Top Personal Injury Lawyers Serving the Lehigh Valley and Pennsylvania

Personal injury (PI) refers to any harm caused to a person due to someone else's negligent or intentional actions. A common example is a car accident where a driver runs a red light and crashes into another vehicle, causing injuries to the other driver or passengers. In this case, the injured party may have a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver.

Other examples of personal injury cases can include:

Slip and Fall Accidents: If a grocery store fails to clean up a spill and a customer slips and breaks their wrist, the customer may have a claim against the store.

Workplace Injuries: If an employer fails to follow safety regulations and an employee gets hurt, they may have a personal injury case outside of workers’ compensation.

Dog Bites: If a dog owner fails to properly restrain their pet and it attacks someone, the victim could recover damages.

If you’ve suffered an injury because of someone else’s actions, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Personal injury lawyers can examine your case and help you determine the compensation you may pursue.

A personal injury claim is a legal process that allows an injured person to seek compensation from the person or entity responsible for their injury. The first step in filing a claim is to seek medical attention — your health comes first.

Even if you don’t think you’re seriously injured, it’s important to see a doctor. Some injuries, like concussions, other brain injuries, and soft tissue damage, might not be immediately obvious.

Next, consult a personal injury attorney. A truck accident lawyer can help determine if you have a strong case and guide you through the process. Most personal injury attorneys offer free consultations to discuss the next steps and payment structures.

Your attorney can also gather medical records, accident reports, witness statements, and any other evidence to build your case. If you don’t have these documents, don’t worry — your lawyer will likely give you advice on how to obtain them.

The next step is to file an insurance claim. In many cases, personal injury claims begin with an insurance company. Your lawyer can negotiate with the insurer to try to reach a fair settlement. However, this can be difficult, as insurance companies generally try to avoid paying settlements.

If the insurance company offers a fair amount, you can accept the settlement and avoid a lawsuit. However, if the offer is too low, your attorney may advise filing a lawsuit for a number that more accurately reflects the damage done.

If this happens, the case may go to trial. However, many cases settle before reaching this stage, as insurance companies typically prefer to avoid the costs associated with a trial.

The goal of a personal injury claim is to recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. A Pennsylvania personal injury lawyer can help you fight for the maximum amount.

A personal injury lawyer represents individuals who have been injured due to someone else’s negligence. The accident attorney helps them seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. From the start, an auto injury attorney investigates the case by gathering evidence, reviewing medical records, and speaking with witnesses.

They typically handle all communications with insurance companies, making sure their clients don’t accept lowball settlements. If negotiations fail, they can file lawsuits and represent clients in court.

Personal injury lawyers in Pennsylvania also work with medical experts, accident reconstruction professionals, and financial analysts to strengthen their claims. Their goal is to maximize compensation while guiding clients through the complex legal process and offering legal (and often emotional) support every step of the way. This compensation can help injury victims focus on recovery instead of legal battles.

Personal injury lawyers handle cases that involve accidents and injuries caused by negligence. Some cases they may take on include car, truck, and motorcycle accidents. They also represent clients in slip-and-fall accidents, workplace injuries, and other premises liability cases.

A catastrophic injury lawyer may also handle product liability cases involving defective products that cause harm, as well as wrongful death claims for families who have lost a loved one due to negligence. Other areas include dog bites, nursing home abuse, and construction site accidents.

No matter what type of case they’re working on, a personal injury lawyer’s job is to prove fault and negotiate settlements or take cases to trial. Their knowledge helps victims receive the compensation they deserve.

If you decide to change attorneys, first review your contract to understand your financial obligations. A personal injury lawyer can take over your case and work with your previous lawyer to transfer files and case details smoothly.

Switching lawyers won’t necessarily negatively impact your case, but it’s important to choose a replacement who is experienced and responsive. If you feel your current attorney isn’t advocating for your best interests, finding a lawyer who better meets your needs can make a significant difference in the outcome of your claim.

