Areas Served
Motor vehicle accidents are among the most common causes of injuries in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. While many vehicle collisions are minor fender-benders that don’t cause serious harm, others can leave victims with severe injuries and significant medical bills.
If you sustained an injury in a Latrobe vehicle accident, contact Stine & Associates, P.C., for a free consultation with our highly qualified injury attorney. During your initial consultation, we’ll review the accident that caused your injuries and explain your options for seeking compensation to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and more.
Why You Need Stine & Associates, P.C.
When you need to go up against auto insurance companies to recover compensation, you need someone with extensive, relevant experience on your side. Attorney Cindy Stine has more than 30 years of experience handling motor vehicle accident cases in Latrobe and western Pennsylvania.
The last thing many injury victims want to do while recovering from their injuries is deal with an insurance company that’s fighting back against them. We’ll file your claim and seek fair compensation by negotiating with the insurance company on your behalf. And if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, we’re prepared to take your case to trial.
Types of Motor Vehicle Accidents Our Firm Handles for Latrobe Clients
We handle various types of cases arising from motor vehicle accidents in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. Some of the most common include:
- Car Accidents – Passenger vehicle accidents are the most common and cause a wide variety of injuries. While some car accident cases can be relatively straightforward, others, such as those involving more than two vehicles, can quickly become complex.
- Truck Accidents – Commercial truck accidents tend to cause more severe injuries due to their weight and size. These cases are also more complex than car accident cases due to state and federal trucking regulations.
- Motorcycle Accidents – Motorcycle riders don’t have the same physical protection as other vehicle occupants. Without airbags, seatbelts, and crumple zones, riders take the brunt of many collisions they’re involved in.
- Pedestrian Accidents – When vehicles strike pedestrians, they can cause catastrophic injuries. Even though pedestrians aren’t vehicle occupants, auto insurance coverage still applies.
- Bicycle Accidents – Many bicycle accidents also involve motor vehicles. Motorists may not give cyclists the space they are legally owed, or may not see them when turning, leading to collisions.
Common Motor Vehicle Accident Injuries
The injuries caused by a motor vehicle accident can be devastating and life-changing. Common and severe injuries we see in Latrobe are:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries – TBIs can leave victims with permanent brain damage, causing both cognitive and physical impairment.
- Spinal Cord Injuries – Damage to the spinal cord can result in chronic pain conditions at best and paralysis at worst.
- Broken Bones – Bone fractures are some of the most common injuries in vehicle accidents. Arms, legs, and ribs are frequently broken due to the forces involved.
- Internal Organ Damage – Some of the most dangerous injuries are those affecting the internal organs. Many victims don’t realize these injuries occurred until the damage spreads and symptoms appear.
- Crushing Injuries – Severe accidents like rollovers and truck collisions increase the risk of crushed or trapped limbs. In some cases, amputation may be necessary.
- Abrasion Injuries – Motorcycle riders, pedestrians, and cyclists can all sustain road rash from sliding across the pavement after being struck by a vehicle.
- Soft Tissue Injuries – Muscles, ligaments, and tendons are prone to sprains and tears in vehicle collisions. One of the most common injuries is whiplash, which affects the soft tissues in the neck.
Steps to Take After a Motor Vehicle Accident
After getting in a motor vehicle accident in Latrobe, it’s vital that you take the proper steps to protect your right to seek compensation for your injuries and strengthen your case.
Follow Up with All Medical Treatment
It’s always important to follow up with all medical treatment until you fully recover or will not recover further. Not only is this beneficial for your well-being, but it also strengthens your case by showing the insurance company that your injuries are real and you took them seriously.
If you stop your treatment early, the insurance company could question whether it was necessary and attempt to avoid covering the cost.
Avoid Admitting Fault for the Accident
An insurance adjuster may contact you seeking a statement about the collision that caused your injuries. You should not speak to them without your lawyer present. Their job is to get you to say something they can use to devalue or deny your insurance claim.
Insurance adjusters will often act like they’re on your side and are trying to help you get the compensation you need. However, it’s important to remember that they’re really trying to reduce their employer’s liability.
Document Everything
Make sure you keep track of all bills related to the accident, including medical and vehicle repair bills. Your lawyer will use these when calculating the value of your case.
You should also write down everything you remember about the accident, including when and where it occurred. And it can be a good idea to keep a pain journal in which you record your daily pain levels and how your injuries affect your life.
Consult a Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer
It’s always in your best interest to speak with a motor vehicle accident lawyer about your case. Your lawyer can handle all communication with the insurance companies and prevent them from taking advantage of you.
Seeking Compensation After a Vehicle Collision in Latrobe
After most vehicle accidents in Latrobe, your first option for seeking the compensation you need is to file an insurance claim.
The minimum insurance requirements in the state include:
- Medical Benefits – $5,000 in medical benefits is what everyone in PA is required to carry. The person’s medical benefits under their own auto liability policy is 1st in line to pay for medical treatment, even if someone else caused the injuries.
- Bodily Injury Liability – $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident for bodily injury caused to another person outside of your vehicle. This is required for a driver if you get sued for causing a collision.
- Property Damage Liability – $5,000 per accident for damage caused to another party’s property. This is required for a driver if you get sued for causing a collision.
Deadline for Filing a Motor Vehicle Injury Lawsuit in PA
Pennsylvania has a two-year time limit for filing a motor vehicle injury lawsuit. You must file your lawsuit(s) within this period or risk the courts preventing you from recovering the compensation you need.
Our vehicle accident lawyer can file your lawsuit within the time limit set in the state’s statute of limitations, protecting your right to seek compensation. However, even though we have two years, it’s important to begin working on your case as soon as possible so we can gather the evidence necessary to build a strong case while it’s still available.
Contact Our Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer Serving Latrobe
Were you injured in a Latrobe motor vehicle accident? Contact Stine & Associates, P.C., for a free consultation with a knowledgeable and experienced vehicle accident lawyer about your case. We’ll walk you through your options for seeking the compensation you need and answer your questions about the insurance claims process in Pennsylvania.