Your Advocate for Justice in Car Accident Claims and Lawsuits

Every time a driver hits the road, they risk a car accident. On average, six million car accidents occur in the United States each year. Seeking compensation for the physical, emotional, and financial losses you sustain can be challenging, or almost impossible, on your own. In a case of serious or catastrophic injuries, you need the support of a Pennsylvania car accident lawyer you can trust to aggressively pursue justice and full compensation.

Easton Car Accidents Can Disrupt Your Life

Even low-speed collisions can pose lasting challenges. From property damage to painful injuries, medical expenses, and time away from work, the impact of a crash can escalate quickly. It’s not just physical recovery. It is also about regaining stability when the future is uncertain.

You may also experience mental distress, sleep issues, or a loss of mobility that limits your quality of life. Insurance companies often complicate this process by pushing for quick settlements or downplaying the extent of your injuries, especially without legal representation.

By working with our car accident attorney, you can avoid common pitfalls and take proactive steps toward recovery. Your lawyer handles communication with insurers, gathers critical records, and ensures the right claims are filed. At Sharma Law Office, we provide strategic support throughout the legal process. We’ve successfully handled injury cases across Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and we remain committed to protecting the rights of each client we represent.

Various Kinds Of Lawsuits

While cars can be damaged in a crash, the driver and/or passengers can sustain injuries as well. A personal injury lawsuit is always brought forth in this case if the accident is caused by the other driver. Some of the things that can lead to this accident include drunk driving and texting while driving. In some cases, a car accident is caused by a defective vehicle part. A product liability lawsuit is used to sue the manufacturer for defects, such as defective parts, or for false advertising.

It is a tragic fact that many car accidents end in death. Over one million people die in car accidents worldwide each year. Individuals who lost a family member during a car crash can file a wrongful death lawsuit. Many people who win a wrongful death lawsuit use the money to cover funeral costs, which are normally around $8,000 on average. You can’t spend too long deciding whether or not to take someone to court following an accident, though. Some areas have a statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit.

Searching For The Right Lawyer

When it comes to pursuing these lawsuits, it’s important to find the right lawyer to lead you to a winning case. The lawyers at Sharma Law Office are the best at guiding people through the key steps of the trial.

If you need help in a car accident case, we urge you to contact The Sharma Law Office LLC. We could assist you in your situation.

In Pennsylvania alone, there are over 100,000 auto accidents each year. If you or a loved one was injured in one of these scary crashes, contact our Pennsylvania auto accident attorney immediately.

Why Fault Can Become Disputed

Fault in an auto accident is rarely determined by a single piece of evidence, even if a driver gets a ticket or admits to something at the scene. Insurers, lawyers, and courts usually look at many sources before deciding who is responsible.

There are several common reasons why people disagree about fault:

• Driver behavior: Actions such as speeding, tailgating, distracted driving, unsafe lane changes, and failure to yield are closely examined after a crash. Investigators look at what each driver did just before the accident, along with the traffic laws and road conditions at that time.
• Environmental and road conditions: Factors such as weather, poor visibility, construction zones, and traffic light timing can all affect how a crash occurs. These factors can affect how fault is allocated among the parties.
• Conflicting accounts: Drivers, passengers, and witnesses often remember the same event differently. When stories do not match, more investigation is usually needed to figure out what really happened.
• Vehicle damage patterns: The location and extent of damage on each vehicle can help show how the crash happened. This kind of physical evidence is often used in disputed claims to explain how the vehicles made contact.
• Comparative negligence rules: In Pennsylvania, if you are partly at fault for a crash, the amount you can recover may be reduced by your share of fault. If you are more at fault than the other person, you may not recover anything. New Jersey has a similar system in which damages are determined by allocating fault among all parties.

Types of Auto Accidents

• Car: An accident including one or more standard vehicles and no other types of vehicles.
• Truck: An accident involving a truck designed primarily for transportation, such as a semi-truck.
• Motorcycle: An accident involving at least one motorcycle that may have either two or three wheels and is capable of reaching certain speeds.
• Bicycle: An accident involving at least one bicycle operated manually with pedals.
• Pedestrian Involved: An accident involving harm to at least one pedestrian on foot and sometimes on a bicycle.

Common Injuries

There are certain types of injuries in almost every auto accident, while others are much rarer.

Here are the ones that are reported the most after an auto accident:

• Scrapes
• Cuts
• Bruises
• Soft tissue damage
• Whiplash/neck injuries
• Concussion
• Facial injuries

Compensation

Compensation for injuries sustained during an auto accident can vary greatly depending on the severity of the injury. The average claim for bodily injury after an accident in 2020 eclipsed $20,000, making up the bulk of the claimed damages (compared to just $4,700 for property damage).

In personal injury cases, compensation may vary depending on the cost of damages, which include:

• Compensatory Damages: Compensation equivalent to the victim’s loss.
• Economic Damages: Pertains to the monetary losses, including their employment opportunities.
• Non-Economic Damages: Refers to non-monetary losses, including pain and suffering and emotional distress.

What Makes Auto Accident Cases More Complex

Some auto accident claims are more complicated than a simple two-car crash between insured drivers. When there are more people, more insurance companies, or more complex facts, the legal and insurance review becomes more involved.

