When to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in Pittsburgh

Goodrich & Geist, P.C. Handles Car Accident Cases Of Every Type And Can Help You Recover The Compensation You Deserve

According to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over 80 people are killed in motor vehicle accidents every day in the United States. The figures for accidents of all kinds are even more distressing, with over 6 million reported in 2018 alone. The costs of these accidents run in the hundreds of billions of dollars every year, mostly in the form of medical treatment expenses, litigation costs, insurance overheads, law enforcement expenses, and lost worker productivity. In some cases, you may be able to handle a car accident claim on your own. However, doing so is not recommended since some accidents cause injuries that are not immediately apparent, and you may be unaware that you are injured when handling your case. If you later identify an injury or losses that you did not initially include in your claim, you can forfeit your right to compensation for them. If you are wondering when to hire a car accident lawyer in Pittsburgh, the answer is that you should hire one for your car accident case irrespective of how minor or serious the damages involved seem to be.

Goodrich & Geist, P.C. can help you with your case, and we have helped countless accident victims with cases of every type, from accidents involving large commercial trucks to minor accidents involving pedestrians and bicyclists. We are here to help you secure whatever compensation the law entitles you to. Contact us to learn more.

Understanding The Different Types of Car Accidents

Common motor vehicle accidents include:

• Rollover accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Hit-and-run accidents
• Sideswipe and T-bone accidents
• Rear-end accidents
• Blindspot or no-zone accidents
• Truck accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Bicycle accidents
• Construction zone accidents
• Accidents caused by overspeeding and reckless driving
• Accidents caused by aggressive driving or driving under the influence
• Fatigued driving accidents
• Distracted driving accidents
• Accidents caused by vehicle or equipment malfunctions
• Accidents caused by basic driver errors
• Accidents caused by road damage or missing signage
• Driving without the requisite licensing or experience

Accidents of these types can occur anywhere, at any time, and they can affect anyone on the road. Depending on when, where, and how your accident occurred, our team will investigate several different factors. For example, the weather, whether another driver involved in the accident was intoxicated when the accident occurred, whether any specific road conditions existed when the accident occurred, and whether a vehicle or parts malfunction caused or contributed to your accident must be investigated.

Based on our investigation, we will attempt to gather evidence, such as eyewitness statements, the police report of your accident, dashcam or surveillance camera recordings, records of driver cell phone usage, vehicle service logs, and driver blood alcohol concentration reports to determine how and why your accident occurred.

Next, we will connect relevant factors to the parties responsible. For example, if a commercial trucking company implements poor hiring practices and an inexperienced driver is hired and causes an accident, the company may be at fault for the accident. Similarly, if an accident is caused by an unsecured load, poor vehicle maintenance, or poor road repairs by a road servicing crew, the different parties or entities responsible can be liable for the accident and its resultant damages.

Knowing When To Hire A Car Accident Lawyer in Pittsburgh Can Help You Recover The Compensation You Are Entitled To By Law

As mentioned earlier, one of the drawbacks of handling a car accident case yourself is the possibility of missing out on claiming compensation for accident-related losses and injuries that you were unaware of when filing your claim. You may make other errors as well, such as undervaluing your claim, making filing errors, not gathering the right evidence, or missing your filing deadline.

These errors can have serious, long-lasting implications on your overall wellbeing after the accident. Accidents can cause head and brain trauma, broken bones, internal injuries, and paralysis. However, they can also cause whiplash and concussions which are often overlooked but can affect you for weeks or months.

Whiplash occurs when the head snaps forward and backward very quickly, causing the nerves in the neck to become overextended. Concussions can feel like a normal headache but can be much more serious. If you do not have yourself assessed after an accident or include damages for these kinds of injuries in your claim, you may have to bear the resultant treatment expenses yourself.

If You Are Not Sure When to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in Pittsburgh, Contact Us Today To Discuss Your Case

We understand the anxiety, trauma, and pain that car accidents can cause. After your accident, you may be unable to work, and you will likely have suffered varying degrees of injury or property damage. You may have even lost a loved one. The physical, emotional, and financial tolls of car accidents can overwhelm you, but we are here to help and guide you during this trying time.

Contact Goodrich & Geist, P.C. today for a free case evaluation. We will help you determine if you need a lawyer and what you should do to recover compensation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hiring A Lawyer After A Car Accident in Pittsburgh