Pennsylvania Fatal Car Accident Lawyer
When a Pennsylvania car crash takes a life, the legal path forward runs through the Wrongful Death Act and the Survival Statute. Sean Quinlan represents families across all 67 counties in fatal collision claims — preserving evidence, holding insurers accountable, and pursuing the full measure of damages your family is entitled to.
No Fee Unless We Win · Free, Confidential
You may be responsible for certain case costs and expenses in addition to the fee, as explained in your written fee agreement.
Fatal car accident claims in Pennsylvania
A fatal car accident triggers two distinct legal claims in Pennsylvania: a wrongful death action for the family's losses, and a survival action for the losses suffered by the decedent before death. Both are typically filed together by the personal representative of the estate, and both must be brought within two years.
Wrongful death damages
- Funeral, burial, and estate administration expenses
- Medical bills incurred between the crash and the death
- Present value of lost earnings and financial contributions the decedent would have made to the family
- Loss of household services — childcare, home maintenance, caregiving
- Loss of comfort, society, guidance, tutelage, and moral upbringing for surviving children
Survival action damages
- Conscious pain and suffering between injury and death
- Lost earnings from the date of injury through death
- Lost future earning capacity, net of personal maintenance
- Loss of life's pleasures during the period of conscious survival
Why early investigation matters
Truck and commercial-vehicle event data recorders may be overwritten within days. Skid marks, debris fields, and vehicle damage all degrade quickly. In fatal cases, Quinlan Law Group moves immediately to preserve the scene, secure black-box data, photograph vehicles in their post-crash condition, and lock down witness statements while memories are fresh.
Related Pennsylvania resources
Talk to Sean Quinlan about your case.
No Fee Unless We Win. You may be responsible for certain case costs and expenses in addition to the fee, as explained in your written fee agreement. Call now or request a free case review and Sean Quinlan will personally evaluate your case.
Pennsylvania Fatal Car Accident FAQs
Who can file a fatal car accident claim in Pennsylvania?
Under Pennsylvania's Wrongful Death Act (42 Pa. C.S. § 8301), only the personal representative of the decedent's estate may file the action, but recoverable damages go to the surviving spouse, children, or parents. If no representative files within six months, any beneficiary may bring the claim on behalf of all.
What is the difference between wrongful death and survival actions?
A wrongful death claim compensates surviving family members for their losses — funeral costs, lost financial support, lost companionship, and household services. A survival action (42 Pa. C.S. § 8302) compensates the estate for what the deceased could have recovered if they had lived: pre-death pain and suffering, lost earnings from the date of injury to death, and lost future earning capacity. Both claims are typically pursued together after a fatal crash.
What is the statute of limitations for fatal car accidents in PA?
Two years from the date of death for wrongful death claims, and two years from the date of injury (which is often the same date) for survival actions. Missing the deadline almost always extinguishes the claim, so it's critical to involve counsel early to preserve evidence — vehicle data, scene reconstruction, and witness statements degrade fast.
What damages are recoverable after a fatal PA crash?
Funeral and burial expenses, medical bills incurred before death, the present value of the financial contributions the decedent would have made, the value of household services they provided, and damages for the loss of comfort, society, and guidance. Survival action damages include the decedent's conscious pain and suffering and lost earnings net of personal maintenance.
Does Pennsylvania comparative negligence apply to fatal accidents?
Yes. Pennsylvania's modified comparative negligence rule (51% bar) applies to wrongful death and survival actions. Recovery is reduced by the decedent's share of fault, and barred entirely if the decedent was more than 50% at fault. Insurance companies routinely try to shift blame onto the deceased — strong reconstruction evidence is essential.
How much does a Pennsylvania fatal car accident lawyer cost?
Quinlan Law Group handles fatal car accident cases on a contingency fee — no attorney fee unless we recover for your family. You may be responsible for certain case costs and expenses in addition to the fee, as explained in your written fee agreement. The initial consultation is free and confidential.