Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyer

What Personal Injury Means

The term “personal injury” covers any type of legal claim involving a bodily injury due to negligence. This broad legal category incorporates every other form of injury claim, from vehicle accidents to slip and fall injuries.

How Much Should You Ask for in a personal injury settlement?

There is no simple answer to the question how much to ask for in a personal injury settlement. Every injury claim is different, making it impossible to provide an accurate estimate of the value of a personal injury claim without more information. That said, it is possible for an attorney with enough information regarding the accident and the injury to identify what a claim might be worth.

In cases where liability is undisputed, it is easier to ask for the full value of your injury claim. If the other side has reason to point the finger at you regarding fault in the accident, it could limit the amount of compensation you could recover. The good news is that the attorneys of Mattiacci Law, LLC can evaluate your case and advise you on how much to ask for in your settlement. Our team can review your medical and employment records to ensure you pursue the compensation you deserve.

What are the steps in a personal injury lawsuit in Philadelphia?

Personal injury claims differ substantially in their origin, their scope, and their duration. That said, each of these lawsuits follows the same general path from the moment the injury occurs until the time the claim is resolved.

An injury lawsuit starts with a complaint. This legal document initiates the lawsuit once you file it with the court. Once the complaint is filed, the next step is for the plaintiff to secure service of process against the defendant. These cases cannot move forward until the defendant has formal notice of the claim. Service is typically completed through the use of a paid process server.

Once the defendant has notice of the complaint, they have a limited time to respond. The failure to respond can result in a default judgment in your favor. If they respond, their answer will either admit or deny every allegation made in the complaint.

Once the pleadings are filed and answered, the next steps is discovery. During the discovery phase, both parties will have the chance to request documents and ask questions of the other side. This step includes the use of depositions to discovery the strength of the other party’s case.

Once discovery is complete, the case will head towards trial. If the two parties are unable to reach a settlement, the court will ultimately determine the issues of liability and damages.

Are personal injury settlements taxable in Pennsylvania?

One factor in a personal injury claim that many people do not consider is the potential tax consequences that come with a financial settlement. The good news is that much of a personal injury settlement is not taxable under state or federal law.

When compensation from a settlement stems directly from a physical injury, the state and federal government do not consider that to be taxable income. This non-taxable compensation is more than just the cost of medical care. The pain and suffering or lost wages that follow a physical injury are also exempt from taxation.

There are some limited situations where proceeds from a suit may be taxed. For example, any interest that accrues on a judgement is taxable. Additionally, a person that deducts any out of pocket medical expenses after an accident must report any compensation they recover for those costs at a later date as income. These tax issues are complex, and are best resolved with the help of an experienced bankruptcy attorney.

How long does a personal injury lawsuit take in Philadelphia?

It is impossible to predict how long a personal injury lawsuit might take in Philadelphia. No two cases are exactly the same, and the wide range of factors that go into each case cannot be perfectly forecasted.

That said, an attorney could review your case and give you an idea of what to expect. In general, cases where the defendant admits fault typically do not last as long as other cases. With the question of liability off the table, both parties are more likely to reach an agreement on the question of compensation. Cases can settle in a matter of weeks under the right circumstances.

Other cases can drag on much longer. When the defendant disagrees that they were at fault, these cases often result in a jury trial. The process of taking an injury case to trial can take months or even years. The team at Mattiacci Law, LLC can advise you on what to expect before you ever file your injury lawsuit.

How long does a personal injury case take in PA?

There are a number of factors that impact how long a personal injury case takes in Pennsylvania. While some of these factors are out of your control, the good news is that many delays are avoidable with the right legal counsel.

Some personal injury cases are resolved in a matter of weeks or months. In cases where the defendant does not dispute that they are at fault, it is not unusual for the two sides to work out a financial settlement without the need for a lawsuit. Even when a lawsuit is filed, a settlement is often reached within the first few months of a case.

Other cases can take much longer. If a personal injury claim goes to trial, it can take months or sometimes years before the trial to take place. Complex cases also typically take much longer than straight-forward injury claims. The number of other cases on the court’s docket will also play a major role in how long an injury claim might take.

Traumatic Brain Injury

A traumatic brain injury has the potential to cause permanent consequences for the injury victim. These injuries often result from severe blunt trauma to the head, but can also involve a penetrating injury directly into the brain itself. These injuries often result in permanent disability, and in many cases they are fatal.

