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Philadelphia: Car Accidents, Statistics and All You Need to Know

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Philadelphia: Car Accidents, Statistics and All You Need to Know

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.

Here, the Philadelphia personal injury lawyers offer you comprehensive information on Philadelphia automobile accidents because driving is still dangerous and may end in a vehicle accident that leaves you or someone you care about seriously injured.

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, utilise 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:

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, in 2014 alone, there were 10,627 automobile accidents in Philadelphia County. 7,788 of these resulted in someone being injured. 89 of these incidents resulted in at least one death, for a total of 97 fatalities. 38 of those killed in vehicle accidents were pedestrians, demonstrating how hazardous walking on city streets can be. In 2014, 18 of the total number of deaths in Philadelphia County were caused by alcohol-related accidents.

When City Data compares these figures to the rest of Pennsylvania’s fatal accident data, it discovers that Philadelphia’s totals are lower than the state average. In 2014, there were 6.2 fatal automobile accidents per 100,000 inhabitants in Philadelphia. It was lower than the state average of 8.4 persons per 100,000. However, this lower percentage does not necessarily imply that driving in Philadelphia is safer than driving everywhere else in the state. Instead, the lower statistics are most likely because more miles are driven at slower speeds in Philadelphia than everywhere else in the state. Accidents at these lower speeds are much less likely to result in death; thus, these percentages remain low.

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.

Attorneys for Car Accidents in Philadelphia:

When you are injured in a vehicle accident, your priority should be your well-being and receiving the necessary medical treatment. Then you question what occurred and who is to blame. If you were injured in a vehicle accident in Pennsylvania, you might have a legal right to seek damages from the at-fault driver. Pennsylvania automobile accident laws will govern your case.

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.

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Shall I File A Car Accident Police Report?

Have you been involved in a recent car accident? If you are still unsure whether you should file a car accident police report, let me give you further enlightenment on this issue. For record purposes of police, accident reports are essential in the collection of statistics on car accidents happening in a particular state. Car accidents report provide accurate data to the government, helping them come up with better and stricter rules in implementing road safety. So, if you will ask this compelling question after involvement in a recent car accident, “Should I file a report?” here are some scenarios that will tell you what you should do.

Scenario #1

Some drivers who have been involved in car accidents feel that filing a police report is needed when filing an insurance claim. In fact, when you file a car accident police report, you have peace of mind that your incident is properly recorded on the “books” and in the event your insurance company wants proof of this particular accident, you can easily get a copy from your local state police office.

Scenario #2 

In the event, your car accident didn’t cause injury to you or the other driver and no property damage incurred if this incident happened in Philadelphia according to a car accident lawyer, the policemen of the Philadelphia Police Department (PPD) will not usually go to the accident scene, but the drivers of both vehicles must file the “Accident Report” within the duration of five days of the crash.

Why file the report?

There are underlying reasons that filing a report seems the wisest thing to do, especially if it’s a case of car accident. Why? The future may bring complications or uncertainties that you may not foresee to happen and having a police report could be useful in case the following events arise:

  • The other driver decided to pursue legal charges after contacting a lawyer in Philly.
  • The complications as well as other signs of injuries only appeared late like days or weeks after the actual collision. So, if you developed a serious back, neck, or head trauma injury, you will need to file an insurance claim or lawsuit on your own. A recorded report of this Car Accident Lawyer Philly will be considered as proof or evidence to support your story. In the event, you failed to notify your insurer about your accident, they may not cover any medical expenses that occurred in the scene of the accident.
  • The other driver may decide to file an insurance claim. In Pennsylvania, auto insurance is a bit complicated because there are technicalities that an ordinary individual may not be aware of like when drivers opt for the “no-fault” auto insurance or conventional liability insurance coverage. But, regardless of the auto insurance policy, the driver has if you didn’t file any report of the accident to your insurer, you can be penalized for such action or lose rights for an insurance claim.

Don’t you know your legal rights after a car accident? Regardless your car accident led to serious injury or no injury, severe property damage or none, being involved in a car accident may have technicalities that only a knowledgeable lawyer with specialization in car accidents in Philadelphia can explain to you. If in doubt of what action to take after a car accident, consult a lawyer and discover the real score.

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Who Is Really At Fault In Car Accidents Involving Pedestrians?

