Harrisburg Personal Injury Lawyers

A serious accident can disrupt every part of your life. In a matter of seconds, you may find yourself dealing with painful injuries, unexpected medical expenses, missed time from work, and uncertainty about what to do next. When another person’s negligence causes you harm, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against them.

Through a personal injury claim, you can recover money for your property damage, medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses. Whether you were injured in a car crash on Interstate 81, hurt in a truck accident on I-83 or Route 22/322, hurt in a slip-and-fall, or injured due to medical negligence, our law firm is here to help. Our Harrisburg personal injury attorneys will fight for your right to full compensation.

At Metzger Wickersham, we take the time to understand what happened, how your injuries have affected your life, and what you need to move forward. Our attorneys work to build strong cases to help you get the money that you are entitled to under Pennsylvania law for your injuries. Contact our law offices today to schedule a free initial consultation with a Harrisburg injury lawyer.

Personal Injury Cases We Handle

Metzger Wickersham represents injury victims throughout Harrisburg, Dauphin County, and the surrounding communities. We handle many types of personal injury claims, including:

• Car Accidents: Car crashes happen every day throughout the Harrisburg area. Busy roads like I-81, I-83, Route 22, Route 322, and local streets throughout Dauphin County see heavy traffic that can increase the risk of collisions. Common causes of car accidents include:
  • Distracted driving
  • Speeding
  • Reckless driving
  • Failure to yield
  • Drunk driving
  • Aggressive driving
  • Running red lights or stop signs
  • Driver fatigue

Even a seemingly minor crash can result in serious injuries, including broken bones, back and neck injuries, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, soft tissue injuries, and permanent disabilities. Our Harrisburg personal injury attorneys help accident victims deal with insurance companies, gather evidence, and pursue compensation for their losses.

• Truck Accidents: Commercial truck accidents often result in severe injuries because of the size and weight difference between large trucks and passenger vehicles. Truck accident cases may involve multiple responsible parties, including:
  • Truck drivers
  • Trucking companies
  • Maintenance providers
  • Cargo companies
  • Vehicle manufacturers 

These cases may require investigation of driver logs, maintenance records, vehicle inspections, electronic data, and company safety policies. Because trucking companies often begin investigating immediately after a collision, injured victims should act quickly to protect and preserve important evidence.

• Motorcycle Accidents: Motorcycle riders face significant risks when crashes occur. Without the protection provided by a passenger vehicle, motorcyclists are more likely to suffer serious injuries. Common motorcycle accident injuries include:
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Road rash
  • Broken bones
  • Spinal injuries
  • Internal injuries
  • Permanent impairment

Insurance companies sometimes unfairly blame motorcyclists after crashes. Our attorneys work to ensure liability is determined by the facts, evidence, and applicable Pennsylvania law.

• Premises Liability: Property owners have an obligation to maintain reasonably safe conditions for visitors. When dangerous conditions are ignored, preventable injuries can occur. Slip-and-fall and other types of accidents can result from:
  • Wet floors
  • Snow and ice
  • Uneven walkways
  • Poor lighting
  • Broken stairs
  • Unsafe parking lots
  • Lack of proper maintenance

These accidents can cause serious injuries, including fractures, head injuries, and long-term mobility problems. Our attorneys investigate whether a property owner knew or should have known about a dangerous condition and failed to take appropriate action.

• Wrongful Death:  Losing a loved one because of someone else’s negligence is devastating. While no amount of compensation can undo that loss, a wrongful death claim can help families address the financial consequences caused by an unexpected death. Wrongful death cases may involve:
  • Car accidents
  • Truck accidents
  • Medical negligence
  • Workplace accidents
  • Defective products
  • Unsafe property conditions

Families may be entitled to compensation for funeral expenses, medical costs, lost financial support, and the loss of companionship and guidance.

Compensation Available in Personal Injury Cases

The value of a personal injury claim depends on many factors, including the severity of your injuries, your financial losses, and the long-term effects of the accident. Typically, personal injury cases include compensation for both your economic and non-economic damages.

Depending on your circumstances, compensation may include money for:

• Medical Expenses: You may be able to recover costs associated with:
  • Emergency medical treatment
  • Hospital stays
  • Surgery
  • Rehabilitation
  • Medication
  • Physical therapy
  • Future medical care
• Lost Wages and Future Earnings: If your injury prevents you from working, compensation may be available for:
  • Lost income
  • Missed work opportunities
  • Reduced earning ability
  • Permanent disability/inability to work
• Pain and Suffering: Personal injury compensation can also account for the physical and emotional effects of an accident, including:
  • Chronic pain
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Permanent disability

In rare cases, punitive damages may also be awarded in a personal injury claim. These damages are meant to punish a wrongdoer, rather than compensate an injury victim. For this reason, they are only awarded in cases involving intentional or reckless conduct, such as a drunk driving accident.

