Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky has successfully handled well over a thousand cases involving motor vehicle accidents. We represent victims of car, SUV, truck and motorcycle accidents, including drivers, passengers, and third parties such as cyclists and pedestrians.

Our team of motor vehicle accident lawyers skillfully handle accidents caused by:

• Improper, careless, and reckless driving behavior
• Alcohol consumption, including those arising from reckless servers of alcoholic beverages
• Faulty vehicle design or maintenance
• Poorly designed, constructed, or maintained roads or guardrails

Unmatched Results

Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky has secured numerous multimillion verdicts and settlements for our clients, including:

• $75,000,000 verdict for construction worker struck by drunk driver and rendered quadriplegic.
• $27,000,000 settlement for two clients who were struck by a commercial vehicle.
• $20,000,000 settlement of bad claim against insurer that refused to pay policy limit to tavern in dram shop case involving drunk driver.
• $10,000,000 settlement for driver who suffered catastrophic injuries, including a leg amputation, after being struck by a truck that ran a red light.
• $8,000,000 settlement for road construction worker catastrophically injured, including a leg amputation, when run over by concrete truck.
• $6,300,000 settlement for construction surveyor who suffered catastrophic injuries when run over by pickup truck.
• $6,630,000 verdict for a van operator struck by a bus while unloading a passenger’s luggage at Philadelphia International Airport.
• $4,400,000 settlement for three victims of drunk driving accident (including one fatality) caused by restaurant that served intoxicated driver.
• $4,300,000 settlement for family of father killed in vehicle accident caused by intoxicated salesman driving car during a test-drive.
• $2,650,000 settlement for a motorcyclist permanently disabled with a brain injury, back and nerve pain, and vision problems after a commercial vehicle swerved into her turnpike lane.

Unmatched Experience

Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky understands the complex mechanical and physical factors that contribute to motor vehicle accidents. Our investigations include:

• Comprehensive depositions of all drivers, passengers, and witnesses
• In-depth analyses to determine the relative roles played by driver error, defective vehicles, and road and weather conditions
• Biomechanical analysis to determine what happened to an injured driver or passenger during the crash sequence, and how that data is explainable by the accident’s causes

In addition to the Firm’s extensive experience, we also use independent accident reconstruction experts to accurately simulate how an accident occurred through the use of hi-tech, three-dimensional animations and graphics. These powerful trial tools often convince insurance companies to offer significant settlements and juries to award high-value verdicts.

Unmatched Compensation

Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky casts a wide net for possible defendants in every vehicle accident we handle. Potentially liable parties include other passenger car drivers, commercial truck drivers and their employers, vehicle and parts manufacturers, establishments that sell liquor, and state and local governments that design and maintain roadways. We work tenaciously to help you get all the compensation to which you may be entitled—including compensation for pain and suffering, emotional trauma, past, and future medical expenses, lost income, and future earnings.

If you have been injured, or a family member has been injured or killed as a result of a motor vehicle accident, Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky is committed to obtaining all the results you need and deserve. Contact our experienced car accident attorneys for a free consultation.

Car Accident FAQs

What should I do immediately after a car accident?

Your safety and health come first. If you are able, seek medical attention, even if you feel “okay.” Some serious injuries take time to show symptoms.

If possible:

• Call 911 and report the accident
• Exchange information with the other driver(s)
• Take photos of the vehicles, scene, and visible injuries
• Obtain witness contact information

Avoid discussing fault at the scene or with insurance companies until you understand your rights.

Do I need a lawyer after a car accident?

Not every accident requires legal representation. However, if the crash involved

• Serious or permanent injuries
• A fatality
• Disputed fault
• A commercial or uninsured driver
• An insurance company refusing to act fairly

speaking with a lawyer can help protect you from costly mistakes and ensure your claim reflects the full impact of the accident.

Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky understands the complex mechanical and physical factors that contribute to motor vehicle accidents. If you have been injured, or a family member has been injured or killed as a result of a motor vehicle accident, contact our car accident attorneys for a free consultation.

