Lancaster Personal Injury Lawyer

A serious accident can change your life in an instant. One moment, you’re driving to work on Route 30, shopping at Lancaster Central Market, or crossing the street in downtown Lancaster. The next moment, you’re dealing with painful injuries, mounting medical bills, lost income, and uncertainty about what comes next.

If someone else’s negligence caused your injuries, you may be able to recover compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses. However, obtaining fair compensation is rarely as simple as filing an insurance claim. Insurance companies often look for ways to deny or minimize claims, leaving injured victims without the money they need to rebuild their lives.

At Metzger Wickersham, our Lancaster personal injury lawyers have been helping injured Pennsylvanians pursue justice for more than 135 years. Whether you’ve been injured in a car accident, truck collision, motorcycle crash, slip and fall, or another incident, we are prepared to take on the big insurance companies to get you the compensation that you deserve. Reach out to our law firm today to schedule a free initial consultation with a Lancaster personal injury attorney.

Why Choose Metzger Wickersham?

Choosing a personal injury attorney is one of the most important decisions you’ll make after an accident. The lawyer you select can have a significant impact on the outcome of your claim, from the evidence gathered during the investigation to the amount of compensation ultimately recovered. At Metzger Wickersham, we combine more than a century of legal experience with a client-first approach that emphasizes communication, preparation, and results.

More than 135 Years of Serving Pennsylvanians

Since opening our doors in 1888, our law firm has represented individuals and families throughout Pennsylvania. Our longevity reflects a longstanding commitment to providing skilled legal representation and personalized service to clients facing challenging circumstances.

Over the decades, we have handled a wide variety of personal injury matters involving motor vehicle accidents, workplace injuries, premises liability, wrongful death, defective products, and other acts of negligence. This breadth of experience allows us to anticipate challenges and develop effective legal strategies tailored to each client’s case.

We Handle the Insurance Companies for You

In personal injury cases, we take a proactive role when it comes to insurance companies. After an accident, insurance adjusters may contact you quickly to obtain a recorded statement or encourage you to accept a settlement before the full extent of your injuries is known. While an adjuster may seem sympathetic, it’s important to remember that insurance companies are businesses focused on limiting payouts whenever possible.

When you hire Metzger Wickersham, we take over communication with the insurance companies on your behalf. Our legal team works to protect your interests by:

• Conducting a thorough investigation into the accident
• Gathering police reports, photographs, surveillance footage, and other evidence
• Interviewing witnesses when appropriate
• Reviewing medical records and consulting with healthcare providers
• Calculating the full value of your current and future damages
• Negotiating aggressively for a fair settlement
• Preparing every case as though it may ultimately proceed to trial

Our goal is to allow you to focus on your recovery while we focus on protecting your legal rights.

A Personalized Approach to Every Case

No two accidents affect people in exactly the same way. A broken bone may heal within a few months for one person, while another may experience chronic pain, permanent limitations, or an inability to return to work. 

Rather than treating your claim as just another case file, we take the time to understand your unique situation. We want to know how your injuries have affected your daily activities, your family responsibilities, your financial stability, and your long-term goals. This individualized approach helps us present a more complete picture of your damages during settlement negotiations at trial.

Trial Experience When Litigation Becomes Necessary

While many personal injury claims are resolved through negotiated settlements, some cases require litigation to achieve a fair outcome. If an insurance company refuses to make a reasonable settlement offer, our attorneys are prepared to advocate for you in court. Preparing every case thoroughly from the beginning strengthens our negotiating position and demonstrates that we are ready to pursue justice through trial if necessary.

Conveniently Located to Serve Lancaster County

Our Lancaster office proudly serves clients throughout Lancaster County and the surrounding communities, including Lititz, Ephrata, Manheim, Mount Joy, Columbia, Millersville, East Petersburg, Willow Street, Elizabethtown, and nearby areas. Whether you were injured in a crash on Route 30, involved in a truck accident on Route 283, or suffered injuries because of unsafe conditions at a local business, our attorneys are ready to help you understand your legal options.

What Should You Do After an Accident?

The steps that you take after an accident can have a significant impact on both your health and your personal injury claim. While every situation is different, taking the following actions (if you can) may help to protect your well-being and preserve valuable evidence.

