Get medical care, report the accident when appropriate, preserve evidence, avoid recorded statements before understanding your rights, and speak with a personal injury lawyer if you were seriously hurt.

Pennsylvania generally has a two-year deadline for personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits, but shorter notice rules may apply in certain cases involving government or public entities.

Do not assume the insurance company is right. Fault disputes should be reviewed using photos, videos, witness statements, reports, property conditions, medical records, and other evidence.

Be careful. Early offers may not account for future medical treatment, lost wages, pain, limitations, or complications that appear later.

Depending on the case, compensation may include medical bills, future treatment, lost wages, reduced earning ability, pain and suffering, and wrongful death damages in fatal cases.

Helpful evidence may include photos, videos, witness names, police or incident reports, medical records, wage records, insurance letters, and a timeline of how the injury affected your life.

Case value depends on liability, insurance coverage, medical evidence, lost income, long-term limitations, pain, future care needs, and how the injury affects daily life.

Call as early as possible if the injury is serious, fault is disputed, insurance is complicated, evidence may disappear, or you are being pressured to settle.