Frequently Asked Questions

A personal injury lawyer represents people who were hurt because of someone else’s negligence. We handle the insurance companies, gather the evidence, and pursue the compensation you’re owed, through settlement or in court.

As soon as possible after an accident. Early advice protects your rights, preserves evidence and stops the insurance company from taking advantage of you. A first consultation with Philly Injury Lawyer is free.

Nothing up front. We work on a contingency fee basis under our We Win or It’s Free® guarantee, so you pay a fee only if we recover compensation for you.

It means you never owe us legal fees unless we win your case and obtain a financial recovery for you.

Under our We Win or It’s Free® policy, you generally owe no attorney fee if your case is not successful, and you won’t pay us out of pocket for our time.

In contingency fee cases, we typically advance the cost of experts, investigators and reports needed to prove your claim. Those costs are repaid from the settlement or verdict.

Yes. You can speak directly with an attorney at no cost. We’ll review what happened, answer your questions and explain your options.

Look for experience with your type of case, a track record of results, good communication and a no-fee-unless-you-win policy. Our guide on how to choose a personal injury lawyer in Philadelphia explains what to check.

A local lawyer knows Philadelphia’s courts, roads, medical providers and insurance companies. That local knowledge gives your case a home-field advantage that large national firms often lack.

Our team stays in touch by phone, email and text, and you can contact us any time with questions about your claim or next steps.

Yes. You can switch personal injury lawyers at any time. Your new lawyer will request your file from the previous firm. Usually the fee is shared between the two lawyers out of the same contingency fee, so in most cases you do not pay twice. Check your fee agreement first.

You may have a claim if someone else’s carelessness caused your injury, such as a negligent driver, an unsafe property, a defective product or another negligent act. If you’re not sure, a free consultation will give you a clear, honest assessment.

We investigate the accident, gather records and witness statements, deal with the insurance company and pursue the maximum compensation for your injuries.

Pennsylvania uses a comparative negligence rule. You can still recover compensation if you were not more than 50% responsible, but your award is reduced by your share of the fault. This applies to falls on unsafe property as well as car accidents.

Most personal injury lawsuits in Pennsylvania must be filed within two years under the statute of limitations. Missing the deadline can bar your claim completely.

Yes, in most cases. Pennsylvania generally allows two years from the date of an injury to file a lawsuit, so an accident from several months ago is usually still within the deadline. The exception is a claim against a government agency, which requires written notice within six months, so don’t wait.

Claims against the city, SEPTA or other government bodies follow special rules, including written notice that is often due within six months. Get advice quickly if a government vehicle or property was involved.

Yes. A child’s claim is brought by a parent or guardian, and Pennsylvania has special rules to protect minors, including court approval of settlements.

A personal injury claim is a civil matter between you and an insurer and typically has no effect on your immigration status. Employers also may not retaliate against you for reporting a work injury.

We handle a wide range of injury cases, including car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle, bicycle and pedestrian crashes, slip and falls, dog bites, work injuries and wrongful death.

It’s best not to give a recorded statement or sign any release before talking to a lawyer. Insurers may use your words to reduce or deny your claim.

Not without advice. Early offers are often far below what a claim is worth. Have a lawyer review any offer before you sign anything or give up your right to further compensation.

A denial isn’t always the final word. Insurers often reject legitimate claims, and we regularly challenge unfair denials. Learn more about the steps to filing a personal injury claim in Pennsylvania.

Your own auto policy’s uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage may protect you. A lawyer can review your policies and pursue every available source of recovery.

It depends on how serious your injuries are, your medical treatment, the time you missed from work and how the injury affects your life. We evaluate all of these factors before advising you on value.

Depending on your case, you may recover medical bills, future treatment costs, lost income, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, and other losses.

Yes. Anxiety, depression and PTSD after a serious accident are often part of the pain and suffering in an injury claim.

Get prompt medical care, follow your treatment plan, keep records of lost wages and expenses, and work with an experienced injury lawyer who knows how to build and negotiate a strong case.

Compensation for physical injuries is generally not taxable under federal or Pennsylvania law. Some parts of a settlement may be treated differently, so confirm the details with a tax professional.

Hospitals, health insurers and government programs may claim part of your recovery. We negotiate those liens to increase the amount you actually take home.

Yes. Photos, comments and check-ins can be taken out of context by the defense. It’s wise to stay off social media while your claim is open.

While your case is pending, your medical bills are usually paid by your own coverage first: first-party medical benefits after a car accident, workers’ compensation for a work injury, or your health insurance. Some providers will wait to be paid from your settlement. These payers may be repaid from your recovery through liens.

Yes. You can file an injury claim even if you didn’t go to the hospital, but you need medical records showing your injury. See a doctor as soon as possible and explain how you were hurt. Gaps in treatment give insurers a reason to argue your injury wasn’t serious or wasn’t caused by the accident. Neck, back and head injuries often take days to show symptoms, so see a doctor as soon as they appear.

We often work with doctors who will treat injury victims while a claim is pending, with their bills paid from the settlement instead of up front.

In most cases outside of workers’ compensation, yes. You can treat with your own doctors and specialists, and we can help you keep your records organized for your claim.

Permanent injuries, scarring and loss of function can greatly increase the value of a claim. Learn more about claims for permanent disfigurement.

Your claim can include the wages you’ve lost and any reduction in your future earning capacity.

Many Pennsylvania personal injury claims settle within several months to a year, but cases that require a lawsuit can take one to three years. Timing depends on how long your medical treatment lasts, the insurer’s cooperation and whether the case goes to court. Settling too early can mean accepting less than your claim is worth. After a settlement is agreed, payment usually arrives within a few weeks, once the release is signed and any liens and medical bills are resolved.

Most cases settle through negotiation or mediation without a trial. If the insurance company refuses to be fair, our trial-ready lawyers are prepared to take your case to a jury.

Usually a few weeks. Once the release is signed, the insurer issues payment, any liens and medical bills are resolved, and your lawyer sends you your share.

Call 911, get medical care, collect photos and witness information, and speak with a Philadelphia car accident lawyer before giving a recorded statement. See our Car Accident FAQs for more.

Possibly. Limited tort restricts some pain and suffering claims, but there are important limited tort exceptions, including serious injuries and disfigurement.

Crashes caused by impaired drivers can support strong claims. Evidence from the criminal case can help prove fault, and limited tort restrictions may not apply.

Rideshare crashes involve overlapping insurance policies and special rules. See our Uber and Lyft accident page.

Yes. Pedestrians and cyclists have the same right to safe roads as drivers. See our Pedestrian Accident FAQs and Bicycle Accident FAQs.

If you fell because of a dangerous condition the store should have fixed or warned about, you may have a slip and fall claim, whether or not staff helped you at the time.

Most of these claims are paid by the homeowner’s insurance, not by your neighbor personally, so they rarely need to become a personal dispute.

Owners are responsible when their animals cause harm. Victims can seek compensation for medical care, scarring and emotional trauma. Learn more about dog bite claims.

You may have a claim against the manufacturer, distributor or retailer of a dangerous product.

Yes. Pennsylvania law protects employees from retaliation for reporting a work injury or filing a workers’ compensation claim. Learn more about work injury claims.

You may have both a workers’ compensation claim and a separate lawsuit against the driver, contractor or property owner who caused your injury.