Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyers

HELPING PHILLY CAR ACCIDENT VICTIMS

Get The Compensation They Deserve

If you’ve been involved in a serious car accident in Philadelphia, you know that you’re never quite prepared for the financial and emotional impact that a car crash causes. At Thistle Law, our Philadelphia car accident lawyers are ready to help you get the compensation you deserve to cover your medical costs, as well as financial compensation for your pain and suffering.

If you’re injured in a motor vehicle accident, whether it’s a car or a motorcycle, it’s easy to be crushed under the burden caused by struggling with injuries, pain, insurance, and recovering. Our Philadelphia car accident lawyers are here to help you. Of course, if you’ve suffered a car accident injury in Philadelphia, you don’t necessarily need to hire an attorney to bring a lawsuit against the other driver or insurance agency, but it is still vitally important that you take the first step of consulting with a Philadelphia car accident lawyer before you speak to insurance companies or sign any documents, just to make sure that all of your legal options are explored.

An experienced car injury lawyer can help inform their clients on all of their rights, pursuing insurance claims, and understanding the legal process. We’ll use our education, experience, and training to make sure that you get full compensation for the injuries you suffered, whether that’s through a trial or a settlement.

Were you or a loved one in a car accident?

After an accident, it’s a normal reaction to just want to return to the way life was before you suffered your injuries. Insurance companies often make it easy to walk away by giving you a quick offer, but these are often lowball offers that are barely enough to cover your medical bills.

At Thistle law, our lawyers will handle the insurance adjusters for you, and help you navigate the legal process for a Philadelphia car accident. Our Philadelphia car accident lawyers want to make sure that you can focus on what is most important after a car accident; your recovery and getting your life back on track. Our experienced attorneys will make sure you receive just compensation for any injuries or losses you may have suffered as a result of your Philadelphia car accident.

Seek a free consultation – we’ll let you know how to proceed

After any major car accident in Philadelphia, your first concern should always be to prioritize your physical and mental recovery. If one of your loved ones was tragically taken from you or severely injured, you need time to grieve and care for your family. If your accident wasn’t your fault, but rather, was due to someone else’s negligence or wrongful actions, you may be feeling overwhelmed and unsure of how to receive justice for your injuries.

You don’t have to recover from a severe car accident alone. The caring and experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyers at Thistle Law are here to assist you. Our team can help you understand what types of compensation you may be entitled to so that you don’t have to worry about how you are going to manage financially or deal with the administrative issues that insurance companies thrust on victims after an accident. Call (215) 525-6824 or use our contact page to start your free consultation today.

Experienced Lawyers Conveniently Located in Center City Philadelphia

No matter what part of the city you are from, if you’ve suffered injuries due to a car accident in Philadelphia, you have every right to explore all legal options before accepting a Pennsylvania car accident settlement. Our experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyers are located in the heart of center city Philadelphia at 230 South Broad Street, and we can always begin by setting you up with a free consultation over the phone.

How can our Philadelphia car accident lawyers help you?

Our personal injury lawyers will listen to what you have to say. At The Thistle Law Firm, our experienced personal injury attorneys will personally connect with you to help identify the maximum award you are entitled to. As car accident lawyers, we have an obligation to understand what life was like before your accident and what it is like now.

Our accident attorneys will always listen to what you have to say and answer your questions. Our goal is to help address the needs that are important to your recovery from the injuries and losses suffered as a result of your accident.

Our Pennsylvania accident attorneys will conduct a thorough investigation of your case.
The skilled legal staff at Thistle Law Firm is committed to investigating all of the facts of your case to determine exactly what caused the accident and who should be held responsible. Our car accident lawyers know the courts and judges in Philadelphia who may be assigned to your case, and we know the insurance companies you’re going to be dealing with. Whether you are wondering how long a car accident case like yours will typically take or how much you could win, we have the experience of working with hundreds of these cases over the years.

Our car accident experts use their deep legal experience and extensive resources to investigate the circumstances that surround your accident. We work to ensure that any party from whom you might be eligible to recover damages has been identified and seek out the maximum compensation entitled to you under Pennsylvania law.

When do I need a Car Accident Lawyer?

Only an experienced personal injury lawyer has the expertise needed to navigate the complex rules regulating car crashes. On top of these concerns, the other drivers and insurance agencies involved in the collision will do their best to limit your payouts.

When things go wrong, it’s common to want problems to just go away, but if you don’t take the proper steps after a car crash injury, you could miss out on the compensation you deserve. If you or a member of your family have suffered a whiplash injury, or other serious injury as a result of a car accident in Philadelphia, contact the experts at Thistle Law for a free consultation of your case.