How much compensation do you get for brain injury in Philadelphia?

While the compensation you can recover from a brain injury in Philadelphia varies depending on the facts of the case, these claims are often substantial. The medical care needed following a traumatic brain injury can be costly. What’s more, this care could last for months or years after the injury occurs.

Many people that suffer from a traumatic brain injury are never able to fully return to their previous lifestyle. Some injury victims are limited in their ability maintain employment, while others might never work again. A successful injury claim could recover damages for both past and future lost wages.

In some cases, a person with a traumatic brain injury is unable to meet their own basic needs. These individuals will require lifelong in-home care that cost thousands of dollars each year. All of these costs could be recouped from a traumatic brain injury lawsuit.

Car Accident Personal Injury Lawyers in Philadelphia

Car accidents make up most of the personal injury claims throughout Pennsylvania. These accidents often have devastating consequences, and they can occur due to countless reasons. Aggressive drivers, speeding, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs are only some of the factors that go into causing a car wreck.

How much can someone sue for a car accident in Philadelphia?

For the most part, there are no hard limits on the amount of compensation you could recover through a car accident claim in Philadelphia. While some states institute caps on the amount of damages that are available in an injury lawsuit, those caps are largely absent for Philadelphia car accident claims.

Like with many areas of the law, there are some exceptions to this general rule. If you pursue a claim for compensation against Commonwealth parties or local agencies, you are limited in the amount of compensation you can recover.

The amount you can sue for in a car accident lawsuit will vary depending on how severe your injuries and other losses are. For starters, you are entitled to pursue compensation for your out of pocket losses like medical bills and vehicle repair expenses. While these damages have a finite value, you also have the right to seek compensation for subjective losses like pain and suffering. Your attorney can advise you on how much you should seek in your personal injury case.

How long does a car accident settlement take in PA?

There is no set duration for car accident settlements in Pennsylvania. It is not unusual for a personal injury attorney to obtain a fair settlement offer in a matter of weeks in some cases. In other situations, a settlement might not complete until years after a lawsuit is filed.

When the other driver does not dispute they are at fault, it is not unusual for a settlement to occur sooner rather than later. While this often happens without the need for a lawsuit, some settlements will only occur once litigation has commenced.

Cases where liability is disputed often take much longer to resolve. The same is true for claims where the defendant admits fault but lacks the assets needed to cover your damages. In these cases, litigation could drag on for months or even years before a settlement is reached.

How much do Philadelphia car accident lawyers charge?

Many Philadelphia residents injured in car accidents attempt to resolve their own personal injury claim due to concerns over legal fees. For most people, the days and weeks following an accident are filled with stress regarding surprise medical bills and reduced income due to time away from work. The thought of adding to that stress with costly legal fees is too much for most people.

The good news is that most personal injury attorneys do not charge upfront legal fees. In fact, your attorney will only recover their fee if they are successful in your case.

At Mattiacci Law, LLC, we operate on a contingency basis. Under this type of agreement, we keep a percentage of your settlement as our fee. If we are unsuccessful in obtaining compensation in your case, you will never owe us a dollar. This approach allows you to pursue your car accident claim without fear of walking away with nothing but a bill from your attorney.

Motorcycle Accidents

While motorcycle accidents are not as common as car accidents, the end result is often far more severe. Motorcyclists tend to suffer serious injuries in a crash due to the limited protection these vehicles provide.

Should I get a lawyer for my motorcycle accident?

For many people, it is tempting to pursue a motorcycle injury claim without the guidance of an experienced attorney. This is a mistake that often proves to be costly for many injury victims. While you are entitled to handle your case on your own, you can count on the other driver and their insurance company to have a team of lawyers by their side. This puts you at a substantial disadvantage during the negotiating process.

The good news is that most personal injury attorneys do not charge upfront legal fees. In fact, your attorney will only recover their fee if they are successful in your case.

What’s more, interacting with the other driver’s attorney or insurance company could put your injury claim at risk. These individuals will not hesitate to use anything you say in your discussions with them against you. Often, insurance adjusters will twist your words to suggest you were at fault in the accident. They can then use this as a justification to deny your claim completely.

The good news is that most personal injury attorneys do not charge upfront legal fees. In fact, your attorney will only recover their fee if they are successful in your case.

