Scranton Car Accident Lawyers

Proven Litigators in Lackawanna County & Northeastern PA

When a car accident leaves you injured, confused, and uncertain about your future, you need advocates who will guide you through every step of recovery and protect your rights. At Abrahamsen, Conaboy & Abrahamsen P.C., our Scranton car accident attorneys have devoted decades to representing individuals injured due to others' negligence.

We understand that such accidents disrupt your life in profound ways, physically, financially, and emotionally. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and see how we can help.

Our approach is comprehensive. We: 

• Investigate the circumstances of your collision
• Gather evidence establishing fault
• Handle all communications with insurance companies
• Steer you away from situations that could jeopardize your claim
• Build a compelling case designed to secure maximum compensation for all you've suffered.

With over 80 years of combined experience, more than 24,000 cases handled, and millions of dollars recovered for clients, our Board Certified Civil Trial Advocates bring the expertise and proven track record necessary to achieve favorable outcomes even in complex, contested cases.

Call us at (570) 712-5545 or reach out online to book a complimentary in-office or virtual consultation with a Scranton car accident attorney. Hablamos español. You pay no upfront legal fees unless we win your case.

Types of Car Accidents We Handle in Lackawanna County

Our car accident attorneys represent victims injured in all types of collisions throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania:

• Rear-end collisions - Often caused by distracted driving, following too closely, or failure to brake appropriately, resulting in whiplash, back injuries, and head trauma.
• Head-on collisions - Among the most dangerous accidents, typically involving wrong-way drivers, distracted driving, or drivers crossing center lines, causing catastrophic injuries or fatalities.
• T-bone/side-impact crashes - Occurring frequently at intersections when drivers run red lights or fail to yield, resulting in serious injuries to vehicle occupants on the impact side.
• Multi-vehicle pileups - Complex crashes involving three or more vehicles, often requiring extensive investigation to establish fault among multiple parties.
• Hit-and-runs - Cases where negligent drivers flee the scene, requiring investigation to identify responsible parties or pursuit of compensation through uninsured motorist coverage.
• Distracted driving - Crashes caused by texting, phone use, eating, or other distractions that take drivers' attention from the road.
• Drunk or impaired driving - Collisions involving intoxicated or drug-impaired drivers who create serious hazards.
• Weather-related accidents - Crashes occurring in adverse conditions where drivers fail to adjust speed or their driving behavior for road conditions.

Additionally, rideshare accidents in Scranton are increasingly common, often occurring because drivers are multi-apping—using both Uber and Lyft simultaneously—which leads to extreme fatigue and dangerous levels of distraction as they constantly glance at multiple screens. This digital distraction is a leading cause of the rear-end and T-bone collisions we handle.

How Car Accidents Cause Serious Injuries

Car accidents can result in devastating injuries or even death. Many injuries are less obvious yet equally serious. Soft tissue damage, whiplash, concussions, and spinal injuries may not manifest immediately. Yet they can cause long-term pain, limit your ability to work, and significantly diminish your quality of life.

Any injury resulting from an auto accident is potentially serious and deserves proper medical evaluation and legal protection. Never assume your insurance company will handle everything in your best interests; they are focused on minimizing payouts, not maximizing your recovery.

Understanding Car Accident Laws in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania operates under a unique "Choice No-Fault" insurance system, which can be one of the most confusing aspects of a claim for residents. As your car accident attorney in Scranton, we ensure you understand how your insurance selection impacts your right to sue.

Choice No-Fault and PIP Benefits

Under 75 Pa. C.S. § 1711, every driver in Pennsylvania is required to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. This is the "no-fault" part of the law: regardless of who caused the accident, your own insurance company is responsible for paying your initial medical bills, typically up to a minimum of $5,000.

Limited Tort vs. Full Tort

The "choice" in Pennsylvania's system refers to the tort option you selected when you purchased your policy (75 Pa. C.S. § 1705):

• Full Tort: This option allows you to seek compensation for all damages, including "non-economic" damages like pain and suffering, regardless of the severity of the injury.
• Limited Tort: This is often the cheaper option, but it restricts your right to sue for pain and suffering unless your injury meets the "serious injury" threshold—defined as a serious impairment of a body function or permanent disfigurement.

However, even if you have Limited Tort, our firm is skilled at identifying legal exceptions—such as accidents involving commercial vehicles, drunk drivers, or out-of-state cars—that may "thoroughfare" you into Full Tort status.

Pursuing Claims After Fatal Car Accidents

When a collision on routes like I-81, the Scranton Expressway, or local roads through Lackawanna County results in a tragic loss of life, surviving family members are often unsure where to turn or what their legal options are. In these heartbreaking situations, we help loved ones understand how Pennsylvania wrongful death and survival actions work, who can bring a claim, and what types of losses may be recoverable. Our goal is to shoulder the legal and procedural burden so families can focus on grieving and supporting one another.

