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Dedicated Personal Injury Lawyers Serving Huntingdon, PA
A serious accident can come out of nowhere. A distracted driver runs a red light at the corner of Penn Street and Fifth, a boater opens up the throttle on Raystown Lake without watching for swimmers, a slick floor at a local store sends you crashing to the ground, or a trucking company puts an unsafe driver behind the wheel on US-22. In a single moment, you go from healthy and self-sufficient to facing surgery, lost income, and a long road to recovery.
When that happens, you deserve a law firm that actually fights for you. Gieg & Jancula has been advocating for injured Pennsylvanians for more than 80 years, and our personal injury attorneys regularly handle claims for clients throughout Huntingdon County, including the Borough of Huntingdon, Mount Union, Mapleton Depot, Petersburg, Alexandria, and the rural communities surrounding Raystown Lake. Our office in Altoona is just a short drive west on US-22, and we make the trip whenever our clients need us.
If you or a family member has been injured in or near Huntingdon, do not wait to find out where you stand. Call Gieg & Jancula today at 814-946-1606 for a free consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you pay no attorneys’ fees unless we recover compensation for you.
Why Huntingdon County Residents Trust Gieg & Jancula
Choosing a personal injury lawyer is one of the most consequential decisions you will make after a serious accident. Here is why Huntingdon County clients put their trust in Gieg & Jancula.
Decades of Pennsylvania Trial Experience
Our firm has served central Pennsylvania for over 80 years. Attorneys Michael N. Gieg and Christopher R. Jancula are seasoned trial lawyers who have recovered millions of dollars on behalf of injured Pennsylvanians, including a $3.3 million wrongful death recovery in a trucking case and a $1.6 million result for a pedestrian struck by a delivery truck. You can review more recoveries on our case results page.
Inside Knowledge of the Insurance Industry
One of our partners spent years on the other side of the table, defending insurance companies in injury claims. That background gives our team a strategic advantage. We know what adjusters look for, how they evaluate medical records, and how they prepare for litigation. We use that knowledge to anticipate their tactics and demand fair treatment for every client we represent in Huntingdon County.
Local Knowledge, Personal Service
Huntingdon County is home to small towns, a respected liberal arts college, working farms, and one of the largest lake recreation areas in the eastern United States. We know its roads, hospitals, courts, and rhythms. When you call our office, you talk to a real person, work directly with your attorney, and get the kind of attentive service that big-city firms simply cannot deliver to rural Pennsylvania clients.
Personal Injury Cases We Handle in Huntingdon County
Our personal injury practice is broad. Whatever the circumstances of your accident, we have likely handled a similar case before.
Car Accidents on US-22, PA-26, and Local Roads
U.S. Route 22 is the lifeline of Huntingdon County, carrying commuters, freight, and tourists between Altoona and the Harrisburg area. PA Route 26 runs north and south through the heart of the county, connecting Huntingdon to State College and the Bedford area, while PA Route 994 and other state routes serve the Raystown Lake region. These two-lane roads cross hilly terrain with narrow shoulders, blind curves, and limited passing zones. According to data published in PennDOT’s Pennsylvania Crash Facts, rural roadway crashes are disproportionately likely to cause fatal or serious injuries. Our car accident lawyers handle every kind of crash, from low-speed parking lot fender benders in downtown Huntingdon to fatal head-on collisions on rural state routes.
Truck Accidents Along Major Freight Corridors
US-22 is a major east-west freight artery in Pennsylvania, and the limestone, aggregate, timber, and agricultural industries of Huntingdon County keep the road full of dump trucks, log trucks, and tractor-trailers. When a fully loaded commercial vehicle is involved in a crash, the consequences for occupants of passenger vehicles can be devastating. Our truck accident attorneys investigate driver logs, electronic data, hours-of-service violations, vehicle maintenance, and motor carrier hiring records to identify every responsible party.
