Allentown Personal Injury Lawyers
Serving Philadelphia And Pennsylvania

We can help. Free Consultation. Call us 24/7 at (610) 351 – 2330

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I have a personal injury case?

Personal injury can happen in many ways but in order to have a personal injury case, there needs to be an injury to a person due to someone else’s negligence. Trapani Law Firm offers a free, confidential, case evaluation. Contact a personal injury attorney at The Trapani Law Firm for a free consultation by calling (610) 351 – 2330 or contact us.

What does negligence mean?

Negligence is defined as “The failure to do what a reasonable person would have done under the same circumstances. A departure of the conduct that would be expected of a reasonably prudent person under like circumstances.” For a more detailed explanation, contact an accident injury lawyer at The Trapani Law Firm by calling (610) 351 – 2330 or contact us.

If I’ve been injured, when should I contact a lawyer?

If you have been injured in an accident, you should contact a personal injury lawyer immediately. Every state has certain time limitations called “statutes of limitations,” which outline the time within which you have to file a personal injury case. If you miss this deadline for filing your lawsuit, you can lose your legal rights to compensation for your injury. Further, if an attorney is contacted as soon as possible after the injury occurs, the attorney can work diligently to preserve evidence. If you or a loved one has been injured, contact a personal injury attorney at The Trapani Law Firm for a free consultation by calling (610) 351 – 2330 or contact us.

Do I need a car accident lawyer?

You should hire a car accident lawyer if you do not feel comfortable handling your own auto insurance claim. If you have suffered a personal injury in the car accident, it is more likely that you will want to hire a car accident lawyer. As your insurance claim increases in value, so do the chances that the auto insurance company is going to fight to minimize your financial compensation. If you have medical bills over $7,500 or have suffered a severe personal injury in the car accident, it is likely time to hire a car accident lawyer. Our car accident lawyers will handle the communication with the auto insurance company so you can focus on recovering from your personal injuries. Call an experienced car accident lawyer at the Trapani Law Firm anytime for a free consultation.

What is an Allentown Personal Injury?

The legal definition of a Personal Injury claim according to Black’s Law Dictionary is: “…a hurt or damage done to a man’s person, such as a cut or bruise, a broken limb, or the like, as distinguished from an injury to his property or his reputation…” Typically, Allentown personal injury lawsuits are the result of the negligence of another person or entity. Common sources of Allentown personal injury claims include, but are not limited to, the following: Allentown car accidents, slip and fall claims, truck accidents, wrongful death lawsuits, medical malpractice, motorcycle accidents, bus accidents and Allentown pedestrian accidents.

What types of cases are handled by The Trapani Law Firm?

The Trapani Law Firm represents clients with personal injury cases involving automobile and truck accidents, medical malpractice, product liability, premises liability, construction and workplace injuries, spinal cord and brain injury, birth injury, civil rights violations and wrongful death. Contact a personal injury attorney at The Trapani Law Firm for a free consultation by calling (610) 351 – 2330 or contact us.

What will it cost me to meet with an attorney for my personal injury case?

The Trapani Law Firm works on a contingent fee basis, which means we only get paid if and when you are financially compensated. The Trapani Law Firm receives a percentage of the amount recovered. Your initial consultation with us is confidential and completely free of charge. If you or a loved one has been injured, contact a personal injury attorney at The Trapani Law Firm for a free consultation by calling (610) 351 – 2330 or contact us.

Are Personal Injury Settlements Taxable in Pennsylvania?

For the most part, personal injury settlements and verdicts are not taxable under both federal and state law. Common personal injury compensation for damages such as: pain and suffering, lost wages, medical bills, attorney’s fees and emotional distress will not be taxed. Once a personal injury case is settled the client should receive their settlement check in a fairly short amount of time and that check will not be taxable unless it falls into one of the following exceptions: Punitive damages are damages intended to punish a defendant for reckless or especially harmful conduct. These damages are usually awarded in addition to actual damages. Punitive damages are taxable. Your attorney should ask the judge and jury to separate the punitive damages claim from the actual compensatory damages in order to pay taxes on only the punitive portion of your settlement or verdict. Additionally, confidentiality clauses are taxable. Therefore, any personal injury settlement with a confidentiality clause should also have a dollar value listed as consideration for such confidentiality. This dollar amount will be taxable and, therefore, confidentiality clauses should be avoided whenever possible.

What is a Philadelphia Wrongful Death?

The legal definition of a Wrongful Death claim is: “a civil action against someone who can be held liable for a death. Any tortious activity that caused someone’s death may be grounds for a wrongful death action. Under the common law, a claim for wrongful death had to be brought by the decedent’s survivors, usually close relatives only.” Philadelphia wrongful death lawsuits arise from a variety of incidents, including Philadelphia car accidents, medical malpractice, Philadelphia truck accidents, Philadelphia gas explosions, electrocution cases, Philadelphia drowning incidents and more.

How much my case worth?

The worth of your personal injury case will depend on several factors; the severity of your personal injuries, the gravity of negligence assigned to the party that caused your injury (the defendant), and the insurance limits and financial worth of the defendant. A case’s worth is one of the more difficult questions for a personal injury lawyer to answer.

Who can be held liable for a personal injury?

Liability will depend of the individual facts of each injury case. It is important to contact a personal injury attorney to discuss the facts of your case. More than one entity or person may be responsible for your personal injuries. The negligent party can be an automobile driver, a hospital, a tractor-trailer driver, a premises owner, or drug manufacturer.

How long will my personal injury case take?

A personal injury case can settle in a few months without going through litigation or trial, while others can take up to two years to litigate all the way through trial. Each lawsuit is unique, thus it is important to call a personal injury law firm to discuss a precise timetable. Contact a personal injury attorney at The Trapani Law Firm for a free consultation by calling (610) 351 – 2330.