Do you want to know the real score on who is really at fault in car accidents involving pedestrians? Imagine yourself or a loved one being involved in a car accident, but as a pedestrian. What are your legal options when this unforeseen incident happens and left you badly injured? Below are some issues you need to be aware of the lawsuits on car accidents where a driver and pedestrian is concerned including the role of a car accident lawyer Philadelphia.

Who is really to blame for pedestrian accidents?

This is a crucial question that a pedestrian must address before making a final decision whether to file car accident case or not after being hit or struck by a moving vehicle. The following concerns must be given a straightforward answer:

  • Is the vehicle involved tried to beat the red light?
  • Was the driver under the influence of liquor or doing something else like using a mobile device?
  • Have you forgotten to check on the traffic light sign and decided to walk?
  • Could either you or the driver concerned have prevented this accident from happening?

In most cases of car accidents involving pedestrians, a pedestrian according to a lawyer in Philadelphia could get compensation in a car accident case if the driver is at least partially at fault. But, if the pedestrian is unmindful of the surroundings or busy texting or talking on his or her mobile phone while trying to cross a pedestrian lane and the driver could not do anything right at the moment, there is a little chance that the pedestrian will win this case.

On the other hand, in a different scenario of a car accident involving a pedestrian, if there are more than one driver involved in this bad incident, who can be blamed? For example, Driver A beat a red light while Driver B had a green light and swerve to avoid making a collision with the vehicle of Driver A. But, this sudden swerve led to Driver B losing control and accidentally hit a pedestrian in the name of Dennis. Can Dennis sue both drivers involved in this accident? Drive B though not fully accountable for this accident is also viewed to be contributory because he or she failed to take control of his or her vehicle after the swerve. Driver A under a car accident case may be compelled to pay the biggest amount of damages filed.

What damages can a pedestrian claim?

If the car accident involving a pedestrian happened within Philadelphia, the damages that can be covered when the legal representative of the injured person files a car accident case are:

  • Medical expenses that will cover both the present bills as well as future expenses that may arise while the injured pedestrian is under recovery stage.
  • Loss of earnings due to inability to resume to work.
  • Pain and suffering can also be part of the damages.
  • Loss of interest to do the things the pedestrian used to love prior the car accident.

Who to turn for professional advice if confused where you should file a pedestrian car accident case?

Another question that will haunt an injured pedestrian is, “Who can really shed light after this car accident?” If the accident occurred in Philadelphia, contacting a local legal representative like a lawyer in Philly could be the only option for now and find out if your pedestrian accident can proceed to a lawsuit.

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Shall I File A Car Accident Police Report?

Have you been involved in a recent car accident? If you are still unsure whether you should file a car accident police report, let me give you further enlightenment on this issue. For record purposes of police, accidents reports are essential in collection of statistics on car accidents happening in a particular state. Car accidents report provide accurate data to the government, helping them come up with better and stricter rules in implementing road safety. So, if you will ask this compelling question after involvement in a recent car accident, “Should I file a report?” here are some scenarios that will tell you what you should do.

Scenario #1

Some drivers who have been involved in car accidents feel that filing a police report is needed when filing an insurance claim. In fact, when you file a car accident police report, you have peace of mind the your incident is properly recorded on the “books” and in the event your insurance company wants proof of this particular accident, you can easily get a copy from your local state police office.

Scenario #2

In the event your car accident didn’t cause injury to you or the other driver and no property damage incurred, if this incident happened in Philadelphia according to a car accident lawyer, the policemen of the Philadelphia Police Department (PPD) will not usually go to the accident scene, but the drivers of both vehicles must file the “Accident Report” within the duration of five days of the crash.

Why file the report?

There are underlying reasons that filing a report seems the wisest thing to do, especially if it’s a case of car accident. Why? The future may bring complications or uncertainties that you may not foresee to happen and having a police report could be useful in case the following events arise:

  • The other driver decided to pursue legal charges after contacting a lawyer in Philly.
  • The complications as well as other signs of injuries only appeared late like days or weeks after the actual collision. So, if you developed a serious back, neck or head trauma injury, you will need to file an insurance claim or lawsuit on your own. A recorded report of this Car Accident Lawyer Philly will be considered as proof or evidence to support your story. In the event, you failed to notify your insurer about your accident, they may not cover any medical expense that occurred in the scene of accident.
  • The other driver may decide to file an insurance claim. In Pennsylvania, auto insurance is a bit complicated because there are technicalities that an ordinary individual may not be aware of like when drivers opt for the “no fault” auto insurance or conventional liability insurance coverage. But, regardless of the auto insurance policy the driver has, if you didn’t file any report of the accident to your insurer, you can be penalized for such action or lose rights for an insurance claim.

