Top-Ranked Erie, Pennsylvania, Blind Spot Car Accident Attorneys

Almost every automobile has a blind spot, the area around the vehicle that cannot be observed by the driver through either the rear-view or side-view mirrors. While most motorists can avoid blind spot accidents by exercising caution when changing lanes or merging onto the highway, blind spot-related collisions still happen with alarming regularity. Anyone could be injured—or worse—in a blind spot-related accident. However, the risks of these collisions are not borne equally. Motorcycle riders, bicyclists, and pedestrians are more likely to sustain serious and potentially life-altering injuries.

After a serious blind spot accident, most Pennsylvania motorists will look to their insurance company for relief. While the Keystone State’s unique no-fault insurance system allows accident victims to recover medical benefits from their insurance company, their recovery could be limited by their coverage limits. In a worst-case scenario, survivors—and their families—could be forced to spend massive amounts of money on both critical care and long-term rehabilitation. However, accident victims do not have to simply bear the burden of residual expenses. If you or a loved one have been injured in an Erie, Pennsylvania, blind spot accident that was not your fault, you could be entitled to significant compensation through a personal injury lawsuit.

The Dietrich Law Firm P.C. is committed to providing unparalleled personal injury service to Erie, Pennsylvania, car crash victims and their loved ones—and we have the results to prove it. Since our founding in 2005, our experienced team of blind spot collision attorneys has helped our clients obtain more than $175 million in damages—money that they have used to pay down their medical debt, seek superior health care, and begin the difficult task of rebuilding their lives after a tragic accident. We understand that making the decision to file a lawsuit is rarely easy, which is why we offer 100% free, no-obligation consultations. Please send us a message online or call us at 814-839-3939 to schedule your no-cost consultation as soon as possible.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Driver’s Manual defines a blind spot as any place around a vehicle that a driver cannot see without moving their head. In general, motorists must move their heads to see any part of the road that is not in any of the following:

1. The driver’s direction of travel;
2. The rear-view mirror; and
3. The side-view mirrors.

While many late-model cars have assisted lane-change technologies that seek to eliminate blind spots, the American Automobile Association has found that many such blind spot monitoring systems have difficulty detecting fast-moving objects and motorcycles. Although these systems could reduce an individual motorist’s accident risk, blind spot monitoring systems must always be overseen and double-checked by a competent human operator. Larger vehicles, including semi-trucks, have much bigger blind spots. Since many 18-wheelers haul trailers between 48 and 53 feet in length, they may not be able to see other automobiles in the following positions:

1. Up to 20 feet ahead of the tractor;
2. Up to 30 feet behind the trailer; and
3. Between 1 and 2 lanes to either side of the vehicle.

While almost every automobile has a blind spot, motorists still have a legal duty to respect the rules of the road and operate their vehicles in a reasonably safe manner. Under most circumstances, a driver who negligently violates another vehicle’s right-of-way will be found liable for the resulting accident, irrespective of whether they checked their blind spot. However, Pennsylvania’s liability laws are not always clear-cut. Even if you have a seemingly open-and-close case, the Keystone State’s comparative negligence laws provide defense attorneys with a convenient argument: if the motorist who caused your accident claims that you were speeding, reckless, or otherwise negligent, your compensation could be reduced by a set percentage corresponding with the court’s finding of shared fault.

Fortunately, you do not have to entrust your recovery to the other motorist’s attorney. The Dietrich Law Firm P.C. knows what it takes to overcome even the most vigorous defense. When we accept a new case, we do our due diligence, collecting and analyzing the evidence needed to show an insurance adjuster, a judge, or a jury that you were not responsible for your Erie, Pennsylvania, accident. Please send us a message online or call us at 814-839-3939 today to schedule your no-cost consultation.

Pennsylvania’s no-fault insurance laws oblige injured motorists to seek compensation from their own automobile insurance carrier. However, if their damages exceed their policy’s coverages, they have a legal right to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault motorist who caused their accident.

A personal injury lawsuit could help claimants recover the following types of damages:

1. Economic Damages: Economic damages, or special damages, are tangible financial losses that typically correspond with a set dollar amount. These damages could include paid medical expenses, physical rehabilitation costs, and lost income from work.
2. Non-Economic Damages: Non-economic damages, or general damages, are intangible losses that do not typically correspond with a set dollar amount. These damages could include emotional pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment, and loss of companionship.

Pennsylvania courts will sometimes award punitive damages, which are intended to punish particularly reckless or negligent wrongdoers. However, punitive damages are only rarely awarded in car accident-related claims. Depending on the circumstances of your Erie, Pennsylvania, blind spot car crash, the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. could help you recover special and general damages for the following:

1. Your paid and anticipated medical expenses;
2. Physical therapy;
3. Counseling;
4. Lost income from work;
5. Lost vacation time and paid time off (PTO);
6. Emotional pain and suffering;
7. Loss of enjoyment;
8. Loss of companionship;
9. Disfigurement; and
10. Wrongful death.

While Pennsylvania does not limit compensation in most blind spot car accident claims, the Keystone State does require that personal injury claims be filed quickly. If you do not take rapid action and contact an experienced Erie, Pennsylvania, accident attorney, you risk running afoul of the state statute of limitations. Once the statute of limitations expires, the court could dismiss your case. Do not lose your chance to ascertain justice. Please call the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. at 814-839-3939 to schedule your free consultation and speak to an attorney about your options for effective legal relief.

Call the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. immediately at 814-839-3939 so that our aggressive, tenacious, and hardworking personal injury lawyers can fight to obtain the best result for your personal injury claim in Erie, Pennsylvania. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there is never a fee until we WIN for you!