The moments after a car accident can feel overwhelming.
You’re dealing with injuries, vehicle damage, and a flood of questions about what happens next. This is exactly when having an auto accident claim lawyer can make all the difference in your recovery journey.When you’re injured in a collision, the path to fair compensation often becomes complicated. Insurance companies have teams of adjusters and attorneys whose job is to minimize what they pay out. Having someone in your corner who understands the system helps level an uneven playing field.In cities all over the country, hundreds of car accidents happen every single day. Pennsylvania sees thousands more annually. In fact, Pennsylvania had the 18th highest rate of car crashes in the U.S. in 2024, according to data from Insurify. While this marked an improvement over 2023, the state still faced an accident rate of 4.52% in 2024, ranking 5th nationally. That’s a 14% drop from the previous year, but clearly, crashes remain a significant problem for Pennsylvania drivers.What exactly does an auto accident claim lawyer do for you? They become your advocate, handling all communications with insurance companies so you can focus on healing. They gather critical evidence before it disappears and calculate the true value of your damages, including future medical needs that might not be obvious right away. Your attorney negotiates aggressively for maximum settlements and, if necessary, takes your case to court.
“Insurance companies have attorneys working for them, so why shouldn’t you have the same protection?” This simple question highlights why representation matters when facing sophisticated defense teams trying to minimize your claim.
Time is genuinely important in these cases. Pennsylvania law generally gives you two years from your accident date to file a lawsuit, though some situations may shorten this window considerably. Acting quickly helps preserve crucial evidence like skid marks, witness memories, and surveillance footage that can make or break your case.The good news? Most car accident attorneys work on contingency fees, meaning you pay nothing upfront. Your initial consultation is free, giving you a chance to understand your options without financial pressure.
Timeline of the Claim Process:
Don’t wait until insurance problems arise. Getting guidance early can help you avoid common pitfalls that might damage your claim. Insurance companies often contact victims quickly, hoping to secure statements or quick settlements before the full extent of injuries becomes clear.If you’re wondering whether your situation warrants legal help, consider this: insurance companies are in business to make profits, not to fully compensate accident victims. Having an auto accident claim lawyer ensures someone is looking out specifically for your interests during this vulnerable time.
Simple resources to learn more:
- Accident lawyer consultation
- Car accident compensation lawyer
Immediate Steps After a Collision to Protect Your Claim
The moments following a car accident are critical not only for your physical well-being but also for the strength of your potential legal claim. Taking the right steps immediately can make a significant difference in your ability to recover compensation later.After the jarring impact of a collision, your mind might be racing. Take a deep breath. First and foremost, call 911 to report the accident and request emergency medical services if needed. A police report serves as an official record of the incident and often includes the officer’s assessment of fault, which becomes invaluable evidence for your claim.
“Remain at the scene and call 911,” shares Joann G., who went through this difficult experience herself. “The police report became crucial evidence in my case.”
Even if you feel perfectly fine, seek medical attention within 24 hours of the accident. Many serious injuries play hide-and-seek with symptoms – whiplash, concussions, and internal bleeding often don’t show up immediately. Your medical records create that essential link between the crash and your injuries, cutting off insurance companies’ favorite argument that your injuries came from something else.The numbers tell a sobering story: According to the National Safety Council, even “possible” injury accidents cost around $160,000 on average, while “disabling” injuries exceeded $1.2 million in 2019. And while these costs highlight the financial burden, the emotional toll is also staggering. In 2024 alone, an estimated 29,135 people died in car crashes across the U.S., Insurify reported—a figure higher than even the pre-pandemic totals, underscoring the persistent dangers on American roads.In Pennsylvania, you have a two-year statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit after a car accident. But waiting puts your case at risk – evidence fades, witnesses forget details, and surveillance footage might be deleted within days. The clock starts ticking immediately.
What to Do in the First 15 Minutes
Those first chaotic moments after a crash matter tremendously. Here’s how to protect yourself and your future claim:
- Move to safety if possible. Pennsylvania law requires you to move your vehicle to a safe location if it’s creating a hazard and is still drivable.
- Exchange information with everyone involved – get full names, contact details, insurance companies, and policy numbers, vehicle information including license plates, and driver’s license numbers.
- Never admit fault or apologize, even if you think you might have contributed. A simple “I’m sorry” can come back to haunt your claim, as insurance companies love to use such statements against you.
- Document the scene by noting road signs, traffic signals, and conditions that might have played a role. Weather, visibility, and road hazards all matter.