What if the accident wasn’t entirely my fault?

Fault is rarely as clear-cut as insurance companies suggest. Even if you share some responsibility, you may still be entitled to compensation. How fault affects your claim depends on state law.

Insurance adjusters often focus on assigning blame early to reduce payouts. A proper investigation looks at all contributing factors—not just one moment in time.

In Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence rule. This means you can still recover compensation as long as you are not more than 50% at fault for the accident.

However, your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 20% responsible, your compensation is reduced by 20%.

If an insurance company can push your fault to 51% or more, they may attempt to deny your claim entirely. That is why early investigation and accurate fault analysis are critical in Pennsylvania cases.

In New Jersey

New Jersey also follows a modified comparative negligence system, but with a slightly different threshold. You may recover compensation as long as you are not more than 50% responsible for the accident.

As in Pennsylvania, any compensation is reduced by your share of fault. Insurance companies frequently attempt to exaggerate a driver’s role in an accident to limit what they pay.

In both states, fault determinations are rarely final until all evidence is reviewed—including accident reconstruction, witness testimony, and available video or electronic data.

Sharing some fault does not automatically bar recovery, but allowing an insurance company to define fault without scrutiny can significantly affect the outcome of your case.

Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky can help you navigate insurance requirements to ensure that your claim reflects the full impact of the accident. If you have been injured, or a family member has been injured or killed as a result of a motor vehicle accident, contact our car accident attorneys for a free consultation.

How long do I have to file a car accident claim?

Strict deadlines apply to car accident claims, and they vary by state. Missing a deadline can permanently bar recovery, no matter how serious the injuries or how clear the other driver’s fault may be.

In Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations for most car accident injury claims is two years from the date of the accident. This deadline generally applies to both personal injury and wrongful death claims.

If a claim is not filed within this two-year period, the right to seek compensation may be lost forever—regardless of the merits of the case.

In New Jersey

New Jersey also imposes a two-year statute of limitations for most car accident injury and wrongful death claims. While the timeframe is similar to Pennsylvania, certain exceptions and procedural requirements can apply depending on the circumstances.

In both states, claims involving government entities, minors, or delayed discovery of injuries may be subject to shorter notice requirements or different rules.

Why timing matters:
Waiting too long can result in lost evidence, unavailable witnesses, and reduced leverage—long before a deadline expires.

Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky’s car accident attorneys can help ensure your claim is preserved, deadlines are met, and the case is handled correctly from the start. If you have been injured, or a family member has been injured or killed as a result of a motor vehicle accident, contact our car accident attorneys for a free consultation.

What compensation is available after a car accident?

Depending on the case, compensation may include:

• Medical expenses and future treatment
• Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage
• Long-term rehabilitation or disability costs
• Wrongful death damages for surviving family members

In serious injury cases, future needs often matter more than current expenses.

If you have been injured, or a family member has been injured or killed as a result of a motor vehicle accident, Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky is committed to obtaining the compensation you need and deserve. Contact our experienced car accident attorneys for a free consultation.

What if the insurance company offers a quick settlement?

Quick settlement offers often reflect what is convenient for the insurer—not what is fair to you.

Once you accept a settlement, you typically give up the right to seek additional compensation, even if your injuries worsen or future costs emerge.

Before accepting any offer, it is critical to understand the full scope of your injuries and legal options.

Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky attorneys can help you navigate insurance requirements to ensure that your claim reflects the full impact of the accident. Contact our experienced car accident attorneys for a free consultation.

What if the other driver was uninsured or underinsured?

If the at-fault driver lacks sufficient insurance, other options may be available, including uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage through your own policy.

These claims can be complex and still involve aggressive resistance from insurers. Legal guidance can help identify all available coverage. Before engaging with insurance, it is critical that you understand your rights and options. Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky’s car accident attorneys can help you navigate insurance questions and claims. Contact our experienced car accident attorneys for a free consultation.