Of course, the best course of action is to find the best lawyer from the start. When you’re choosing a lawyer to represent your case, you don’t have to go with the first one you meet.

Instead, take the time to schedule a free consultation, read online reviews of their practice, and look up their track record of settlements and verdicts. Most importantly, make sure your lawyer has had experience with cases similar to yours so that they can present your claim as strongly as possible.

Before hiring a personal injury lawyer, make sure they’re a good fit for your case. To find out, it’s a good idea to schedule a free consultation and come prepared with questions.

“What is your experience in this field?” Understanding their background can help you make sure they have the knowledge to handle your case effectively.

“Have you handled matters like mine?” Personal injury cases vary — hiring a lawyer with experience in similar claims can make a big difference.

“What are the possible outcomes of my case, and what are my alternatives in resolving the matter?” A good PI lawyer can explain potential results, including settlement options and trial possibilities, so you can make informed decisions about how to proceed.

Special damages are measurable and based on actual expenses or income lost due to the injury. This contrasts with general damages, which can be harder to define since they may not have a clear value.

Examples of special damages include:

Medical Expenses: This includes hospital bills, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and any future medical treatment related to the injury.

Lost Wages: If your injury prevents you from working, you can recover compensation for the income you lost. If your injury affects your ability to work in the future, you may also receive damages for lost earning capacity.

Other Out-of-Pocket Expenses: If your injury forces you to hire help for household chores, use special transportation, or make modifications to your home (such as wheelchair ramps), those costs can also be included.

Because special damages are based on concrete financial losses, keeping detailed records of your expenses can be key. Medical bills, pay stubs, repair estimates, and receipts all help prove the extent of your losses. If you're pursuing a personal injury claim, working with a personal injury lawyer can help ensure you recover the full amount of your economic damages.

Noneconomic damages refer to compensation for losses that don’t have a direct financial cost but still have a significant impact on a person’s life. These damages are more subjective and harder to calculate than economic damages, which cover medical bills and lost wages.

In Pennsylvania, noneconomic damages may include:

Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical pain and discomfort caused by the injury.

Emotional Distress: Anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other mental health struggles resulting from the accident.

Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If the injury prevents you from participating in activities you once loved, such as hobbies or sports.

Loss of Companionship or Consortium: If the injury negatively impacts your relationships with your spouse or family.

Since noneconomic damages don’t have a clear dollar amount, they are usually determined based on the severity of the injury and its impact on the victim’s daily life. Some insurance companies and courts use multipliers (for example, multiplying economic damages by a number between 1.5 and 5) to estimate pain and suffering; however, such multipliers are no longer the majority approach.

Pennsylvania does not have a cap on noneconomic damages in most personal injury cases, except in certain cases, such as lawsuits against the government. A first-rate personal injury lawyer can help you decide whether to pursue these types of damages and, if so, how much to request.

There is no minimum severity required to file a personal injury claim. However, the strength of your case depends on whether you can prove that someone else’s negligence caused your injury and that you suffered damages (financial or otherwise) as a result.

Generally, an injury may justify a claim if you need medical treatment. Even minor injuries can lead to significant medical bills, especially if you need to go to the hospital for them to be addressed.

An individual may also have a claim if they have to miss work due to the injury. Even something as simple as a broken finger can drastically affect a person’s life and earning potential, depending on their job and the duties they’re expected to perform.

Ongoing pain, emotional distress, or a reduced quality of life can also strengthen a claim. This could be true for injuries such as whiplash, back pain, or traumatic brain injuries.

Finally, if you suffered permanent or long-term effects, such as scarring or disability, then you might be able to file a claim. These effects typically indicate a severe injury, which can help strengthen your case.

Even if your injury seems minor at first, it’s still worth consulting a personal injury attorney. Some injuries, like concussions or soft tissue damage, may worsen over time. Additionally, insurance companies may try to downplay an injury to avoid paying compensation, so it’s important to get a professional opinion before dropping your case.

