Car Accidents in Erie, PA

ERIE CAR ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS

Car Accidents
in Erie, PA

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

1

Table of Contents

WHAT’S INSIDE

Introduction 3

The benefits of working with a car accident attorney 4

Types of Erie vehicle accidents 6

Seven things to do after a Pennsylvania car wreck 9

The importance of insurance 12

Damages available to Erie car crash victims 14

The cost of hiring a lawyer 16

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INTRODUCTION

Car Accidents
can affect anyone

N o matter how careful you are when driving, there
is always a chance that you might get into a car
accident. All it takes is another distracted driver
or someone driving too fast to crash into you,
causing serious injuries.

Being involved in a Western Pennsylvania car wreck is often a
traumatic experience. Most accident victims suffer physical injury
from the effects of a serious crash, but the damage caused by an
auto accident doesn’t stop there. Many car wreck victims must
take time off of work while they recover, and then once they
finally can recover face seemingly endless medical bills. Victims
must also deal with the lasting effects of the pain and emotional
stress and anxiety caused by the accident.

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PART ONE

The benefits of Insurance companies have an
working with army of adjusters, investigators
a car accident and lawyers on its side all
attorney working to make sure you get
as little money as possible.

You can level the playing field.

If you are injured in automobile accidents, you may
think you can deal with the insurance company
on your own and get a fair settlement. However,
the insurance company has an army of adjusters,
investigators and lawyers on its side all working to
make sure you get as little money as possible.

At the Erie Pennsylvania car accident law firm of
Melaragno, Placidi & Parini, we represent personal
injury victims in cases against negligent drivers. Our
team of skilled car wreck lawyers has decades of
experience handling a wide range of claims, and has
a track record of success at trial and the negotiation
table. We offer free consultations to all prospective
clients in which we will explain the recovery process
in detail and how we can help you pursue a claim
for compensation.

If you retain the lawyers at Melaragno, Placidi &
Parini we will immediately begin to do whatever
is necessary to bring your case to a successful
conclusion and to get you the fair compensation
that you deserve.

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Traffic
accidents in
Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania car Pennsylvania is a large state with over 120,000
accident statistics: miles of roadways. Each year, motorists travel over
100 billion miles on Pennsylvania roads. While
In 2017, there were 128,188 most motorists take their driving responsibilities
reportable car accidents, resulting in seriously; unfortunately, that isn’t the case for all
drivers. For example, in 2017, there were over
80,612 injuries and 1,137 fatalities. 128,000 Pennsylvania car crashes. Of those, over
80,000 accidents resulted in injury and 1,137
Each day in Pennsylvania resulted in death. Of course, nobody gets behind
there are: the wheel thinking that they are going to be
involved in a Pennsylvania car accident. However,
given the statistics, it stands to reason that no
matter how many precautions a driver takes,
Pennsylvania car wrecks are inevitable.

351 221

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PART TWO

Types of Erie
Vehicle
Accidents

While every Pennsylvania car crash is unique,
there are several common types of accidents.

Fixed-object collisions 01

Nearly 30 percent of all Pennsylvania motor vehicle
crashes involved a stationary object. While it may be
tempting to assume that a driver who collides with a
fixed object is to blame, that certainly isn’t always the
case. Often, if an attentive driver takes evasive action
to avoid a collision with another vehicle, they end up
crashing into a utility pole or other stationary object.

Head-on collisions 02

Collect and maintain any evidence at the scene of
the accident that might be relevant and make sure
to ensure the “chain of custody” of the evidence is
secure so that it can be used in court without claims
of evidence tampering. Some types of physical
evidence could be pieces of the various vehicles
involved as well as dash camera footage.

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Rear-end accidents 03

While rear-end accidents often involve low speeds,
that doesn’t mean that there won’t be injuries.
Establishing that another driver is at fault in an Erie
rear-end collision can be difficult, and requires a
thorough understanding of Pennsylvania traffic laws
as well as accident law. Rear-end accidents account
for nearly 23 percent of all Pennsylvania car wrecks.

Sideswipe crashes 04

The most common cause of a sideswipe collision is
a motorist’s failure to yield the right-of-way at an
intersection. Often, this comes as a result of the
driver running a red light or a stop sign, and crashing
into another motorist as they travel through the
intersection. Sideswipe accidents account for about 6.5
percent of all Pennsylvania motor vehicle collisions.

