All busy highways, whether they are state routes, U.S. highways or interstates are potentially dangerous. There is always the possibility that you could be hit by another driver who simply made a wrong decision at the time. Negligent drivers are the main cause of highway injuries and fatalities.
Although Pennsylvania is a no-fault state, you can still claim for compensation if you have been seriously injured, although the onus is then on you to prove that the other driver was more than 50% to blame for your injuries. Talk to a personal injury attorney if injured while merging on a Pennsylvania highway.
PA Route 467 in Pennsylvania
PA Route 467 is a 17 mile long state highway in Pennsylvania. It begins in Myersburg near the municipality of Rome and ends near Stevensville where it joins PA 706.
The highway runs predominantly through rural parts of Pennsylvania, nowhere passing through any large, urbanized areas. Despite the lack of built up areas, the highway still experiences accidents due to speeding drivers and negligence while merging or changing lanes.
What to Do If Hit While Merging On Route 467
Pennsylvania is a no-fault state for vehicle accidents, which means that if your injuries are relatively minor, you must first turn to your own insurance company for compensation. The major benefit is that you don’t have to prove fault, so compensation payments for medical treatment, lost earnings and vehicle damage are usually made faster than if the claim had to be made through a civil court.
For more serious injuries, a personal injury claim must be made within the statute of limitations, which is two years from the date of the injury.
The state has a modified comparative negligence rule. Compensation is only available if your share of blame for the accident is less than 50%. The percentage compensation that may be paid is in proportion to the perceived amount of fault determined for each party.
The only cap on damages is on punitive damages, if claimed. The maximum amount of punitive damages that can be awarded is twice the total of all other damages.
Evidence to Gather If Hit While Merging On Route 467
It will be your responsibility to find enough evidence of negligence if you are hit and injured in a merging accident on PA Route 467. If there are significant injuries, the police will attend the crash scene and compile a report. This report may be invaluable support for your claim later on.
It would help if you could take photos of the damaged vehicles at the crash scene if you are not too badly injured. You may be able to ask anyone at the crash scene who saw the accident happen if they would be prepared to give a statement. Get their contact details for later use.
Other useful documentation to support your claim will include all receipts showing your medical costs, vehicle damage report and estimate of repair or replacement costs and any medical reports documenting the state of your injuries.
Hire a Personal Injury Attorney
If you decide to file a personal injury claim, it is wise to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney about the accident, your injuries and any damages. A personal injury attorney will be able to give advice on the probability of your claim succeeding. Fill out a free evaluation form found on this page to be connected with a personal injury attorney who may be able to help you file a successful claim.