Don’t you know your legal rights after a car accident? Regardless your car accident led to serious injury or no injury, severe property damage or none, being involved in a car accident may have technicalities that only a knowledgeable lawyer with specialization in car accidents in Philadelphia can explain to you. If in doubt of what action to take after a car accident, consult a lawyer and discover the real score.

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All You Need To Know About Employer Liability In A Car Accident Case

Do you want to know who will be held liable in a car accident case if an employee is at fault? This is a critical issue, especially if the car accident occurred while the employee is driving a company vehicle. Determining who is really accountable if this car accident case happened in Philadelphia must be put under the expertise of an attorney specializing in car accident cases. Let me give you a quick brief on what you need to know about employer liability in a car accident case.

What are the reasons an employer is held liable?

There are at least two major reasons when an employer is held fully liable for a car accident case involving an employee.

  • Negligence of the employer

One of the grounds where employer liability will be ruled out is due to employer’s negligence. For example, if the employer hired a company driver, but didn’t do the necessary screening and compliance of strict requirements like ensuring that the only an applicant holding a commercial license driver must be considered for the job and instead hired anyone claiming he or she is a good driver.

  • Negligence in supervision

Another scenario that can be used against an employer and be held liable for an employee accident is negligence in supervision. For example, regular check-ups of transport vehicles must be done before a company driver must be allowed for dispatch, but, due to the strict deadlines on deliveries the employer requested immediate dispatch without checking if the vehicle is in good condition to travel and resulted to a major car accident, the employer can be sued for negligence.

  • Vicarious liability

The attorney with solid background on car accident cases knows when a vicarious liability can be filed to an employer regardless the incident happened in Philadelphia or another state. Vicarious liability under the doctrine of law states that the actions of an agent are same with the actions of the principle directing the agent. Let me give you a clearer explanation for this matter, the employer here is referred as the “principle” and the agent is the “employee”. So, for this rule, if the agent (employee) is task to do something and the command is derived from the principle (employer) if an accident happened at the time of the task, the employer is held responsible or liable. On the other hand, there is an exception to this rule where an employer (principle) isn’t held accountable for an employee’s accident if the bad decision or bad act of the employees is the real cause. A good example where an employer isn’t held liable is when an employee is requested to buy supplies, but when going back to the office decided for a quick snack at a nearby café and was hit by a car.

Do You Need Expert Legal Advice To Resolve Your Car Accident Case In Philadelphia?

Do you have many unanswered questions at this point of time about your employee’s involvement in Car Accident Case In Philadelphia? The best action you can do for now is contact an attorney in Philly and verify which employer liability might be filed against you. A credible attorney can give further explanation and guidance on what employer liability can be applied in your current situation.

 

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Frequently Asked Questions That You Can Ask The Car Accident Lawyer In Philly

Can’t still make a decision whether to file a car accident case or not? If you don’t know which action to undertake after the horrifying car accident which inflicted serious injury on your end, then, the best move to take is to talk to a car accident lawyer in Philly and be guided through this challenging moment. In the event, you have successfully booked a private consultation with a licensed car accident attorney Philadelphia, be sure to come up with a list of questions. Below are frequently asked questions that you can ask your hired car accident lawyer during the one-on-one meeting.

Question #1 – Can I be fully compensated when filing a car accident case?

This is one of the crucial questions that you should ask the hired car accident lawyer Philly, whether filing the car accident case will give you the right compensation you deserve or not. Why? Remember, the injuries you had after a car accident may need regular visits to your doctor before reaching full recovery and can be very costly. Aside from the physical pain, you have to endure, there are also other issues to worry about such as expenses to repair or replace your damaged car as well as loss of earnings if you have to take weeks or months leave from work. You need to be clear from the start on how much compensation can you claim.

