Some car accidents take more time to sort out than others. There can be many factors that make a more complex car accident insurance claim, especially considering some of Philadelphia’s laws. While one car accident can take only a few months to settle, a similar accident could drag on for several months or even years. If you’re having difficulty with a complex car accident claim, keep reading to learn about some of the reasons why – and how to get help.
What Makes a Car Accident “Complex” in Philadelphia?
There are many factors that can complicate a car accident case, including local and state laws. Philadelphia and Pennsylvania car accident laws can impact your claim in a number of ways, depending on the circumstances of your accident.
Insurance Coverage
Philadelphia car accident victims may face a major challenge in the ability of drivers to choose their type of coverage: no-fault or full tort. With no-fault insurance, the policyholder and any injured passengers will receive compensation from their own insurance company regardless of who is at fault. On the other hand, full tort insurance allows the policyholder to sue the other driver as long as the other driver was at fault. When drivers have different policies and different types of coverage, it can take more time to complete a claim.
Comparative Negligence
Pennsylvania uses comparative negligence to determine fault in car accidents. That means that fault can be partially assigned to each driver involved, and as long as you were less than 51% at fault, you can seek compensation. However, the total amount of compensation you can claim is reduced by your percentage of fault in the accident. When questions of fault and conflicting evidence come into play, there are often disputes about who was more at fault.
Number of Parties Involved
Two-car accidents are chaotic enough, but when multiple vehicles come into play, the circumstances get much more complicated. Multiple parties mean several insurance policies, more parties injured, and different accounts of what happened to cause the accident. It takes more time to get the story straight, review the evidence, assign fault, and calculate settlements for more than one injured person.
Failed Negotiations
If insurance companies fail to offer a fair settlement, you have the option to take the case to court. Often, insurance companies make low settlement offers in the hopes that you’ll accept; however, accepting the first offer is a mistake. Of course, litigation will greatly complicate your claim, but having a competent lawyer by your side will ensure the best possible outcome for your case. After calculating the total amount of damages incurred due to the accident such as medical bills or property damage, your lawyer can represent you in court and offer advice along the way.
Do you need legal assistance navigating a complex car accident claim? The Philadelphia car accident attorneys at the Jason Javie Law Office can help you during every step of the process. We have experience tackling the most difficult car accident cases across Philadelphia and we’re ready to apply our expertise to your case, too. Contact us by text, phone, or online to get started with a consultation today.