How to Choose a Car Accident Attorney in PA

A car accident in Pennsylvania puts you in triage mode fast. You are managing injuries, chasing repair estimates, and fielding calls from an insurance adjuster, sometimes within the same afternoon.

Knowing how to choose a car accident attorney in Pennsylvania is one of the first decisions that actually protect your claim and your recovery. You need someone who understands Pennsylvania’s roads, traffic laws, car accident insurance rules, filing deadlines, and local insurance adjusters.

Below, we walk you through exactly what to look for and avoid when choosing a Pennsylvania car accident lawyer after your crash.

What to Look for When Choosing a Car Accident Attorney in Pennsylvania

These criteria separate the best car accident lawyer for your case from an average one, from an attorney’s actual courtroom record to how they talk about your case on the first call.

1. Specialized Experience With Car Accident Claims in Pennsylvania

An attorney who focuses primarily on car accident claims understands Pennsylvania traffic law, insurance adjuster tactics, and how to put a number on pain and suffering, not just medical bills. A general practitioner handling divorce or criminal defense on the side can’t offer that same depth.

A few quick checks verify specialized experience before you ever pick up the phone:

• Search the attorney on the Pennsylvania Disciplinary Board’s website to confirm they’re in good standing, and look for board certifications.
• Look at the firm’s recent case results for car accident settlements and verdicts specifically, not personal injury results in general.
• Ask directly how many car accident cases they handle in a typical year and what share of their caseload is motor vehicle claims.

2. Local Knowledge of Pennsylvania Courts and Roads

An attorney who works in the Luzerne and Lackawanna courts regularly knows the judges, the local filing rules, and which insurance adjusters negotiate in good faith versus which ones need a lawsuit filed before they move. Ask whether the attorney has handled a case in the specific county where your crash happened, not just somewhere in Pennsylvania. Local court experience and statewide experience are not the same thing.

3. A Track Record of Actually Going to Trial

Insurance companies track which law firms settle every case and which firms take cases to trial. A car accident attorney who never litigates gives the insurer no reason to raise a low offer.

A trial record only matters if it’s specific. Ask for named verdicts, not a general promise to “fight for you,” and confirm whether those verdicts were in car accident cases or another practice area entirely. An attorney who can’t name one is telling you something, whether or not they say it directly.

4. Reviews and Referrals

Client reviews and referrals tell you something a law firm’s marketing can’t: how the attorney actually behaves once they have your case. Check Google reviews and legal directories like Avvo or Super Lawyers, and read for patterns in communication and follow-through. A referral from a doctor, a past client, or another attorney carries particular weight. It reflects professional trust earned over multiple cases, not one satisfied caller.

5. A Clear, Transparent Fee Structure

Get the exact contingency percentage in writing before you sign anything. Pennsylvania car accident attorneys typically work on contingency, charging a set percentage of the recovery and nothing if the case does not settle or win. Some firms deduct case costs, such as expert witness fees from the recovery before calculating the percentage. Others deduct them afterward, which changes your net recovery even at the same headline rate.

6. Clear Communication From the First Call

Clear communication starts in the free consultation, before you sign a retainer. Treat the free consultation as an interview, not just an intake call. You’re evaluating the attorney as much as they’re evaluating your case. Notice whether the attorney explains your tort election and filing deadline without prompting or waits for you to ask.

A car accident attorney who communicates well returns calls promptly, explains legal terms in plain language, and tells you directly who handles your case day to day.

Red Flags and Warning Signs to Watch For

1. An attorney who quotes a settlement value before reviewing your medical records or verifying your tort election status.
2. A guarantee of a specific dollar outcome, or a guaranteed win, during the free consultation.
3. Pressure to sign a retainer agreement on the spot, without time to review the terms.
4. A refusal to put the contingency percentage, litigation costs, or other fees in writing.
5. Unreturned calls, a strategy that’s never clearly explained, or a disorganized office at your first meeting.
6. Contact from a lawyer or their staff that you did not initiate, shortly after your crash.
7. Hesitation to discuss trial strategy, or a push toward an early, lowball settlement instead of negotiating with an uncooperative insurer.

One of these signs is worth a follow-up question. Two or more together are worth ending the meeting.

When to Hire a Car Accident Attorney in PA

The right time to hire a car accident attorney is before you speak with any insurance adjuster. Insurance companies open a file within hours of a crash, and their first offer is built to close your claim quickly, not to reflect what it’s worth.