If your injury resulted from someone else’s actions — whether a car accident, a slip and fall, or another incident — it’s always a good idea to seek legal advice. A personal injury lawyer can help you determine whether pursuing a claim is in your best interest.

In Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is two years from the date of the injury. This means you typically have two years to file a lawsuit against the responsible party. If you miss this deadline, you may lose your right to seek compensation.

However, there are exceptions that can affect this time limit:

Minors: If the injured person is under 18, the statute of limitations usually doesn’t start until they turn 18, meaning they could have until their 20th birthday to file a claim.

Discovery Rule: In some cases, the clock doesn’t start ticking until the injury is discovered (or reasonably should have been discovered).

Claims Against the Government: If you are filing a claim against a government entity (such as after a fall on public property), you may have as little as six months to provide notice of your claim.

Sexual Assault: If the sexual assault employed the use of forcible coercion, the statute of limitations may be extended until the victim's 55th birthday.

Wrongful Death: The statute of limitations starts after the death. So, if a motorcycle accident results in a fatality weeks after the initial crash, the clock would begin on the death date.

Even though two years might seem like plenty of time, it’s best to act quickly. Evidence can disappear, witnesses’ memories fade, and insurance companies may delay negotiations until the statute of limitations has expired. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible can help ensure your claim is filed on time and handled properly.

The majority of personal injury cases don’t go to trial — they are settled out of court. That being said, whether a case is "won" depends on how you define success. If winning means securing compensation, then yes, most personal injury cases result in some form of payment — either through an insurance settlement or a court ruling.

Several factors impact whether a personal injury case is successful:

Strong Evidence: Clear proof of negligence, such as medical records, accident reports, and witness statements, increases the chances of success.

Legal Representation: Having a skilled personal injury attorney significantly improves the likelihood of a fair settlement. Insurance companies tend to offer higher payouts when a lawyer is involved.

The Severity of Injuries: More severe injuries often lead to larger settlements or court awards, as they come with higher medical costs and long-term consequences.

Defendant’s Ability to Pay: If the at-fault party is uninsured or lacks assets, collecting compensation may be challenging.

While there’s never a guarantee of success, many legitimate personal injury claims result in compensation. A strong case and an experienced personal injury lawyer increase the likelihood of receiving compensation, whether through settlement or trial.

The timeline for a personal injury lawsuit in Pennsylvania can change based on several factors. Some cases settle in a matter of months, while others can take several years to resolve.

Here’s a general breakdown of a hypothetical timeline:

Initial Consultation & Investigation: Your attorney can gather evidence, review medical records, and assess the case’s strength.

Filing the Lawsuit: If a settlement isn’t reached early, your lawyer may file a lawsuit, officially starting the legal process.

Discovery Phase: Both sides exchange evidence, conduct depositions, and build their arguments.

Mediation & Settlement Negotiations: Many cases settle before trial, but if negotiations fail, the case proceeds to court.

Trial: If a trial is necessary, it may take months or years to schedule due to court backlogs

Appeals (if applicable): If either side appeals the decision, the case could extend another year or more.

Of course, many factors can affect the timeline of a case, so this will not be true for every claim; it’s merely a representation of a theoretical case. In general, scheduling a consultation with a personal injury attorney is the best avenue for learning your legal timeline.

One of the fastest ways to resolve a personal injury claim is through settlement. However, if an insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation, going to court may be necessary. While lawsuits take longer, they can result in larger payouts, particularly if your injuries are severe. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you plan the best course of action.

Yes, you can generally sue for pain and suffering in Pennsylvania. Pain and suffering falls under noneconomic damages, which compensate you for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by your injury.

Pain and suffering damages may include chronic pain, as in the case of whiplash, back pain, or traumatic brain injury. Emotional distress claims can include anxiety, depression, PTSD, or other mental health struggles caused by the accident. Finally, you may be able to claim a reduced quality of life if your injury prevents you from enjoying activities or affects your ability to work.

