A serious injury can put you out of work for weeks, but the medical bills keep pouring in. This is a situation that thousands of Pennsylvanians experience each year, but the good news is there’s a way out of the cycle.
If you were hurt in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you have the right to pursue financial compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and more. The Pennsylvania personal injury lawyers with Stark & Stark Attorneys at Law are here for you and are ready to help.
Call our Bucks County office at (800) 535-3425 or contact us online for a free consultation.
Our personal injury practice areas
The attorneys at Stark & Stark have decades of experience in helping injured clients get back on their feet. These are just a few of the many types of cases we handle regularly.
Birth injuries
Infants who suffer birth injuries due to a doctor’s mistake or inaction often require intensive therapy and medical attention for the rest of their lives. These medical bills can become overwhelming, but with the help of an experienced attorney, parents can file a birth injury lawsuit in an attempt to hold the negligent doctor accountable and to recover financial compensation.
Burn injuries
Our attorneys have represented hundreds of people who suffered excruciating burns from electrical accidents, gas explosions, car accidents, and more. We understand that these injuries have a devastating impact on a person’s physical and emotional health, which is why we help victims understand their rights and help them get the best possible treatment.
Medical malpractice
Medical professionals take an oath that they will do no harm to patients. When a doctor or other medical professional fails to uphold that oath and causes injury or death through negligent action or inaction, they can and should be held responsible.
Construction accidents
Construction is a dangerous industry, which is why employers, contractors, and other management parties must take strict precautions to keep workers safe. Even one careless mistake at the hands of a contractor or employer can result in a devastating incident. Our attorneys have decades of experience holding negligent or careless construction companies accountable and recovering compensation for injured workers.
Defective drugs & products
Defects or mistakes made in a product’s design, manufacturing, or marketing process can have serious, even fatal results. Stark & Stark Attorneys at Law will work to hold the manufacturer, distributor, or other negligent party liable and get you financial compensation for your injury.
Motor vehicle accidents
Car accidents are common, but the injuries and damage they cause can have a lasting impact, physically, emotionally, and financially. If you were hurt in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, you have the right to pursue compensation for property damage, medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and more.
Motorcycle and off-road vehicle accidents
Motorcyclists have a right to be on the road like anyone else, but unfortunately, drivers of trucks and passenger vehicles are often biased against bikers. For over 80 years, Stark & Stark Attorneys at Law have represented injured victims of motorcycle accidents. Work with us and see why we’re considered the Riders’ Lawyers.
Nursing home negligence
Nursing home residents are entitled to proper care, dignity, and respect. Unfortunately, nursing homes and other elder care facilities don’t always follow through on their duty, resulting in abuse or neglect of vulnerable people. Attorneys at Stark & Stark will do everything in our power to hold the nursing home accountable and obtain compensation for your loved one.
Product liability
Product manufacturers and distributors have a duty to ensure their products are safe for their intended use. Unfortunately, some manufacturers and distributors take shortcuts in an attempt to save money, leading to dangerous or defective products that could injure or even kill people.
Spinal cord injury
A severe spinal cord injury can rob victims of their quality of life, potentially even leaving them unable to move. Our Bucks County personal injury lawyers will determine who’s at fault for your injury, help you find the best possible treatment, and work to recover maximum compensation on your behalf.
Tractor-trailer accidents
Semi-trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. Compared to the average passenger vehicle weight of 3,000 pounds, collisions with tractor-trailers are often devastating. In many cases, either the truck driver or the trucking company commits some form of negligence for which our attorneys will work to hold them liable.
Traumatic brain injury
More than 100,000 Pennsylvanians suffer traumatic brain injury (TBI) every year, and many of them endure a lifetime of debilitation. These injuries are often caused by someone else’s negligence or recklessness. Since the medical expenses associated with this type of injury can be very costly, a victim will benefit significantly from the help of an experienced Pennsylvania personal injury lawyer.
Workers’ compensation
If you were hurt at work, you have the right to legal representation. Whether you have or have not filed a workers’ compensation claim yet, we’re here to help you get the justice you need. Our Pennsylvania personal injury attorneys have represented injured workers for decades, and we’re dedicated to helping you recover what you need to get you back on your feet.
Wrongful death
No amount of money can compensate the grieving family of someone who passed away in an accident caused by someone’s negligence or carelessness. However, a wrongful death suit can bring justice and closure to the family, as well as financial compensation that can help them pay for the funeral and make up for their loved one’s contributions.
7 steps to take after being injured
Following these seven steps after being hurt in an accident will help achieve a positive outcome in your case.