Why Acting Sooner Is Better:

Pennsylvania law gives you two years from the date of your crash to file a lawsuit under 42 Pa.C.S. § 5524. Courts enforce this deadline strictly regardless of injury severity, and missing it by one day bars your claim permanently in nearly every case. A small set of exceptions exists, including tolling for minors and cases where an injury isn’t discoverable right away, and a lawyer can confirm whether one applies to you.

Acting early also protects evidence that disappears fast: dashcam footage gets overwritten, witnesses relocate, and nearby business surveillance is erased on short retention cycles.

Why Hire a Car Accident Attorney at Scartelli Olszewski, P.C.

Our legal team at Scartelli Olszewski, P.C., has tried Pennsylvania car accident cases since 2001, and we build every case for trial from day one, whether it settles or reaches a verdict. That preparation is why carriers raise offers when they see our name on a file.

• Board-certified trial experience. Melissa A. Scartelli, our founder and president, is a Board Certified Civil Trial Advocate, a credential held by very few attorneys in Pennsylvania, and has been named to the Super Lawyers list for 17 consecutive years.
• A former judge and DA on our team. Peter Paul Olszewski, a former Luzerne County District Attorney and Court of Common Pleas judge, knows the local courts and juries that decide these cases because he sat on both sides of them.
• Trial-first preparation since 2001. We build every car accident case for trial from day one, whether it settles or reaches a verdict, which is why carriers raise offers when they see our name on a file.
• More than 100 combined years of attorney experience across personal injury and focused motor vehicle accident cases, including car crashes, commercial truck collisions, motorcycle crashes, and pedestrian accidents.
• A record you can check yourself. Review our case results and client testimonials directly, not just our word for it.
• Local roots. We live and work in Northeastern Pennsylvania, and we handle every case with the seriousness we would bring to one involving our own family.

Take the Next Step with a Free, No-Obligation Case Review

Managing medical bills, insurance adjusters, and lost wages while recovering from a serious crash is already overwhelming. You shouldn’t have to figure out which lawyer to trust on top of everything else. A free consultation with Scartelli Olszewski gives you clarity about your options, at no cost and no obligation.

Call our Scranton car accident lawyers at (570) 346-2600, our Wilkes-Barre car accident lawyers at (570) 822-1400, or schedule your free case review.

  
 
 
 
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 Tom N 
 
0 days ago
 
 
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I cannot say enough good things about Scartelli lawfirm. They care about their clients and are compassionate about their needs.  Scartelli lawfirm makes you feel that you are not just another client but a person that is in need of help and they make it their mission to provide the best services possible.  By far the best law firm in the area and it is not even close.
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Tree Winkler 
 
4 days ago
 
 
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+0
I have a 28yr old special needs son who is non-verbal. Even though we moved away from the Scranton area, an incident occurred with him and I really needed Legal Advice. Already knowing Atty Melissa Scartelli, I called Her for advice to see if we had a case. She was honest and said it wasn't their type of case. However, she didn't stop there. She assured me, she would find who, in MY area, was able to Help me and my son find justice...AND without having the anxiety of going to Court! She DID that too. She researched, she & her  paralegals helped with conference calls, snail mail, emails and even text messages. All the while, wanting and caring to make My Son Whole! ❤️ We came to an agreement and even still helping make sure I follow-up and know what to do post-case. Also, I do not want to forget Patrick & Brittany helping the team. I am SO grateful for the offices of Scartelli & Olszewski. Thank You,  Thank You, Thank You,  ALL!!! Tree W. Manchester, PA
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Danielle Kozick 
 
23 days ago
 
 
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Scartelli Olszewski, P.C.,  is a personal injury law firm staffed with individuals who are knowledgeable,  compassionate and vigilant advocates for their clients. They understand that a case is more than a docket number...it's a person whose life and the life of their family has been affected by the negligence of another. Highly recommend.
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 lee hun 
 
