PRACTICE AREA
Motor Vehicle Accidents
experts
Expert Representation in Motor Vehicle Accident Cases: Kornblau Law
At Kornblau Law, we specialize in providing compassionate and skilled legal representation to victims of motor vehicle accidents across Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
With decades of experience in personal injury law, we understand the complexities of vehicle-related accidents and are committed to helping our clients navigate these challenging times.
Dedicated Advocacy for Diverse Accident Vehicle Types
Our legal expertise covers a wide spectrum of motor vehicle accidents, ensuring comprehensive support for your specific case:
- Car Crashes: Addressing accidents caused by various factors such as distracted driving, impaired driving, or reckless behavior.
- Truck Accidents: Tackling complex cases involving commercial vehicles, where regulations and high stakes are involved.
- Motorcycle Accidents: Representing riders who often face severe injuries due to the unique vulnerabilities on the road.
- Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents: Advocating for the rights of pedestrians and cyclists who are injured in collisions with motor vehicles.
- Public Transportation Accidents: Handling cases involving buses, trains, and other forms of public transport.
- Uber/Lyft and Rideshare Accidents: Navigating the intricacies of accidents involving rideshare services.
Understanding the Causes and Seeking Justice
At Kornblau Law, we thoroughly investigate each accident to uncover the root causes, whether it’s driver negligence, hazardous road conditions, or vehicle malfunctions.
Our comprehensive approach ensures that we identify all liable parties to maximize your compensation.
Comprehensive Compensation for Your Losses
Our goal is to secure full compensation for your damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, vehicle repairs, and compensation for pain and suffering.
We are adept at handling the complexities of insurance claims and litigating against powerful adversaries to protect your interests.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is my case worth?
Determining the value of your case begins with an assessment of how likely it is that an insurance companyor jury will find the Defendant liable based on the available evidence. If it appears highly likely that the defendant will be deemed liable, you can expect a stronger offer from the insurance company. Conversely, if the evidence pointing to the defendant’s liability is weaker, the likelihood of receiving a substantial settlement offer diminishes, as you can only claim damages if the defendant is found liable.
Once liability is evaluated, the next crucial factor is assessing your damages, which are the legally recognized losses for which you can receive monetary compensation. Typical damages include medical expenses, loss of income, pain and suffering, scarring, disfigurement, as well as embarrassment, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment in life.
The more robust and well-supported your evidence is for these damages, the higher the potential value of your case.
This assessment is critical in providing a clearer picture of what you might expect in terms of compensation.
How long will my case take?
As Plaintiff’s attorneys, our approach is always proactive and assertive, consistently applying pressure on the Defendants to keep the momentum in your favor. However, the duration of litigation
can vary significantly. Generally, it ranges from one to several years, influenced by factors such as the case’s complexity, the specific jurisdiction or county in which the case is being tried, and the nature of the case itself.
We diligently work to expedite the process wherever possible, while ensuring that no detail is overlooked in the pursuit of the best possible outcome for you.
In instances where a settlement can be negotiated prior to formal litigation, the timeline can be considerably shorter, potentially resolving the matter in under a year. It’s important to note that while we strive for efficiency, our primary focus is always on the thoroughness and quality of representation. We balance the urgency of resolving your case promptly with the necessity of ensuring that every aspect is meticulously handled to maximize your chances of a favorable outcome.
Will I be given updates on my case?
Absolutely, and with regular frequency. One of our dedicated attorneys will maintain consistent communication with you, providing updates on both your treatment status and any significant developments in your case. We understand that staying informed is crucial for your peace of mind, and we ensure that you’re never left wondering about the status of your legal matters.
In addition to these scheduled updates, our team is always accessible for any questions or concerns you might have. We make it a point to be available to address your needs promptly.
Should you reach out via call or email, you can expect a swift response from our team, unless we are actively engaged in a trial. Even in such instances, we ensure that your queries are
attended to at the earliest opportunity.
We also proactively reach out to you with important information and key milestones in your case, ensuring you’r not just aware of the progress but also understand the implications of each development.
Our commitment to open and transparent communication extends to providing clear explanations and guidance, so you are empowered with knowledge about your case every step of the way. Your confidence and understanding are as important to us as the legal outcomes we seek on your behalf.
What do you charge?
Our fee structure is designed to be as client-friendly as possible. We operate exclusively on a contingency fee basis. This means that our professional fees are contingent upon the successful resolution of your case – if we don’t win or settle your case, you owe us nothing.
