Personal Injury FAQ

Personal injury is the name given to the branch of tort law that covers any wrong or damage done to another’s person, property, rights, or reputation. A personal injury can happen at work, in a traffic accident, because of a faulty product or a faulty repair, because of a mistake during medical treatment, or because you slipped and fell on a wet floor or pavement due to another’s negligence.

Personal injuries can also be any injury resulting from libel, slander, malicious prosecution, or false arrest, any bodily injury, sickness, disease, or death caused by an occurrence for which the state or anyone else may be held liable. The personal injury can be physical or psychological, but, to be considered actionable, it must occur due to the negligence or unreasonably unsafe actions of your employer, a manufacturer, your doctor, your landlord, or some other person or organization who owes you a duty of care.

Our injury-related practice areas include auto accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle and pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, slip and fall, Workers’ Compensation, and Social Security Disability, just to name a few.

On average, 11,200 disabling accidental injuries take place every hour each year. Falls are the most common accidents at construction sites. Each year, nearly 11,000 Americans suffer a traumatic spinal cord injury. Many of them suffer from permanent disabilities.

Personal injury claims must be brought within a specific period of time after the accident, after which they become “statute barred: and will not succeed. The length of this strict time limit varies from state to state but is shorter than in most other types of cases and is usually 2 years.

It is very important that you see an attorney soon after your accident, rather than waiting until just before the expiration of the statute of limitations. If there is insufficient time left before the statute of limitations expires, an attorney may conclude that they will be unable to undertake the necessary pre-filing work in time and refuse to take your case.

You or a family member can be a victim of an auto, truck, or bus accident. These events occur unexpectedly. The person who caused the accident should be held responsible.

We are honored to represent injured victims. In today’s world, insurance companies have worked hard to demonize victims of accidents. We see it as our job to combat this stigma and maximize your recovery. If you have been injured, you are entitled to recover under the laws of Pennsylvania. We work on accident cases every day. We find that a more informed client makes a better witness for him or herself.

We understand that this may be your first lawsuit and that the process can seem daunting. We make it a top priority to keep you regularly updated on your lawsuit and to inform you of the upcoming steps, even if the accident is the other driver’s fault. We find that a more informed client makes a better witness for him or herself.

We strongly encourage our clients not to speak to the insurance company on the other side. The insurance company does not have your best interests in mind. It is their job to build a case against you, and that starts with their first communication with you. Please call us before speaking with the insurance company.

Your automobile insurance policy is an important document even if the accident is the other driver’s fault. You should always choose full tort to ensure that you can bring a lawsuit if you are injured. If you have any questions about choosing full tort, please call us.

Not all drivers carry adequate insurance coverage or insurance coverage at all. You can purchase uninsured/underinsured coverage that would provide a source of recovery if the responsible party is not insured or does not have sufficient coverage to fully compensate you for your injury.

If you were hurt at work, you may be eligible for what is called Workers’ Compensation. Workers’ Compensation claims are also handled by personal injury attorneys. The purpose of Workers’ Compensation is to provide assistance when a worker is harmed (including a worsened preexisting condition) that arises in the scope of employment. This means that anyone is injured while working or through work-related matters. If payments from Workers’ Compensation run out and you still need financial help, contact our personal injury attorneys for options.

The Law Office of Shabbick & Stehle has provided compassionate and competent legal representation for persons and families suffering serious injury or death due to the negligence of another person. We are committed to serving our clients with integrity, honesty, professionalism, and understanding. Each client is treated with dignity and respect, regardless of personal circumstances.

We use a “team approach” so that we can aggressively and effectively represent each of our clients from the beginning of the case to its conclusion. We are proud of our well-qualified attorneys, legal assistants, and legal support staff. Each member of our team has specific training and experience to support the management of your case.