We’ve handled thousands of personal injury cases and will put all of our knowledge to work to get you the payout you deserve.

Call (215) 525-6824 or use our contact page to start your free consultation today.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is fault determined in a car accident?

Fault is determined through adherence to driving laws. For example, when one party goes through a red light and the other party has the right of way, the former is at fault in an accident. 

In other situations, determining fault is not so obvious. A common example is an accident when two lanes of traffic merge into one. In such cases, negligence is often the determining factor.

Negligence depends on several conditions:

• Was the party involved the accident required to pay attention in the situation? A driver in any situation has a legal responsibility to take care, while a person sitting on a bench does not.
• Was the party involved careful in this particular situation? Cell phone use, speeding, and not using turn signals may all be used as evidence of a lack of care.
• Did the accident cause damage or injury? Recoveries are based on quantifiable damage to people or property.

 

Who is at fault at a rear-end collision?

Regardless of the reason a car is rear-ended, it’s almost never their fault. Cars are required to drive with safe stopping distance ahead of them. If they are unable to stop safely, they will be at fault.

Vehicle damage is effective evidence for rear-end accident claims. It will show the trajectory of both vehicles — giving more clarity to what happened at the time of the accident.

There are also chain reaction accidents, which occur when a third car is at fault for a rear-end collision. In these cases, the third car rear-ends the second car into the first car. In such cases, the leading car and the middle car would usually file insurance claims against the last car.

 

Who is at fault in an accident between a bicycle and a car?

Bicycles are bound by the same traffic laws as cars, trucks, and motorcycles. This means that the same process of attributing fault applies to bicycles as cars.

If a cyclist runs a red light and is hit by a car that has the right of way, the cyclist will most likely be deemed negligent and be unable to recover for their injuries.

 

What should I do if I was injured in an Uber or Lyft vehicle?

The same rules of fault apply in accidents involving rideshare vehicles. However, recovery may be complicated by the unique arrangements that Uber and Lyft employ.

We’ve seen several factors recur in rideshare accidents. This relatively new industry is less regulated than the taxicab industry, which provides for less driver vetting. Many Uber and Lyft drivers work their rideshare on top of another job, which can contribute to driver fatigue. In addition, the relatively lax employment structure may fail to screen out negligent, reckless, and unskilled drivers.

Our lawyers are experienced in rideshare accident recovery, and can help you navigate the confusing insurance framework.

What should you do immediately after a car accident in Philadelphia?

• Assess any injuries: The first step you should take is to ensure you’re not badly hurt. Adrenaline can sometimes trick you into aggravating your injuries. If you’re not in immediate danger post-accident, take a few moments to check in with yourself. Your health comes first — all the other steps can be reconstructed after the fact if need be. 
• Speak to witnesses: Provided you’re not badly injured, identifying witnesses and getting their contact information is the most important thing you can do at the time of the accident. Witnesses may include pedestrians or other motorists, and they may not stick around for long.
• Take notes: You want to gather as many notes as you can. You should include the weather conditions, road conditions, landmarks to help you remember the exact spot the accident occurred, and anything else that will help you to remember all the details of what happened.
• Take pictures: Take pictures of both vehicles after the accident, taking care to take close shots of damage and wider shots of context.
  Do not repair your vehicle until you have documented it: Take detailed pictures and document everything wrong with your vehicle before getting it repaired.
• Get a copy of your police report: This will be a vital tool later in making your case.
• Never admit fault: When asked to give your account, stick to the facts. Resist the urge to explain yourself and “split the blame.” It is wise not to post anything on social media either that could impact your case.
• Never give statements to the other party’s insurance agent: Insurance companies are pros at turning innocent remarks into admissions of guilt. Wait to talk to the insurance company until after you have spoken with a Philadelphia car accident lawyer.
• Make daily notes on the aftereffects of the accident: Invisible injuries such as pain, discomfort, anxiety, and loss of sleep may all factor into compensation. Keeping a recovery journey can help document how your injuries are progressing.
• Obtain your medical records: Make sure you get complete medical reports on any and all injuries related to your Philadlephia car accident.
  Follow all your doctors recovery instructions: Failure to do so could impact your case, as well as negatively impact your recovery.
• Keep all receipts: Medical receipts, receipts from therapy appointments, trips to the mechanic – make sure you keep them all to help prove the financial burden your accident has caused.

