Many accidents can be traced back to someone doing something reckless or careless. When another person’s actions leave you seriously hurt, you may have the right to file a personal injury claim and seek compensation for the ways your injuries affect your life.
Getting paid fairly can be hard without help. A York personal injury lawyer at Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers can handle the insurance companies and build your claim while you focus on recovering. For over 30 years, our firm has helped injured people across Pennsylvania, and our York office is at 1224 S. Queen Street. If it’s easier, we can come to your home or hospital room.
Injury Cases We Handle in York
Our lawyers represent people hurt in many kinds of accidents in York and throughout York County, including:
York County’s mix of highways, busy commercial roads and rural routes leads to many serious crashes. Cases we see often involve:
I-83, especially around the York interchanges and the stretch toward Harrisburg and Maryland
Route 30 (the Lincoln Highway), with heavy traffic, frequent lights and shopping center entrances
Tractor-trailers serving the many warehouses and distribution centers along the I-83 corridor
Rural roads with farm equipment, sharp curves and limited lighting
Falls at stores, apartments and parking lots caused by ice, poor lighting or broken pavement
A lawsuit for an accident in York County is usually filed in the York County Court of Common Pleas at the York County Judicial Center. Most cases settle without a trial.
When Can You Sue Someone Over a Personal Injury?
Most personal injury claims in Pennsylvania are based on negligence. You can hold someone financially responsible for an accident if you can show that:
They owed you a duty to act responsibly, such as every driver’s duty to follow traffic laws and pay attention
They did something reckless, careless or illegal that broke that duty
That conduct caused the accident
The accident caused your injuries
What You Can Recover
A personal injury claim aims to make up for the losses your injury has caused, now and in the future. This can include:
Medical bills and the expected cost of future care
Lost wages and reduced ability to work, including lost benefits
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Loss of life’s pleasures
Property damage and accident-related costs, like a rental car after a crash
Pennsylvania Car Insurance After a York Crash
After a car crash in Pennsylvania, your own auto policy pays your first medical bills, at least $5,000 in medical benefits, no matter who was at fault. If you chose full tort, you can seek compensation for pain and suffering from the at-fault driver. Limited tort usually limits those claims, but there are important exceptions, including serious injuries, drunk drivers and vehicles registered out of state.
Deadlines and Shared Fault
Under 42 Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes § 5524, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. Claims against a government agency usually require written notice within six months. 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.
York Personal Injury FAQs
Do I need a lawyer after a car accident in York?
Not every crash needs a lawyer, but if you were hurt, missed work or the insurance company is disputing fault, a lawyer can protect your claim and deal with the insurers for you.
What if a truck caused my crash?
Truck crashes often involve more than one responsible party, such as the driver, the trucking company and the company that loaded the truck. Evidence like driver logs and electronic data should be preserved quickly.
What if I have limited tort?
You may still have a claim. Limited tort has exceptions, including serious injuries and crashes caused by drunk drivers. We can review your policy in a free case review.
How long will my case take?
It depends on your injuries and how the insurance company responds. Many cases settle within months after treatment ends; cases that go to court take longer.
How much does it cost to hire your firm?
Nothing up front. We handle injury cases on a contingency fee, so you pay no attorney fee unless we recover money for you.
Contact a York Personal Injury Attorney
The legal system can be hard to navigate while you’re recovering from a serious injury. A York personal injury lawyer at Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers can explain your options and handle the claim for you. Set up your free case review today.
