When the whiplash is even worse, it can leave you with all of the above symptoms along with numbness or “pins and needles” and other painful sensations in your neck, shoulders, back, and upper arms, as well as headaches, vision problems, dizziness, and even voice changes or trouble swallowing. At its most severe, a whiplash can leave you with a fractured or slipped vertebra that causes intense pain and all the chronic symptoms listed above in extreme cases.
Understanding Pennsylvania Intersection Laws
Navigating intersections safely is crucial for all drivers, and Pennsylvania law provides helpful guidelines for motorists to consider. The law focuses on who must yield rather than granting any driver the right of way. This distinction is essential in preventing accidents, as drivers must remain vigilant and prepared to yield when required.
Here are the key rules about yielding that all drivers in Pennsylvania must follow:
- Pedestrians must be given the right-of-way when crossing at intersections without traffic lights, in marked crosswalks, or when walking on sidewalks that cross driveways or alleys
- Blind pedestrians carrying a white cane or guided by a service animal must always be yielded to in all situations
- Drivers turning left must yield to oncoming vehicles traveling straight through the intersection
- Drivers entering a roundabout must yield to vehicles already circulating within the intersection
- When vehicles approach an intersection simultaneously, they must yield to the vehicle coming from the right
- Drivers entering a public highway from an alley, private road, or driveway must wait until the main road is clear before entering
Beyond yielding to rules, drivers must pay attention to intersection signage, including stop signs, traffic lights, and road markings, which provide additional guidance for safe navigation. When making left turns on streets with two designated turning lanes, motorists must remain in the leftmost lane to facilitate smooth traffic flow.
Circular intersections, such as roundabouts and traffic circles, operate differently from traditional intersections. Motorists must yield to vehicles already in the roundabout before entering. Once inside, they should follow the designated lanes and exit cautiously, avoiding cutting across traffic.
When you understand traffic laws, it can strengthen your injury claim. Knowing the rules can help determine liability in a crash. If another driver failed to yield when required, this could be a key factor in proving fault and securing compensation for your accident injuries.
Car Accident Cases We Handle
At our firm, we handle all types of motor vehicle accident cases. These include serious accidents involving trucks and commercial vehicles, where a thorough investigation is essential. We also represent clients who have been injured by distracted or drunk drivers, as well as those who have been injured on a dangerous or unsafe highway.
In addition to helping drivers and passengers in vehicles, we represent cyclists and pedestrians who have been injured in motor vehicle accidents. We also protect the rights of injured motorcyclists.
Speak With a Lawyer
At Conlon Tarker, we believe in performance, not promises. If you require experienced legal assistance in the handling of your car accident injury case, contact our firm today. We offer free consultations and do not collect a fee unless you are compensated for your injuries. Call 724-285-7700.