 

What kind of damages can I recover if I’m injured in a car accident?

“Damages” refer to the losses you have incurred as a victim in a Philadelphia car accident. Compensation may come either through a settlement out of court, or a judgement in court. In order to recover damages you must:

• Prove fault
• Prove losses you have suffered

Damages available to car accident victims in Pennsylvania include:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Loss of future earnings
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Punitive damages

Pennsylvania has what is known as “modified comparative negligence”, meaning that if you are more than 50% to blame for the accident, you are not eligible to seek to recover damages. If you are found to be only somewhat responsible for the accident, say 30%, your settlement amount will be reduced by that much. Our Philadelphia car accident lawyers can help you understand modified comparative negligence and how it may impact your case.

 

Do you need a lawyer after a car accident?

While you don’t necessarily have to hire a lawyer after you’ve suffered injuries in a car accident, or any other kind of accident, it’s generally a good idea to at least consult with a personal injury attorney to make sure that all of your legal options are considered. 

After an accident, it’s a normal reaction to just want to return to the way life was before you suffered your injuries. Insurance companies often make it easy to walk away by giving you a quick offer, but these are often lowball offers that are barely enough to cover your medical bills.

How does a Car Accident Lawyer help?

An experienced attorney can help you understand the full payout amount that you need. These insurance companies want to give you the lowest amount possible to keep their profits high. Their initial payouts often won’t cover the full range of potential damages you may suffer. 

While it may help pay for your immediate medical bills it won’t necessarily cover other losses related to chronic treatments or lack of ability to work. Some health issues related to car accidents can take years to become fully obvious, and if your payout doesn’t take this into account you could be left in a bad situation.

 

The true cost of a car accident

The fact of the matter is that the full cost of a car accident injury goes far beyond the initial medical bills. Insurance companies are experts in this field and are very aware of this, their business model relies on it. Which is why they do their best to pressure you into taking their low offer.

On the other hand, if you suffered serious car accident injuries you should have an attorney. The costs involved and potential long-term consequences for your quality of life are very high and the insurance companies and other parties will have a number of lawyers working against your interests. Their entire responsibility is to limit how much the company has to pay you, and without an experienced attorney at your side you will be at a significant disadvantage.

Thistle car accident lawyers uncover various avenues for compensation.

It is not uncommon for the driver responsible for your accident to lack appropriate insurance. If that is the case, our team of Pennsylvania personal injury experts will do whatever is necessary to obtain compensation from your insurance carrier as part of an underinsured or uninsured accident claim. Should you lack insurance coverage, our legal team knows how to find other potential recovery sources. Most accidents don’t have a single cause, so we work to identify all parties whose negligence, recklessness, or intentional behavior led to your suffering.

Our legal team comprises experienced personal injury and accident experts.

At Thistle Law Firm, we have the resources necessary to hire experts in the field of analysis and accident reconstruction to guide our own investigation into the cause of your Philadelphia car accident. Our legal team also has the knowledge and experience necessary to uncover additional recovery sources. It is not uncommon for us to employ experts who can best calculate any financial impacts this car accident has had and will have on your quality of life. We will even work with economists who will help us calculate future income losses and seek the advice of medical professionals to determine future costs related to therapy and medical care for victims with permanent or long-term injuries.  

Our personal injury lawyers know how to negotiate with insurance companies.

Following an automobile accident in Pennsylvania, our car accident attorneys will start the process by getting in touch with the insurance companies as your representative. Our qualified team of personal injury experts is highly skilled in negotiating with insurance companies. They know how to fight to get our clients the best possible car accident insurance settlement available. At Thistle Law Firm, our legal team has what it takes to protect our clients from the shady techniques that insurance adjusters are known to use in an effort to shift blame and save money for the company they represent. Our legal experts will work directly with the insurance adjusters whenever possible to help you recover the maximum compensation following a Pennsylvania motor vehicle accident.

Our Pennsylvania car accident attorneys have what it takes to litigate your case in a court of law.

The best-case scenario in any car accident case is to settle the issue outside the courtroom through a negotiated settlement with the insurance company that awards you the maximum compensation to which you are entitled. Quite often, most car accident injury lawsuits are settled in this matter. But, unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Sometimes our experts determine that the only course to take following a personal injury claim related to a car accident is to bring the issue to court and allow the judge and the jury to decide the outcome. If you choose to hire Thistle Law to handle your car accident lawsuit, you can rest assured that our team of trial lawyers has the knowledge and experience necessary to argue your car accident case in court when necessary.