Car Accident Lawyers In Pittsburgh

Reaching out to the team of experienced vehicle accident attorneys at Edgar Snyder & Associates isn’t about “having a lawyer.” It’s about receiving the protection injury victims and their families deserve to put their lives back together, whether that means recovering from devastating medical bills, securing future financial needs from day-to-day expenses to college tuition, and securing the basic human right of correcting a terrible wrong, which unfortunately occurs all too often.

In fact, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s most recent Crash Facts & Statistics report, there is an average of 318 reportable traffic crashes that occur in the state each day. Within those reportable crashes, 184 people are injured every day, netting out to an average of eight injuries from automobile wrecks every hour. In 2022 alone, there were 7,610 crashes involving injuries across Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Washington, and Westmoreland counties.

We’ve served thousands of clients involved in such auto accidents throughout the region with unrivaled results. The biggest thing you can expect from our first meeting is to have a friendly and compassionate conversation. You’re not a legal expert, and we don’t expect you to be. So, any question you have is a good one. During our discussion, we’ll seek to understand your case as clearly as possible. That means asking questions. If you don’t have all the answers, that’s OK. This is a traumatic time in your life. But the more you can tell us, the better we can know the position you’re in.

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We Can Help You Recover the Damages You Deserve

Injuries suffered in a car crash can wreak havoc on your life. Between hospitalization and the potential loss of income during your recovery period, the financial strain you might incur following an auto accident can feel like an impossible challenge.

This is where Edgar Snyder & Associates’ Pittsburgh-based attorneys who specializing in auto accidents can help. We will fight for you in pursuing compensation from either the insurance provider or the responsible party accountable for the accident. Securing the peace of mind that arises from holding the at-fault party liable for your injuries.

What Are Damages?

In the legal sense, damages refer to payments given to an individual for a loss they suffered because of an accident. Although there are multiple categories of damages, our focus lies in two main types: compensatory and punitive damages.

Compensatory Damages

Compensatory damages aim to fairly compensate the injured party for the losses they have endured due to another party’s negligence or wrongful actions in causing the auto accident. They aim to "make the injured party whole" by covering various economic and non-economic losses car crash victims may incur. Compensatory damages in auto accidents may include:

1. Medical expenses- This covers the costs associated with medical treatment, including hospital bills, surgery, medication, rehabilitation, therapy, and any necessary medical equipment as well as medical treatment that may be necessary ib the future.
2. Lost wages- Compensation for income lost due to inability to work due to the accident, including missed workdays, reduced earning capacity, and potential future lost earnings if the injuries result in long-term disability.
3. Property damage- Reimbursement for repairing or replacing damaged property, such as the vehicle involved in the accident and any personal belongings damaged in the collision.
4. Pain and suffering- Non-economic damages intended to compensate for physical pain, emotional distress, and mental anguish experienced as a result of the accident and subsequent injuries.
5. Loss of consortium- Compensation for the loss of companionship, care, and support experienced by a spouse or family member of the injured party due to their injuries.
6. Loss of enjoyment of life- Compensation for the diminished quality of life resulting from the accident-related injuries, including the inability to participate in activities and hobbies enjoyed before the accident.

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages, also known as exemplary damages, are awarded in addition to compensatory damages and are meant to punish defendants whose conduct is considered egregious, grossly negligent, malicious, or intentional. While punitive damages are more rare than compensatory damages, some common scenarios in which punitive damages from car accident cases might be considered include:

1. Drunk Driving- Punitive damages may be awarded if the at-fault driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the accident. Driving while intoxicated demonstrates a reckless disregard for the safety of others and may warrant punitive damages to deter similar behavior.
2. Reckless Driving- Punitive damages may be considered if the at-fault driver was engaging in reckless behavior, such as excessive speeding, aggressive driving, or street racing. Reckless driving demonstrates a conscious disregard for the safety of others and may justify punitive damages.
3. Intentional Acts- Punitive damages may be appropriate if the at-fault driver intentionally caused the accident or engaged in deliberate misconduct, such as deliberately hitting another vehicle or causing a collision out of anger or road rage.
4. Manufacturer Negligence- In some cases, punitive damages may be awarded against car manufacturers or companies responsible for defective vehicle components if it can be shown that they acted recklessly or intentionally when they knew the level of danger involved in designing, manufacturing, or distributing the faulty parts, leading to the accident.

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