Springfield Personal Injury
Lawyer

Why Choose Us? 

Isurance companies focus on their profits, not paying accident victims what they deserve. TopDog Law is founded on the belief that everyone injured by the negligence of another person or party should receive fair compensation. The attorneys in our network fight for maximum compensation for their clients in their greatest time of need.

When you hire a lawyer from TopDog Law’s network, you get the peace of mind of knowing an experienced attorney will handle all the legal aspects of your injury claim so you can focus on your recovery. Call us today for a free consultation and case evaluation. 

What Is a Personal Injury Lawyer?

A personal injury lawyer is a legal professional representing individuals injured physically or psychologically by someone else’s negligence, intentional actions, or strict liability.
A personal injury lawyer advocates for their client and seeks compensation for their damages. They handle all aspects of the legal process, including investigating the incident, gathering evidence, negotiating with insurance companies, filing legal documents, and representing clients in court if the insurer refuses to settle fairly.

Personal Injury Cases We Handle

The attorneys in TopDog Law’s network handle many personal injury cases in Springfield, including: 

• Car accidents
• Bicycle accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Truck accidents
• Wrongful death
• Medical malpractice
• Slip and fall incidents
• Premises liability cases
• Sexual abuse 
• Dog bite injuries
• Nursing home injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Birth injuries

Accidents caused by the negligent actions of another person or party often result in serious injuries. Don’t fight the insurance company on your own. Contact TopDog Law today, and let’s discuss your personal injury case. 

What Is My Personal Injury Claim Worth?

A personal injury lawyer determines the worth of a claim by evaluating several factors related to the case. While the exact methods and calculations can vary, here are some common considerations:

Damages and losses

Your lawyer will assess your economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages typically include medical expenses, property damage, lost income, and other tangible financial losses. Non-economic damages refer to intangible losses like pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium. Your lawyer will gather evidence and documentation to quantify these damages.

Medical records and expert opinions

The severity and long-term impact of your injuries help determine the value of your claim. Your lawyer will review your medical records, consult medical professionals, and may seek expert opinions to understand the extent of your injuries, necessary treatments, and long-term effects.

Comparative negligence

If you bear any percentage of fault for the accident or injury, the court may reduce your compensation. Your lawyer will evaluate your liability and consider the applicable laws of comparative negligence in your jurisdiction.

Precedents and legal experience

Personal injury lawyers rely on our experience handling similar cases and knowledge of prior court verdicts and settlements. They consider how much compensation similar cases recovered to guide their assessment of your claim’s worth.

Insurance coverage

The insurance policies involved in your case, particularly the policy limits of the at-fault party or your own insurance coverage, can affect your compensation. Your lawyer will review the insurance policies to determine the available coverage.

Negotiation and litigation strategy

Based on their assessment of your case, your lawyer will develop a negotiation or litigation strategy. They will consider the strength of the evidence, potential defenses from the opposing party, and the likelihood of success in court to determine the value they will seek during negotiations or trial.

What Damages Can Personal Injury Victims Recover?  

Personal injury victims recover damages, including:  

Economic Damages

These tangible financial losses include medical expenses (past and future), property damage, lost income, loss of earning capacity, rehabilitation costs, and any other out-of-pocket expenses directly related to the injury.

Non-Economic Damages

These subjective damages compensate for intangible losses. They may include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of consortium, and disfigurement.

Proving Negligence in a Personal Injury Case

To recover compensation in a personal injury case, your lawyer must show that another person caused the accident that harmed you by establishing four elements of negligence: 

Duty of Care

Your attorney must show that the other person owed a duty of care to you. For example, drivers must drive safely to protect others from harm. 

Breach of Duty

Breach of duty refers to the failure of a person to fulfill their legal or moral obligations not to harm another party. For example, if someone drives recklessly, they put others at risk.  

Causation

Causation is when a person’s breach of duty injures you. If a speeding driver crashes into your vehicle and injures you, your lawyer establishes the element of cause. 