26 days ago
 
 
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I cannot say enough about Melissa Scartelli and her law firm. If you are looking for an attorney who truly cares about her clients and treats you like a person instead of just another case number, I highly recommend her. I first came across Melissa during an extremely difficult emergency involving a family member. I was overwhelmed, scared, and honestly did not know what to do or who to call. I had contacted other attorneys, and some seemed too busy to speak with me or said they would call me back and never did. Then I found Melissa. She did not know me. She did not even know the full details of my situation yet, but she stayed on the phone with me, listened to what I was going through, and helped guide me through what I needed to do. She helped me understand who I needed to contact, including the police and the funeral home. During one of the hardest moments my family had experienced, she took the time to help us when she did not have to. That told me immediately what kind of attorney and what kind of person she was. Throughout my case, Melissa and her firm made me feel comfortable and supported. They walked me through the process and made sure I understood what was happening. What impressed me the most was that her concern did not feel like it was only about winning a case. She genuinely cared about what my family and I were going through. She would even call sometimes just to check on me and make sure I was okay. I have never had an attorney work so hard for me while also showing that level of compassion. There are certain details about my case that I cannot discuss publicly, but I can say that I will never forget what Melissa Scartelli and her firm did for me and my family. If there were an award for attorneys who go above and beyond for their clients, Melissa would be at the top of my list. After everything we went through together, I consider her more than just an attorney I worked with I consider her someone my family and I will always respect and appreciate. If I ever need an attorney again and it is something she can represent me for, Melissa Scartelli will be the first person I call. Thank you, Melissa, for everything you have done for me and my family. I will always be grateful.
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Scott Lombardi 
 
28 days ago
 
 
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Melissa Scartelli and Rachel Olszewski were so helpful with my father’s medical case. They kept our family informed every step of the way and made us feel comfortable. It didn’t fix the doctors mistake but it made us feel comfortable that we can afford any medical care our father may need.
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Sebastian P 
 
28 days ago
 
 
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A friend referred me to Scartelli and Olszewski after I had an injury in a motor vehicle accident. I had never been in this situation before but Ann Marie and Rachel made it painless.. (Minus the pain in my broken bones..) They made me feel very sure about their process, and kept me updated when progress had been made. Thanks to their relentless fight and attention to detail, we secured great compensation. I hope not to need an injury attorney again, however, I know where I would go, and I know where you should go if you do!
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 kristian radi 
 
28 days ago
 
 
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Best in the area, helped me so much with my DUI. Beautiful family also. Defenetly calling them if i get in trouble again
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Pat O’Donnell 
 
778 days ago
 
 
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Very responsive and great to work with, they go the extra mile and very knowledgeable. Highly recommend!!
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Dwayne Legions 
 
788 days ago
 
 
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The law office of Scatelli Olszewski went above and beyond the call of duty. They kept me in the loop of every decision that was made on my behalf. They got me the best deal my case could get. I would recommend they law firm to anyone.
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Michelle Hebda 
 
869 days ago
 
 
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I highly recommend this Firm..Rachel ,Melissa and Peter are the best.They go way beyond what other lawyers don't To help clients get the best case..The Whole team Lawyers, Paralegals, Secretaries  are very helpful and return calls as soon as they can.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Frequently Asked Questions

What Should I Bring to a Free Consultation?

Five documents give a car accident attorney enough to assess your claim in a single meeting:

• The police report from the crash.
• Photos from the scene, if you have them.
• Your auto insurance declarations page showing your tort election.
• Medical records from any treatment received so far.
• Written communication from the other driver’s insurance company.

Bring what you have. Missing one or two of these does not stop a consultation from being useful.

What Questions Do I Ask Before I Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in PA?

A handful of direct questions separate a strong candidate from a weak one. Ask:

1. How many car accident cases do you handle in a typical year, and what share of your practice is motor vehicle claims?
2. Have you tried a car accident case to verdict in the county where my crash happened, and what was the outcome?
3. What is the exact contingency percentage? Does it change if the case goes to trial, and who pays expenses like expert witness fees if the claim doesn’t succeed?
4. Who will actually handle my case day-to-day?

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in PA?

Most Pennsylvania car accident attorneys, including our firm, work on contingency. You pay nothing upfront, and there’s no fee unless we recover compensation for you. The exact percentage and how case costs like expert witness fees, are handled should be in writing before you sign.

Can I Switch Lawyers?

Yes. You can change attorneys at any point if you’re not satisfied. Your new attorney will typically request your file from the previous firm, and your former attorney may be entitled to a portion of the fee for work already completed under Pennsylvania’s rules on attorney fee liens. A consultation with a new firm can confirm what that transition looks like for your case.

Peter Olszewski

Peter Paul Olszewski, Jr., a shareholder and managing partner at Scartelli Olszewski, P.C., brings 37 years of litigation experience. He is a renowned trial lawyer in Pennsylvania, specializing in medical malpractice, personal injury, and criminal defense. Peter's notable achievements include securing multi-million-dollar verdicts and serving as District Attorney and Judge. He is committed to community involvement and is actively engaged in various legal associations.
Linked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-paul-olszewski-jr-11115b1a/