Why Local Representation Matters in West Chester Car Accident Cases

Over 300 car accidents occur on Pennsylvania roads and highways every day, often drastically changing the lives of their victims in an instant. From the initial trauma of injuries to managing medical bills, car repairs, insurance companies, and more, dealing with the aftermath of an accident can be overwhelming, to say the least. During such difficult times, you’ll almost certainly need an experienced attorney by your side, but not just any lawyer will do. If your accident happened in the West Chester area, you’ll need a local car accident lawyer from HoeyLegal to ensure you get the maximum compensation possible. 

Here at HoeyLegal, our team understands the importance of local representation in the outcome of your case. This is especially true in Chester and Philadelphia Counties, where we have some of the busiest and most accident-prone traffic conditions in the state of Pennsylvania. 

While going with a large national law firm can be tempting for several reasons, if you’ve been in a car accident in the West Chester area, you’re undoubtedly much better off choosing to seek out local legal help instead. Here are just a few of the many reasons why.

Where Outside Law Firms Fall Short

While big national firms may have catchy slogans and far-reaching marketing campaigns that bring in clients all over the country, they often lack in several key aspects that can drastically affect the outcome of your car accident case. 

These out-of-town law firms often view their clients as just another number and lack any meaningful connection to the community members they serve. While they may claim that efficiency is their strong suit, they often achieve this efficiency by applying one-size-fits-all strategies that overlook important details.  

Without familiarity with local laws, regulations, procedures, legal officials, and insurance companies, these large firms are at a significant disadvantage throughout every single phase of the legal process, from initial filing through to settlement negotiations and court hearings. 

Even worse, when you choose a large outside law firm, there’s a good chance that they may simply hand your case off to a junior associate who lacks even the basic knowledge and expertise necessary to meet your compensation goals. 

All of this, combined with the often insufficient communication between client and lawyer, adds up to create a far less than ideal situation that’s likely to leave you with a low-ball settlement or even a lost case. 

It’s your life and financial security that’s on the line, and you simply can’t afford to risk getting a single penny less than what you deserve. Choosing an attorney near you is always the better option, and if you live in the West Chester area, there’s no better choice than the expert legal team at HoeyLegal. 

Why You Need a Local West Chester Car Accident Lawyer From HoeyLegal

Here at HoeyLegal, we’re proud to be the most trusted local car accident lawyers in Chester County. With decades of experience and numerous satisfied clients throughout southeastern Pennsylvania, our team is uniquely qualified to ensure you achieve the best possible outcome from your car accident case. 

If you’ve been in a car accident in the West Chester area, here are just a few of the many reasons why you need local representation from an expert car accident lawyer from HoeyLegal. 

Understanding of the Unique Legal Landscape of West Chester and Chester County

While many who are unfamiliar with the intricacies of the legal system may assume that courts are the same no matter where you are, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Chester County courts, like all others, operate under specific rules, regulations, and procedures, many of which are unique to the county. From understanding the preferences of local judges to navigating local filing protocols and everything in between, all of these can have a significant effect on the timeline and outcome of your case. 

Our expert legal team here at HoeyLegal understands the unique legal landscape of Chester County better than anyone. While outside firms may overlook the many details and nuances specific to Chester County courts, our team has all the local knowledge and expertise necessary to ensure that nothing delays or jeopardizes your case. From streamlining filing practices to maintaining decades-long relationships with local judges and court personnel, when you choose HoeyLegal, you can trust that we have a significant advantage over our competitors.

Familiarity with Local Insurance Companies and Adjusters

Knowledge and familiarity with local courts isn’t  the only advantage that we have over outside firms. While establishing relationships with local courts is a significant step in the right direction, many car accident cases never progress this far to begin with. 

The vast majority of car accident cases are settled outside of court, where victims and their lawyers negotiate directly with the at-fault party and their insurance providers. In cases like these, experience dealing with insurance companies is a far more valuable advantage. 

Insurance companies don’t stay in business by handing out money to anyone who asks for it. They will do everything they can to minimize the amount they have to pay out, without thinking about your well-being or what might be fair, but that’s why we’re here. 