Motorcycle Crashes on Scenic Routes
Riders are drawn to Huntingdon County for the same reasons tourists are. The mountainous terrain, scenic vistas around Raystown Lake, and quiet two-lane roads make for some of the best motorcycle riding in the state. Unfortunately, distracted drivers, deer, gravel patches, and unmaintained shoulders make those same roads dangerous. Our motorcycle accident lawyers understand the unique challenges riders face, including the bias that some insurance carriers and juries bring to these cases, and we know how to overcome it.
Boating, Recreational, and Tourist-Related Injuries
Raystown Lake is the largest lake located entirely within Pennsylvania, drawing more than a million visitors each year. With that many people on the water, it is no surprise that boating accidents, jet ski collisions, and dock-related injuries occur regularly. Recreational accidents can also include hunting incidents, ATV crashes on private and public land, falls on poorly maintained hiking trails, and injuries at vacation rentals and resorts. We help injured visitors and residents alike pursue claims against negligent operators, property owners, and tour companies.
Slip, Trip, and Fall Injuries
Property owners in Huntingdon County have a legal duty to keep their premises reasonably safe for visitors. When ice goes untreated outside a downtown business, a stairway is allowed to deteriorate at a rental property, or a store fails to clean up a spill, the result can be a serious fall injury, including broken hips, fractures, head injuries, and back injuries. We handle slip-and-fall cases against retailers, restaurants, hotels, apartment complexes, and other property owners.
Wrongful Death Claims
Losing a loved one in an accident is devastating. Our wrongful death attorneys help families pursue both wrongful death and survival actions under Pennsylvania law, seeking compensation for funeral expenses, lost financial support, lost companionship, and the pain and suffering experienced by the decedent before death. We handle these cases with the compassion they require and the toughness the insurance industry respects.
Workplace Injuries and Workers’ Compensation
Huntingdon County’s industries include agriculture, manufacturing, quarrying, education, and healthcare, all of which carry their own injury risks. If you were hurt on the job, you likely qualify for benefits under Pennsylvania’s workers’ compensation system, regardless of fault. In some cases, a third-party personal injury claim may also be available, for example against a negligent driver who hit you while you were working or the manufacturer of unsafe equipment.
Pennsylvania Personal Injury Laws Every Huntingdon County Resident Should Know
Personal injury claims in Pennsylvania are governed by a specific set of rules. A few of them can dramatically affect your case.
Two-Year Statute of Limitations
Most Pennsylvania personal injury claims must be filed within two years of the date of injury, under 42 Pa.C.S. § 5524. Different rules can apply to claims against government entities, claims involving minors, and certain other categories of cases. Missing the deadline almost always means losing your right to recover, no matter how strong your case is otherwise.
Modified Comparative Negligence
Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence rule. As long as you are 50 percent or less at fault for the accident, you can still recover damages, but your award is reduced by your share of fault. Once you cross the 51 percent threshold, you recover nothing, which is exactly why insurance companies push so hard to shift blame to injured people.
Limited and Full Tort Insurance
In Pennsylvania, drivers select either limited tort or full tort coverage. Full tort drivers can pursue the full range of damages, including pain and suffering. Limited tort drivers generally cannot recover non-economic damages unless their injuries qualify as “serious,” or another statutory exception applies. Important exceptions exist, including when the at-fault driver was drunk or driving an out-of-state vehicle, so it is worth having an experienced attorney review your policy before assuming what you can recover.
Damages You May Be Entitled to Recover
Pennsylvania law allows injured people to recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, scarring and disfigurement, and, in certain cases, punitive damages for especially reckless conduct.
Steps to Take After an Accident in Huntingdon County
The first hours and days after an accident matter. Following these steps can protect both your health and your legal rights.
1. Get Medical Care Immediately
If you are seriously hurt, accept transport by ambulance. Local emergency care in Huntingdon is provided by JC Blair Memorial Hospital, with higher-level trauma care available at UPMC Altoona, Mount Nittany Medical Center near State College, and Conemaugh Memorial in Johnstown. Even if you think your injuries are minor, get checked within 24 hours. Concussions, soft tissue injuries, and internal bleeding often do not show symptoms right away, and any gap in treatment will be used by the insurance company to argue that you were not really hurt.
