Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyer
Personal Injury: Vehicle Accidents
Motor vehicle accidents are among the most common causes of serious injury and death in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Whether you were rear-ended on I-95, struck at a busy intersection, or hit by a distracted driver on a local road, the legal process that follows can be overwhelming. At Capek Law P.C., we personally navigate our injured clients through every aspect of their accident claim — so they can focus on their recovery, while we focus on obtaining the justice and financial compensation our clients deserve.
Capek Law P.C. is a Philadelphia car accident lawyer for every kind of collision. If a tractor-trailer or delivery van caused your crash, you need a Philadelphia truck accident lawyer who understands federal trucking regulations and commercial insurance. If you were hurt on a bike, you need a Philadelphia motorcycle accident lawyer who knows how to push back on the bias riders face. And when a crash takes the life of someone you love, we serve as a Philadelphia wrongful death lawyer, helping families pursue accountability and compensation.
Pennsylvania Auto Law, Explained
Pennsylvania operates under a “choice no-fault” auto insurance system. When you register a vehicle, you choose between limited tort and full tort coverage — a decision that affects your right to sue for pain and suffering after an accident.
Under Pennsylvania’s Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Law (MVFRL), all drivers must carry minimum liability coverage. When another driver causes a crash, their insurance is responsible for your injuries and losses. But in serious accidents, multiple insurance policies and potentially multiple parties may come into play.
Our attorneys understand the complete insurance landscape — PIP benefits, liability coverage, underinsured motorist (UIM) protection, and third-party liability — and we know how to pursue every dollar our clients are entitled to.
1,179
vehicle accidents reported every day across Pennsylvania
68%
of fatal crashes in Pennsylvania occur on rural roads
2 Years
to file a vehicle accident lawsuit in Pennsylvania
Types of Vehicle Accidents We Handle
Rear-End Collisions
One of the most common crash types in Pennsylvania. When a driver fails to brake in time, they are typically liable for whiplash, spinal injuries, and all resulting losses.
T-Bone & Intersection Crashes
Side-impact collisions often cause severe chest, hip, and head injuries. We investigate signal timing, right-of-way violations, and every driver’s actions at the moment of impact.
Highway & High-Speed Accidents
High-speed crashes on I-95, I-76, and the Pennsylvania Turnpike can be catastrophic. We handle multi-vehicle pileups and rollover accidents on Pennsylvania’s busiest roads.
Distracted Driving Crashes
Texting, GPS use, and eating behind the wheel are leading causes of accidents. We obtain phone records and other evidence to prove a driver’s inattention caused your injuries.
Drunk & Impaired Driving
DUI accidents often result in serious or fatal injuries. Pennsylvania law allows victims to seek significant damages from impaired drivers and, in some cases, those who served them alcohol.
Truck & Commercial Vehicle Accidents
18-wheelers and delivery vehicles cause disproportionate injury. We investigate driver logs, company safety policies, and vehicle maintenance records to hold carriers accountable.
Rideshare Accidents (Uber & Lyft)
Rideshare crashes involve overlapping insurance policies and company liability rules. We cut through the complexity to identify every source of compensation available to you.
Hit-and-Run Accidents
When a driver flees the scene, Pennsylvania’s uninsured motorist coverage can protect you. We help you navigate your own policy and identify the at-fault driver when possible.
Common Injuries From Vehicle Collisions
Vehicle collisions can cause life-altering injuries that affect every part of your daily life. The injuries most commonly seen in our vehicle accident cases include:
Traumatic brain injuriesConcussions, skull fractures, and lasting cognitive damage caused by violent impact.
Spinal cord injuriesHerniated discs, vertebral fractures, and partial or complete paralysis from high-force collisions.
Broken bonesShattered wrists, ribs, legs, and hips — often requiring surgery, metal hardware, and extended rehabilitation.
Internal injuriesOrgan damage and internal bleeding that may not show symptoms right away but can become life-threatening.
Whiplash & soft tissue injuriesNeck, back, and shoulder injuries that can cause months of pain, limited mobility, and missed work.
Facial & scarring injuriesAirbag burns, lacerations, and permanent disfigurement from broken glass and vehicle debris.
AmputationLoss of a limb or digit from crushing force or severe trauma in high-speed vehicle crashes.
Emotional traumaPTSD, anxiety, and depression following a severe or fatal vehicle collision — recognized as compensable injuries in Pennsylvania.
Who Can Be Liable for Your Accident?
