Overview
If you have been hurt because of someone else's carelessness, the insurance company already has someone working the file. Having somebody doing the same on your side, early, generally matters more than anything that happens later.
The firm represents injured clients in Indiana County and the counties around it.
What this covers
- Motor vehicle accidents, including uninsured and underinsured motorist claims
- Slip and fall and other premises liability claims
- Dog bites and animal attacks
- Wrongful death and survival actions
- Insurance claim disputes
- Negotiation with insurers, and litigation where negotiation fails
Worth knowing in Pennsylvania
Two years, and much less against a government body.
Pennsylvania generally allows two years from the date of injury to file suit (42 Pa.C.S. § 5524). Claims against a Commonwealth or local agency carry a separate notice requirement measured in months, not years.
Limited tort quietly limits what you can recover.
Pennsylvania drivers choose limited or full tort on their auto policy. Limited tort lowers the premium and restricts recovery for pain and suffering unless the injury is serious — and most people cannot remember which one they selected.
Being partly at fault does not end the claim.
Pennsylvania uses modified comparative negligence: recovery is reduced by your share of the fault, and barred only if you are more than 50% responsible (42 Pa.C.S. § 7102).
General information about Pennsylvania law, current as of publication. It is not legal advice, and every matter turns on its own facts — call the firm to talk about yours.
Attorneys in this area
Paul A. Bell, IIPersonal Injury. Paul has handled numerous cases before the Court of Common Pleas of Indiana and Westmoreland Counties and has appeared before the appellate courts of Pennsylvania.
Montgomery V. BellPersonal Injury, alongside real estate, estate and business work. Monte served as an Assistant District Attorney for Indiana County from 2015 to 2019.
Have a personal injury matter? We'd be glad to help.
Call the firm to talk it through, or see the full range of what Haberl, Buell, Rice & Bell handles.