2. Report the Accident
For motor vehicle crashes, call 911 and request a Pennsylvania State Police or local police response. For workplace injuries, notify your employer in writing as soon as possible. For falls or other incidents on someone else’s property, ask the property owner or manager to fill out an incident report and request a copy.
3. Document the Scene
If you can do so safely, take photos of vehicles, the surrounding area, weather and road conditions, traffic controls, debris fields, and any visible injuries. Get the names and contact information of every witness. Save receipts, medical records, pay stubs, and any text messages or emails relevant to your injury.
4. Be Cautious With Insurance Companies
Insurance adjusters often call within hours, asking for a recorded statement or pressuring you to accept a quick settlement. Be polite, but provide only the most basic information. Do not sign medical authorizations or accept any offer until you have spoken with an experienced attorney. Once you sign a release, you cannot reopen your case, even if your injuries turn out to be far worse than they originally appeared.
5. Call Gieg & Jancula
The earlier our attorneys are involved, the more we can do to preserve evidence, identify witnesses, deal with insurance companies, and build the strongest possible case. You can reach our team through the Gieg & Jancula contact page or by phone at 814-946-1606.
The Huntingdon County Court System
Most personal injury cases in Pennsylvania settle out of court, but some require litigation. Cases filed in Huntingdon County are typically heard at the Huntingdon County Court of Common Pleas at 223 Penn Street in Huntingdon. The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System provides background on the Huntingdon County court structure. Our attorneys are experienced litigating injury claims throughout central Pennsylvania, including in Huntingdon, Blair, Bedford, Cambria, Centre, and Mifflin counties.
Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Injury Cases in Huntingdon, PA
How much does it cost to hire Gieg & Jancula?
Our personal injury cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorneys’ fees unless we recover money for you. The initial consultation is free of charge and there is no obligation to hire us. This arrangement allows every Huntingdon County resident to access experienced legal representation, regardless of their financial situation.
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in Pennsylvania?
In most cases, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Pennsylvania. Different deadlines apply to claims involving government entities, minors, and certain medical malpractice matters. Because deadlines can be complicated and missing them is almost always fatal to your case, it is best to talk with a lawyer as soon as possible after your injury.
What kinds of compensation can I recover after an injury?
Pennsylvania law allows you to seek compensation for medical bills, future medical care, lost income, lost earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, scarring, and loss of enjoyment of life. In a small subset of cases involving especially reckless conduct, punitive damages may also be available. The exact value of your case depends on the severity of your injuries, the strength of the evidence, and several other factors we can evaluate during your consultation.
Can I bring a claim if I was hurt at Raystown Lake or another Huntingdon County recreational area?
Yes. Boating accidents, jet ski collisions, hunting incidents, ATV crashes, and falls on poorly maintained recreational property can all give rise to personal injury or wrongful death claims. The specific legal theory and parties involved depend on the facts of the case. Our attorneys regularly handle recreational injury cases for both Pennsylvania residents and out-of-state visitors.
Talk to a Huntingdon, PA Personal Injury Lawyer Today
You only have one chance to handle your injury case correctly, and the steps you take now will shape your future for years to come. Choose a firm with the experience, resources, and local knowledge to fight for you the right way.
For more than 80 years, Gieg & Jancula has built its reputation on hard work, real results, and old-fashioned client service. We treat every client like family, return calls promptly, and never settle a case for less than it is worth just to close the file. Our attorneys are ready to listen to your story, answer your questions, and explain exactly how we can help.
Call Gieg & Jancula at 814-946-1606 today for your free, no-obligation consultation, or contact us online to get started. Our office at 401 N. Logan Boulevard in Altoona is a quick drive west of Huntingdon on US-22, and we are happy to meet you in our office, at the hospital, or at home if travel is difficult. There are no fees unless we win your case, and there is no better time than today to take the first step toward the recovery you deserve.