Chester County Personal Injury Lawyer

Chester County, part of the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington metropolitan area, is home to over 30 major roads and highways, Chester County also has several national- and state-protected parks. Eastern Chester County is especially busy, with many communities that compromise the western suburbs outside of Philadelphia. The southernmost portion of the county is also bustling as part of suburban Wilmington, Delaware. Considering all the different kinds of visitors, residents, and others traveling through the area, it comes as no surprise that there is the chance of being involved in an accident and sustaining an injury.

Whether you suffered harm at the hands of a reckless driver, negligent dog owner, or defective product, personal injury lawyer Anthony C. Gagliano III, P.C. will fight to make sure you are justly compensated. Anthony has unmatched experience and success securing millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements in personal injury matters, with a reputation for commitment, respect, and advocacy for injured parties.

Unlike most larger firms, Anthony remains accessible to all his clients, and is sure to respond to phone calls within 24 hours. Our firm handles accident cases on a contingency basis, which means you pay nothing until we are successful in achieving an award for your personal injury matter.

Have you asked yourself: Do I Need a Lawyer? Ask us and we will tell you!

What Is a Personal Injury?

Personal injuries include all types of harm to a person’s body, emotions, and even reputation. The three grounds on which personal injury claims can be brought are:

• Negligence: As the most common basis for personal injury claims, negligence stems from an individual or entity’s failure to behave with the level of care that a reasonable person would have under the same circumstances.
• Strict Liability: Strict liability holds a party liable for committing an action regardless of their intent or mental state.
• Intentional Wrongs: Also called intentional torts, these result from an intentional act of the defendant in a personal injury case. Common examples include assault and battery, false imprisonment, trespass, and infliction of emotional distress.

What Types of Personal Injury Cases Do We Handle in Chester County?

Anthony stays on top of current laws so that he can effectively handle a wide range of personal injury matters, including:

• Bicycle accidents
• Car accidents
• Dog bites
• DUI related accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• SEPTA injury claims
• Slip and falls
• Truck accidents
• Uber and Lyft accidents
• Workers’ Compensation
• Wrongful death

Using his extensive knowledge of the law and attention to detail, Anthony addresses his clients’ questions and concerns and takes the time to fully assess each personal injury case.

How Can an Attorney Help with My Personal Injury Case?

Personal injury cases can be complex and time-consuming. An attorney with experience resolving cases to favorable outcomes, can guide you through the detailed procedure of filing a claim or personal injury lawsuit. Your attorney can handle the investigations, negotiations, litigation, and settlement process. If necessary, a personal injury lawyer will take your case to trial and file any necessary appeals.

A personal injury lawsuit starts with the proper filing of key documents and going through a process called “discovery.” Your attorney will make sure the details of the incident are investigated, reports and evidence are requested, and witnesses and experts are deposed. Sometimes motions will need to be filed to further your case. A personal lawyer will help determine the best strategy for your legal matter and fight for the best possible result.

How Much is a Personal Injury Claim Worth in Chester County?

In most cases, personal injury claims are settled for an agreed upon amount after negotiations with insurance companies and opposing counsel. However, if a satisfactory settlement cannot be reached, it is important to have an attorney who has the confidence and experience to take your case to trial.

Calculating the value of a personal injury claim requires a thorough review of the specific case with a qualified attorney, experts, and medical professionals to establish liability and determine the extent of injuries and loss.

Determining the number of damages and compensation you may be awarded depends on the following:

• Your age, occupation, and past medical history
• Amount of available insurance coverage
• Degree of loss and emotional harm
• Extent of physical injuries
• Identity of at-fault parties
• Impact on daily life and functioning
• Projected ongoing care costs
• Type of personal injury matter

The true value of your case is not connected with any average settlement or verdict statistics, but with the way your individual case is handled. A dedicated attorney will strive to protect your best interests and achieve the outcome you deserve after suffering harm as the result of someone else’s negligence.

How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in Chester County?

State law provides a statute of limitations that serves as a timeline for how long a party must take legal action after experiencing a personal injury. In Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations is generally two years from the date of your injury. However, in certain cases, there are circumstances that can allow for an exception to that general rule.

There are some situations when the negligent party cannot be located, such as in hit and run accident cases. Under these types of circumstances, the court may grant an extension of time to file a claim until the missing party is found.

Another exception arises if the injured party is underaged. While parents may file a claim one behalf of their child after an accident, they may fail to do so and leave their child to face long-term expenses later in life. In these cases, the court may rule that the statute of limitations should not start until the injured party turns 18 years old.

The most common exception to the two-year rule applies when an injury is not immediately apparent, even though it is still the result of the accident. This happens frequently in medical malpractice cases since the harm caused may not be obvious or develop until a later date. When signs of an injury or illness fail to appear until a period after the incident, courts may stall the statute of limitations until the time the symptoms begin or when they should have been noticed.

What Should I Do If I Have Been Injured?

Residents and visitors to Chester County can find themselves injured as the result of an accident at any time. Regardless of the type of accident or severity of your injuries, it is important to know what to do to protect your rights and safety.

1. Get Medical Attention

The most important thing to do as soon as possible after being involved in an accident is to seek medical attention. Not only is this crucial for your health and wellbeing, but it will document your injuries and any medical treatment given for future claims and legal proceedings. You should always accept medical assistance and remember that serious injuries are not always immediately obvious.

2. Call the Police and Get a Report

It is crucial to call 911 or alert law enforcement about the accident as soon as it occurs. This way the police can do an initial investigation and provide a report that often sets forth important evidence for proving liability. Without a police report, you may find yourself in a situation where the other parties involved change their stories or even deny that the accident ever happened.

3. Get Contact Information

If your injuries do not prevent you from speaking to the other parties involved in the accident, it is important to exchange contact and insurance information. You should also get the contact information of any eyewitnesses to the accident who may not wait at the scene of for the police to arrives, which can put you in a situation where it is just your word against another’s. Obtaining all possible contact information at the scene of the accident will help your attorney further your case in the future.

4. Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer

After taking care of your health and safety, it is critical to consult with a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer after being injured in an accident. An experienced attorney will take care of the complicated details of your case, so that you can focus on recovering from your physical and emotional injuries.

If you need a top-rated personal injury lawyer to protect your rights and ensure maximum compensation, contact the experienced Chester County personal injury lawyer at Anthony C. Gagliano III, P.C. Anthony maintains a five-star rating in his field and is committed to advocating for his clients. Call 267-861-7100 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Located in Philadelphia, our firm serves Chester County and the surrounding areas.