Suppose you or a loved one has sustained an injury in Hazelton, Pennsylvania. In that case, you need expert legal representation to protect your rights and receive the compensation you deserve. That’s where the Hazleton personal injury lawyers at Munley Law can help. Contact our experienced attorneys today to schedule a free consultation.
$32 Million Wrongful Death
$26 Million Truck Accident
$17.5 Million Car Accident
$12 Million Product Liability
$9 Million Truck Accident
$8 Million Truck Accident
$8 Million Truck Accident
$7.5 Million Auto Accident
$6.9 Million Garbage Truck Accident
$6.5 Million Traumatic Brain Injury
$5 Million Medical Malpractice
$5 Million Bus Accidents
Do I Need a Hazleton Personal Injury Lawyer?
You may have a valid personal injury claim if you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence. But do you need an attorney?
While it is possible to file personal injury claims without the aid of a legal professional, working with an experienced attorney is almost always the best course of action. Here are a few reasons why hiring a Hazleton personal injury lawyer is highly recommended:
- Knowledge and Experience: Personal injury claims can be complex, involving various legal procedures and requirements. A skilled personal injury attorney will have in-depth knowledge and experience handling such cases. They understand the intricacies of the law and can navigate through the legal system on your behalf. They will know the best strategies to build a strong case and maximize your chances of receiving fair compensation.
- Evaluation of Claim: An experienced personal injury lawyer will thoroughly evaluate your claim to determine its strength and potential value. They will assess the extent of your injuries, review medical records, gather evidence, interview witnesses, and consult with experts if necessary. This diligent evaluation ensures that no stone is left unturned and all damages and losses are accounted for in your claim.
- Negotiating with Insurance Companies: Insurance companies are notorious for offering low settlements or denying claims. They have teams of lawyers working to protect their interests and minimize payouts. By hiring a Hazleton personal injury lawyer, you level the playing field. Your attorney will negotiate with the insurance companies to ensure you receive a fair settlement covering your medical expenses, lost wages, pain, and suffering.
What Kinds of Cases Do Our Personal Injury Lawyers Handle in Hazleton?
Personal injury attorneys can handle a wide range of cases, including:
Car Accidents
Auto accidents are a very common type of personal injury claim. Most car accidents result from the negligence or the reckless behavior of drivers. If you have been involved in a car accident and have suffered injuries as a result, it is crucial to seek the assistance of a Hazleton personal injury lawyer.
Insurance companies often try to settle car accident claims quickly and for the lowest possible amount. However, a skilled personal injury attorney knows the worth of your case and will fight to ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries. They will negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf to secure a settlement that adequately covers your medical expenses, property damage, and other losses.
A competent car accident attorney will have the knowledge and experience to investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident. They will gather evidence such as police reports, witness statements, and medical records to build a strong case on your behalf. They will assess the extent of your injuries and their impact on your life, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Truck Accidents
Due to the size and weight of commercial trucks, truck accidents can cause huge damage to those involved. They can also lead to a range of injuries, including neck injuries, brain injuries, and even wrongful death. Truck accidents are a serious issue in Hazleton, PA, and can have devastating consequences for those involved. The sheer size and weight of commercial trucks make them capable of causing significant damage to vehicles and individuals. As a result, the injuries sustained in truck accidents can be severe and life-altering.
Working with an attorney afterward is the best path toward justice and maximum compensation.
Workers’ Compensation
Workers’ compensation is essentially a form of insurance that benefits workers injured on the job.
Injuries that result in workers’ comp can be illnesses or physical injuries. But sometimes, workers meet resistance when attempting to file a valid workers’ comp claim. Working with an experienced attorney can help ensure you receive all the benefits you deserve for as long as you need them.
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents can have devastating consequences. Unlike car inhabitants, motorcycle riders lack a certain degree of physical protection. In the event of an accident, severe injury is very likely. A Hazleton personal injury lawyer can provide vital assistance for victims of motorcycle accidents. They understand motorcycle riders’ unique challenges and will fight for their rights to ensure they receive the compensation they deserve.
One of the key roles of a personal injury attorney is to gather evidence to establish liability in a motorcycle accident case. They will investigate the accident scene, gather witness statements, review medical records, and consult accident reconstruction experts if necessary. By building a strong case, the attorney can demonstrate that the other party was at fault for the accident and, therefore, responsible for the victim’s injuries.
Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic brain injury is defined as a severe injury to the brain caused by external force. TBIs can be workplace injuries, the result of a car accident, the result of medical malpractice, and more.
When someone suffers a traumatic brain injury (TBI), their life can be dramatically altered. TBIs can occur in various ways, such as workplace accidents, car accidents, slips and falls, or even medical malpractice. Regardless of the cause, the consequences of a TBI can be severe and long-lasting.
In addition to the immediate impact, TBIs can also have long-term consequences. Cognitive impairments, memory loss, emotional and behavioral changes, and physical disabilities are common challenges faced by TBI survivors. A skilled attorney will work diligently to ensure that all is well.
A Hazleton personal injury lawyer who specializes in traumatic brain injury cases understands the complexities and challenges associated with these types of injuries. They have the necessary expertise to navigate the legal system and fight for the rights of TBI victims.
Bus Accidents
Bus accidents can be particularly devastating and can result in catastrophic injuries or even fatalities. Suppose you or a loved one was involved in a bus accident in Hazleton, PA. In that case, it’s important to seek the assistance of a qualified personal injury lawyer who can help you navigate the legal process.
Bus accidents can be complicated because the city operates some buses. Filing a claim may involve negotiating against the government, and doing so without the aid of an experienced attorney can be extremely challenging.
Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents can result in devastating injuries, and Hazleton is no exception. With busy streets and intersections, pedestrians are at risk of being involved in accidents with vehicles. If you have been injured as a pedestrian in Hazleton, seeking help from a personal injury lawyer specializing in pedestrian accidents is crucial.
Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice can exist in many forms, including misdiagnosis, surgical errors, medication errors, anesthesia errors, birth injuries, and more. When medical professionals fail to provide the expected standard of care, patients can suffer serious harm.
Taking on a medical malpractice case requires much legal expertise, and our law firm has the skills, resources, and experience to protect and advocate for these victims.
Nursing Home Abuse
The horrifying reality is that nursing home abuse occurs far too often. This abuse can look like physical abuse, neglect, financial abuse, psychological abuse, and more.
No one wants to imagine that a loved one in a nursing home is receiving anything less than exceptional treatment. But when the worst happens, working with an experienced attorney can help ensure your loved one receives the justice they deserve.
Defective Products
Everyone wants to imagine that the products we bring into our homes are safe. But sometimes, even everyday items can be dangerous.
Defective products can cause serious injury and be grounds for a personal injury claim. An attorney can help identify who is at fault in a case like this. When a defective product causes harm, it can be challenging to determine who is responsible for the injury. This is where a Hazleton personal injury lawyer can be invaluable. They have the knowledge and expertise to investigate the accident’s circumstances and identify the liable party.
In many cases, the manufacturer may be at fault. If a product was manufactured with a defect that led to the injury, the manufacturer could be liable for negligence. This can include product design, manufacturing, or marketing defects.
However, the manufacturer is not always solely responsible. The distributor or seller of the product may also share liability. If they failed to properly inspect or test the product before selling it or if they knew about the defect and failed to warn consumers, they could also be held accountable.
Wrongful Death
Wrongful death is defined as an unnatural death that occurs as the result of someone else’s negligence. This can mean medical malpractice, a car accident, a physical assault, and much more.
In a typical personal injury claim, accident victims can advocate for themselves. But when the victim loses their life, someone else must perform that advocacy instead. In wrongful death cases, the deceased party’s family can file a claim on their behalf. Our attorneys are extremely experienced in wrongful death claims and securing maximum compensation for grieving families who deserve support and compassion.
Proving Liability and Negligence in Hazleton, PA Personal Injury Lawsuits
One of the most important elements of a personal injury lawsuit is proving liability and negligence. Proving liability and negligence is crucial in personal injury lawsuits. It involves establishing that the responsible party owed a duty of care to the injured person, breached that duty, and caused the resulting harm.
To prove liability, it is necessary to demonstrate that the defendant had a legal obligation to act in a certain way to prevent harm, and they failed to fulfill that duty. For example, in a car accident, the driver must operate their vehicle safely and obey traffic laws. If they are found to have acted negligently, such as by texting while driving or running a red light, they may be held liable for the injuries caused.
Negligence is the failure to exercise reasonable care that harms another person. Establishing that the defendant’s negligence directly caused the injury or damages suffered by the victim is essential. This requires gathering evidence, such as witness statements, photographs, medical records, and expert opinions, to establish a clear link between the defendant’s actions and the injuries sustained.
