Philadelphia has one of the lowest rates of vehicle ownership among all cities in the United States. According to Census Bureau statistics and Governing analysis, Philadelphia was the 14th most car-free city in the nation in 2013, with 0.968 cars per household. It does not imply that Philadelphia’s streets are empty or that driving in our city is safer than others.
Over the past years, car related accidents in Philadelphia have dramatically risen based on generated statistics. Most of these reported car crash incidents around Philadelphia are due to increase in population, the presence of multi-lane, high-speed roadways and highways in the area. Regardless of these reasons, many individuals are becoming victims and being injured in car accidents. So, if you or a loved one has suffered severe injuries from a recent car accident, it would be a wise decision to consult a car accident attorney in Philly and have your case reviewed immediately.
Car accidents may occur at junctions, on highways, and in other places. A motorist may get distracted by their phone and collide with another vehicle. When two drivers are not paying attention and collide, a car accident occurs. Other times, drivers get so angry that they cause an accident or engage in a violent fight.
Speeding cars, bad weather, strong winds, and even missing traffic signals may all contribute to car accidents. It is recommended that drivers slow down while getting on the road, utilize their turn signals, and maintain their eyes on the road, and set mobile phones to Do Not Disturb mode, and maintain both hands on the steering wheel when conversing with passengers. Accidents may also occur when drivers are sleepy or unable to focus on the road. As a result, vehicles may need to pull over or remain at home. Drivers who have been working all day or who drive after dark must use extra caution.
Statistics of Car Accidents in Philadelphia
Based on 2015 Pennsylvania Crash Facts and Statistics report from Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (DOT) which was released late of 2016, the number of car crashes statewide totaled 127,127. This figure already includes 59,290 on personal injury crashes and 1,102 on fatal crashes. Below is the statistics compilation:
- Severe injuries (3,030); moderate car crashes (12,503); and minor injury related crashes (40,364).
- Philadelphia County reported a total of 8,341 personal injury crashes with the biggest number coming from Pennsylvania.
- Philadelphia County reported a total number of 85 fatal car crashes the highest figure is from Pennsylvania.
- Most of the car crash happened in January while the fatal incidents of car crashes occurred in August.
- The report cases of car crashes happened on Fridays with the highest number of fatal crashes occurred on Sundays.
- Among the public holidays were these crashes happened are during Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day, including Christmas.
Philadelphia Car Insurance
The city’s low vehicle population indicates that getting into a car accident in Philadelphia may be more expensive and hazardous than elsewhere.
The fact that so many people live in abject poverty inside the city boundaries is the primary cause of the city’s lack of automobiles. Deep poverty is defined as half of the federal poverty line, which means that a family of three would be in deep poverty if their total income were $10,000 or less. 12.2% of Philadelphians — almost 185,000 individuals – are impoverished. It places Philadelphia at the top of the list of the country’s ten most populated cities in terms of severe poverty. This figure is almost double the national average of 6.3%. With so many people living in abject poverty, the number of vehicles possessed inside the city boundaries is limited to a minimum.
Those who live in or near poverty and own a car, on the other hand, are likely to be uninsured. Given how much insurance costs in Philadelphia, it is particularly probable – almost treble what it costs in other parts of Pennsylvania.
When you get into a vehicle accident with someone who doesn’t have auto insurance, the intricacy of the accident skyrockets; if they caused the accident and are held responsible for your property damage and injuries, you may be out of luck — without insurance. Usually, without the resources to pay your costs out of pocket, there may not be enough money to go around. Even if you have uninsured motorist coverage on your vehicle insurance policy, it may not cover all of your medical costs and other expenditures.
Causes of Car Accidents
The common causes of car crashes reported in Philadelphia including its nearby areas often include the following:
- Drivers disobedience on traffic laws, signals, signs and traffic control devices
- Failure to account existing hazards and unfavorable conditions on the road
- Bad driving habits like reckless driving
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
What should be done if you get involved in a car accident?
If you are involved in a car accident, it’s crucial that you conduct a thorough investigation to verify if you can be entitled to compensation. You should also seek the legal representation of any of the members of car accident lawyers in Philadelphia to evaluate your case, gather more evidence and prove that negligence of another driver is present through the acquisition of the following legal documents:
- Vehicle maintenance records
- Surveillance footage report
- Cell phone records
- Medical records
- Toxicology reports
The car accident attorney in Philly may also gather written testimonies from third parties like witnesses to support your car accident case to be valid.
What is expected from your hired car accident lawyer in Philadelphia?
While your attorney is busy doing the groundwork of your car accident case, this legal representative may also take responsibility in doing the following actions:
- Make phone calls
- Filling out required forms
- Discuss with the client’s insurer’s adjuster about the compensation for injuries
Why You Should Contact Our Attorneys for Car Accidents Cases in Philadelphia
If you have been a victim of a horrific car collision due to the negligence of another driver, credible car accident lawyers in Philadelphia are ready to assist you with your case. Remember, get the right compensation is not always easily acquired from the insurance company and may become time- consuming as you try to defend the legality of your car accident case. If there has been an unfair judgment on your insurer’s decision, don’t hesitate to contact a reputable car accident attorney in Philly and let this expert defend your case in a court trial.
In most cases, personal injury legislation is dependent on carelessness. The legal doctrine of negligence is described as “a failure to conduct with the degree of care that anyone of average foresight would have taken under the same circumstances.” It may consist of acts, but it may also comprise of omissions in certain situations.
The automobile insurance legislation in Pennsylvania is more complicated than other state statutes. Pennsylvania has implemented a one-of-a-kind “no-fault” system for auto accidents claims. When purchasing insurance, a person must select between two kinds of insurance coverage.
There are two kinds of torts: full tort and limited tort (no-fault). In most instances, if a person gets in an accident under the no-fault option, they will not be allowed to file a lawsuit to seek compensation. Instead, even if they were not at fault, they will claim with their own insurance company.
What if you pursue a personal injury case to collect compensation for injuries sustained in a vehicle accident, but you are partly to blame? In such a scenario, Pennsylvania’s comparative fault rules may come into play. These rules govern how much you may recover in an accident that you contributed to or even if you can recover anything at all. The state of Pennsylvania follows a modified regulation. This legislation enables you to collect compensation if your fault is not higher than the other driver’s.
A big monetary judgment for your losses will not return your dear ones or the existence you had before sustaining a serious injury. However, it can assist you in dealing with the financial repercussions of your injury and provide you with the best potential future. Every state has a time restriction for bringing a lawsuit.
These time limitations are rigorously enforced; therefore, following this regulation is essential because if you do not submit your lawsuit before the time limit expires, you will most likely lose your right to make a lawsuit for the accident. Therefore, you should seek the advice of an expert lawyer or consult a law firm as early as possible. Click here for a free consultation with Philadelphia personal injury lawyers.