- Collect witness contacts if possible. Bystanders who saw what happened provide invaluable, unbiased perspectives that can make or break your case.
Building a Strong Evidence File
Creating a comprehensive evidence file gives you leverage when negotiating with insurance companies or presenting your case in court. Your evidence file should include:
- Police report – get a copy as soon as it’s available. This official document often contains crucial details about fault determination.
- Photographs capturing vehicle damage, the accident scene from multiple angles, and your visible injuries. These visual records are powerful and hard to dispute.
- Video evidence from dash-cams or nearby security cameras can provide indisputable proof of what happened.
- Medical records documenting emergency treatment, follow-up care, therapy sessions, and medication prescriptions.
- Repair estimates and receipts showing the financial impact on your vehicle.
- Employment records demonstrating lost wages if you missed work due to injuries.
- Phone records that might reveal if the other driver was distracted by calls or texts.
- Personal injury journal tracking your pain levels, emotional state, and how injuries affect your daily activities.
Consider revisiting the accident scene within a few days, at the same time of day, to capture additional photos showing visibility, traffic patterns, or hazards. This extra step can be particularly valuable if weather or lighting conditions contributed to the crash.At Metzger Wickersham, our team often returns to accident locations personally to gather observational evidence beyond what clients can capture in those stressful moments after a collision. We know these details make a difference when fighting for the compensation you deserve from an auto accident claim lawyer.
When and Why To Call an Auto Accident Claim Lawyer
While minor fender benders might be handled directly with insurance companies, many situations call for professional legal help. Knowing when to reach out to an auto accident claim lawyer can make all the difference in your recovery journey.Most car accident attorneys, including our friendly team at Metzger Wickersham, work on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay nothing upfront, and we only get paid when you do. This arrangement puts us in the same boat – we succeed when you succeed.Insurance companies are businesses focused on profits, and they often use tactics that put their interests above yours. They might delay processing your claim, offer quick lowball settlements before you understand your injuries, misrepresent what your policy covers, ask for endless documentation, or pressure you into recorded statements that hurt your case later.
Auto Accident Claim Lawyer for Serious or Hidden Injuries
When you’ve suffered significant injuries, having legal representation ensures you recover enough to cover both current and future medical needs. This becomes vital with:
- Whiplash and soft tissue injuries often get dismissed as minor complaints, but they can cause chronic pain and disability lasting years. Insurance companies frequently downplay these injuries despite their serious impact.
- Traumatic brain injuries can change your life even when diagnosed as “mild.” Concussions can lead to cognitive problems, personality changes, and inability to work – effects that might not be immediately obvious.
- Spinal cord injuries might require lifelong care and home modifications that insurance companies rarely factor into initial offers.
- Internal organ damage can create complications months or years after your accident, long after a quick settlement would have closed your case.
- Psychological injuries like PTSD, anxiety, and depression are real consequences deserving compensation but often overlooked without proper advocacy.
Many serious injuries have delayed symptoms. Whiplash typically develops 24-48 hours after impact, while some brain injuries may not show clear symptoms for weeks. Without proper guidance, these delayed symptoms can create treatment gaps that insurance companies use against you.Interestingly, Insurify’s 2024 report found that most fatal crashes occur in the dark, particularly between 9:00 and 11:59 pm on Saturdays. The timing and lighting conditions of your crash may help explain the severity of injuries and liability circumstances. Additionally, Gen Z had the highest crash rate nationwide in both 2023 and 2024, with nearly 7% involved in collisions, while Baby Boomers had the fewest—a generational insight that could even shape future road safety initiatives or insurance practices.
“A gap in treatment severely undermines a personal injury claim,” as we often warn our clients. When you work with an auto accident claim lawyer, we help ensure proper medical documentation even when symptoms appear days or weeks after the crash.
Diagnostic tests like MRIs, CT scans, and neurological evaluations are often necessary to document injuries that aren’t visible to the naked eye. We can help arrange these tests and steer coverage options so your injuries are fully documented and linked to the accident.
