Harrisburg Auto Accident Attorneys

A car accident can happen in a matter of seconds, but the consequences can last for months, years, or even a lifetime. After a crash, injured victims often face overwhelming challenges. This may include a need for ongoing medical treatment, vehicle repairs, missed time from work, insurance disputes, and uncertainty about how to move forward.

If another driver caused your accident, you may have the right to seek money for these expenses and other losses. However, dealing with insurance companies after a car accident can be tricky, as their goal is to pay you as little money as possible for your claim. Our Harrisburg car accident lawyers will fight to get you top dollar for your losses.

At Metzger Wickersham, we have advocated for Pennsylvanians for more than 135 years. Whether you were injured in a crash on I-81, I-83, Route 22, Route 322, or a local Harrisburg road, our legal team will help you get the compensation that you deserve. Reach out to our law firm to schedule a free initial consultation with a Harrisburg auto accident attorney.

Common Causes of Harrisburg Car Accidents

Auto accidents can happen for almost any reason, but most crashes are preventable. When drivers fail to follow traffic laws or operate their vehicles safely, they can put everyone on the road at risk.

Common causes of car crashes in and around Dauphin County include:

• Distracted Driving: Although it’s illegal, distracted driving is one of the leading causes of crashes throughout Pennsylvania. Drivers who text, use navigation apps, adjust the radio, eat, or engage in other distracting activities may fail to notice hazards until it is too late. Even a few seconds of distraction can lead to devastating consequences. 
• Speeding and Reckless Driving: Drivers who exceed the speed limit or operate their vehicles aggressively have less time to react and often cause more severe collisions. Examples of reckless driving include:
  • Excessive speeding
  • Tailgating
  • Unsafe lane changes
  • Passing improperly
  • Ignoring traffic signals
  • Road rage
• Drunk or Drug-Impaired Driving: Drivers who operate vehicles under the influence of alcohol or drugs can cause serious and preventable accidents. Impaired drivers may have reduced reaction times, poor judgment, and difficulty maintaining control of their vehicles. Victims injured by impaired drivers may be entitled to pursue compensation for their injuries and losses.
• Driver Fatigue: Drowsy driving can be just as dangerous as distracted or impaired driving. Fatigued drivers often have slower reaction times, reduced awareness, and may even fall asleep behind the wheel.
• Poor Weather and Road Conditions: Snow, ice, rain, fog, and poor road maintenance can contribute to accidents. However, drivers are still responsible for adjusting their behavior to account for dangerous conditions. 

Auto Accident Injuries

Even a relatively low-speed collision can cause significant injuries. The force involved in a crash can place tremendous stress on the body, leading to injuries that require extensive medical treatment. Common injuries caused by auto accidents include:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries: A concussion or other traumatic brain injury can occur when the head strikes an object or when the brain moves violently inside the skull during a collision. Symptoms may include:
  • Headaches
  • Memory problems
  • Dizziness
  • Difficult concentrating
  • Mood changes
  • Sleep problems

Some brain injuries do not show immediate symptoms, making medical evaluation important after a crash.

• Neck and Back Injuries: Whiplash and other soft tissue injuries are common after rear-end collisions and sudden impacts. More serious crashes may cause:
  • Herniated discs
  • Spinal fractures
  • Nerve damage
  • Chronic pain

• Broken Bones and Orthopedic Injuries:  The impact of a collision can cause fractures involving the:
  • Arms
  • Legs 
  • Ribs
  • Shoulders
  • Hips
  • Spine

These injuries may require surgery, rehabilitation, and long-term care.

• Internal Injuries: Some serious injuries are not immediately visible. Internal bleeding, organ damage, and other conditions may require emergency treatment.
• Permanent Disabilities: Severe auto accidents can result in lasting disabilities that affect a person’s ability to work, care for family members, or enjoy everyday activities.

Understanding Pennsylvania’s Auto Accident Laws

Pennsylvania is a no-fault state. In Pennsylvania, all vehicle owners are required to carry a minimum of $5,000 in no-fault medical benefits coverage. This is in addition to other mandatory minimum car insurance requirements:

• $15,000 in bodily injury liability per person 
• $30,000 in total bodily injury liability per accident
• $5,000 for property damage

Under Pennsylvania’s no-fault system, your own insurance will pay your medical bills and other out-of-pocket losses up to your policy limits. This coverage applies no matter who caused the accident.

Pennsylvania has a unique no-fault system because it offers two options to drivers. With full tort protection, injury victims can pursue a claim against at-fault drivers for all of their losses, including medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. With limited tort protection, an injury victim cannot pursue a claim against an at-fault driver for their non-economic losses (pain and suffering) unless they can meet a very limited exception under Pennsylvania law.

If you were in a car accident, your immediate medical bills will be covered by your own car insurance policy. If you aren’t sure about next steps and what your rights are based on your policy, our Harrisburg car accident lawyers can analyze your documents and help you decide how to proceed based on the unique facts of your case.

Pennsylvania also follows a modified comparative negligence system. This means that more than one person may share responsibility for an accident. If you are found partially responsible for a car crash (up to 50%), your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault.

For example, consider a situation where you suffered $100,000 in damages in a car accident, but are found to be 20% at fault. You might end up recovering $80,000 because of these comparative negligence rules.

Insurance companies are very aware of these laws and often attempt to shift blame onto accident victims. That is why it is so important to not talk to an insurance adjuster or give a statement without legal representation.

There is also a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases in Pennsylvania. With a few exceptions, this means that you have 2 years from the date of your accident to file a lawsuit. If you fail to do so, then you will almost certainly be barred from recovering at all.

While 2 years may seem like a lot of time, you should actually start the legal process as soon as possible if you are in a car wreck. Important evidence can often disappear, and witness memories can fade. Contacting a Harrisburg personal injury attorney soon after your accident can help to preserve this crucial evidence and protect your rights.

Dealing with the Insurance Company After a Harrisburg Car Crash

After an accident, you may expect the at-fault driver’s insurance company to provide fair compensation. Unfortunately, insurance companies are businesses. Their goal is usually to protect their profits by minimizing claim payments.

Insurance adjusters may attempt to:

• Offer a quick settlement before the full extent of injuries is known
• Question whether your injuries were caused by the accident
• Downplay medical treatment
• Argue that you were partially responsible
• Delay the claims process

It’s important to remember that anything that you say to an insurance adjuster could be used against you. For example, you might make an offhand comment about changing the music in your car and the adjuster might use that to argue that you were partially responsible for the wreck.

You should also be aware that accepting a settlement means giving up your right to sue. This means that even if you discover that your injuries were more serious than you thought, you won’t be able to go back and get more money. 

Before accepting a settlement offer or providing a recorded statement, it is important to understand your legal rights. At Metzger Wickersham, we help accident victims handle insurance companies and pursue compensation based on the true value of your claims.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Harrisburg Car Accident Lawyer

A serious auto accident can leave you facing challenges you never expected. Medical bills, lost income, and ongoing pain can make it difficult to move forward. Fortunately, you don’t have to handle the aftermath of an auto accident alone.

Since 1888, Metzger Wickersham has helped injured Pennsylvanians seek justice and pursue the compensation that they need to move forward with their lives. Our Harrisburg auto accident attorneys are ready to evaluate your case, explain your legal options, and help you take the next steps. To learn more or to schedule a free initial consultation with a member of our legal team, call our law offices at 717-912-9501 or fill out our online contact form.