Pittsburgh Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer
Compassionate Motor Vehicle Accident Attorney Helps Injured Victims Recover Compensation in Pittsburgh, PA
When we get on the roads, we expect that everyone else on the road with us will drive with the same care and skill that we expect of ourselves. Unfortunately, some drivers may operate their vehicles in a negligent or reckless manner, sometimes only for just a few seconds. However, those few seconds can lead to a catastrophic motor vehicle accident that leaves victims with significant injuries and serious damages.
After you’ve been injured in a motor vehicle accident, you need an attorney who will fight to ensure you receive the financial compensation and justice that you deserve from those responsible for your accident. Attorney Mark A. Smith of The Law Office of Mark A. Smith is ready to provide you and your family with the compassionate, dedicated legal representation you need as you go through the difficult process of trying to recover from the physical and emotional trauma you’ve suffered in your motor vehicle accident.
When you’ve been involved in a motor vehicle accident through no fault of your own in Pittsburgh, contact The Law Office of Mark A. Smith for a free consultation to speak with Attorney Mark A. Smith and discuss how he can help you and your family secure the full and fair compensation that you deserve from those responsible for your accident.
Common Causes of Motor Vehicle Accidents in Pittsburgh
A motor vehicle accident can involve any kind of motorized vehicle; depending on the vehicle involved, an accident can fall into a subcategory such as a car accident, truck accident, bus accident, motorcycle accident, moped accident, bicycle accident, or pedestrian accident.
A motor vehicle accident usually occurs due to the negligence of one or more motorists on the road. Common causes of accidents in Pittsburgh include:
- Distracted driving, usually caused by cell phone use, use of navigation or car infotainment systems, or by other passengers or occupants of the vehicle
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Speeding
- Reckless driving, including driving well above the speed limit, weaving in and out of traffic, and aggressive driving tactics like failing to yield, brake-checking, and tailgating
- Unsafe lane changes, including failure to signal lane changes and failure to check side mirrors and blind spots
- Unsafe turns, including failure to signal, failure to yield to oncoming traffic, failure to yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk, or failure to check mirrors and blindspots for traffic, bicycles, or pedestrians coming up from behind
- Improperly maintained vehicles, which can lead to failures of critical components like tires or brakes
In addition, motor vehicle accidents can occur due to external factors such as bad weather, low lighting, or poor road conditions.
The Law Office of Mark A. Smith Will Fight to Maximize the Compensation You Receive in Your Pittsburgh Motor Vehicle Accident Case
Following your motor vehicle accident, you may have suffered serious injuries that may take you weeks, months, or even years to recover from. If you’ve suffered especially catastrophic injuries like neck and back injuries, spinal cord injuries, burns, or traumatic brain injuries, you may never fully recover from your accident. You deserve to be fully compensated for the damages you have incurred and will incur as a result of your injuries, including for:
- Past and future medical expenses, including surgeries, physical and occupational therapy, prescription medication, mobility equipment, and long-term personal care
- Lost wages for missed work, or lost earning potential if your injuries result in disabilities that prevent you from returning to your old job
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment or quality of life
Attorney Mark A. Smith is prepared to do whatever it takes to ensure you receive the full and fair compensation you deserve for your injuries and damages, including thoroughly investigating the circumstances of your accident to identify those at fault for the collision, filing claims with all available insurance coverage to make sure you have access to the full compensation you may be entitled to, and aggressively negotiating for a settlement of your claim that provides you with full and fair compensation as efficiently and effectively as possible.
Contact Our Firm to Schedule a Consultation with a Knowledgeable Pittsburgh Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one have been the victims of a motor vehicle accident in Pittsburgh that wasn’t your fault, you need compassionate, dedicated legal representation that will work tirelessly to get you the financial recovery you need and deserve to help you get your life back to normal following your accident. Contact The Law Office of Mark A. Smith today to schedule a free, no-obligation case evaluation with our experienced motor vehicle accident lawyer Attorney Mark A. Smith to discuss the details of your case and to learn more about your legal rights and options following your accident.
Frequently Asked Questions about Motor Vehicle Accidents in Pittsburgh, PA
Under Pennsylvania law, a person who is injured in a motor vehicle accident has two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit for financial compensation for his or her injuries or damages. If you don’t file your lawsuit within two years of your accident, the court may permanently dismiss your case and you can lose your right to seek compensation for your injuries and damages. The court may decide to extend this two-year period in limited circumstances; for example, if you are the victim of a hit-and-run accident and it takes you some time to discover the identity of the at-fault driver.
Potentially yes. Pennsylvania uses a contributory negligence system. Under this system, an injured party is not barred from recovering compensation for his or her damages, so long as the injured party’s share of fault is not greater than the combined share fault of all other at-fault parties; in other words, you cannot be more than 50 percent at fault for your accident. Provided you are not more than 50 percent responsible for the accident, your compensation will be reduced to reflect your share of fault. For example, if you suffer $100,000 in damages and are 25 percent at fault for the accident, your recovery will be reduced by $25,000 to reflect your 25 percent share of responsibility for your damages.