However, your ability to sue for pain and suffering depends on the type of insurance coverage involved. If you have full tort insurance, you can seek pain and suffering damages without restrictions.

If you have limited tort insurance, you can only recover these damages if your injuries meet Pennsylvania’s serious injury threshold. This usually requires you to demonstrate serious permanent disfigurement or serious impairment of a body function.

If another party’s negligence caused your injuries, you may be entitled to compensation for pain and suffering. A personal injury lawyer can evaluate your case and help you pursue the full amount you deserve. A Pennsylvania car accident attorney with Cohen, Feeley, Altemose & Rambo can also review your insurance declaration sheet so you know what your coverage is before an accident occurs.

There is no fixed amount for pain and suffering damages in Pennsylvania. The amount you can sue for depends on several factors, such as the severity of your injuries, how they impact your life, and whether your case settles or goes to trial. Unlike economic damages, such as medical bills and lost wages, pain and suffering are subjective and harder to define.

Pain and suffering damages are calculated as a jury sees fit. In fact, in Pennsylvania civil personal injury cases, you're not even allowed to ask for a particular amount.

There is no cap on pain and suffering damages in most personal injury cases in Pennsylvania, except for cases against government entities. However, insurance companies and defense attorneys may try to minimize these damages, which is why having an experienced personal injury lawyer is key.

Pennsylvania is a choice no-fault state, meaning drivers must choose between full tort and limited tort auto insurance coverage when purchasing a policy. Full tort coverage allows you to sue for pain and suffering and other noneconomic damages, regardless of how severe your injuries are.

Limited tort coverage is cheaper but restricts your ability to sue for pain and suffering unless your injuries meet the serious injury threshold. Usually, this requires serious permanent disfigurement or serious impairment of a body function.

While Pennsylvania is not strictly a full tort state, full tort coverage gives you greater legal rights in the event of an accident. Limited tort coverage might make for cheaper monthly premiums, but it may also prevent you from receiving full compensation if you’re injured.

If you’ve been in an accident and are unsure whether your coverage allows you to seek damages for pain and suffering, consulting with a personal injury lawyer can help shed some light. They can review your insurance policy and determine the best course of action to maximize your compensation.

Yes, for most drivers, full tort coverage is worth it in Pennsylvania. While it costs more per month than limited tort, it provides unrestricted legal rights to seek compensation for pain and suffering if you’re injured in an accident.

Here’s why full tort is often the better choice:

No Restrictions on Lawsuits: With full tort, you can seek noneconomic damages (such as pain and suffering) even if your injuries are not considered "serious" under PA law.

Higher Potential Compensation: Limited tort may block your ability to recover significant damages, while full tort allows you to pursue the full value of your claim.

Better Protection Against Insurance Tactics: Insurance companies often minimize payouts for limited tort policyholders, arguing that injuries are not serious enough to warrant compensation. Full tort removes this obstacle.

While limited tort may save a few hundred dollars per year on premiums, it can cost thousands — or even hundreds of thousands — in lost compensation if you’re injured. If you can afford it, full tort is generally the better choice to ensure you have the best legal protection.

Punitive damages are awarded in personal injury cases when the defendant’s behavior was especially evil, reckless, or intentionally malicious. These damages go beyond compensating the victim for losses and are meant to punish the wrongdoer and keep them from committing similar behavior in the future.

Punitive damages are awarded when the defendant’s actions show willful misconduct, as in the case of an assault or intentional neglect of safety regulations.

They may also be awarded for reckless disregard. This describes extreme carelessness, such as a bar knowingly overserving a patron who later causes a severe accident or a construction site manager purposefully disregarding safety procedures.

Finally, you can be awarded punitive damages if the other party is found guilty of fraudulent or deceptive conduct. This might include cases where a company knowingly sells a dangerous product or hides safety hazards.

Punitive damages are not available in every personal injury case — they are reserved for situations where the defendant’s behavior was particularly harmful. Pennsylvania law does not cap punitive damages in most cases, except for medical malpractice, where they are limited to two times the amount of actual damages.

