Helping Victims Of Motor Vehicle Accidents
The negligent operation of a motor vehicle on Pennsylvania roadways is possibly the most prevalent cause of accidental injury and death. These accidents leave families struggling for years with issues of medical bills, lost wages, emotional trauma and the loss of a family provider.
Helping Clients Navigate The Maze Of The Legal Process
Pennsylvania clients and their loved ones who have been injured or killed after a negligent motor vehicle accident or car crash need a counselor as well as an attorney, one who can guide them through the maze of negotiation and litigation while helping address the emotional trauma suffered by the victim and family members. At Savinis, Kane, & Gallucci, we’ve successfully represented people from all walks of life in Pittsburgh and throughout the state of Pennsylvania after a serious accident involving a motor vehicle such as:
- Car accidents, including uninsured and underinsured, hit-and-run accidents, and drunk driving accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- 18-wheeler accidents
- Boating accidents and snowmobile accidents
- Bicycle and pedestrian accidents
- ATV accidents, plane accidents and train accidents
- Auto accidents related to design flaws and maintenance errors
We have extensive experience handling catastrophic and fatal accidents claims. Our legal team will take every measure possible to help you obtain a full financial recovery. Contact our Pittsburgh motor vehicle accident attorneys today to find out if you have a valid claim.
Conducting Thorough Investigation To Determine Fault
At Savinis, Kane, & Gallucci, L.L.C., our extensive knowledge of Pennsylvania auto liability and insurance laws gives us the edge when it comes to the presentation of successful personal injury cases. We are dogged investigators who utilize the latest technology to identify all liable parties after an accident in order to maximize our client’s settlement. We work closely with each of our clients to map out a clear set of legal goals and an action plan for attaining them. Unlike other larger and more impersonal personal injury firms, our trial attorneys will keep you up-to-date on every aspect of your case with frequent updates and promptly returned phone calls.
Highly Skilled In Handling Insurance Bad Faith Claims
We also assist Pennsylvania clients with legal actions to recover a claim after a delay or denial by their own insurance companies. You pay premiums faithfully for years only to find your valid claim denied after a serious injury, simply as a course of doing business. What often happens, though, is that when it comes time for your own insurance company to pay you benefits pursuant to your insurance agreement, they refuse, or delay payment. This refusal or delay could be considered bad faith in Pennsylvania.
Examples Of Bad Faith Insurance Claims
Examples of bad faith on the part of an insurer have been found by Pennsylvania courts as follows:
- Frivolous or unfounded refusal to pay proceeds of a policy
- Unreasonable delay in handling claims
- Inadequate investigation
- Failure to make reasonable offer of settlement
The insurer can act in bad faith in refusing to pay underinsured benefits until nearly two years after plaintiffs accident, and approximately one and one-half years after receiving notice of the underinsured claim. The following acts by an insurer can be considered to be an unfair method of competition or any unfair or deceptive act or practice in the business of insurance:
- Misrepresenting pertinent facts, policy or contract provisions relating to coverage
- Failing to acknowledge and act promptly upon written or oral communications under insurance policies
- Failing to adopt and implement reasonable standards for the prompt investigation of claims
- Refusing to pay claims without conducting a reasonable investigation based upon all available information
- Not attempting in good faith to effectuate prompt, fair and equitable settlement of claims in which the company’s liability under the policy has become reasonably clear
- Compelling persons to institute litigation to recover amounts due under an insurance policy by offering substantially less than the amounts due and ultimately recovered in actions brought by such persons
- Attempting to settle a claim for less than the amount to which a reasonable man would have believed he was entitled by reference to written or printed advertising material accompanying or made part of an application
- Delaying the investigation or payment of claims by requiring the insured, claimant or the physician of either to submit a preliminary claim report and then requiring the subsequent submission of formal proof of loss forms, both of which submissions contain substantially the same information
- Failing to promptly provide a reasonable explanation of the basis in the insurance policy in relation to the facts or applicable law for denial of a claim or for the offer of a compromise settlement
Pursuant to the Consumer Protection Law, 73 P.S. 201-2, it is an unfair method of competition or unfair or deceptive act or practice to engage in “any other fraudulent or deceptive conduct which creates a likelihood of confusion or of misunderstanding.” 73 P.S. 201-2(4)(xxi).
Seeking Justice After Negligent Motor Vehicle Injury Or Death
If you or a loved one was involved in a motor vehicle accident due to negligence that resulted in a serious injury or death, contact us today at the Pennsylvania personal injury law firm of Savinis, Kane, & Gallucci for a free case evaluation. All our personal injury cases are taken on contingency, meaning there is no fee until our trial lawyers recover the maximum settlement for your injuries.