In a fatal crash case, we carefully investigate how the collision occurred, preserve evidence from law enforcement and accident reconstruction professionals, and identify all potentially responsible parties, including negligent drivers, employers, or entities that owned or maintained the vehicle involved. A fatal car accident attorney from our team can also coordinate with local hospitals, such as Geisinger Community Medical Center or Regional Hospital of Scranton, to obtain critical medical records that document the injuries and treatment your loved one received.

Families often have questions about timelines, insurance issues, and what to expect in court if the case proceeds to litigation in the Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas. We take time to answer these questions in plain language, explain how the process differs from a typical car injury claim, and discuss the practical steps involved in moving a wrongful death case forward. By providing clear guidance and steady communication, we help families make informed decisions about whether and how to pursue accountability for a fatal crash.

Key Elements the Opposing Counsel Must Prove

To win a car accident lawsuit, we must prove that the other driver’s negligence was the direct cause of your injuries. We focus on four specific legal pillars:

• Duty of Care: The other driver had a legal obligation to follow the rules of the road and operate their vehicle safely.
• Breach of Duty: We use evidence like dashcam footage, modern "black box" data, and police reports to show the driver was speeding, distracted, or impaired.
• Causation: We must prove that the driver’s breach—not a pre-existing condition or a separate event—caused your specific injuries.
• Damages: We provide documented proof of your physical and financial losses to justify the compensation we are demanding.

Compensation Available in Car Accident Cases in Northeastern Pennsylvania

Victims of car accidents may pursue compensation for all losses suffered, including:

• Medical expenses. Emergency treatment, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, prescription medications, medical equipment, and future medical care
• Lost wages. Income lost during recovery and diminished future earning capacity when injuries affect your ability to work
• Pain and suffering. Physical pain, emotional distress, and mental anguish caused by your injuries
• Permanent disability. Compensation for lasting impairments affecting daily activities and work capabilities
• Loss of enjoyment. Damages for the inability to participate in activities and life experiences you previously enjoyed
• Property damage. Vehicle repair or replacement costs
• Wrongful death. In fatalities, various damages related to the loss of your loved one

Why Legal Representation Is Vital

Insurance companies are not your allies. Even your own insurer may dispute the extent of your injuries or argue that pre-existing conditions caused your symptoms. Without experienced legal counsel, you face significant disadvantages.

Insurance adjusters may pressure you for recorded statements designed to undermine your claim. They offer quick, inadequate settlements before you understand the full extent of your injuries. They often dispute the necessity of medical treatment and challenge your doctor's opinions with their own hired experts. They argue you share fault for the accident to reduce their liability under comparative negligence law.

Our firm levels the playing field. We know the tactics insurers employ and how to counter them. We help you receive comprehensive medical evaluations, engage experts who can document the full impact of your injuries, calculate damages that account for both current and future losses, and negotiate aggressively from a position of strength backed by our proven trial record.

When you work with our team, a Scranton car injury lawyer can help you in several important ways:

• Protecting your rights from the beginning by advising you before you speak with insurance adjusters or sign any documents
• Coordinating medical care and gathering records from providers in Scranton and across Northeastern Pennsylvania to document your injuries
• Managing all claim details so you do not miss filing deadlines, including the statute of limitations, or overlook potential sources of compensation
• Preparing your case as if it will go to trial in the Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas, which often encourages insurers to make more reasonable settlement offers

You should seek our legal advice immediately. We draw on decades of experience representing auto accident victims to protect your rights as we build your case for maximum compensation.

The Claims Process in Lackawanna County

The claims process involves several critical steps: 

• Seeking immediate medical attention, even if injuries initially appear minor
• Reporting the accident to law enforcement and your insurance company
• Documenting the scene with photographs, videos, and witness contact information
• Notifying our firm promptly to protect your legal rights and preserve evidence
• Investigating the accident to identify all liable parties
• Calculating the full scope of damages, including future and long-term losses
• Negotiating with insurance companies to pursue a fair and just settlement
• Filing a lawsuit and taking your case to trial when necessary to achieve accountability

Throughout this process, we handle the legal complexities while you focus on medical treatment and recovery. This includes meeting procedural deadlines and preventing unnecessary mistakes that could harm your claim.

Speak with a Scranton Car Accident Attorney Today

For the best possible results, don’t try to navigate the claims process on your own. Put our proven firm on your side to increase your chances of a favorable outcome, enabling you to move ahead and rebuild your life with confidence. 

Call (570) 712-5545 or use our convenient contact form to schedule your free consultation about your car accident claim today.