Pedestrian accidents 05

Pennsylvania pedestrian accidents are the deadliest
type of collision. While pedestrian-involved crashes only
account for 3 percent of the total number of accidents,
they are responsible for 12 percent of the state’s traffic-
related deaths. Recovering after an Erie pedestrian-car
accident can be tricky because drivers routinely try to
shift fault from themselves onto the pedestrian.

Recovering compensation 06

At Melaragno, Placidi & Parini, we represent clients
in all types of Erie car wreck cases, even in situations
where you may have shared in the responsibility for
causing the accident.

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While some crashes are solely the fault of one party, Given the nature of how the
it is not uncommon for an accident victim to share comparative fault rule works,
some responsibility for causing an accident. Erie car wreck victims must
work with a reputable injury
In Pennsylvania, the fact that you are partially at fault lawyer to minimize the chance
for an accident will not prevent you from bringing a that a defendant can shift any
case against other at-fault drivers. Under Pennsylvania’s liability away from themselves.
comparative fault rule, an at-fault motorist can still
pursue a claim for compensation as long as they are less
than 51 percent responsible for the crash.
 
It is essential to keep in mind that an injury victim who is
partially at fault will have the total amount of damages
reduced by their own percentage of fault. For example,
assume you are involved in an accident that resulted
in $500,000 in damages; however, the jury determined
that you were 30 percent at fault. Under Pennsylvania’s
comparative fault analysis, you would receive $350,000
($500,000 less 30 percent).

You deserve Many questions can arise as to who is at fault
answers and what insurance will be available to help
compensate you for your serious injuries.

Our attorneys are here.

Our attorneys have decades of experience dealing
with insurance companies on behalf of clients injured
by the negligence of others. We know how they work,
and we know how to beat them.

OUR TEAM HAS DIRECT EXPERIENCE IN
MAXIMIZING YOUR RECOVERY YOU DESERVE.

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PART THREE

Seven things
to do after a
Pennsylvania car
wreck
Victims of Erie car crashes know how

stressful it can be in the moments after

the accident. The atmosphere is chaotic,

adrenaline is at a high, and many accident

victims describe the aftermath as a blur. It

is common for crash victims to “zone out.”

However, the moments immediately
following a serious Western Pennsylvania
motor vehicle accident are crucial, and
there are certain things motorists should
keep in mind. Many drivers find it helpful
to print this list and place it in their glove
compartment or some other convenient
location; that way, they don’t have to
worry about committing these important
steps to memory.

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Seven things to do:

01 Stop the car

Even if the accident seemed minor and you do not believe that you or anyone
else was hurt, you should stop the vehicle. Aside from the fact that leaving
the scene of an accident is a crime, you may not be immediately aware of any
injuries. Often, adrenaline masks the pain we usually associate with an injury.

02 Check for injuries
03
04 After stopping, you should exit the vehicle and instruct all passengers who
05 can do so on their own to do the same. Conduct a visual check for injuries,
but do not move injured passengers. If you are injured, try to restrict your
movement as much as possible, as this can worsen your injuries.

Do not admit fault

Admitting responsibility for an accident does nothing but reduce your chances
of being able to recover for your injuries because the other party can use your
statements against you in a subsequent case. At the same time, refrain
from arguing about whose fault it was and focus on gathering information.

Call the police

Except in the most minor of accidents, those involved in a motor vehicle
collision should call the police and report the accident. The responding police
officer will generate a police report and take down some basic facts about the
accident. This information can be helpful in an Erie personal injury case.

Protect the scene

Do not move your vehicle or clear the road of any debris, and allow the
responding police officers to handle the scene. Not only do you put yourself
at risk by being on the highway, but you also make it more difficult for police
officers to determine what occurred in the moments leading up to the accident.

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Seven things to do:

06 Create a record

One of the most important things to remember is to document what
happened. This includes obtaining identifying information from the other
drivers involved, as well as from any witnesses who saw the accident. If you
have a camera, take pictures of the accident before anything changes. You
can also look around to see if any surveillance or traffic cameras may have
documented the accident.

07 Follow-up with an attorney

Once the initial stress of the crash has worn down, be sure to reach out to an
experienced Erie personal injury lawyer to discuss your rights and how you
can pursue a claim for compensation based on the injuries you sustained in
the accident.