Common situations that make a case more complex include:

• Commercial vehicle involvement: If a driver was working at the time of the crash, their employer’s insurance might be involved in the claim. The connection between the driver and their company can affect how insurance applies.
• Rideshare and delivery drivers: Driving for apps brings up questions about which insurance policy is active at different times. Whether the driver was logged into the app, waiting for a ride, or driving a passenger can change which coverage applies.
• Multi-vehicle crashes: When three or more vehicles are involved, several drivers may argue about who was at fault. Each person might have a different story, and figuring out what happened can be much more complicated.
• Uninsured or underinsured drivers: If the driver who caused the crash does not have enough insurance, the injured person’s own policy may be important for recovery. The amount of help available depends on what uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage the injured person has.
• Serious or long-term injuries: If someone has a permanent injury, needs long-term treatment, or cannot work or do daily activities as before, the case needs a different kind of review. Future medical needs and the person’s ability to earn money over time are both considered in the case.

Frequently Asked Questions About Auto Accident Claims

Does a Traffic Ticket Decide Who Is Legally at Fault?

A ticket issued at the scene is just one factor and, by itself, does not determine who is legally responsible. Insurers and courts also consider witness statements, crash reports, photos, vehicle damage, medical records, and questions of shared fault when deciding who is at fault.

Can a Passenger Bring an Injury Claim After a Crash?

Passengers can sometimes make injury claims, depending on who caused the crash and what insurance is available. A passenger’s claim might involve one or more drivers or different insurance policies, depending on how the crash happened and which vehicles were involved.

Why Do Insurers Ask About Prior Injuries?

Insurers often check whether symptoms were present before the crash rather than being caused by it. Having a previous medical history does not automatically ruin a claim, but it usually becomes part of the discussion about what caused the injury during the claims process.

What Happens When Multiple Drivers Share Fault?

If more than one driver caused a crash, fault can be split between them based on the evidence. The comparative negligence rules in Pennsylvania and New Jersey affect whether an injured person can recover money and how much they can get, depending on how fault is divided.

Do Auto Accident Claims Always Go to Court?

Many claims are settled through insurance negotiations and do not go to court. If people still disagree about fault, the seriousness of the injury, available coverage, or the amount owed, the case might end up in court. Each case is different, so the process can vary.

A Car Accident Lawyer in Easton Can Help

You may be entitled to compensation following an auto accident if you’ve been injured, and you need an attorney on your side to make sure that you get all of what you’re entitled to. Insurance companies often try to get away with paying lowball compensation. Make sure that doesn’t happen to you.

If you need a car accident lawyer in Easton or another city, town, or rural area in Pennsylvania, The Sharma Law Office LLC is here to serve you. Contact us at (610) 810-5090 to speak with our trial lawyer today. We are proud to be recognized for our legal work in and out of court, and for our dedication and service to our clients.  

What to Know About Car Accident Claims in PA and NJ

Tort Options in Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, policyholders choose between “limited tort” and “full tort” insurance. Those with limited tort may be restricted from recovering damages for pain and suffering unless the injury meets certain legal exceptions. Unfortunately, many drivers don’t realize the limitations of their choice until it’s too late.

An attorney can review your policy to determine how it affects your ability to sue and whether your injuries qualify under an exception. Even when coverage is limited, it may still be possible to pursue compensation for medical bills, lost wages, serious physical impairments, or any condition that significantly alters daily life. These details require careful legal interpretation and precise documentation.

Verbal Threshold in New Jersey

New Jersey law requires many drivers to meet a verbal threshold for non-economic damages. This legal barrier applies unless your injury qualifies as permanent or falls under specific categories such as disfigurement, loss of a limb, or significant disability. Without proper documentation, your case may be dismissed early in the process or never advance at all.

Our car accident lawyer ensures that the evidence supports your claim and that your injury classification aligns with what New Jersey courts recognize. From the outset, it’s essential to work with someone who understands how to present medical records, diagnostic results, and physician statements in a way that meets these legal standards and withstands insurance scrutiny.

The Role of Insurance Coverage in Injury Claims

Many injured drivers assume the at-fault party’s insurance will cover their losses, but that’s not always the case. Pennsylvania and New Jersey both require relatively low liability coverage minimums, which may fall short in serious injury claims. When damages exceed these limits, your own under insured motorist coverage may be critical to ensuring you are not left paying out-of-pocket.

Our skilled car accident lawyer will meticulously examine every insurance policy, including your own and that of the other motorist, to uncover potential coverage shortfalls and explore additional avenues for financial recovery.

This includes umbrella policies, employer insurance (for commercial vehicle cases), or even third-party liability if mechanical failure, road hazards, or improper signage contributed to the accident. A full recovery depends on uncovering every potential avenue.

• How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Pennsylvania?
  You typically have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Delays may affect your ability to recover damages, even if the injury is serious or long-lasting.
• What if the other driver doesn’t have insurance?
  If you have uninsured motorist coverage, you may still be able to receive compensation. This coverage is often included in auto insurance policies in both PA and NJ and may also apply if you’re injured in a hit-and-run.
• Can I still recover damages if I was partially at fault?
  Yes. Both Pennsylvania and New Jersey follow modified comparative negligence rules, which may reduce your compensation depending on your level of fault—but you can still recover if you’re less than 51% responsible. An attorney can protect your interests when insurers try to exaggerate your share of the blame.

Communities We Serve

We proudly represent injured clients across Eastern Pennsylvania and Central New Jersey.

Cities we frequently serve include:

• Easton
• Allentown
• Bethlehem
• Reading
• Quakertown
• Stroudsburg
• Phillipsburg
• Philadelphia
• Iselin
• Trenton
• Princeton
• Newark