We have extensive experience negotiating directly with the most common West Chester car insurance companies, which enables us to anticipate their tactics before negotiations even begin. This means that we are better equipped than outside law firms to respond effectively, avoid common mistakes, and push back on any unacceptable low-ball offers, while also leveraging our strong local reputation to negotiate the best possible settlement. 

Specific Knowledge of Local Roads, Traffic Patterns, and Accident Hotspots

Every car accident is unique, and understanding the specific details of each one is invaluable when it comes to settlement negotiations and court hearings. Even the tiniest detail can have a dramatic effect on determining who is liable and what kind of compensation the plaintiff should receive. 

While outside law firms may have a general idea of what the common causes of car accidents are, they’re probably unfamiliar with West Chester, Chester County, and the varying traffic conditions that exist throughout it. This can lead to missing context and overlooked details that could potentially strengthen your case. 

Here at HoeyLegal, we don’t just operate out of Chester County. It’s our home. We drive on all the same roads and highways that you do every day, and we understand the risks that come with navigating the many busy intersections and winding rural roads that exist throughout Chester County. We know how difficult it can be to merge onto Route 202, I-76, and the many other highways that cross Chester County, and have firsthand experience driving through areas with notoriously low visibility and dangerous blind spots.

Geographic knowledge isn’t everything, but it does enable us to visualize better how an accident may have occurred and ensure that we ask witnesses the right questions during our investigation. 

Personalized Attention and a Commitment to Our Community

From prominent city attorneys to large national law firms, these types of firms often handle hundreds, if not thousands, of cases simultaneously. This may not seem like a huge deal, but it does mean that they usually don’t have the time or resources to spend giving your case the personalized attention it deserves. 

Here at HoeyLegal, you’re not just another number to us. We live and work in and around West Chester, so you’re much more than just another client. You’re a valued neighbor and member of our community. We want to see you succeed and deeply care about your well-being. 

When you choose HoeyLegal, you won’t just be getting expert legal representation. You’ll be getting a trusted advocate who will fight for you to the very end. We take great pride in being a staple in our community and will do everything possible to ensure that you can recover and rebuild your life after an accident. We’ve built our reputation on the complete satisfaction of our clients and neighbors, and we fight hard not just because it’s in our best interest, but because we genuinely care for everyone in our community as if they were one of our own. 

Accessibility and Convenience for Our Clients

Being the victim of a car accident can be incredibly stressful. Not only do you have to focus on recovering from your injuries, but you also need to worry about paying medical bills, fixing your car, and losing wages on top of navigating the complex legal system and dealing with predatory insurance companies. 

During such difficult times, it’s essential to have a lawyer who is easily accessible at any time you may need them. Still, large outside law firms often struggle with this aspect of legal representation. While they may claim to have vast resources, they frequently stretch these resources to their absolute limit, which usually prevents them from being able to answer questions or discuss your worries and concerns at a convenient time for you. And that’s not even to mention that meeting face to face with your out-of-town lawyer may be downright impossible. 

Here at HoeyLegal, we understand that accessibility and convenience are non-negotiable. You don’t get to choose when emergencies arise or what time you may receive important information and documents relevant to your case. That’s why we put in the extra effort to be available around the clock whenever you may need us. You should feel free to call us at any time. With our main office located in nearby Paoli, PA, it’s easy to meet with us face-to-face whenever it’s most convenient for you. 

Contact HoeyLegal Today

Are you a recent victim of a car accident? Are you looking for a local West Chester car accident lawyer that you can trust to help you get the compensation you deserve? Contact HoeyLegal today!

Our expert legal team, led by Christian J. Hoey, Esq., and Christopher W. McMullin, Esq., has decades of experience navigating the West Chester legal system and possesses vast local expertise and insider knowledge that can make a significant difference in your case. We’ve won tens of millions of dollars for our car accident clients over the years, and with multiple Best Attorney Awards under our belts, our proven track record of success speaks for itself.

All you need to do is call, and we’ll offer you a complimentary legal consultation to get to know your case, explain the full extent of your rights, and provide expert legal advice on the best path forward. We believe that everyone deserves to have their case heard, and you can always trust that you’ll never have to pay a single cent unless we get money for you. 

