Auto insurance coverage limits and the handling of claims if someone gets hurt or has a vehicle that sustains damage in a crash varies from state to state. Here in Pennsylvania, we’re only one of a dozen no-fault accident states. Every other state follows an at-fault system as far as filing claims for damages is concerned.

If this at-fault and no-fault language sounds confusing, do not despair. We’ll explain what the no-fault doctrine applicable in Pennsylvania means to you if you’ve been hurt or if your vehicle has been damaged in an auto accident below.

Each day, motorists take to Philadelphia’s busy streets with a sense of worry about different types of accidents they may have the misfortune of becoming involved in. One such crash is a lane-change accident.

While new technology that comes equipped on many newer vehicles nowadays has put a dent in the incidence rate of these lane-change crashes, also known as sideswipe accidents, not all cars have this software. Even in some situations where they do, drivers don’t always pay as close attention to it as they should because they are prone to distractions.

You weren’t driving the car when the accident happened. Maybe you were riding in the front passenger seat or somewhere in the back, and now you’re dealing with the aftermath of a crash that you played no role in. So what are your rights in this situation? Can a passenger claim compensation in a car accident?

The easy answer to this question is “Yes.” Under the right circumstances, a passenger who was injured in a crash has the right to claim compensation. The more complicated answer, however, is “Maybe.” Let’s explore the situations in which a passenger is entitled to compensation and when they may be unable to do so.

You were on your way home one night when a drunk driver swerved into your lane and crashed into your vehicle. In that split second, your life changed completely.

The next few months were a blur of medical treatments, doctor’s visits, and rehabilitative care. After some time, you were able to regain some of your mobility and begin physical therapy. You were out of work for months, and you’re not sure if you’ll ever be able to return to your old position. Your vehicle was totaled in the wreck, leaving your family to get by on a rental car before you had the time, ability, or finances to look for a new vehicle.

Before you knew it, a year had passed. In the back of your mind, you knew that there was a way to hold the drunk driver accountable for the pain and suffering they caused you. You knew it wasn’t right for their misconduct to leave you in debt.

When you are injured in a car accident due to the negligent or reckless actions of another driver, you deserve to be fully and fairly compensated for your damages. In a car accident claim, damages refer to the financial and non-financial losses you have suffered, including lost wages, medical bills, mental anguish, and more.

To secure this compensation, you will need to file a car accident claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. During this process, you will speak with an insurance claims adjuster. This is the person responsible for investigating the claim on behalf of the insurance company and determining how much you are owed. However, we advise that you exercise caution whenever speaking with an insurance adjuster.

Shrager & Sachs’ own managing partner Robert L. Sachs, Jr. recently made a poignant observation about a critical issue impacting our neighborhoods, city, and nation as a whole:

“Almost every day when I am driving, I see someone make an illegal, bad, and dangerous choice on the roads. It has become routine to see people running traffic lights, running stop signs, and swerving across the double yellow line to overtake traffic on busy secondary streets. This needs to stop. And those who engage in such behaviors must be held fully accountable for their negligence when they injure innocent victims on our roadways.”

Many of us have similar stories to share about the reckless behaviors we’ve observed with increasing frequency over the years since the pandemic’s onset—and studies conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that the evidence isn’t strictly anecdotal.

Almost every motorist has found themselves, at one time or another, driving down the road, minding their business, when they suddenly encounter another driver in an adjacent lane wanting to merge in front of them. 

It can be stressful not knowing how to handle the situation. You may wonder if you should slow down, change lanes yourself, or something else. A motorist looking to change lanes is also likely a bit tense, wondering if they have enough time and space to merge in safely. Situations like these may cause drivers to do something unsafe, including cutting off a fellow motorist or making an unsafe lane change.

Motor vehicle accidents can happen in the blink of an eye. Before you even fully realize what is going on, the entire ordeal might already be over. However, everything can change in that short period of time. Your vehicle might be seriously or even irreparably damaged, and you might have suffered debilitating injuries that limit your daily life and leave you with hefty medical bills.

After months of cold temperatures, snow, and ice, the resurgence of warm weather in spring often comes as a relief. This season is marked by wildflowers and greenery, as well as more and more sightings of Pennsylvania’s wide array of wildlife.

All these signs of spring can be a welcoming indication that the long winter months are soon to be far behind. Longer days with more hours of sunlight are not necessarily a guarantee that you will be safer behind the wheel, though. While driving is certainly safer during daylight hours, as wildlife becomes more active, they can create additional daytime driving hazards.

If you’re worried about spring wildlife collisions, Shrager & Sachs has compiled their best tips for avoiding crashes when there are animals on the road.

Allergies can range from a minor annoyance to a major inconvenience. The most common allergy symptoms can also be easily confused for those associated with the common cold, which may leave some allergy-sufferers unsure of what is really going on inside their bodies.