Personal injury claims allow those injured by the negligence of others to seek compensation for the losses they experience as a direct result. There are wide-ranging legal intricacies involved, which highlight the importance of having skilled legal guidance on your side. If someone else’s negligence injured you, turn to our experienced personal injury lawyers at Conlon Tarker for the help you need.
The Timeline of an Injury Case, and Why You Should Never Delay
In Pennsylvania, you have only two years from the date of an injury-causing accident to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. This is called the statute of limitations, and it’s important to know that a lot can happen in the two years following an accident.
In Preparation of Filing
Before doing anything else, you’ll need to focus on regaining your health and well-being, which can be a time-consuming process. This makes consulting with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney early on the best practice. You’ll also need an accurate assessment of the extent of your physical injuries, and the more serious they are, the longer this can take.
If a Lawsuit is Required
Personal injury claims are legally complex, and negotiations between your savvy personal injury attorney and the insurance company may be ongoing. Your dedicated legal counsel will, however, know when to say enough is enough, which means that it’s time to file a personal injury lawsuit.
If You File a Lawsuit
Most personal injury claims settle out of court, and yours is likely to do the same. If, however, your personal injury attorney determines that you need to file a lawsuit, they’ll do so on your behalf at the Forest County Court of Common Pleas in Tionesta, PA.
It’s important to note that filing a lawsuit does not mean that your case will ultimately be resolved in court. The involved insurance company may become more amenable to negotiating once it recognizes that you’re prepared to litigate.
If You Share Fault for the Accident
In Pennsylvania, sharing fault for an accident does not automatically bar you from pursuing compensation in a personal injury claim. The state uses what’s called a modified comparative negligence system. This means that you can file a personal injury claim against the other party as long as you’re not determined to be 50 percent or more responsible.
For example, if you were speeding at the time you were struck in an intersection by a drunk driver who ran a red light, some of the fault may be assigned to you. For ease of explanation, let’s say that you’re found 20 percent responsible and that your losses total $100,000. In a successful personal injury claim, you’ll settle for $80,000, which is $100,000 minus $20,000, or 20 percent.
It’s Time to Consult a Dedicated Personal Injury Attorney
Our resourceful Forest County personal lawyers at Conlon Tarker dedicate our impressive legal practice to guiding challenging claims like yours toward advantageous resolutions, and we’ll leave no stone unturned on your behalf. For more information about what we can do to help you, please don’t delay contacting us online or giving our firm a call at 724-285-7700 today.