Keeping the above things in mind after an accident
is a good way to ensure that you protect your rights
following an Erie motor vehicle accident.

in 1IN 44 1IN 159

2017 PENNSYLVANIANS WERE PENNSYLVANIANS WERE

INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT

1IN 11,263

PENNSYLVANIANS WERE KILLED IN AN ACCIDENT

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PART FOUR

The importance
of insurance

Insurance companies play a significant
role in Western Pennsylvania car wreck
cases because they often defend the at-
fault driver.
An insurance policy is a contract under
which the motorist pays a monthly or
annual premium and return the insurance
company agrees to cover certain costs if
the motorist causes or is involved in an
accident. Some insurance is mandatory,
while other types are optional.

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All drivers IN PENNSYLVANIA:
must obtain
the following Bodily injury liability:
coverage
Minimum coverage of $15,000 per
person and $30,000 per accident

Property damage liability:

Minimum coverage of $5,000

Medical benefits:

Minimum coverage of $5,000

Motorists have the choice between limited tort or
full tort insurance. Limited tort insurance is less
expensive; however, insurance companies will not
compensate for any pain and suffering resulting
from the accident. Full tort coverage, while more
expensive, allows motorists unrestricted rights to
pursue a claim against the insurance company.
 
Pennsylvania’s car insurance requirements do
not include mandatory underinsured/uninsured
motorist (UIM) protection. This leaves many
accident victims in a precarious position. UIM
protection is crucial if an at-fault driver does not
have insurance or does not have enough coverage
to compensate the accident victim fully. For
example, if another driver hits you and you suffer
$100,000 in medical expenses, the at-fault driver’s
insurance company is only responsible up to the
policy limit. If the at-fault driver only purchased the
minimum amount of required insurance (as many
drivers do), then you would only be able to recover
$15,000. If you had a UIM policy, however, you could
then file a claim with your own insurance company
seeking compensation up to the policy limit.

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PART FIVE What is my case worth?

What damages are available to Erie car crash victims?

In Pennsylvania, there are three basic types of One thing is true: people who employ the
damages awards that are available to the victims services of an accident attorney see better
of Erie car accidents. Determining which types of results. Only with a lawyer fighting for your rights
damages are appropriate in an Erie motor vehicle will you be most successful.
lawsuit is a complex and lengthy process, and best
handled by an experienced Western Pennsylvania
personal injury law firm.

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AVAILABLE DAMAGES

01 Special Damages: Also called
02 economic damages, special damages
03 provide victims with compensation for
financial expenses they incurred as a
What is my result of the collision. Special damages
case worth? often include medical expenses, lost
wages and property damage. These
damages also allow victims to recover
certain attendant costs such as
modifications that you need to make to
your home as a result of your injuries.

General Damages: Sometimes called
non-economic damages, general
damages are those without an easily-
determined monetary value. General
damages may include compensation
for your physical pain, emotional
suffering, loss of companionship or
permanent disfigurement.

Punitive damages: Unlike the other two
types of damages, punitive damages are
focused on the conduct of the defendant,
rather than on any loss suffered. Courts
award punitive damages to punish
a defendant for especially egregious
conduct. For this reason, courts award
punitive damages only in situations
where the defendant exhibited a
reckless disregard for your safety.

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PART SIX

How much will That is the great thing
it cost to hire a about hiring the lawyers at
lawyer? Melaragno, Placidi & Parini, it
will not cost you anything.

No fee until you win.

If you or someone you care about was recently the
victim of a Western Pennsylvania motor vehicle
collision, you may be entitled to significant financial
compensation for your injuries.

At Melaragno, Placidi & Parini, we represent Erie
accident victims and their families in all varieties of
car accident claims. We also handle Pennsylvania
wrongful death claims related to fatal car accidents.
The lawyers at Melaragno, Placidi & Parini have been
selected as Top 10 Attorney for Client Satisfaction by
the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys
awarded to attorneys demonstrating exceptional and
outstanding client service. Our dedicated Erie injury
lawyers have been selected by Super Lawyers on
multiple occasions and are rated as 10 out of 10 by
AVVO, an independent lawyer rating service.

With more than 70 years of combined experience
and an exceptional track record o success, you can
be confident in our ability to handle your case. To
learn more about how we can help you pursue a
claim for compensation, call us at (814) 459-5557.

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The lawyers at Melaragno, Placidi & Parini have been selected as Top 10
Attorney for Client Satisfaction by the American Institute of Personal Injury
Attorneys awarded to attorneys demonstrating exceptional and outstanding
client service. The lawyers have been selected by Super Lawyers on several
occasions and are rated as 10 out of 10 by AVVO, an independent lawyer
rating service. We will take as long as it takes to help you determine if you
have the right to file a lawsuit to compensate you for your injuries.

(814) 459-5557

www.erieinjuryattorney.com