Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyer Blog

According to a recent study, there is a growing concern about driver safety among the aging population which accounts for the second highest number of car accidents after teenagers. The study indicated that the main issue is not age but functional ability. According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration people 65 years or older made up 14% of all traffic fatalities in the United States. Many times we take it for granted that when speaking with a friend or relative who brags about their elderly mother, father, or uncle who is still driving at age 92 that all is well and that this individual is safe for himself, herself and others.

Unfortunately, many of the elderly people are on the road with potential impairments that have not been revealed or noted with a restriction on their driver’s license. Many times, we are too proud to tell our parents or loved ones that they should not be driving when in fact their physical or mental conditions presents a hazard to other drivers on the highway. A recent study indicated that sensory loss in drivers such as vision and hearing loss is an important risk factor in car accidents.

Continue reading " Impaired Elderly Drivers And Resulting Car Accidents At An Increased Rate Is A Growing Concern in Pennsylvania " »

Imagine this scenario. You have been involved in a catastrophic injury accident and an insurance company owes you money for your injuries as liability is not in dispute. Yet, the insurance company either refuses not to make an offer or offers an amount so grossly insufficient that it offends one’s conscience. The Philadelphia-based catastrophic injury and wrongful death law firm of Reiff and Bily has served residents of Pennsylvania since 1979, and has been dedicated to protecting the rights of injured victims against insurance companies when the insurance company fails to act in good faith and seeks to illegally or illegitimately evade payment on a proper claim.

Recently I became involved in a case where a client of mine was injured requiring two major surgical procedures. One of the insurance companies involved in the case immediately tendered their full policy limits. Yet my client’s own insurance company made an insufficient offer and did not even make any offer under the underinsured motorist portion of her policy with that company until a suit was filed against the company alleging “bad faith”. In fact, the victim’s own company was listed as number four of the ten worst insurance companies in America in a study by the American Association for Justice. The American Association for Justice study noted that this insurance company had gone to extreme lengths to avoid paying claims and was criticized by numerous state regulators for using misleading statistics and unfair claims practices.

Continue reading " I Have A Legitimate Claim Against An Insurance Company Yet They Repeatedly Fail, Refuse and Neglect To Resolve My Claim – Is This Bad Faith? " »

A violent two car accident tragically took the life of an 84-year old woman and her 91-year old husband on August 25, 2009 in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. According to news reports, Robert Clayton was a passenger in a 2000 Chrysler driven by his wife, Ann, when it was hit by a van at the intersection of Hulmeville and State Roads at 3:15 p.m. on August 25th. Mr. Clayton of Bensalem died of head injuries and his wife passed away the following morning. The initial by the police revealed that a GMC van operated by Russell Dawson, age 42, was traveling south on Hulmeville Road before it attempted to make a left hand turn on Street Road towards I-95. The experienced car accident lawyers of Reiff and Bily send their heartfelt thoughts and prayers to the families of the Robert and Ann Clayton who died as a result of this tragic accident. We offer our deepest sympathies to everyone who knew and loved Robert and Ann.

Based upon the initial report, it appears that the van making a left hand turn into oncoming traffic failed to yield the right of way and was at fault in this tragic Pennsylvania van and car accident. The law of Pennsylvania is clear that a vehicle making a left hand turn owes a duty to yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic. Failing to yield the right-of-way and making an unexpected left turn can often lead to tragic and fatal consequences such as presented in this case.

Since 1979, the experienced car accident lawyers at Reiff and Bily have recovered significant monetary damages for the unfortunate victims and their families in instances of left hand turn car accidents in Pennsylvania. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, please contact one of our experienced attorneys for a free no obligation consultation at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

Last week three acquaintances of mine woke up and were killed in a tragic, shocking and totally unpredictable accident. I have been a practicing catastrophic injury and car accident attorney since 1979 and the one thing I have learned over and over is that most accidents are sudden and unexpected and never planned for. In times of crisis after an accident, most times people are in shock and not thinking clearly. They have a tendency to make mistakes and do the wrong thing to protect their interests.

If you or a loved one has been one of the most unfortunate people to have been involved in a serious and devastating car accident, it is important that you know what to do to protect your present and future interests, assets, and property. First and foremost, as hard as it seems, one must try to remain calm and follow these steps:

Call the police on your cell phone;
Take notes;
Take photographs;
Put yourself in a safe position to avoid further harm;
If you or a loved one cannot be moved, remain stationary until medical help arrives;
If you were in a car, please turn your hazard lights on and set out cones, flares or warning triangles if possible;
Photograph and document the accident;
File an accident report;
If you have insurance, contact your insurance company. It is important that you do not wait until after a car accident to find out that your policy does not cover certain expenses such as medical expenses, being involved with an uninsured person, funeral expenses, or lost wages.

