What to Do After a Car Accident in Erie, PA

Experienced Car Accident Lawyers Help Injured Victims Pursue Financial Recovery

When you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident in Erie or elsewhere in northwest Pennsylvania that was caused by another driver’s or party’s negligence, you deserve to be compensated for your injuries and losses, including your medical expenses, lost wages and income, and pain and suffering. At Purchase, George & Murphey, P.C., our Erie car accident attorneys have the experience and resources to help you pursue a claim for compensation.

If you’ve been in a car accident in Erie through no fault of your own, contact Purchase, George & Murphey today to schedule a free case evaluation to talk to one of our dedicated car accident attorneys about your case and to learn more about your legal rights and options for seeking a financial recovery for your injuries and damages.

Tips to Follow after Your Car Accident

If you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident, there are steps you can take to best protect your rights to compensation when your accident was caused by another negligent party.

• Make sure everyone involved in the accident is okay. The first thing to do following an accident is to check on everyone involved. If someone requests medical assistance or looks to be in physical distress, you or someone else should call 911 to summon emergency medical services.
• Contact the police. Even if you do not call 911, it is generally advisable to call the police for a serious accident to have an officer come to the scene. The officer will generate a police accident report, detailing the officer’s findings and potentially the officer’s conclusions as to who was at fault for the accident. The police accident report may be critical evidence in a later car accident claim.
• Take photographs of the accident and your injuries. If possible, try to take photographs of the accident scene, including the positions of vehicles after the accident, damage to the vehicles, any skid marks on the road, traffic controls and road lines, and the lighting, weather, road, and traffic conditions. In addition, you should also photograph any visible injuries you suffered.
• Seek medical attention. You should also follow up with your doctor or medical provider, even if you do not accept medical treatment at the scene or feel like you were hurt in the accident. Injuries may not manifest any symptoms for days or even weeks following your accident. However, prompt identification of your injuries will allow you establish that they were caused by the accident and ensure that you receive full compensation in your car accident claim.
• Follow up with an experienced car accident attorney. Finally, you should consider speaking to a knowledgeable car accident lawyer about your case. An attorney can review the details of your accident, help you understand your rights and options for compensation, and guide you through the claims process.

Our Car Accident Attorneys Will Fight to Get You the Compensation You Need and Deserve

When you hire Purchase, George & Murphey to represent you in your car accident case, you can be assured that we will vigorously pursue the financial recovery that you need for your injuries and damages. We thoroughly investigate each client’s case, work with experts, and aggressively negotiate with the insurance companies to get you full and fair compensation.

Contact Purchase, George & Murphey, P.C. to Schedule a Free Case Evaluation for Your Car Accident Claim

If you or a loved one have been in a car accident through no fault of your own, you need experienced legal representation to help you obtain the maximum compensation you need to recover from your injuries and help you get your life back to normal following your accident. Schedule a no-obligation consultation with the car accident attorneys of Purchase, George & Murphey today.

About Erie, PA

Erie is a city located on the southern shore of Lake Erie. The county seat of Erie County, Pennsylvania, Erie was originally inhabited by the Erie Nation of Native Americans, until they were defeated by the Iroquois Confederacy during the Beaver Wars (also known as the French-Iroquois Wars). French settlers first arrived in the area in 1753, but ultimately abandoned the area in 1760 and following the end of the Seven Years’ War. Following the American Revolution, Erie was part of the disputed Erie Triangle, territory that was claimed by four different states; the land was ultimately relinquished by the Iroquois to Pennsylvania. In the 19th century, Erie developed a flourishing shipbuilding, fishing, and railroad transport industry, leading to the development of a significant manufacturing industry in the 20th century. Following the decline of manufacturing beginning in the 1970s, the local Erie economy began to branch out into other sectors, including healthcare, higher education, technology, services, and tourism.

Frequently Asked Questions about Car Accidents in Erie, PA

The police determined that I was partially at fault for my accident. Can I still claim compensation for my injuries and damages?

Yes. It is important to remember that a police accident report that assigns fault for an accident, although it is highly persuasive evidence, is not a binding conclusion in a later lawsuit arising from that car accident. You may be able to show later-collected evidence that disproves the police’s conclusion. And even if you are found partially at fault for the accident, you will still be able to recover compensation provided you do not bear the majority of the fault for the accident; your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault for the accident.

The insurance company offered me a check. Do I still need an attorney?

Yes. Bear in mind that the insurance company’s first settlement offer is rarely the full amount of compensation that you deserve or the full amount of compensation the insurance company is ultimately prepared to offer. An attorney can evaluate any insurance settlement offer you receive to help you understand whether it represents fair compensation under the particular circumstances of your case, and can negotiate with the insurance company to try to obtain a higher settlement offer from them.