Car accidents can be incredibly traumatic and often come with long-lasting consequences that can change the course of your life forever, so don’t let yourself go at it alone. Contact HoeyLegal, and get the best local legal help Chester County has to offer today.

Distracted Driving

Pennsylvania defines distracted driving as “an activity that could divert a person’s attention away from the primary task of driving.” Drivers have to focus on driving, so they can react to the information on the road, such as road conditions, hazards and other drivers. Distracted drivers do not react appropriately and thus put others at risk for severe injury or death. Examples of distractions, besides using cell phones and texting, include drinking, eating, adjusting the radio, adjusting climate controls, adjusting seats, combing hair, putting on make-up, daydreaming, reaching for dropped items, engaging in heavy conversations, and focusing on events outside of the car.

Driving Under the Influence

Driving under the influence typically refers to alcohol use, but drug use can also impair drivers and cause severe car accidents.  In either situation, enjoying cocktails at happy hour, celebrating with drugs or alcohol, drinking too much wine for dinner and unwinding after a long week at work results in too many motorists driving under the influence.  Controlled substances impact each person differently, making it common for someone to misjudge his or her level of impairment.  These poor judgments can lead to severe and sometimes fatal car accidents.

Driver Fatigue

Driving without enough sleep is commonplace for many in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and across the nation. Truck drivers, shift workers, and those with sleep disorders are most vulnerable to causing an accident because they are drowsy or fatigued. Not having enough rest slows down reaction time and impairs the senses. In fact, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) claims that eighteen (18) hours without sleep impairs a driver to the same extent as someone who has a 0.08 blood or breath alcohol concentration after consuming alcohol.

Speeding

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that one-third of all car accidents involve speeding. Drivers who rush, run late, or simply lack patience may choose to speed when they get behind the wheel. Speeding makes it more likely that a driver will lose control of his or her vehicle and makes it more difficult to react to road hazards and other vehicles. Speeding also increases the impact of a car accident and makes it far less likely that a negligent driver may maintain control of his vehicle sufficient to prevent a collision. High speed car accidents make it far more likely that those involved will suffer severe injuries or death.

OBTAIN NECESSARY COURT ORDERS TO PRESERVE EVIDENCE

At HoeyLegal, we know from our litigation experience that tractor-trailer drivers often operate at least one cellular phone which is in use at, during, or immediately prior to a tractor-trailer accident. Additionally, most tractor-trailers are equipped with data recorders which capture, in real-time, important vehicle operation events including speed, hard braking and other evasive maneuvers taken by the operator and the tractor-trailer.  It is imperative that this evidence be obtained before it is destroyed.  At HoeyLegal, our trial attorneys will obtain any necessary court order to preserve this evidence for trial.

IDENTIFY ALL AT-FAULT DEFENDANTS

Oftentimes, there are several defendants responsible for the tractor-trailer accident. In most cases, at least two defendants are responsible for the ownership and operation of the tractor-trailer.  There may be additional defendants responsible for the hiring and retention of the tractor-trailer driver.  At HoeyLegal, our investigators will promptly identify the responsible defendants and immediately request the preservation of all evidence related to the hiring and retention of the driver, inspection of the vehicles and the supervision and drug/alcohol testing of the vehicle operator.

LOCATE, EXAMINE AND INSPECT THE TRACTOR-TRAILER

Our accident investigators include mechanics who will immediately respond to the accident site and the location where the truck has been impounded in order to photograph the truck and conduct necessary mechanical inspections of the vehicle. In the event that a court order is necessary to examine and inspect the trucks, HoeyLegal Attorneys will promptly file the necessary motions to enable the HoeyLegal mechanics and inspectors to conduct a prompt evaluation of the mechanical function of the at-fault tractor-trailer

ACCIDENT RECONSTRUCTION

Our expert accident investigators include former Pennsylvania State Police accident investigators and nationally recognized engineers who will carefully photograph the accident scene and conduct all necessary measurements of skid marks, yaw marks, displacement of debris and thoroughly examine the accident site to preserve all evidence for the time of trial.

INTERVIEW ALL WITNESS

Our investigators will promptly interview and record all witnesses that observed the accident and collect all biographical information from the witnesses so they will available to testify on your behalf at trial.

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