Negotiating a settlement without an attorney is also risky. Unless you have experience negotiating personal injury claims, you likely lack to experience necessary to determine if a settlement offer is reasonable or not. Your attorney can ensure you consider every aspect of your injury when accepting or rejecting a settlement offer.

What is the average payout for a motorcycle accident in Philadelphia?

The financial compensation that can come with a successful motorcycle accident injury claim is often substantial. Unfortunately, it is difficult to provide the average payout for these claims. Most settlements include confidentiality clauses, meaning the outcome of the settlement is not public record. Without a clearinghouse for injury settlements, it is impossible to give an accurate estimate of the average motorcycle injury claim.

The good news is that most personal injury attorneys do not charge upfront legal fees. In fact, your attorney will only recover their fee if they are successful in your case.

That said, an attorney can provide you with a potential estimate of the value of your case. This effort starts with a careful review of your medical records. Not only could you recoup the cost of your medical treatment, you could also recover any wages you lose during your recovery. Other types of compensation can include your pain and suffering, loss of consortium, or property damage claims.

How much can you sue for a motorcycle accident in Pennsylvania?

Like with other personal injury claims, there are typically no limits on the amount of compensation you can seek for a motorcycle accident lawsuit in Pennsylvania. That is not the case in every jurisdiction. Some states implement hard limits on the type and amount of monetary damages that might be available.

The good news is that most personal injury attorneys do not charge upfront legal fees. In fact, your attorney will only recover their fee if they are successful in your case.

In Pennsylvania, there are virtually no limits on a legal claim stemming from a motorcycle accident. This is true for both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages, which include things like medical expenses, are the measurable and tangible losses that come with an injury. Non-economic damages are not measurable. These losses cover subjective damages like pain and suffering. Ultimately, it is up to the court to determine the value of your claim.

The good news is that most personal injury attorneys do not charge upfront legal fees. In fact, your attorney will only recover their fee if they are successful in your case.

That being said, there are limited situations where the law could place limits on your recovery. Any injury claim filed against Commonwealth or local entities face caps on the amount of damages that are available.

Slip & Fall Accidents

Slip, trip, and fall accidents occur in many ways. They can occur due to spilled drinks, loose banisters, or poor lighting, among other causes. Often, these accidents results in devastating bodily injuries. When a fall occurs from a great height or the injury victim lands on their head or neck, the consequences could be fatal.

Should I get a lawyer for a slip and fall in Philadelphia?

Slip and fall injury lawsuits are complex. For that reason, it is vital that you never pursue a slip and fall injury claim without the guidance of a skilled attorney. The legal issues surrounding whether or not the property owner is responsible for your fall injury require thorough legal knowledge and experience. Additionally, negotiating a settlement without the help of an attorney only puts your potential compensation at risk.

What is the average settlement for a slip and fall accident in PA?

Like with other injury cases, there is no way to identify the average slip and fall injury settlement. While these cases settle frequently, the agreements between parties are typically confidential. This means the public rarely learns of the specifics of a personal injury settlement.

Be that as it may, an attorney can provide you with a thoughtful evaluation of your slip and fall injury claim. By reviewing your medical records and other evidence, your attorney can provide an accurate estimate on what your claim might be worth. While no attorney can guarantee a favorable outcome in your case, skilled legal counsel gives you the best chance at maximizing your financial recovery.

Truck Accidents

Due to their massive size, commercial trucks are a common cause of severe injuries on Philadelphia roads and highways. These collisions are often more severe than other traffic accidents, as passenger vehicles are not strong enough to absorb the impact of a much larger commercial vehicle.

How can a Philadelphia truck accident lawyer help me?

A truck accident lawyer can help you in many ways. This starts with a careful investigation of your case. Your attorney can not only identify all of the at-fault parties in your case, they can also advise you on the amount of compensation you are entitled to recover. Your attorney can also help you negotiate a settlement, file a lawsuit on your behalf, and take your case to trial if settlement is not an option.

How much does a truck accident lawyer cost in Pennsylvania?

At Mattiacci Law, LLC, you will never pay any upfront legal fees for your truck accident lawsuit. Our firm represents our clients on a contingency basis. That means you will not owe us a fee unless we recover compensation on your behalf.

If we are successful in your case, we will take a portion of your settlement for our fee. This means you never risk owing us anything
unless we recover compensation on your behalf. In the few cases where we are unsuccessful, our clients never owe us anything. Pursuing a claim for compensation with our team by your side is a win-win situation.