Recovering
$ MILLIONS
For Injured Pennsylvanians
Bethlehem Personal Injury Lawyers
Our Personal Injury Law Firm Handles Complex Injury Claims For Clients In Bethlehem, PA
When one hears the name “Bethlehem” two things may come to mind – steel and Christmas. Both are accurate. When it comes to steel, Bethlehem became a center of heavy industry and trade during the industrial revolution. Bethlehem Steel was once the second-largest steel producer in the United States. Bethlehem Steel was also one of the largest shipbuilding companies in the world and one of the most powerful symbols of American industrial manufacturing leadership, and it manufactured over 1,100 warships used in World War II. As for Christmas, Bethlehem has a long historical relationship with the celebration of Christmas. The city was christened Bethlehem on Christmas Eve 1741 by Nicolaus Zinzendorf, a Moravian bishop. In 1747, Bethlehem was the first U.S. city to feature a decorated Christmas tree.
Bethlehem is divided into five main areas: Center City, West Side, East Side, South Side, and North Side. The West Side is located in Lehigh County and the other five neighborhoods are in Northampton County. Center City is bounded by Monocacy Creek to the west, Dewberry Ave. to the North, and Stefko Boulevard to the east. The West Side begins at the city’s western border with Allentown and continues east to Monocacy Creek and north to Hanover Township. The Mount Airy Neighborhood is bounded by Pennsylvania Ave to the west, West Broad St to the north, 2nd Avenue to the east, and the Lehigh River to the south. The East Side is bordered to the west by Center City and to the east by Bethlehem Township and Freemansburg. The East Side includes the Pembroke Village area. The South Side’s borders are Fountain Hill to the west, the Lehigh River to the north, South Mountain to the south, and Hellertown to the east. The North Side begins above Dewberry Ave and extends up Route 191 (Linden Ave) to Oakland Road, where the city and township divide is. Northside extends as far West as Monocacy Creek on Macada Road and as far East as Easton Ave and Stefko Blvd. intersection. ‘North Side’ refers more to a cultural division, than an actual boundary.
Bethlehem continues to thrive and as a result, more and more residents are becoming accident victims suffering personal injury from car accidents, medical malpractice, pedestrian accidents, and other negligent acts. This requires medical treatment, legal resources, and the need to deal with insurance companies. Injury claims are emotional and traumatic and only a Pennsylvania personal injury lawyer can help you seek compensation, deal with the insurance companies, and ultimately collect money for you in a personal injury settlement or through a jury verdict.
GET A FREE CONSULTATION WITH LARRY PITT
Bethlehem’s Trusted Team of Personal Injury Lawyers
The Law Offices of Larry Pitt & Associates has a full-service personal injury group comprised of experienced civil litigators. If you have questions about personal injury, insurance issues, the Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Law, or tort protection, call our office today at 888-PITT-LAW. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule your free initial consultation. We are proud to serve clients throughout:
What Are Personal Injury Cases?
Most people have heard the term “Personal Injury” but do not fully understand what it means when it comes to collecting money for injuries a person sustained as the result of someone else’s negligence. Personal injury includes all claims resulting from bodily injury, including psychological and emotional problems resulting from another’s negligent conduct, behavior, or even failure to act.
When you suffer a personal injury as a result of another person’s negligence, you may be able to file a claim with the help of a Bethlehem injury lawyer to seek compensation for the harm done to you including serious injuries, catastrophic injuries, traumatic brain injury or in the worst case, wrongful death.
Larry Pitt & Associates has been representing personal injury cases in and around Bethlehem for more than 40 years. Our team has the experienced Bethlehem personal injury lawyers you need to evaluate your personal injury case, determine your personal injury needs, provide legal representation, manage the insurance claims process, negotiate with the insurance company, and if necessary, file the personal injury lawsuit required to ensure all accident victims obtain the maximum compensation they are entitled to through the legal process.