Damages

Damages are the personal or financial losses you incur due to your injuries. Damages may include medical expenses, lost earnings, and pain and suffering. 

What if I’m Partially to Blame for the Accident? 

Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence rule. Comparative negligence allocates fault and determines the degree of liability in personal injury cases where both the plaintiff (injured party) and the defendant (wrongdoer) share some degree of responsibility for the accident or harm that occurred. It recognizes that multiple parties may contribute to an incident and holds them accountable accordingly.

Under comparative negligence, the court or jury assigns a percentage of responsibility to each party based on the specific circumstances of the case and the evidence presented.

The modified comparative negligence rule in Pennsylvania applies a threshold or bar of 51 percent, beyond which the plaintiff cannot recover damages. If the plaintiff’s degree of fault exceeds the threshold, they cannot recover any damages. If the plaintiff’s fault falls below the threshold, their compensation decreases by their percentage of fault.

Personal injury lawyers can fight an insurance company that tries to blame you for an accident you did not cause. If you did contribute to an accident, they can ensure you don’t take any more liability than you deserve. Even small percentages of wrongful fault can cost you thousands of dollars.

How Can a Lawyer Help Me With a Personal Injury Claim?

A lawyer can play a crucial role in helping you with a personal injury claim in several ways. Here are some ways in which a personal injury attorney from TopDog Law’s network can assist you.

Legal Advice and Guidance

A personal injury lawyer can provide expert legal advice tailored to your specific situation. They can explain your rights, evaluate the strength of your case, and guide you through the legal process.

Investigation and Gathering Evidence

Lawyers have the resources and experience to thoroughly investigate the incident that injured you. They can gather accident reports, medical records, witness statements, photographs, and other relevant evidence supporting your claim.

Establishing Liability

Attorneys can establish liability for the accident or injury by analyzing the evidence, consulting experts if necessary, and applying legal principles to build a strong case against the responsible party.

Calculating Damages

Personal injury lawyers have the knowledge and experience to accurately assess your damages. They can evaluate medical expenses, lost income, property damage, pain and suffering, and other factors to determine the appropriate compensation you should seek.

Negotiating with Insurance Companies

Your attorney can protect your rights by handling complex and challenging communications with insurance adjusters on your behalf. They can negotiate a fair settlement that adequately compensates you for your injuries and losses.

Litigation and Representation

If the insurance company refuses to accept a fair settlement through negotiations, your personal injury lawyer can file a lawsuit on your behalf and represent you in court. They can present your case, examine witnesses, cross-examine the opposing party’s witnesses, and obtain the best possible outcome.

Legal Strategy and Advocacy

Your lawyer will develop a legal strategy tailored to your case’s unique circumstances. They will use their knowledge of the law, experience, and advocacy skills to build a persuasive argument in your favor.

Peace of Mind

Hiring a lawyer allows you to focus on your recovery while knowing that a legal professional is handling the complexities of your case. This can provide you with peace of mind during a challenging time.

Is There a Deadline for Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Pennsylvania?

Plaintiffs must file personal injury lawsuits within Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations, which is three years from the injury. For wrongful death claims, the deadline is two years from the accident victim’s death. For medical malpractice claims, the statute of limitations is two years from the injury. 

Time is precious when it comes to filing personal injury lawsuits. Contact TopDog Law today, and we’ll connect you with a local attorney to begin working on your case right away. 

Contact a Springfield Personal Injury Lawyer Today

If you or a loved one suffered injuries in an accident, you don’t need the added stress of dealing with the insurance company. Let the Springfield personal injury lawyers in TopDog Law’s network handle all the legal aspects of your case. They will fight for the full compensation you need and deserve.

Contact us today and share your story. Our consultation is entirely free. You pay nothing for your attorney to handle your case, and they only accept attorney fees if they recover compensation for you. Visit us online or call (888) 778-1197 and let us help you find the quality, effective legal representation you need.