If you are involved in a car accident in Pennsylvania, the following steps should be taken:
- Stop driving and stay at the scene of the accident. Pennsylvania law requires that you stay at the scene of the accident and provide assistance to others involved if necessary.
- Contact emergency services if anyone is injured or there has been significant damage to property. Call 911 or your local police department and inform them of the accident.
- Exchange information with the other parties involved in the accident. Share your name, address, phone number, insurance information, and driver’s license number. You should also obtain contact information from any witnesses who saw the accident happen.
- Report the accident to your insurance company. You should do this as soon as possible after the accident, even if you were not at fault. Your insurance company will assist you in filing a claim and providing assistance for damages or injuries.
- Take pictures of the accident scene and the damage to the vehicles involved. This can help support your case if there is a dispute over liability or damages.
- Contact an attorney. If you were injured in the accident or if there is significant property damage, it may be in your best interest to hire an experienced attorney who can help protect your rights and ensure that you receive fair compensation.
It is important to note that Pennsylvania is a “modified comparative negligence” state, meaning that if you are partially at fault for the accident, your damages may be reduced proportionately. Additionally, Pennsylvania has a limited tort option for auto insurance policies, meaning that drivers who choose this option may be limited in the damages they can collect from insurance companies following an accident. If you have chosen this option, your ability to collect damages may be restricted to cases involving serious injuries or death.
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