If you were hurt in an accident caused by another person or a negligent company, it can disrupt your entire life. You may require intensive treatment for your injuries. Depending on the severity of your medical condition, you might be unable work for a significant amount of time, perform daily tasks, or even participate in recreational activities.
When another party is responsible for your injuries, they must be forced to pay for your losses and damages. For over 30 years, the skilled accident attorneys at Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers have helped injury victims across all 67 counties in Pennsylvania fight for their rights in legal cases.
As demonstrated by our numerous verdicts and settlements, our lawyers have the skill and resources to help you get paid for your injuries. In one 2016 case, Jon Ostroff and our legal team won over $21 million in verdicts and settlements on behalf of plaintiffs who were injured in a crash near Allentown involving a Greyhound bus. Past results don’t guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different.
If you were injured in an accident, let our Allentown personal injury lawyers fight to hold the at-fault parties accountable.
Common Types of Personal Injury Claims
There are many types of accidents that could lead to a personal injury claim. Some of the most common cases our lawyers take on involve auto accidents, hazards on an individual’s property, and medical mistakes.
Auto Accidents
Many of the personal injury claims we handle at Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers are auto accident cases. Every motorist is expected to follow the rules of the road. This means respecting the speed limit, obeying traffic signs, and yielding to others when appropriate. Motorists who do not follow those rules are more likely to cause accidents. If you believe the other driver’s careless actions caused the crash, our car accident lawyers can file a claim against them.
Injuries Caused by Property Hazards
Everyone who owns property in Allentown has a responsibility to keep their premises safe for all visitors. The duty an owner owes depends on why the visitor was there. Owners owe the most care to customers and invited guests, and must fix or warn about dangerous conditions they knew about or should have found. If you were hurt by a hazard that should have been repaired, the property owner may be responsible for your injuries and losses.
If you were hurt because a property owner failed to maintain their premises, you may have a valid legal case.
Medical Malpractice
Everyone seeking medical treatment is entitled to comprehensive and reasonable care. As such, medical professionals are expected to ensure the safety and health of their patients. If you were hurt by a doctor or another type of healthcare professional, you should consider taking legal action.
Dog Attack
Dog owners are required to keep their pets under control and away from other people if they can be dangerous. If you were attacked and injured by a dangerous dog, you may be able to recover damages for your pain and suffering as well as your lost wages and economic losses. Insurance is typically available through the pet owners homeowner’s policy. If they rent their home, then the landlord’s insurance will often apply.
Whether you suffered head trauma after a slip and fall at the grocery store or lost a loved one in a fataltruck wreck, our personal injury attorneys will help you build a case and fight for your rights in court.
Seeking Payment from the At-Fault Party after an Accident in Allentown
If you and your lawyer can prove the other party caused your injuries, whether they are from a car accident, slip and fall, dog attack or medical malpractice, you can receive payment for various damages. Some of the most common types of damages awarded in a personal injury case include:
Medical bills
Prescription drug costs
Rehabilitation costs
Property damage
Past and future lost wages
Loss of earning capacity (if you are forced to take a lower-paying job due to our injuries)
Pain and suffering
Loss of life’s pleasures
In order to receive payment for your injuries, you must file your claim within the statute of limitations. Under 42 Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes § 5524, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. Under 42 Pa.C.S. § 7102, your compensation can be reduced if you were partly at fault, and you can’t recover if you were more than 50% at fault.
Injury Cases We Handle in Allentown
Our lawyers represent people hurt in many kinds of accidents in Allentown and across the Lehigh Valley, including:
Allentown is the hub of the Lehigh Valley, and some of the busiest roads in eastern Pennsylvania run through it. Route 22, I-78, the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-476) and Route 309 carry heavy commuter traffic along with a growing number of tractor-trailers serving the area’s warehouses and distribution centers. Busy local roads like Tilghman Street, Hamilton Boulevard and MacArthur Road see frequent rear-end, turning and pedestrian crashes.
After a crash in the city, the report is usually taken by the Allentown Police Department, or by the Pennsylvania State Police on the highways. A personal injury lawsuit for an accident in Allentown is generally filed in the Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas, which sits in downtown Allentown. Our lawyers handle cases throughout Lehigh and Northampton counties, and we will come to you if you can’t get to us.
Pennsylvania Car Insurance After an Allentown Crash
Pennsylvania drivers choose either full tort or limited tort coverage. With full tort, you can recover for pain and suffering after any crash someone else caused. With limited tort, you usually can’t recover pain and suffering unless your injury is “serious” under the law, though there are important exceptions, such as when the at-fault driver was drunk or driving a car registered out of state. Limited tort doesn’t always end your case, so have a lawyer look at it before you give up.
Your own auto policy also pays first-party medical benefits no matter who caused the crash. Every Pennsylvania policy must include at least $5,000 in medical benefits, and many people carry more.
Allentown Personal Injury FAQs
How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit?
In most cases, two years from the date of the accident. If a government agency or vehicle was involved, such as a LANta bus, a city vehicle or a dangerous condition on a public road, you generally must give written notice within six months. Don’t wait to call a lawyer.
What if I was partly at fault?
You can still recover as long as you were not more at fault than the people you are suing. Your compensation is reduced by your share of the fault. If you were found more than 50% at fault, you can’t recover.
Should I talk to the other driver’s insurance company?
Be careful. The other driver’s insurer may ask for a recorded statement and use what you say to reduce your claim. You don’t have to give one, and it’s best to talk to a lawyer first.
Will my case go to court?
Most injury cases settle without a trial. If your case does go to court, it will usually be heard in Allentown at the Lehigh County courthouse, and we’ll prepare you and be with you at every step.
How much does it cost to hire your firm?
Nothing up front. We handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee, so you pay no attorney fee unless we recover money for you.
Our Allentown Personal Injury Attorneys Will Go to Work For You
Personal injury law covers a wide range of cases. To determine whether you have a valid claim, get in touch with our Allentown personal injury lawyers today. Our Lehigh Valley legal team can review your potential case in a free case evaluation. Contact Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers today to get started.