If you believe the party responsible acted with recklessness or intent to harm, a personal injury lawyer can help determine whether you could be eligible for aggravated or punitive damages. These awards can significantly increase the total compensation and help hold wrongdoers accountable for their actions.

In most cases, personal injury settlements are not taxable at the federal or state level, including in Pennsylvania. However, there are exceptions, and you may need to pay taxes on certain parts of a settlement.

According to the IRS, the key factor is what the settlement compensates you for. For instance, medical expenses and physical injury compensation are not taxable as long as the damages are related to a personal injury or physical illness.

Pain and suffering related to a physical injury are also not taxable since it is considered part of compensating for the injury itself. Lost wages are generally taxable because this compensation replaces income that would have been taxed if earned normally. Punitive damages are also taxable because they are intended to punish the defendant rather than compensate for direct losses.

Since settlement agreements can be structured in different ways, talk to an attorney and possibly a tax professional to help determine how to best structure your settlement. A well-structured settlement can help protect as much of your compensation as possible from taxes.

The amount a personal injury case settles for varies widely depending on factors such as the severity of the injury, medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. However, many settlements fall within the range of $10,000 to several hundred thousand dollars — and in severe cases, settlements can reach millions.

Key factors affecting settlement value include:

Medical Expenses: Higher medical costs typically lead to larger settlements.

Lost Income: If an injury prevents you from working, your settlement may include compensation for lost wages and future earnings.

Pain and Suffering: More severe injuries with lasting effects result in higher pain and suffering awards.

Liability and Evidence: Strong evidence of negligence increases the likelihood of a larger settlement.

Insurance Policy Limits: Many settlements are limited by the at-fault party’s insurance coverage.

Insurance companies often offer low initial settlements, hoping victims will accept less than they deserve. A highly qualified Lehigh Valley personal injury lawyer can negotiate to secure a fair payout that truly reflects your losses.

This is part of why it’s so important to choose a reputable personal injury attorney with a strong track record of success. Personal injury attorneys have more knowledge and experience with these types of cases.

For instance, our motorcycle crash lawyers have negotiated settlements as high as $22 million, as in the case of a group of clients who received faulty hip implants. We’ve also secured settlements of $4.36 million for a construction accident victim, $2 million for a motor vehicle accident + dram shop settlement, and $1.75 million for a Pennsylvania motorcycle settlement.

Yes, you can handle your own personal injury claim, but it’s essential to understand the risks and challenges involved. If your injuries are minor and liability is clear, you may be able to negotiate a settlement directly with the insurance company. However, in most cases, having an award-winning personal injury lawyer can significantly increase your chances of a positive resolution.

When deciding whether to handle your claim by yourself, it’s important to consider that insurance companies look to prioritize their profits. Adjusters are trained to minimize payouts and may offer a quick, low settlement. Without legal experience, it can be difficult to know if their offer is fair.

Pennsylvania personal injury laws can also be complex, and making a mistake — such as missing a filing deadline — could jeopardize your case. Many people hire a lawyer in Pennsylvania because they are already familiar with the laws and regulations.

Proving damages can also be challenging, especially when you’re representing yourself. You’ll need to gather medical records, calculate lost wages, and argue for pain and suffering damages, which can be difficult without the help of a personal injury attorney.

Negotiation skills are another vital part of managing a case. A highly trained PA accident attorney knows how to push back against lowball offers and, if necessary, take the case to court.

Injury victims who work with a lawyer can receive significantly higher settlements than those who handle claims alone. If your case involves serious injuries, disputed liability, or a low insurance offer, consulting with a motorcycle accident attorney may be the best option.

Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay unless they win your case. This can help make legal help more accessible for injury victims. Whether you’re in Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, or anywhere else in Pennsylvania, our personal injury law firm, Cohen, Feeley, Altemose & Rambo, would be honored to help you rebuild what was taken from you.