Getting in an accident when on the road can result in serious injuries and even death. These risks increase greatly when the vehicle you collide with is a tow truck. These vehicles are quite large and weigh far more than your average passenger vehicle. As a result, when a tow truck and a passenger vehicle collide, the latter typically takes the brunt of the damage.
At the Morelli Law Firm, we have a proven track record of getting fair compensation for individuals injured in accidents involving tow trucks. Contact us today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our Philadelphia tow truck accident attorneys. We will review your case and advise you of all your legal options.
Determining All Liable Parties in a Tow Truck Accident
One of the most important steps to take after an accident is to determine all liable parties. When you hire a Philadelphia tow truck accident attorney, one of the first actions they will take is to launch an independent truck accident investigation into the circumstances surrounding your collision.
Your attorney or a member of their investigative team will visit the accident scene and begin gathering any available information there, including taking photographs. Some of the potentially liable parties in a tow truck accident include:
- The tow truck driving
- The tow truck company
- A third-party truck maintenance company
- The truck manufacturer
- A third-party driver, whose actions caused the tow truck to collide with your vehicle
Steps Your Philadelphia Tow Truck Accident Lawyer Will Take
Determining fault is just the first part of the investigation that your tow truck lawyer and their team will take. After visiting the accident scene, your attorney will continue to gather evidence by interviewing potential witnesses, consulting with experts, and obtaining copies of the accident report and your medical records.
Once they have completed their initial investigation, they will calculate the value of your claim and file your lawsuit with the court. They will then complete all the steps of the pre-trial process. All along the way, they will be in negotiations with the opposition’s legal team to try and negotiate a fair settlement deal.
If a deal can not be reached by the end of the pre-trial process, your tow truck accident attorney in Philadelphia will argue your case in court.
Philadelphia Tow Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me 877-751-9800
What Is the Cost of Hiring a Tow Truck Accident Attorney?
One of the main concerns people have when it comes to hiring a lawyer is the cost. There is a large concern that people will be unable to afford to pay a lawyer for their services. While this may be a valid concern in some legal matters, it should never present an issue when dealing with a personal injury claim.
The majority of personal injury lawyers, including those at the Morelli Law Firm, work on a contingency fee basis. That means that we only get paid if we win you money. Upon receiving compensation, your lawyer will receive their pay as a predetermined percentage of your settlement. That means you will never pay a penny out of pocket.
With a contingency fee payment structure, you can feel confident that your attorney will fight hard to get you the money you deserve. Since the more money you get means a bigger payday for your lawyer, you will be assured that they will get you every cent possible.
Generally, people who hire lawyers end up with significantly more money once all is said and done than those who attempt to represent themselves. Because of this, the real question is, “What is the cost of not hiring a tow truck accident attorney?”
Damages You Can Claim After a Tow Truck Accident
After a wreck, you may be able to claim several different truck accident damages, depending on the specifics of your situation. The specific damages are divided into three categories:
- Economic damages
- Non-economic damages
- Punitive damages
Economic Damages
These are the things that have a direct financial cost. Common economic damages include:
- Medical bills
- Future medical expenses
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Modification costs to your home or vehicle to accommodate a disability
Economic damages look to directly replace the costs that you have already incurred or will face in the future. The aim is to completely negate any financial burden, with a dollar-for-dollar compensation package.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are things that can not be properly quantified. Common non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of companionship
- Diminished quality of life
- Permanent disability
It is impossible to assign an appropriate figure to non-economic damages because no amount of money can replace what was lost in these cases. Since non-economic damages deal with priceless losses, they tend to make up the largest part of a compensation package.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are different from the others mentioned above because they are not supposed to be a form of compensation for any particular loss of the victim. Instead, punitive damages are awarded as a punishment for the liable party.
Not all cases qualify for punitive damages. The actions of the at-fault party must be determined to have been egregiously negligent.
Pennsylvania Statute of Limitations for Filing a Lawsuit
In most cases, the statute of limitations in Pennsylvania for filing a lawsuit after a tow truck accident is two years, per 42 Pa. C.S. § 5524. However, there are special circumstances in which the window to file may be far smaller. Consult with a Philadelphia tow truck accident attorney as soon as possible to make sure you don’t miss your chance to receive compensation.
Even if you have the full two years to file, it is always best to get started as early as possible. Delays can cause evidence to become lost or stolen, and witness testimony becomes far less reliable over time.
Should I Take a Settlement Offer?
Deciding on whether to take a settlement offer or fight your case in court is a big decision. While there is the possibility to receive a higher payout if you go to court, the risk is generally not worth the reward. Courtroom trials can be unpredictable. Even a seemingly airtight case can spring a leak.
You don’t want to take the first settlement offer you receive. However, if your attorney can negotiate a settlement offer that they advise you is fair, it is most likely going to be in your best interest to take the deal.
Hiring a Philadelphia Tow Truck Accident Lawyer
To receive the most money possible for your claim, it is advisable to hire a tow truck accident attorney in Philadelphia. At the Morelli Law Firm, we have the necessary expertise to take on the big trucking companies and win.
Give us a call or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free, no-obligation case evaluation today. A member of our legal team will look over your case and advise you of all your options for pursuing compensation. Don’t miss out on your opportunity to get the money you need after an accident.