Pennsylvania Personal Injury Lawyer

Need representation from a Pennsylvania personal injury lawyer? Call RP Legal Group now.

Pennsylvania is one of the greatest states in the nation for roadtrippers. From winding mountain paths to scenic views featuring fiery autumn foliage, the Keystone State truly has it all.

It also sees a high number of auto accidents. If you’ve been in a car accident while traveling to Amish Country or Hershey Park, our attorneys are here to help you.

RP Legal Group assists clients in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Scranton, Erie, Reading, Lancaster, and many other PA cities. Call us at (888) 340-7454 for your free consultation now.

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What To Know About Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania’s personal injury laws are vast and complex. If you wish to seek compensation from the party responsible for your injuries, here’s what you need to know.

Pennsylvania Filing Deadlines

For most personal injury cases in Pennsylvania, a two-year statute of limitations applies (42 PA Con. Statute § 5524(7)). This deadline applies to:

Auto accidents
Premises liability accidents (slip-and-fall accidents, dog bites, etc.)
Medical malpractice
Product liability
Wrongful death

If you believe the Pennsylvania government is responsible for your injuries, you have six months from the date of the accident to file a notice of intent to sue.

It’s possible to extend the filing deadline in some cases, such as the following:

You don’t know you’re injured. In this case, the deadline starts when you either discover or should have reasonably discovered the injury.
The injured person is under 18. The deadline starts on their 18th birthday.
The defendant leaves the state or conceals their identity. The deadline starts when the defendant returns or is located.

Comparative Negligence in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania follows modified comparative negligence rules. You cannot collect compensation if the court finds you 51% or more at fault for your injuries. Your Pennsylvania Bar Association-certified attorney will build your case in a manner that minimizes your degree of fault.

Understanding Pennsylvania’s No-Fault Auto Insurance Laws

Pennsylvania is one of several states allowing drivers to purchase personal injury protection (PIP) auto insurance. PIP coverage is beneficial because it’s no-fault, which means it pays for some of your medical expenses even if you caused the accident.

However, it doesn’t cover non-economic damages such as pain and suffering and emotional distress. You can only recover those damages if you sue the at-fault driver. You can’t do that in Pennsylvania unless your injuries are “serious.”

State law defines serious injuries as:

Paralysis
Broken arms or legs
Severe lacerations resulting in exposed tissue, bone, muscle, or excessive blood loss
Second- or third-degree burns covering 10% or more of the body
Unconsciousness at the accident scene
Crush injuries
Abdominal, chest, and skull injuries

Damages Caps in Pennsylvania

General personal injury claims don’t have caps on damages in Pennsylvania. There are damages caps if your case involves medical malpractice or government negligence. These are as follows:

Claims against the state: $250,000
Claims against local municipalities: $500,000
Medical malpractice: Punitive damages are capped at 200% of compensatory damages

How To File Your Claim

If your damages are less than $12,000, you can file your lawsuit with the Magisterial District Court. Otherwise, you’ll file a civil action with your local Court of Common Pleas (find the court serving your county here). Filing fees range from $50 to more than $100, depending on your damages and which court you’re filing with.

When filing a complaint, it must include:

Names of all parties involved
Your injuries and how/when they happened
Why you think the defendant is liable
Your desired remedy

For a free legal consultation with a Personal Injury lawyer serving Pennsylvania, call 888-340-7454

Why Hire a Pennsylvania Personal Injury Accident Lawyer?

Not sure whether you need a Pennsylvania personal injury lawyer? If any of the following examples sound familiar, call us today:

You’ve had a car accident and want to sue for non-economic damages, but you have no-fault PIP coverage. You’re unsure whether your injuries meet the serious injury threshold.
You think the state or city government is responsible for your injuries. Suing the government is much different than suing an individual. You’ll need the help of a lawyer experienced with governmental claims.
Your accident happened years ago, but you only recently discovered your injury.
You’re worried about being 51% or more at fault for the accident.

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Cases We Handle

No case is too big or complicated for our attorneys at RP Legal Group. We assist with all types of Pennsylvania personal injury cases, including:

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Call Us for a Consultation Now

If you’ve had an accident in Pennsylvania and aren’t sure where to turn next, reach out to RP Legal Group. We will work hard to win fair compensation that covers all your damages.

For a free consultation with a PA personal injury lawyer, call RP Legal Group at (888) 340-7454.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Learn more about personal injury in Pennsylvania below.

How Does Comparative Negligence Work in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania bars you from recovering damages if you’re 51% or more at fault. If you’re 50% or less at fault, the court will reduce your compensation by your amount of fault. For example, if the court finds you 10% at fault, you can recover 90% of your damages.

What Is the Pennsylvania Dog Bite Law?

In Pennsylvania, dog owners are strictly liable for injuries their animals cause, regardless of whether the dog has bitten anyone before. This differs from states with a one-free-bite law. In such states, owners can avoid liability if they have no reason to think that their animal is dangerous.

Who Pays Court Costs in Pennsylvania?

Each party in a lawsuit pays for their own court costs in Pennsylvania. Contact a Pennsylvania personal injury lawyer to learn about typical court costs for your claim.

For a free legal consultation with a Personal Injury lawyer serving your area, call 888-340-7454