Our Bethlehem personal injury lawyers know that accidents are traumatic and life-changing and that the insurance companies play hardball and try to make personal injury cases go away without them having to pay. This is why anyone who has suffered injuries in an accident will need a skilled Bethlehem personal injury attorney who will fight for your rights in and out of court. If you were hurt by someone else’s actions, we are ready and able to fight for your rights and your future.
The Three Types of Personal Injury Accidents or Claims
Financial compensation for injuries after an accident is known in the law as “damages.” You can collect damages if your injuries were the result of someone else’s negligent behavior or actions. That behavior can be categorized in three ways:
- Negligence. Negligence is the failure to exercise a reasonable standard of care, resulting in harm to another party. People are liable if their unreasonable act (or failure to act) causes an injury, even if the harm is not intended.
- Intentional Harm. Intentional harm is the “malicious” or “intentional” infliction of harm that results in injury. As an example, if a person involved in a heated argument with you purposely hits you with the intention to hurt you, that person is liable for your injuries.
- Absolute Liability. Absolute liability is when a person is responsible for injuring another person regardless of negligence or intent. Some instances in which the law might apply absolute liability are with regard to product liability, dangerous or hazardous activities, and pet owners’ liability. For instance, a person may be entitled to compensation after a defective product injures him or her regardless of whether the manufacturer was actually negligent. In other words, the person only has to prove that a product is defective or dangerous and that the defect caused the personal injury. It is not necessary to show that the manufacturer was intentionally careless or negligent.
The type of behavior that led to your injury could have an effect on what types of damages you are entitled to receive. It’s important to have a free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney about your case. Only an experienced attorney can assist injury victims to determine who is the at-fault party and therefore liable to you for your severe injury. You are entitled to the maximum compensation to cover your medical bills and make you whole for the life-altering injuries you sustained.
What Kinds of Personal Injury Cases Do Larry Pitt & Associates Handle?
At our law firm, we handle claims that arise from different situations. Some of the personal injury lawsuits we take on the most frequently involve:
Our personal injury lawyers are also qualified to help workers whose injuries have rendered them unable to work. We provide comprehensive counsel in regard to workers’ compensation benefits and help our clients apply for Social Security Disability benefits as well. If you fall into any of the categories listed above, please fill out our FREE consultation form. Let us help you to receive the medical attention and financial aid that you need for a faster recovery!
How Do I Know If I Have A Personal Injury Claim?
If you have been injured the first, and most important step, is to seek medical attention. Soon after you or a family member on your behalf should contact an experienced PA personal injury lawyer, such as the ones at Larry Pitt & Associates.
With our decades of experience as personal injury lawyers, we can provide accident victims with a free consultation to evaluate the facts of your case, your injuries, and who the at-fault party may be.
Regardless of the incident which caused the injuries – car accidents, truck accidents, product liability, medical malpractice, fall accident, premises liability, or wrongful death – our Bethlehem personal injury attorneys can protect your rights to claim maximum compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and rehabilitation from life-altering injuries.
At our law offices, your personal injury needs can be met by experienced and compassionate personal injury lawyers who know personal injury law and can guide you through the legal process.
Your experienced personal injury attorney can deal with insurance companies so you don’t have to. They can make sure all records are collected and claims filed in a timely manner.
Your focus should be on your recovery. Your Bethlehem personal injury lawyer will focus on collecting for you the money you deserve.
What Our Clients Say
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some examples of personal injury claims?