Question #2 – What can I expect from hiring your legal services?

Another question that you need a straightforward answer is the services you will receive upon hiring a car accident attorney Philadelphia. Even if your insurer will be the one who will appoint the legal representative that will handle your car accident case, it’s a must that you know from the very start what is inclusive of the lawyer’s professional services such as legal representation during meetings with the other party, acquisition of documents that will serve as evidences and if he or she will be the one to defend you if a trial will proceed.

Question #3 – What is the duration of the car accident case?

I’m sure you have concerns about how long this car accident case will take place. So, while the private consultation is undergoing, don’t hesitate to shoot this question, “What is the duration of this case?” Keep in mind, the timeline on a car accident case from one state to another may vary and if you have a knowledgeable car accident lawyer Philly working on your car accident case filed in Philadelphia, he or she is completely aware the average length of a car accident case, including the trial and final decision before claims, can be released. Having a clear idea on the length of a car accident case will give you a clear insight on what other options to consider such as favoring an out of court settlement.

Question #4 – Can you help me file permanent disability benefits?

If your car accident led to the amputation of your leg or left your permanently disabled with no more ability to resume to work or function normally, then, it’s important that you ask your appointed car accident attorney Philadelphia is he or she will also help you in filing a permanent disability benefit at the Social Security.

Question#5 – What documents do I need to provide?

Among the other issues that you need to share with your car accident lawyer Philly are the documents needed to support the car accident case. Your full cooperation as a client is needed when it comes to the procurement of documents that will become evidence when filing a car accident case. So, while you are having a private meeting with this legal representative, request a list of documents you need to provide such as photos of the car accident, medical report from your doctor, x-rays and laboratory results as well as statements of witnesses at the crime scene.

I hope the above frequently asked questions will help you get the right answers from your chosen car accident attorney Philadelphia. If you have other concerns include them on your questionnaire and feel free to ask them during the private consultation.

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How Can The Car Accident Lawyer In Philly Help With Your Car Accident Case?

Car accidents are among the complicated cases that lawyers have to deal with on a regular basis. If you have been recently involved in a major road collision that resulted in physical harm or damages to you and another driver, you should take this seriously before it gets out of control. Keep in mind, regardless who is to blame for this traumatic incident you need to contact immediately an expert in car accident case. If the car accident happened in Philadelphia, it would be a wise thing to act fast and call right away a car accident lawyer Philly. Why? Let me give you some of the benefits you will receive if you appointed a legal representative with enough experience in handling car accident cases.

  • Knowledgeable of existing laws

There are many issues that could arise after a serious car collision such a total wrecked car, severe physical injuries to another party and property damages. If you have with you a reputable car accident attorney Philadelphia, this professional can acquaint you with existing laws and regulations that could impact the outcome of your case. Your appointed attorney can give you solid advice on limitations that will prevent you from filing a lawsuit case. For example, in some states, you can still file a lawsuit during the period of two years of the car accident or be permanently barred from pursuing a lawsuit. Your attorney can provide relevant information on exclusions, especially if a minor is involved in that incident.

  • Do the needed paperwork

Yes, this is definitely among the special services you will receive upon hiring a car accident lawyer Philly, rest assured that the needed paperwork for filing a case are procured like police reports, statements of witnesses, medical records and other important documents that will be accounted as proofs.  The car accident attorney knows the ins and outs of filing an accident claim such as preparing a settlement demand letter for your insurer. In fact, in circumstances where you can’t personally file your accident claim, your appointed car accident lawyer Philly will take responsibility of filing this paper to ensure the quick processing of your case.

  • Legally act as your advocate

This is one of the biggest responsibilities of a car accident attorney Philadelphia, he or she will legally act as your advocate. What does this mean? It simply means this professional under the law is legally bound to act on your behalf and makes sure your side is heard during a litigation process. Your car accident attorney will be there to defend you before the judge, jury and legal representatives of the other party and see to it that you will be compensated for your losses.

Do you still have many questions left unanswered? If yes, don’t hesitate to contact a car accident lawyer in Philly and book a private meeting to discuss your concerns. If you don’t know the legalities when filing a car accident claim and wish to achieve a successful outcome, let an expert car accident attorney be your instrument in getting a fair resolution.