The First Snow of the Season..

While driving into work today we sadly saw many accidents, and heard of many more from friends and family that were traveling as well. With today being the first day we've had a significant amount of winter weather in our area, we feel it's a good time to remind everyone of the importance of safe driving in winter weather conditions.

The weather channel (weather.com) has a great list of tips for driving in winter weather conditions, we listed the general driving points below for your convenience, however for more tips on what to do if you become victim of winter weather, and to see the full list, click here:

1. Decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop. You should allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.
2. Brake gently to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake.
3. Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to other motorists.
4. Keep your lights and windshield clean.
5. Use low gears to keep traction, especially on hills.
6. Don't use cruise control or overdrive on icy roads.
7. Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roads, which will freeze first. Even at temperatures above freezing, if the conditions are wet, you might encounter ice in shady areas or on exposed roadways like bridges.
8. Don't pass snow plows and sanding trucks. The drivers have limited visibility, and you're likely to find the road in front of them worse than the road behind.
9. Don't assume your vehicle can handle all conditions. Even four-wheel and front-wheel drive vehicles can encounter trouble on winter roads.

If you do experience a collision as a result of the weather, please, call us so we can help. Depending on the circumstances of the collision, you or your loved one may be eligible for compensation. A common question most people have after an accident is, do you need an auto accident attorney? This area of law is very complicated; there are exceptions and technicalities that if you do not know the law can cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars. This is why it is imperative you consult with an experienced auto accident attorney at The Pisanchyn Law Firm to guide you through your claim. Visit our website for more useful information about this topic or give us a call! 1-800-444-5309

Please, drive safely!

What is a Catastrophic Injury?

If you’ve been following The Pisanchyn Law Firm lately you’ve probably noticed a large focus on “catastrophic injuries” in many different areas of our outreach. Many people have questioned us on this, the main question being, what is a catastrophic injury?

There are many different definitions and types of catastrophic injuries. In short, a catastrophic injury is an injury that has an immediate and/or long-term impact on a victim’s quality of life. These injuries are extremely painful and affect at least one bodily system, often resulting in permanent disability, life-long medical conditions, and shortened life expectancy.

While all injuries are serious, especially those caused by the negligence of another, catastrophic injuries are classified as the most severe type of injury. They affect not only the victim, but those close to the victim, as the victim will typically need constant care and attention from others for the rest of his or her life.

Catastrophic injuries are caused many different ways, including auto collisions, medical malpractice, work injuries, and even dangerous products or properties. We have made it a priority in our practice to help victims and their families after any injury but we felt it important to reach out to catastrophically injured victims and give them a place to find hope after such a difficult time.

For more information please visit pisanchyn.com. You can also call us anytime for a free consultation at 1-800-444-5309.

There Are Exceptions to Limited Tort, but Don't Rely on These Alone for Protection

5. Along with serious injury, there are other exceptions to limited tort but relying on these exceptions alone to be compensated for your pain and suffering, in most cases, will not help you.

Sometimes even if you have limited tort you can still be considered full tort under the following scenarios:

1. If you have a serious injury.
2. If you were driving or were a passenger in a commercial vehicle.
3. If the person who caused the accident is accepted into the A.R.D. program or convicted of a D.U.I.
4. The person who caused the collision has a license plate from out of state.
5. You were a pedestrian when struck.

The best way to protect yourself in the event of an accident is to have the right amount of insurance coverage. Having an experienced attorney to help you through your claim will also protect you and your loved ones' interests.

The accident attorneys at The Pisanchyn Law Firm are experienced in handling all accident cases including the above mentioned. Please, call us as soon as you are the victim of another driver's negligence for a free consultation so we can help you.

Exceptions are not Guarantees

4. Insurance companies follow strict legal definitions of what serious injury really is, and even though there is a serious injury exception for limited tort, you still may not get compensation for your pain and suffering.

There are a few instances in which you could still make a claim for pain and suffering if you have limited tort on your policy. One of these exceptions is serious injury. There is a strict legal definition of what serious injury is and even though yours or a loved one's injury is severe, it may not qualify for the exception.

Relying on exceptions such as these is never a good idea as it's impossible to know what may happen if you or a loved one are ever in a severe accident. It's best to know that you are protected regardless of the circumstances and having full coverage, including full tort, can give you that peace of mind.

The accident attorneys at The Pisanchyn Law Firm want to be there for you through every step of your claim to help you get the compensation you deserve. Please call us as soon as you are the victim of another driver's negligence.

The Tort Coverage You Choose Could Affect Your Family, Too

3. Whatever option you choose, full tort or limited tort, it could affect your family, too.

If other family members live in your household and do not have an automobile insurance policy, they are considered to have the tort option the person with insurance has elected. For instance, if you have children and they are involved in an automobile accident, they are considered to the have the same tort option that you have.

The accident attorneys at The Pisanchyn Law Firm want to be there for you through every step of your claim to help you get the compensation you deserve. Please call us as soon as you are the victim of another driver's negligence.

Is Limited Tort Really Less Expensive?

2. People choose limited tort on their policy because it saves them a little money right now, but if you get in a bad accident it won’t save you anything; in fact you could cost you thousands.

Limited tort is often pushed by the insurance companies as being more attractive than full tort because it is less expensive; however, what the insurance company doesn’t tell you is that the savings is minimal and if you or a loved one is injured because of someone else’s negligence you have given up your right to make a claim for pain and suffering except under the few exceptions of limited tort.

What a lot of people don’t realize or think of when setting up their policy is an injury could last for quite some time causing many doctor’s visits, procedures, medications, and possibly even cost you your job if the injury prevents you from performing your duties. These expenses add up quickly and are only covered up to the amount you have selected for your wage loss and/or medical expenses. After those coverage expenses are exhausted any remaining bills or wage loss is no longer the responsibility of your insurance company.

In some cases you can make a claim for pain and suffering to cover these unexpected expenses, but in most cases you can only do this if you have full tort on your policy. This is why it is not only a good idea to have full tort on your policy, but also the reason not having full tort can cost you thousands.

The accident attorneys at The Pisanchyn Law Firm want to be there for you through every step of your claim to help you get the compensation you deserve. Please call us as soon as you are the victim of another driver's negligence.

Do You Know the Difference?

1. It’s common for us to ask if you have full tort on your insurance policy and many times people will respond with, “I have full coverage.” Full coverage and full tort are not one in the same.

Normally, full coverage means you have all the state required liability options, as well as collision and comprehensive on your policy. While you do have to pick a tort coverage, full or limited, full tort is not required in Pennsylvania. This means if you have all the required liability options, collision, and comprehensive, but selected limited tort, you can not get compensation for pain and suffering.

What does compensation for pain and suffering mean exactly? Sometimes an injury is severe and will last for many months or even years causing you medical treatment for months or years to come. By choosing full tort you can protect yourself in the event of a long lasting injury that is caused by the negligence of another.

As we've mentioned before it's smart to think of 'what if' scenarios when setting up your insurance policy.

The accident attorneys at The Pisanchyn Law Firm want to be there for you through every step of your claim to help you get the compensation you deserve. Please call us as soon as you are the victim of another driver's negligence. For more information on Auto Insurance and to ensure you and your family truly are, "fully covered," visit our website.