The last thing that anyone wants to worry about when they hit the road each day is getting into a vehicle crash, but at the Law Offices of Greg Prosmuskin, P.C., we know that crashes are an unfortunate reality that so many people have to deal with.

Many people only think about the immediate effects of a crash, but the long-term effects that a victim, their family, and the state face are larger than more people realize.

Crash statistics for Pennsylvania

When we look at the latest reporting year of data collected from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, we get a full picture of the reality:

124,149 total crashes reported

1,208 crash fatalities

83,089 crash injuries

Digging deeper, we can see that passengers in motor vehicles are not the only ones affected by crashes. There were also:

181 motorcyclist fatalities

3,322 motorcyclist injuries

151 pedestrian fatalities

4,413 pedestrian injuries

11 bicyclist fatalities

1,374 bicyclist injuries

How these crashes occur

Not every crash is the result of a driver’s careless or reckless behavior, but there are times when a person needs to be held accountable for their behavior. In 2017:

26% of all crash fatalities were alcohol-related

Distracted drivers caused 15,614 crashes

There were 31,051 speed-related crashes

It is not fair that a crash injury victim and their family have to suffer financially due to another person’s negligence.

The economic impacts

Almost immediately, crash victims will be contending with incoming medical bills. Even minor injuries can lead to costly medical bills. For major injuries, ones that would be catastrophic, the costs can be tremendous. Consider the following injuries:

Spinal cord injuries (with possible paralysis)

Traumatic brain injuries

Internal organ damage/internal bleeding

Broken or dislocated bones

Severe lacerations or amputations

Each of these usually requires extensive and often ongoing medical procedures that can quickly rise into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Often, surgery and extended rehabilitation are necessary for a person to make a full recovery. In the worst-case scenarios, a person is permanently disabled. Unfortunately, what many victims do not think about are the hidden costs of these injuries:

Lost income if a victim cannot work

Any necessary home or vehicle accommodations

Medical equipment that may be necessary

Loss of enjoyment of life

Emotional or psychological damage

Remember, insurance companies are out to minimize the amount of money they pay out in a final settlement. That is why they typically call all parties involved soon after an accident happens, even before anyone knows the full extent of these hidden costs. Many people, in a hurry to have all of this over with, settle with the first offer made. Please do not do this.

If another person was at fault in your crash, please speak with a qualified attorney before making any statements to an insurance company. These companies will record your statements and use them against you when it comes to determining fault and settlement amounts. They will try to make you say the wrong thing, perhaps something that could pinpoint your injuries on something other than the crash.

What an attorney can do

A qualified and experienced Philadelphia car accident attorney will be your advocate. There is no reason for you to do this on your own, not when your focus should be on healing and being with your family. An attorney will:

Listen to your story

Gather all necessary documentation, including police and medical reports

Handle all communication with insurance companies and other parties involved

Ensure that all paperwork is filled out correctly and turned in on time

Work to gain a fair settlement

Go to court if necessary

Our goal is to ensure you have compensation for the following:

Your medical expenses related to the incident

Lost wages and benefits if you cannot work

Pain and suffering damages

Loss of enjoyment of life damages

Possible punitive damages against those responsible

If you or a loved one have been injured in a car crash due to another person’s negligence, contact a Philadelphia car crash attorney today. The Law Offices of Greg Prosmuskin, P.C. are standing by.