The specific percentage of our contingency fee varies, based on factors such as the state’s legal requirements, the complexity of your case, and whether the case involves a minor. These aspects are carefully considered to determine a fair and appropriate fee for each individual case. However, the fundamental principle remains the same: there are no
upfront costs for you, and we are compensated only from the recovery we secure on your behalf.
This approach ensures that high-quality legal representation is accessible to you without the immediate financial burden, and it aligns our goals with your best interests. We are invested in achieving the best possible outcome for you because our success is directly linked to yours.
Who is responsible for covering my medical bills after an accident?
In Pennsylvania and New Jersey, which are both no-fault states, your own auto insurance is generally responsible for covering your medical bills after an accident, regardless of who caused it. This means that even if the other driver was at fault, you will first use your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits, which are included in your own auto insurance policy, to pay for medical expenses.
PIP coverage helps to ensure that medical bills are paid quickly and without having to prove fault. Each state sets a minimum required PIP amount (for example, $5,000 in Pennsylvania), but you may have opted for a higher limit on your policy. Once your PIP benefits are exhausted, any additional medical expenses may be covered by your health insurance or, in certain situations, recovered from the at-fault driver’s insurance if you pursue a personal injury claim.
Because these rules can be complex, especially when PIP benefits run out, an attorney can help you navigate the options for covering any remaining expenses.
If the other driver is uninsured or doesn’t have enough insurance to cover your damages, you may still have options to protect yourself through your own insurance policy. Many policies offer Uninsured Motorist (UM) and Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage, which provide compensation in cases where the other driver either has no insurance (UM) or inadequate insurance (UIM) to cover your losses.
UM and UIM coverage can help pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages if you’re involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver. These types of coverage are optional but highly recommended as they provide an additional layer of financial security. In Pennsylvania and New Jersey, both no-fault states, your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage will cover your initial medical bills, but UM/UIM coverage steps in to cover damages beyond those immediate expenses.
If the other driver lacks sufficient insurance, having UM or UIM coverage can make a significant difference in your ability to recover the compensation you need after an accident.
What is the difference between full tort and limited tort in a car insurance policy?
In Pennsylvania and New Jersey, you can choose between full tort and limited tort coverage in your auto insurance policy, which affects your ability to recover certain types of damages after an accident. With full tort coverage, you can always recover both economic and non-economic damages if you’re injured. This means that, regardless of the injury’s severity, you have the right to seek compensation not only for financial losses, like medical bills and lost wages, but also for non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering. Full tort provides the broadest legal protection, allowing you to pursue all available damages if the other driver was at fault.
On the other hand, limited tort coverage is generally less expensive but comes with restrictions. With limited tort, you can still recover economic damages, such as medical expenses and lost wages. However, your ability to seek non-economic damages, like pain and suffering, is limited and is only allowed if certain exceptions apply. These exceptions usually involve “serious injuries,” as defined by state law, which may include severe disfigurement, permanent disability, or death. Without meeting one of these exceptions, you may not be able to recover compensation for pain and suffering even if you were not at fault.
Choosing between full and limited tort requires balancing premium costs with your rights to full compensation after an accident. While limited tort can lower your insurance costs, it may restrict your ability to recover fully for non-economic damages, so it’s essential to weigh the potential long-term impact of this choice.
What is the difference between full tort and limited tort in a car insurance policy?
In Pennsylvania and New Jersey, you can choose between full tort and limited tort coverage in your auto insurance policy, which affects your ability to recover certain types of damages after an accident. With full tort coverage, you can always recover both economic and non-economic damages if you’re injured. This means that, regardless of the injury’s severity, you have the right to seek compensation not only for financial losses, like medical bills and lost wages, but also for non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering. Full tort provides the broadest legal protection, allowing you to pursue all available damages if the other driver was at fault.
On the other hand, limited tort coverage is generally less expensive but comes with restrictions. With limited tort, you can still recover economic damages, such as medical expenses and lost wages. However, your ability to seek non-economic damages, like pain and suffering, is limited and is only allowed if certain exceptions apply. These exceptions usually involve “serious injuries,” as defined by state law, which may include severe disfigurement, permanent disability, or death. Without meeting one of these exceptions, you may not be able to recover compensation for pain and suffering even if you were not at fault.
Choosing between full and limited tort requires balancing premium costs with your rights to full compensation after an accident. While limited tort can lower your insurance costs, it may restrict your ability to recover fully for non-economic damages, so it’s essential to weigh the potential long-term impact of this choice.