Our Harrisburg personal injury lawyers work hard to understand the full scope of our clients’ losses so that we can get them the money that they deserve for their losses. We gather evidence to support your claim and work with experts to help you get maximum compensation.

Pennsylvania Personal Injury Laws

If you have been hurt in an accident, understanding the basics of Pennsylvania personal injury law can help you make more informed decisions when it comes to your case. During a free initial consultation, our Harrisburg injury attorneys can also offer you advice about your legal rights and options when it comes to pursuing a case.

As an initial matter, you typically have two years to file an accident lawsuit. With a few exceptions, Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations for personal injury cases is two years. If you don’t file a lawsuit within this time, you may be barred from recovering compensation.

In most cases, the injury victim (plaintiff) has the burden of proving that the at-fault party (defendant) was negligent in some way. Negligence is a legal term that essentially means careless. A person is considered negligent if they fail to act with the level of care that a reasonable person would use in a similar situation.

Proving negligence requires introducing proof of four elements:

1. Duty: The defendant owed the plaintiff a duty to use reasonable care.
2. Breach: The defendant violated that duty in some way, such as by running a red light and causing a traffic accident.
3. Causation: This violation was the direct cause of the plaintiff’s injuries.
4. Damages: The plaintiff suffered losses as a result.

If the defendant violated a law in causing an accident (such as running a red light), then the burden of proof may shift to them to prove that they were not negligent. This is a legal concept known as negligence per se. It can make it easier for an injured party to prove their case.

Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence system. This means that even if you were partially at fault for an accident, you can still recover money as long as you were not more than 50% at fault. Your total compensation will then be reduced by your percentage of responsibility for the accident.

The laws surrounding personal injury claims can be complex. Fortunately, you won’t be responsible for knowing all of these details or handling the technicalities. When you hire our law firm, we will take on the legal burden for you, leaving you free to focus on your recovery.

Why Choose Metzger Wickersham?

After an accident, choosing the right attorney can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case. The insurance company will have a team of experienced adjusters and lawyers working to protect its interests. You deserve experienced representation to protect your rights.

Metzger Wickersham has been serving Pennsylvania families since 1888. Our long history reflects our commitment to helping individuals facing some of the most difficult moments of their lives. 

Over the past century, we have represented clients in a wide range of personal injury matters, including motor vehicle accidents, workplace injuries, premises liability claims, wrongful death cases, and other negligence-related claims. Our experience allows us to understand the challenges injured individuals face, and the strategies insurance companies may use to reduce or deny claims.

After an injury, many people are unsure of what steps they should take. You may be contacted by insurance companies, asked to provide statements, or pressured to accept a settlement before you know the full extent of your damages. When you work with Metzger Wickersham, we handle the legal details while you focus on your health. Our attorneys can help by:

• Investigating the cause of your accident
• Gathering important evidence
• Reviewing medical records
• Consulting with experts when needed
• Determining all sources of compensation
• Negotiating with insurance companies
• Preparing your case for litigation if necessary

We understand that an injury affects more than your physical health. It can affect your job, finances, family, and quality of life. Our job is to provide the guidance and advocacy you need during this challenging time.

We also offer a customized approach for each of our clients. Our team takes the time to learn about your specific circumstances. We want to understand:

• How your injury occurred
• The medical treatment you have received
• How your injury affects your daily life
• Whether you can return to work
• How your injury may affect your future

Learning more about your unique situation helps us pursue compensation that reflects the true impact of your injuries.

Most personal injury cases are resolved outside of court, often through negotiated settlement. However, if an insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation, our Harrisburg personal injury attorneys are prepared to take the necessary steps to protect your interests. By preparing each case thoroughly from the beginning, we not only strengthen our negotiating position, but we remain ready to go to trial to get the best possible outcome for you.

Talk to a Harrisburg Personal Injury Lawyer Today

If you were injured because of someone else’s negligence, you deserve experienced legal guidance and strong advocacy. Whether you were hurt in a car crash, a bicycle accident, or another type of accident, our team will fight to get you the money that you deserve for your losses. We can take on the big insurance companies for you, allowing you to focus on your health and family.

Metzger Wickersham advocates for accident victims throughout Dauphin County, helping them get justice for their injuries. We handle all cases on a contingency fee basis, which means that you’ll never pay a fee unless we get money for you. To learn more or to schedule a free initial consultation with a Harrisburg personal injury attorney, call our law offices at 717-912-9501 or fill out our online contact form.