It is also important to consider comparative negligence laws in personal injury cases. Pennsylvania follows the comparative negligence doctrine, which means that even if the injured person is partially at fault for the accident, they can still recover damages. However, the amount they can receive is docked by the percentage of fault they bear in the accident.
We do not get paid unless we win your case.
When To Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in Hazleton
When is it necessary to hire a personal injury lawyer? Hiring a personal injury lawyer in Hazleton can immensely benefit personal injury cases. While some individuals may choose to handle their claims themselves, there are certain situations where a personal injury lawyer’s expertise and legal knowledge are crucial.
- Severe Injuries: If you have suffered severe injuries due to an accident, hiring a personal injury lawyer is essential. Severe injuries often require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation and may result in long-term or permanent disabilities. A knowledgeable lawyer will understand the full extent of your injuries and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
- Extended Recovery Time: If your injuries require significant recovery time, navigating the legal process while focusing on your health can be overwhelming. Hiring a personal injury lawyer will alleviate the burden of handling complex legal procedures, allowing you to focus on your recovery.
- Disputed Liability: If there is a dispute regarding liability in your case, hiring a personal injury lawyer is crucial. Insurance companies and opposing parties may try to shift blame onto you or downplay their responsibility. A skilled lawyer will investigate the accident, gather evidence, and build a strong case to prove it.
How Much is My Case Worth?
A case’s worth depends on the details of the claim. Damages in these cases are intended to compensate victims or their families for their losses. This means that the more severe the damage, whether physical, mental, or emotional, the greater the compensation.
For instance, a car accident that causes the victim to become permanently disabled and reduces their capacity to earn income in the future will likely be worth more than a car accident where the victim sustains only minor injuries.
Speak to a Munley attorney today to learn how much compensation you may be able to receive from your claim.
How Are Pain and Suffering Calculated in My Personal Injury Claim?
Calculating pain and suffering in personal injury cases can be complex. Unlike medical expenses or lost wages, pain and suffering are subjective and do not have a precise monetary value. However, common methods are used to estimate compensation for pain and suffering.
- Multiplier Method: This method involves multiplying the total medical expenses and lost wages by a certain number, typically between 1.5 and 5. The chosen multiplier depends on the severity of the injuries, the impact on the victim’s life, and other factors. For example, if the medical expenses and lost wages amount to $50,000 and the multiplier is 3, the estimated pain and suffering value would be $150,000.
- Per Diem Method: This approach determines a daily rate based on the injuries’ severity and the estimated recovery period. The daily rate is then multiplied by the number of days the victim experienced pain and suffering due to the injury. For instance, if the daily rate is $200 and the victim endured pain and suffering for 100 days, the estimated value for pain and suffering would be $20,000.
- Comparative Analysis: In some cases, attorneys may use past personal injury cases with similar circumstances to estimate the value of pain and suffering. They will evaluate factors such as the severity of the injuries, the impact on the victim’s life, the duration of the recovery process, and the amount of compensation awarded in those cases. An attorney can estimate pain and suffering by comparing these factors to the current case.
Speak with an experienced Hazleton personal injury lawyer now.
How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit?
In most cases, the statute of limitations to file a personal injury lawsuit in Hazleton, PA, is two years from the accident date. There are, however, some exceptions. If the victim is a minor, they have until two years from their 18th birthday to file a claim.
Sometimes, the negligent action that caused the death is not discovered until later in the case of medical malpractice. In a situation like this, the victim (or their family, in the event of a wrongful death) has until two years from the date of the discovery of the negligence to file a claim.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Attorney in Hazleton, PA?
It makes sense that many people are concerned about the cost of working with an attorney. No one wants to add a pile of legal bills onto the stressors of experiencing an accident.
The good news is that with Munley, we only get paid if you win. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means that when we win your case and you secure a settlement, our payment is a small portion of that settlement. If you don’t win, neither do we.
Contact us today for a free initial consultation, and learn how we can fight to protect your interests. We are ready and waiting to take your call.
Our Hazleton, PA Office:
Serving Hazleton, Nanticoke, Weatherly, Freeland, Ebervale, Drums, Conyngham, McAdoo, White Haven, Beaver Meadows, Nesquehoning, Harleigh, Sugarloaf, Blakeslee, Lake Harmony, Shickshinny, Berwick, Mifflinville, and the surrounding areas.
Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys
197 N Cedar St.
Hazleton, PA 18201
(570) 536-9498
