Frequently Asked Questions about Auto Accidents

What is a car accident attorney? 

A car accident attorney is an attorney that specializes in handling cases where people were injured in a motor vehicle accident

Why do I need a car accident attorney? 

It is always best to contact a car accident attorney as soon as possible after your collision. There is a two-year statute of limitations in Pennsylvania and in New Jersey , meaning that you have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. But it is best to get started as soon as you can. A lawyer will be able to provide legal expertise and guidance on how to proceed and can help ensure you are able to afford medical treatment.

How much do car accident attorneys cost? 

The best car accidents lawyers will handle your case on a contingency basis. This is where they get paid only if they recover money for you.  In this scenario, they will front your expense costs in the case as well.  The law firm of Freundlich & Littman, LLC, handles qualifying cases on a contingency basis.

How do you choose the best Pennsylvania or New Jersey car accident attorney?

It is important that your car accident attorney has experience in the field in order to ensure that you get the most money for your case.  Inexperience and lack of resources can mean that your case is not handled properly.  At Freundlich & Littman, LLC we are experienced car accident attorneys who know how to make sure you get paid the most under the terms of your policy and the policy of the person(s) who caused the accident.  We will go after compensation for lost wages, out pocket costs, such as medical expenses, and fight to get you properly compensated for your pain and suffering.

The most common types of car accidents:

• Rear end accidents: Where someone runs into you because you while you are stopped at an intersection or at a light.
• T-bone accident:  Where someone does not have the right of way and hit the side of your car while you are legally passing through an intersection.
• Head on collision:  These can be the most deadly accidents.  Where someone driving from the opposite direction cross the road into your lane and strikes your vehicle.
• Speeding: Where the negligent driver is not observing the speed limit and crashes into your vehicle or causes you to crash.
• Drunk or Intoxicated driving:  Where the negligent driver is either drinking alcohol or taking illegal (or legal) narcotics and causes an accident because they are impaired.
• Trucking accidents:  Where a negligent driver of a commercial truck collides with your vehicle

The most common types of resulting injuries from car accidents:

• Lacerations
• Broken bones
• Brain Damage
• Torn ligaments
• Spinal Injuries
• Paralysis
• Bruising
• Death

What should I do if I am in a car accident?

• If possible, take pictures of the vehicles
• Obtain the other drivers contact information
• Obtain the other driver’s insurance information
• Obtain contact information from any witnesses
• Call the police and get a police report
• Go to the hospital (make sure you and your passengers are okay)
• Follow up with your medical treatment
• Call the law firm of Freundlich & Littman, LLC for a free consultation

When should I get an attorney involved?

You should get an attorney involved as soon as possible.  This is because insurance companies, even your own insurance company, are looking to minimize the amount that they will have to pay out on your claim.  When you give statements to the insurance companies, sometimes they will take what you say out of context.  It is important to have an attorney advising you who knows what your legal rights are.

What should I do if I am injured in an auto accident?

If you or a loved one was injured in an auto accident you should contact an attorney to discover if you have a case and are entitled to compensation.

What is the average settlement for a car accident?

The main factor when projecting how much a car accident settlement will be is whether or not there was bodily injury or not. If someone was physically harmed in a car accident then, among other things, the recovery will also depend on whether the individual had insurance coverage. Pennsylvania law requires that individuals carry bodily injury liability coverage of $15,000 per person, $30,000 per accident. However, you may have more coverage available depending on the person who caused the accidents insurance coverage and the type of insurance coverage you have. This is why it is important to have a skilled attorney review your case.

Can you counter sue for an auto accident?

If you think that you are being incorrectly sued for negligence after an auto accident, then you have the right to file a counterclaim, asserting that it was actually the other party that was negligent. This is especially important if you were injured in the accident.

Accidents involving motor vehicles should never be taken lightly. A seemingly minor low speed collision can cause thousands of dollars in vehicle and property damage and thousands more if there is a serious or ongoing injury. Major collisions can be devastating and catastrophic and result in severe incapacitating injuries and death. In seconds the lives not only of those in the accident but those of family and friends can be irrevocably altered.

Austin R. Freundlich, Esquire and Gregory C. Littman, Esquire are attorneys with experience in motor vehicle accidents, whether it’s a sports utility vehicle rollover, a rear ender, a truck collision, or an accident involving a pedestrian, bicyclist, motorcycle, school bus, SEPTA or New Jersey Transit.

Major Vehicle Accidents

Motor vehicle accidents can cause major and catastrophic injuries, including spinal cord, neck and back injuries, paraplegia, quadriplegia, brain damage, or shock and emotional trauma. These injuries can result in a lifetime of medical care and an enormous amount of medical expenses. An injured party may claim damages for pain and suffering, past and future medical expenses, emotional trauma or distress, household services, injury to reputation, wage loss, and loss of consortium.

It is important to contact an attorney as quickly as possible following any motor vehicle accident. If other vehicles or people were involved, including passengers and pedestrians, any of those people could decide to sue you. If property was damaged in the collision, the owner of the property damaged could also sue you for damages. This could include something most people would not normally consider such as a street sign or a utility pole.

Types of Car Accident Claims

Furthermore, while pursuing a personal injury claim for a motor vehicle accident, it is important to have an attorney examine whether there are any product liability claims that may be brought. For example, a defect in a vehicle may have been responsible for or contributed to a collision or accident. This can include failure of braking systems, tire defects, or acceleration problems, as well as airbags deploying too quickly or activating for no apparent reason.

Contact Freundlich & Littman, LLC prior to speaking with any Insurance company, as they may not fully honor the claims, or decide the damage to a vehicle is less than it is. They may also decide a medical claim is unnecessary. It is important to seek legal counsel right away, as most insurance companies will attempt to settle a case for pennies on the dollar, taking advantage of the injured party. Freundlich & Littman, LLC, will fully examine both your vehicle insurance and medical insurance polices to make sure you are getting all the benefits and compensation you deserve.

Documentation for Car Accidents

An experienced attorney in motor vehicle accidents will photograph the vehicles involved as well as photograph and investigate the accident site. It is important that this happen as quickly as possible before evidence of the accident disappears. This could include tread marks or a damaged sidewalk, sign or fence. This is also why it is important to talk to an attorney as soon as possible following an accident before you forget any details of the accident.

If you, a family member, or a loved one has been seriously injured in an accident involving motor vehicles, or if a family member or loved one has lost their lives in a car, bus, truck, bicycle or motorcycle accident or a plane crash, contact Austin R. Freundlich, Esquire and Gregory C. Littman, Esquire for a free consultation and case evaluation. They will explain your benefits and rights, and detail your options and legal process.