Personal injury includes all claims resulting in bodily injury, including psychological problems. Here are some examples of personal injury:
- The airbag fails to deploy
- A doctor failing to make proper diagnoses of a condition
- A doctor failing to order proper diagnostic tests
- A doctor failing to warn of the risks of surgery
- The doctor performing an operation in a negligent manner
- A doctor performing an unnecessary operation
- Doctors prescribing the wrong medication or the wrong dosage
- Fall due to a faulty or missing handrail
- Fall due to uneven pavement
- Fall out of hospital bed
- Injuries sustained because Bar or Liquor store served a visibly intoxicated patron
- Injuries sustained due to foreign substances in food products
- Injuries sustained in an automobile collision
- Injuries sustained when a product was poorly designed
- Injuries are sustained when a product does not operate in the manner in which it was supposed to
- Pharmacist misreads prescription and gives wrong medication
- Seat belt failure
- Slip and fall on broken pavement
- Slip and fall on defective stairs
- Slip and fall on a slippery surface
How is my lawyer paid? What if I cannot afford a lawyer?
In a personal injury lawsuit, your attorney will be paid a percentage of your recovery. This fee is paid only after your case settles, or after a judgment is paid. In most cases, all related costs of pursuing your claim will be advanced by the Law Firm of Larry Pitt and Associates and will be only paid upon your recovery. Under this system, EVERYBODY CAN AFFORD TO RECEIVE COMPENSATION FOR INJURIES.
How long do I have to bring a case?
The Statute of Limitations for bringing a personal injury lawsuit varies from State to State. In Pennsylvania, the general rule is that you must bring your lawsuit within two (2) years of the date of your injury. However, you should not wait to consult an attorney. There are many pitfalls in pursuing a claim which can only be avoided with sound legal advice. The best way to protect your legal rights is to contact an attorney as soon as possible following an injury to yourself or loved ones.
What if I am unhappy with my lawyer? Can I change? What will it cost?
In Pennsylvania, you have the right to change attorneys if you become unhappy with your representation. Depending on the nature and status of your claim your old attorney is entitled to recover a fee for the actual time he spent working on your file. Most often this can be negotiated between your old attorney and your new attorney and might not cost you anything until your case settles.
I spoke with a lawyer who did not think I had a case. Should I get a second opinion?
Absolutely! Different attorneys with different experiences are very likely to view a case differently. If an attorney declines to represent you, you should seek another opinion immediately.
I was injured but I feel partly at fault. Can I still sue?
In Pennsylvania, the law allows a recovery even where an accident was partly your fault. You should make an appointment to review the facts of your case with an attorney.
It does not appear that my injuries are serious enough for a lawsuit. Should I speak with a lawyer anyway?
You should consult an attorney and a doctor. Some injuries are not apparent until days or even weeks following an accident.
Can a lawyer tell me what my case is worth?
Yes, but not at the initial consultation. It may take many months for your attorney to gather all of your medical evidence to determine the nature and extent of your injuries. You should beware of any attorney who promises a quick settlement, particularly if you are still receiving treatments with your doctor for your injuries.
An adjuster from an insurance company wants to settle with me and says I do not need a lawyer. What should I do?
You should always remember that an adjuster is employed by the insurance company! Part of the adjuster’s job is to keep settlements small. On the other hand, your attorney is working for YOU. Part of your attorney’s job is to maximize your recovery.
How long will it be before my case is settled?
This varies on a case-by-case basis. Your case should not be settled until the full extent of your injuries is known. Ordinarily, this means that your treatment needs to be complete.
Are all on-the-job injuries covered by worker’s compensation?
As a general rule, yes. However, you may still pursue a lawsuit against a negligent party other than your employer. Because the Law Offices of Larry Pitt and Associates handles both Worker’s Compensation and Personal Injury, our attorneys can fight to maximize your recovery in both areas.
What should I do after an automobile accident?
Pennsylvania requires that you remain at the scene and render assistance. It is important that the police are immediately notified so that a report can be prepared. DO NOT ARGUE OR FIGHT with the other driver and NEVER apologize for the accident. If there are witnesses, you should attempt to get their full names, addresses, and telephone numbers. If you have been injured, you should seek medical attention immediately. You should not assume that you are just “shaken up” and will be O.K. Many injuries get progressively worse in the days and weeks following the collision. The sooner you begin to receive appropriate medical care, the more quickly you can recover from your injuries.
