Being in any sort of car accident can be a very traumatic experience for you, your passengers, and any other driver who is involved. The sights and sounds of crunching steel, shattering glass, deploying airbags, and screaming passengers are terrifying.
Auto accidents frequently leave their victims disabled, disfigured, or subject to chronic pain for the rest of their lives. Fortunately, victims can recover compensation for the many damages resulting from the car accident. Car accidents are common in Montgomery County, but you can take steps to ensure that your rights are protected.
Call The Reiff Law Firm at (215) 709-6940 today to receive a free case assessment with our Montgomery County car accident lawyers.
Montgomery County Car Accident Statistics
Montgomery County has a population of approximately 808,500 residents, making it the third largest county in Pennsylvania after Philadelphia and Allegheny Counties. Because Montgomery County packs over 1,650 people into every square mile, is ranked among the top 10 Pennsylvania counties with the most road mileage, and is located close to the bustling urban center of Philadelphia, driving in Montgomery County traffic can be highly dangerous.
PennDOT reports that in 2010, Montgomery County accounted for 8,284 total crashes; 8% of all traffic crashes in Pennsylvania; 30 fatal crashes; 4,155 crashes resulting in injury; and 11 crash deaths related to alcohol. These statistics point to a scary trend, that nearly 50 percent of drivers who are involved in an accident in Montgomery County are injured.
Where Do Car Accidents Commonly Occur in Montgomery County?
The most common place where car accidents occur in Montgomery County is at intersections. Drivers tend to be in a rush to get where they’re going and may not realize that they have the right-of-way, which can lead to a collision with another vehicle that has the right-of-way. Fortunately, our Montgomery County car accident attorneys are immensely familiar with these dangerous areas and how to recover compensation when injured there. Intersections are also dangerous because they involve multiple vehicles at once. If you’re involved in an accident at an intersection, it could be more severe than an accident that occurs on a highway or roadway without any other cars around.
There are several dangerous intersections in Montgomery County and throughout Pennsylvania. Being just outside of Philadelphia also contributes to the high volume of accidents in these areas. One of the most dangerous intersections in Montgomery County is North Gulf Road and North Warner Road, located in King of Prussia, as it is a popular spot for entertainment and new apartment buildings. Lancaster Avenue and Haverford Station Road in Haverford is another intersection where car accidents occur, as this road lies near the border of Montgomery County and Delaware County. There are countless others, so drivers should take extra care when at an intersection, whether they are in Montgomery County or anywhere else in Pennsylvania.
Common Car Accident Injuries in Montgomery County
There are many factors that go in to car accident injuries, from the weight and size of the car, to the speed, to the road conditions, even time of day. Many people assume that the larger the car the more likely they are to be ok in the event of an accident. However, even a comparatively “small” and “lightweight” economy cars can weigh several thousand pounds, which means in the event of an accident your body will have to bear the brunt of that force.
However, many cars weigh more than this, and in 2010, the average American car weighed a staggering 4,009 pounds. To put that number into perspective, the average grizzly bear only weighs around 500 pounds. Even a horse weighs around 1,300 pounds, meaning it takes several horses to balance the weight of a single American car. Meanwhile, the average big rig weighs tens of thousands of pounds. Some common injuries suffered by victims of auto accidents include:
Broken Bones
Broken bones are a common injury after a car accident. Any of the bones in the body can break as a result of a traumatic force. A broken bone is something that a medical professional should examine as it may require a victim to wear a cast or even undergo surgery.
Spinal Cord Injuries
the spinal cord is essential to the body’s central nervous system. Any injury to the numerous bones that make up the spine or to any of the delicate nerves that run through the spine can result in paralysis, chronic pain, and even death.
Neck Injuries
the neck is another area of the body that is particularly susceptible to injuries. Whiplash is one of the most prevalent injuries after a car accident. However, while some neck injuries are relatively minor, others are so severe that they can result in full paralysis or even death.
Internal Bleeding
internal bleeding is a particularly deadly injury that is common in car accidents. While medical professionals on the scene can see if you are bleeding externally, they cannot see if you are bleeding on the inside without conducting extensive tests, which are usually only available at a hospital emergency room.
Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic brain injuries are one of the deadliest injuries that a person can sustain. In addition, there are countless other injuries that you can sustain if you have been in a car accident.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Montgomery County?
Getting into a car accident can be extremely jarring. However, being prepared for what to do in the event you are injured in one can give you an immense advantage if you need to recover compensation in a car accident lawsuit in Montgomery County. By following the steps listed below, you will protect your health and your legal rights.
Contact the Authorities
Even if you only suffered minor injuries or property damage, you should call 911 immediately after a car accident. The police will investigate your accident and make a report that includes the important information. This typically serves as a good starting point for collecting other evidence and identifying parties in your case.
Exchange Information
If you are in an accident with another vehicle, you should exchange information with the other driver and any witnesses who were present at the scene. This includes names, addresses, insurance information, phone numbers, and license plate numbers. This way, the parties involved can be located later, either to be sued or so their testimony can be sued to support your case. If the other driver does not have to exchange information, wait for the police to investigate your car accident. While a driver can refuse your requests, it is illegal to deny the police that information when investigating a car accident in Montgomery County.
Collect Evidence
Collecting evidence at a car accident scene can be very important in proving fault later if necessary. Thus, you should get everything down while it is happening so that there are no discrepancies later on when trying to determine who was at fault for causing an accident or what may have occurred during it. The best way to do this is to take photos and videos with your phone. This is incredibly important to preserve physical evidence from the scene of your crash. Broken glass, car part pieces, and other accident debris will be cleaned up quickly after an accident, but photos can preserve how the accident scene appeared when the accident happened. Photos can also show vehicle damage since you cannot bring a car into court as evidence.
You should also document your injuries. Many victims’ injuries heal or are more presentable by the time they are in court in front of a judge or a jury. Photos will help show that your injuries were more severe than they might currently appear.
Get Medical Help
If you are injured in a car accident, it is vital that you seek medical attention immediately. You may think that your injuries are minor or that they will heal on their own, but this is not always true. Even seemingly minor injuries can result in scarring or permanent damage if they go untreated long enough. If you suspect that you have suffered an injury in an auto accident, go to an emergency room as soon as possible. You will need medical records to prove that your current car accident was the actual cause of your damages and was not caused by some other accident or condition.
Contact a Lawyer
You may think it is unnecessary to hire an attorney after an auto accident, but this usually has a negative impact on your ability to recover compensation. Even minor accidents can lead to major problems if they are not handled properly. Hiring an attorney can help ensure that your rights are protected during the legal process and that you get the compensation you deserve for any injuries sustained in your car accident.
What Compensation Can I Receive After a Car Accident in Montgomery County?
When you are injured in a car accident, you will likely have financial damages as well as emotional ones. Fortunately, you can recover compensation for each type of loss you suffered. These two categories can be further broken down into the specific damages you can claim.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are financial losses due to an injury or accident. Economic damages include medical expenses, lost wages, and compensation for property damage. These types of damages are readily ascertainable by their monetary nature, and therefore they can be easily proven at trial. For example, if you have been injured in an auto accident and your medical bills total $10,000, then you can seek compensation for those medical bills through a car accident lawsuit.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are compensation for pain and suffering or other non-financial losses that result from an injury or accident. Non-economic damages include compensation for pain and suffering and emotional distress resulting from physical injuries sustained in an accident.
Our Montgomery County Car Accident Attorneys Can Help
For a free evaluation of your case, contact our Montgomery County car accident attorneys at The Reiff Law Firm at (215) 709-6940.