The at-fault driver carries primary liability, but Pennsylvania law allows us to pursue every responsible party:
- Other drivers who acted negligently, recklessly, or while impaired
- Employers whose employees caused the crash while on duty (respondeat superior)
- Vehicle manufacturers when defective brakes, tires, or airbags contributed to the crash
- Government entities responsible for dangerous road design or faulty traffic signals
- Bars or social hosts who overserved an intoxicated driver (Pennsylvania Dram Shop Act)
Compensation You May Recover
A pedestrian injury claim can include:
| Category | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Medical expenses | Emergency care, surgery, hospital stays, therapy, medication, and future treatment |
| Lost income | Wages missed while recovering, and reduced earning ability if you can’t return to the same work |
| Pain and suffering | Physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life |
| Disfigurement | Scarring and permanent physical changes |
| Home care & modifications | In-home help, mobility equipment, and accessibility changes |
| Property damage | Phones, glasses, mobility devices, and other personal items |
| Wrongful death damages | Funeral costs, lost financial support, and loss of companionship for families |
| Punitive damages | In rare cases of outrageous conduct, such as extreme drunk driving |
What if I was partly at fault? Pennsylvania follows modified comparative negligence. You can still recover as long as you were not more at fault than the driver (50% or less). Your award is reduced by your share of fault. Insurers often blame pedestrians for jaywalking, dark clothing, or phone use to shrink a claim. We push back with video, witness statements, and crash reconstruction.
Deadlines That Can End Your Claim
| Claim | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania injury lawsuit | 2 years from the accident | 42 Pa.C.S. § 5524 |
| Pennsylvania wrongful death | 2 years from the date of death | Brought by the estate or family |
| Claim against the City, a township, SEPTA, or the Commonwealth | Written notice within 6 months | 42 Pa.C.S. § 5522; damages can also be capped |
| Injured child (Pennsylvania) | 2 years after turning 18 | The parents’ own claims for medical bills follow the normal deadline |
| New Jersey injury lawsuit | 2 years | Claims against NJ public entities need notice within 90 days |
| Delaware injury lawsuit | 2 years | — |
Don’t let evidence disappear. Business security footage is often recorded over within days. Vehicle data, witness memories, and skid marks fade fast. The sooner we start, the more evidence we can preserve.
Tri-state cases. Many pedestrians are hit in one state by a driver insured in another. New Jersey and Delaware have their own insurance and fault rules, and the right state for your claim can change its value. Capek Law handles pedestrian cases across PA, NJ, and DE.
After a Vehicle Accident
- ✓Call 911 and get medical care right away — even if you feel okay.
- ✓Ask for a police report and write down the report number.
- ✓Photograph the scene, the vehicle, its license plate, your injuries, and any traffic signals or crosswalks.
- ✓Get the names and phone numbers of witnesses.
- ✓Note nearby businesses or homes that may have security cameras.
- ✓Keep every medical record, bill, and receipt, and track missed work.
- ✓Contact a lawyer before you speak with any insurance company.
- ✗Apologizing or guessing about fault at the scene.
- ✗Giving a recorded statement to the driver's insurer.
- ✗Signing medical releases or accepting a quick settlement offer.
- ✗Posting about the accident or your injuries on social media.
How a Vehicle Accident Injury Claim Moves
- 01Step 1
Free consultation
We review what happened and explain your options, at no cost.
- 02Step 2
Investigation
We gather police reports, video, witness statements, and medical records.
- 03Step 3
Insurance claims
We open your first-party benefits claim as well as open a claim with every liable insurer.
- 04Step 4
Property damage
We work diligently to ensure the insurance company efficiently repairs your vehicle or provides you fair market value if the vehicle is a total loss.
- 05Step 5
Treatment & documentation
You focus on recovery while we track the full cost of your injuries.
- 06Step 6
Demand & negotiation
We present a comprehensive demand package outlining your medical treatment and injuries, and negotiate for the maximum possible settlement for your case.
- 07Step 7
Lawsuit & trial
If the insurer won’t pay what’s fair, we file suit and prepare to take your case to a jury.
Why Capek Law?
Insurance companies have adjusters and lawyers working to pay you as little as possible from day one. You deserve the same level of advocacy on your side.
- Client-First Advocacy — Your recovery comes first. We handle the insurers, the paperwork, and the deadlines so you can focus on healing.
- Clear Communication — You’ll always know where your claim stands and what comes next, with direct access to your attorney.
- Trial-Ready Preparation — Insurers offer more to clients whose lawyers are ready to go to court. We build every case that way.
The information on this page is for general educational purposes and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Deadlines and insurance rules described reflect Pennsylvania law as of October 2026 and may change. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different — contact an attorney about your specific situation.