Auto Accident Claim Lawyer if You’re Partly at Fault
If you think you might have contributed to the accident, legal representation becomes even more important. Pennsylvania’s comparative fault system makes these cases particularly tricky to steer alone.Here’s a real-world example: If a jury determines you suffered $50,000 in damages but were 30% responsible, your recovery would be reduced to $35,000. However, if you were found 51% at fault, you’d recover nothing at all. That 1% difference can mean everything to your case.An auto accident claim lawyer helps by gathering evidence to minimize your percentage of fault, identifying other potentially liable parties, showing how the other driver’s negligence outweighs any mistakes you might have made, and negotiating settlements that fairly account for shared responsibility.Consider a scenario where you were driving slightly over the speed limit but were hit by someone who ran a red light. Without representation, an insurance company might try to assign you 50% fault. With skilled legal help, your contribution might be limited to 10-20% instead, dramatically increasing your compensation.Having strong legal representation significantly increases your settlement leverage in partial fault scenarios. Insurance companies know that skilled attorneys can effectively argue fault percentages before a jury, which often motivates them to offer fairer settlements earlier in the process.The difference between handling a shared-fault case on your own versus with legal help can be tens of thousands of dollars in your pocket. When your financial future is on the line, having What If the At-Fault Driver Is Uninsured or Underinsured?It’s a common and frustrating scenario—you’re injured by a driver who either has no insurance or barely enough to cover your medical bills. In Pennsylvania, about 1 in 8 drivers are uninsured, but you still have options.Your first line of defense is your own Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) Coverage. This optional coverage (though insurance companies must offer it in Pennsylvania) steps in when the at-fault driver can’t fully compensate you. While you can reject this coverage in writing, we strongly recommend against doing so.Pennsylvania allows “stacking” of UM/UIM coverage if you have multiple vehicles on your policy. For example, if you have $100,000 in UM coverage on each of three vehicles, you might access up to $300,000 in total coverage—a significant benefit when facing serious injuries.Your health insurance can also cover medical expenses, though you may need to reimburse them from any settlement you receive later.While technically possible to pursue the at-fault driver’s personal assets, this route is often impractical. Most drivers without insurance also lack significant assets to pursue.At Metzger Wickersham, we thoroughly investigate every possible avenue for recovery, including looking for third-party liability such as employers of at-fault drivers or vehicle manufacturers if defects contributed to your accident.More info about Harrisburg claim steps
Can I Recover If I Have No Health Insurance?
Not having health insurance shouldn’t prevent you from seeking both medical care and legal compensation after an accident. You have several practical options available.First, check your auto insurance policy. Pennsylvania requires all auto policies to include at least $5,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) or Medical Payments coverage. This pays for initial medical expenses regardless of who caused the accident.Our team works with you to document all medical expenses thoroughly, as these form a crucial part of your claim. We’ll also negotiate with medical providers to reduce their liens when possible, maximizing the compensation that ends up in your pocket.
Reach Out Today
Navigating the aftermath of an auto accident can feel like walking through a maze blindfolded. Between mounting medical bills, vehicle repairs, and insurance adjusters calling non-stop, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. That’s where an auto accident claim lawyer becomes your flashlight in the dark.At Metzger Wickersham, we bring over 135 years of experience to your corner. Our team understands Pennsylvania’s intricate web of auto accident laws and insurance regulations, and we’re passionate about securing the compensation you truly deserve, not just what insurance companies want to pay.The numbers paint a clear picture: nearly 185 car accidents happen every day in Houston alone. In Pennsylvania, thousands of people annually find their lives suddenly disrupted by collisions. Behind each of these statistics is a real person with a story—someone whose life took an unexpected turn and who deserves proper support during recovery.If you take away anything from this guide, remember these essentials:
- Time matters after an accident—evidence fades, witnesses forget, and legal deadlines approach faster than you might think.
- Document everything you can, from photos at the scene to every doctor’s appointment.
- Resist the urge to speak with insurance adjusters or accept their first offer without getting legal advice first.
Most importantly, understand that compensation should cover not just today’s bills, but tomorrow’s needs too. Choosing representation with a proven history of success in auto accident claims can make all the difference in your recovery journey.We’re available for free consultations 24/7, and can meet you wherever is most convenient—at any of our offices throughout Pennsylvania (Harrisburg, Lancaster, Pottsville, Shippensburg, Williamsport, Wilkes-Barre, York) or our Maryland office in Frederick. If you’re unable to travel due to injuries, we’ll come to your home or hospital.Our team approach means that every aspect of your case receives focused attention, from gathering evidence to negotiating settlements. And with our contingency fee structure, you won’t pay a penny unless we win your case.Don’t try to handle this complicated process on your own. Reach out to Metzger Wickersham today to discuss your auto accident claim and find out how we can help you secure the compensation you need to move forward with your life.More info about car accident representation