- Call 911 – First, it’s important to call 911 so that police and emergency medical services can be dispatched to the scene.
- Seek medical attention, even if you don’t feel very hurt – Shock and adrenaline can mask symptoms for hours or even days after an accident. Even if you think you feel fine, you should seek medical attention as quickly as possible. Delaying medical attention could endanger your health and damage your case.
- Check on others – Check to see if any other people involved in your accident need medical attention, but only if it’s safe for you to approach them and check on them.
- Take pictures and videos – If, and only if, you can do so safely, use your phone to visually document the accident scene. In the event of a car accident, take pictures of the damage to your vehicle, other involved vehicles, and the road, paying special attention to skid marks. These could show that the at-fault driver was speeding before hitting you.
- Talk to witnesses – Get the name, address, phone number, and email address of anyone who may have seen what happened. Their testimony may be invaluable to your case. You don’t have to interview them – just get their contact information so your attorney can talk to them later.
- Identify the persons involved – Get the name, address, phone number, email address, and insurance information of the other person(s) involved.
- Hire an attorney – The faster you get legal help, the sooner your attorney can investigate the accident. Time is of the essence, especially in motor vehicle accidents, because road conditions can change quickly due to weather, construction, and other factors, causing critical evidence to be lost if you don’t act as soon as possible.
The best time to file a claim
Although you’ll want to hire a lawyer quickly, it doesn’t mean you must file your lawsuit right away. Your attorney needs to gather all the facts first – this means not only conducting a thorough investigation, but also completely assessing all of your damages (your financial losses), including medical treatment you might need now and in the future.
Once all of that happens, you’ll be in the best possible position to file a detailed, supported claim which will seek the maximum compensation you deserve.
Possible damages you may be eligible to receive
There are typically two types of damages an injury victim may pursue through a personal injury lawsuit: economic and non-economic.
Economic damages
These are tangible damages, meaning they’re relatively easy to calculate. Economic damages typically include items that come with a bill or invoice. These include your medical expenses (including the cost of the ambulance ride, hospital stay, your medications, and many others) and your lost wages and benefits.
If you’ve suffered a particularly severe injury, you may never be able to work in the same profession again. If that’s the case, then your attorney can also calculate not only how much you might have lost in salary, but also any bonuses and other compensation you may have received had you not been hurt.
Non-economic damages
These damages are more complex because they’re more subjective. However, a Pennsylvania personal injury lawyer who is well-versed in the applicable law knows how to calculate them so you can get the most compensation possible. Examples include pain and suffering, emotional and mental trauma, loss of companionship, and many others.
How much compensation you may be entitled to
No reputable lawyer will ever make any promises regarding how much money you can obtain through a personal injury settlement before first knowing all the facts.
Although no guarantees can be made regarding compensation you may be entitled to, the general principle is that the more severe your injury, the more compensation you will likely receive since your damages will be much more significant.
For example, someone who has been paralyzed in a car accident will likely receive much more than someone who suffered a broken hand because the paralyzed person’s life will be much more impacted compared to a broken hand, which will recover much more quickly.
Tips for Dealing With Insurance After an Injury
Insurance companies have a team of skilled professionals known as adjusters. One of them might have already tried to get in touch with you. An adjuster will probably approach you in a sympathetic manner, first asking how you’re doing, then asking for your version of what happened–they will use anything you say against you and may even try to twist your words to their benefit.
This is why we recommend you never talk to the at-fault party’s insurance company without an attorney. Insurers have one goal – to make as much profit as possible – and they can’t do that by handing out large settlements. They don’t really care how badly you’ve been injured; they’ll do whatever they can to protect their policy. Their main goal will be to either greatly reduce the amount of money you receive or to deny your claim entirely.
If you must speak with the insurance company before hiring an attorney, don’t provide even a hint of guilt. Only answer their questions confirming your name, address, and insurance policy, and avoid saying things like “I didn’t mean to,” “I didn’t see them,” or even “I’m sorry.”
Cost of Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer
Stark & Stark handles personal injury cases on what’s referred to as a “contingency basis.” This means you don’t owe a dime unless and until we win your case.
If your claim is successful, our compensation is based on a percentage of what you’re awarded, and this percentage is contained in your contract. You should never let the fear of lawyer fees keep you from hiring a lawyer when you’ve been injured, especially since you won’t pay a dime out of pocket.
Our Bucks County Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help
The Bucks County, Pennsylvania personal injury lawyers with Stark & Stark are passionate about helping our clients achieve positive outcomes. We’re relentless in representing the people we serve, and we have a long track record of success. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us right away for a free case evaluation by calling us at (800) 535-3425 or contacting us online.