• Seek Medical Attention Immediately. Even if your injuries seem minor, it’s important to be evaluated by a healthcare provider. Some injuries, including concussions, internal injuries, and soft tissue damage, may not produce immediate symptoms. Prompt medical treatment also creates documentation that can support your claim.
• Report the Incident. If you were involved in a motor vehicle accident, notify law enforcement so an official accident report can be prepared. If your injury occurred on someone else’s property or at work, report the incident to the property owner, manager, or employer as soon as possible.
• Preserve Evidence. If you’re able, take photographs of the accident scene, your injuries, vehicle damage, hazardous conditions, or anything else that may help to establish what happened. Keep copies of medical records, receipts, and correspondence related to your injury.
• Avoid Discussing Your Case. Insurance companies may contact you soon after the accident. Before providing a recorded statement or accepting a settlement offer, consider speaking with an experienced personal injury attorney. You should also avoid discussing the accident on social media, as posts or photos may later be used against you.
• Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer. The sooner an attorney becomes involved, the sooner important evidence can be preserved and your legal rights protected. Early legal guidance can also help you avoid common mistakes that may negatively affect your claim.

Personal Injury Cases We Handle

At Metzger Wickersham, we represent individuals and families affected by a wide range of accidents and injuries. While every case is different, they all share one thing in common: someone else’s negligence or wrongful conduct has changed a person’s life.

Our Lancaster personal injury attorneys understand the physical, emotional, and financial challenges that often follow a serious injury. We work diligently to investigate what happened, identify all potentially liable parties, and pursue the maximum compensation available under Pennsylvania law. 

• Car Accidents: Car accidents are among the most common reasons people seek legal representation. Whether your crash occurred on Route 30, Route 222, Route 283, the turnpike, or a neighborhood street in Lancaster County, the consequences can be significant. Even collisions that initially appear minor can result in injuries requiring months of treatment or causing permanent limitations. Common causes of car accidents include:
  • Distracted driving 
  • Speeding
  • Drunk or impaired driving
  • Failure to yield
  • Running red lights or stop signs
  • Following too closely
  • Aggressive driving
  • Fatigued driving

Injuries frequently seen in motor vehicle accidents include traumatic brain injuries, neck and back injuries, herniated discs, broken bones, spinal cord injuries, internal organ damage, whiplash, and soft tissue injuries. Pennsylvania’s insurance laws can make car accident claims more complicated than many people expect. Our attorneys help clients understand their rights, deal with insurance companies, and pursue compensation for both current and future losses.

• Truck Accidents: Accidents involving tractor-trailers, delivery trucks, construction vehicles, and other commercial vehicles often cause catastrophic injuries because of the tremendous size and weight of these vehicles. Truck accident claims are typically more complex than ordinary car accident cases because multiple parties may share responsibility. Potentially liable parties include:
  • Truck drivers
  • Trucking companies
  • Vehicle owners
  • Maintenance contractors
  • Cargo loading companies
  • Parts manufacturers

Commercial trucking companies must comply with numerous federal safety regulations governing driver qualifications, hours of service, vehicle inspections, maintenance, and cargo securement. Violations of these regulations can play an important role in establishing liability. Our legal team works quickly to preserve valuable evidence such as driver logs, electronic logging device (ELD) data, maintenance records, inspection reports, black box data, dash camera footage, and drug and alcohol testing records. Because trucking companies often deploy investigators immediately after a serious collision, it is important for injured victims to obtain legal representation as soon as possible. 

• Motorcycle Accidents: Motorcyclists have little protection when collisions occur, making them particularly vulnerable to serious injuries. Unfortunately, many motorcycle accidents happen because other drivers fail to notice motorcycles or misjudge their speed. Common causes of motorcycle crashes include:
  • Left-turn collisions
  • Unsafe lane changes
  • Failure to yield
  • Distracted driving
  • Opening vehicle doors into traffic
  • Speeding
  • Road hazards

Motorcycle accident victims frequently suffer road rash, multiple fractures, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, amputations, and internal injuries. Insurance companies sometimes attempt to unfairly blame motorcyclists for crashes. Our attorneys work to ensure the facts, not stereotypes, determine liability.

• Slip-and-Fall Accidents: Property owners have a legal responsibility to maintain reasonably safe premises for visitors. When dangerous conditions are ignored, serious injuries can occur. Slip-and-fall accidents commonly result from:
  • Wet floors
  • Snow and ice accumulation
  • Broken sidewalks
  • Uneven flooring
  • Poor lighting
  • Loose handrails
  • Torn carpeting
  • Falling merchandise

These accidents frequently occur at grocery stores, retail stores, restaurants, apartment complexes, hotels, office buildings, parking lots, and shopping centers. A slip and fall may lead to serious injuries such as hip fractures, traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, and shoulder damage, particularly for older adults. Our attorneys investigate whether the property owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition and failed to correct it or provide adequate warning.

• Workplace Injuries and Workers’ Compensation:  A workplace injury can affect every aspect of your life, from your ability to earn a living to your long-term health. Pennsylvania’s workers’ compensation system provides benefits to many employees injured on the job, regardless of who caused the accident. Benefits may include:
  • Medical treatment
  • Wage-loss benefits
  • Specific loss benefits
  • Disability benefits

Common workplace accidents include falls, equipment accidents, repetitive stress injuries, construction accidents, vehicle accidents, lifting injuries, and machinery accidents. While workers’ compensation typically prevents employees from suing their employers, injured workers may be able to file a third-party personal injury claim in some situations. Our attorneys can evaluate every available source of compensation.

• Medical Malpractice: Patients trust doctors, nurses, hospitals, and other healthcare providers to deliver competent medical care. When that trust is broken through negligence, the consequences can be devastating. Medical malpractice may involve:
  • Surgical errors
  • Misdiagnosis
  • Delayed diagnosis
  • Medication mistakes
  • Birth injuries
  • Anesthesia errors
  • Emergency room negligence

These cases often require extensive investigation and expert medical testimony to establish that a healthcare provider failed to meet the accepted standard of care. If you believe that medical negligence caused you or a loved one harm, our attorneys can evaluate whether you may have a valid claim under Pennsylvania law.

• Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect: Families trust nursing homes and assisted living facilities to provide safe, compassionate care for elderly loved ones. Unfortunately, neglect and abuse occur more often than many people realize. Warning signs may include:
  • Unexplained injuries
  • Bedsores
  • Dehydration
  • Malnutrition
  • Poor hygiene
  • Frequent falls
  • Sudden emotional withdrawal
  • Medication errors

Neglect can result from inadequate staffing, poor training, or failures to follow appropriate care plans. If you suspect your loved one has been abused or neglected in a nursing home, our legal team can investigate and help you pursue accountability.

• Defective Products: Consumers have the right to expect that products placed on the market are reasonably safe when used as intended. Manufacturers, distributors, and retailers may be held responsible when dangerous products cause injuries. Product liability claims may involve:
  • Defective vehicles
  • Unsafe household appliances
  • Defective medical devices
  • Dangerous children’s products
  • Power tools
  • Industrial equipment
  • Prescription medications

These cases often require technical analysis to determine whether a product suffered from a design defect, manufacturing defect, or inadequate warnings.

• Wrongful Death: No amount of compensation can replace a loved one. However, when a death results from another person’s negligence or wrongful conduct, Pennsylvania allows certain surviving family members to seek financial recovery. Wrongful death claims may arise from:
  • Motor vehicle accidents
  • Truck accidents
  • Medical malpractice
  • Workplace accidents
  • Defective products
  • Dangerous property conditions

Compensation may include damages for funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support, loss of household services, and the loss of guidance, companionship, and comfort provided by the deceased. Our attorneys understand that these cases require both legal skill and compassion. We work closely with families to pursue justice while allowing them the space to grieve and heal.

Contact a Lancaster Personal Injury Attorney Today

An unexpected injury can affect every part of your life, from your physical health and financial stability to your ability to care for your family and enjoy everyday activities. You shouldn’t have to bear those burdens alone when someone else’s negligence caused your injuries.

For over 100 years, Metzger Wickersham has helped Pennsylvanians navigate difficult legal challenges and pursue the compensation that they deserve. We offer free initial consultations and never charge a fee unless we get money for you. To learn more or to schedule a free initial consultation with a Lancaster personal injury lawyer, give us a call at 717-912-9501 or fill out our online contact form.