Continue reading " If You Died Today Or Were Catastrophically Injured In A Car Accident, Who Would Take Care Of Your Family? " »

The experienced Philadelphia car accident and motorcycle accident lawyers at Reiff and Bily send their heartfelt thoughts and prayers to the families of Ronald Eaton, 45, and his wife Peggy Eaton, 41, who were pronounced dead at the scene of a catastrophic and fatal motorcycle versus SUV accident in York County, Pennsylvania. On Sunday August 23rd, at 3:30 p.m., according to news sources, the eastbound SUV made a left hand turn in front of the motorcycle and collided with the motorcycle traveling westbound. Corporal William Tucker said that neither husband nor wife was wearing a helmet. In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the law clearly states that any vehicle making a left turn must yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic. We offer our deepest sympathies to everyone who knew and loved Ronald and Peggy.

Based upon the newspaper report, it appears that the SUV making a left hand turn into oncoming traffic failed to yield the right-of-way and was at fault in this tragic Pennsylvania SUV and motorcycle accident. It would be highly recommended that the families of these unfortunate victims consult with an experienced Pennsylvania personal injury and car accident lawyer specializing in motorcycle and car accidents who could properly advise them about their legal rights and options.

The Philadelphia car accident and motorcycle lawyers at Reiff and Bily have been analyzing car accident and motorcycle cases successfully since 1979. If in fact it is determined that the left hand turn of the SUV into oncoming traffic was the proximate cause of the accident then the owner and/or operator of the SUV could be held liable for the Eatons’ fatal injuries and the survivors of the Eatons would be entitled to collect monetary damages.

If you or a loved one has been injures as the result of a car accident or motorcycle accident, please contact one of our experienced car accident and motorcycle accident lawyers at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

As an experienced Philadelphia car accident attorney I was confronted with a case this past week where an individual was catastrophically injured by a driver operating a vehicle on a learner’s permit. In Pennsylvania, like many other states in the United States, one is not required to complete a driver’s education course before one can receive a learner’s permit. Teenage drivers and drivers with learning permits account for many of the car accidents resulting in catastrophic injuries and fatalities in Pennsylvania and throughout the United States each year.

Pennsylvania has a teen driving law aimed at reversing a rising increase in catastrophic injuries and fatalities related to teenage drivers. Pennsylvania has mandatory restrictions for teenagers driving a motor vehicle with a learner’s permit or a junior license prior to receiving an unrestricted license. If a driver operating the vehicle with a learner’s permit caused an injury, an experienced car accident lawyer must determine what was the actual cause of the accident and if, in fact, the operator of the vehicle on the learner’s permit was in violation of the Pennsylvania law. Most of the time, proper investigation will reveal the fault lays with the inexperienced driver on the learner’s permit and then the insurance company should pay the claim unless there was specific fraud or concealment from the insurance company on the policy covering the automobile. If in case this were found to be the fact then perhaps an uninsured motorist claim would fully exist against the victim’s own insurance company. Needless to say, automobile insurance coverage after a car accident and fully protecting the rights of injured victims requires extensive experience.

The experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyers of Reiff and Bily have protected the rights of over 10,000 accident victims since 1979. If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident, please call the experienced car accident lawyers at Reiff and Bily for a free consultation at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

On Friday, August 14, 2009, President Obama stated that the country was being held hostage by insurance companies that deny coverage to sick people. The President explained “We are being held hostage at any given moment by health insurance companies that deny coverage, drop coverage or charge fees that people can’t afford … It’s wrong, it’s bankrupting families and bankrupting business.” Not only is there a crisis with medical insurance, there also exists a crisis with homeowners insurance, automobile insurance and other casualty insurance where the premiums remain high and policies continue to be dropped in a crisis that defies government regulation.

As an experienced insurance claims lawyer since 1979, I have written many articles concerning the uninsured and underinsured epidemic that is crippling America. My job places me daily in the boxing ring with representatives of insurance companies who publicly tout “good hands policy” approaches, yet employ boxing glove strategy and continue to deny, defend and delay payment of claims.

Continue reading " President Obama States What This Experienced Insurance Claims Lawyer Has Known For A Long Time – That The Insurance Companies Are Holding Americans Hostage " »

As an experienced car accident attorney since 1979, I have long written and argued about teenagers, or for that matter any other driver, distracted from the roadway while texting, operating a cell phone or in this unfortunate case of catastrophic injury and wrongful death, fiddling with an iPod. According to news source, Nicole Gallo, age 19, died instantly on Friday, August 14, 2009 and her best friend Christine Bochanski, 20 years, was rendered in extremely critical condition after they were hit from behind by Rachel Jankins. According to news reports, Ms. Jankins struck the two friends while they were walking out of Delaware County Memorial Hospital at 11:15 a.m. on Friday, August 14th, as she was reaching down for her iPod and was not paying attention and lost control of her vehicle. Upper Darby Police Superintendent, Michael J. Chitwood stated that “This was a tragedy that happened because of stupidity and inattentive driving”. This experienced Philadelphia car accident attorney agrees with Police Superintendent Chitwood. A motor vehicle operated by someone not giving their full attention to the road ahead or multitasking can easily become an instrument of tragic consequences.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of Christine Bochanski and Nicole Gallo. It is our hope that anyone who learns of this story understands the importance of focusing your full undivided attention on driving and only driving when operating a motor vehicle.

The experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyers of Reiff and Bily have been representing catastrophically injured victims in Pennsylvania since 1979. If you or a loved one has been catastrophically injured or killed in a car accident, please contact us for a free no obligation consultation at www.reiffandbily.com or at 1-800-421-9595.

Our thoughts, hearts and prayers go out to the families of individuals who were catastrophically injured and killed as a result of a single vehicle15-passenger van rollover. According to news sources, the 15-passenger van rolled over several times and came to rest on its top in a ditch on the south side of I-70 in Columbia, MO. According to news sources, Evonne Manner-Wilson, 49, of Sanford, Florida was killed in the crash. Ms. Wilson was allegedly a passenger in the vehicle, seated in the third row on the passenger side. She was still inside the vehicle when it came to rest. The vehicle was a 2001 Dodge Ram van and the driver was identified as Kevin Leeks of Leesburg, Florida. He was inside the van as well and had to be extricated from the van by fire personnel. There were a total of 13 occupants in the van at the time of the crash and 7 of the occupants were transported to the hospital. The 15-passenger van was part of a caravan traveling from the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota back to Florida. News sources state there was no indication that the driver was impaired by alcohol or any other substance.

For many years, the experienced 15-passenger van accident and SUV rollover lawyers at Reiff and Bily have been representing passengers who have been catastrophically injured or killed by traveling in a 15-passenger van that is perhaps the most unsafe vehicle on the roadway today. The rollover risk proposed by the 15-passenger van, including those predominantly used by church groups, school groups and other unsuspecting groups, makes it beyond question one of the most dangerous vehicles out on our roadways.

Continue reading " Another 15-Passenger Van Rollover Claims The Life Of An Occupant And Catastrophically Injures Others - Experienced Rollover Attorney Weighs In " »

I have recently written about the uninsured and underinsured motorist epidemic that is hitting Philadelphia, as well as other major cities across the United States due to the recession and tightened economy. More than ever, it is important to maintain full automobile insurance including underinsured and uninsured motorist options. Believe it or not, car insurance is now cheaper than ever since there is so much competition. I recently renewed my own automobile insurance and found that rates had actually dropped significantly from last year.

When purchasing automobile insurance, it pays to seek bids from competitors and then perhaps consider a higher deductible. You can probably save at least 10% by choosing a $500 deductible instead of a $250 deductible on your insurance. Move that up even more and you will save another 10%. I am a believer that one should always insure for potential catastrophic injury or fatality as chance favors the prepared mind. Automobile insurance is not as expensive as one may think and it is important that one have full insurance coverage in today’s climate as unfortunately, I have too often seen too many cases where people were not fully prepared for a car accident that destroyed their future. To quote the Boy Scouts of American motto: “Always be prepared.” There probably has never been a better climate to get a good deal on car insurance.

If you would like a free automobile insurance checkup, please contact one of the experienced car accident lawyers at Reiff and Bily at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

The experienced car accident and motorcycle accident lawyers at Reiff and Bily send their heartfelt thoughts and prayers to the family of 23-year old Bryan M. Loeffler who was struck and killed while on his motorcycle by a driver traveling in the wrong direction on Route 30 in Hanover Township, Beaver County, Pennsylvania. According to news sources, the State Police at the Beaver Barracks revealed that the crash happened at 8:40 p.m. on Sunday, August 9th. 19-year old Jonathan Hogue was driving west in the eastbound lane of Route 30 just north of Platt Road trying to pass westbound traffic. While in the oncoming lane, Hogue struck the 23-year old motorcycle driver and collided head on with another vehicle driven by 26-year old Nadia Diboun. Hogue then crossed back into the westbound lane of Route 30 causing minor damage to another vehicle.

As an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer and as an experienced motorcycle rider since my young teen years, it is easily preventable and almost unexplainable tragic accidents such as this which create the biggest nightmare for motorcyclists and other drivers. In this instance, the motorcyclist did nothing wrong and was a sitting duck for a driver who apparently had no regard for the safety of others on the highway when he attempted to pass traffic in the wrong lane of oncoming traffic. I am sure that officials are looking into whether or not the driver of the car that struck Bryan Loeffler was driving recklessly or driving under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicating substances. I would recommend that the family of Bryan Loeffler be well advised to contact an experienced Pennsylvania motorcycle accident lawyer to fully investigate this accident.

The Pennsylvania motorcycle accident attorneys at Reiff and Bily would be glad to provide a free comprehensive consultation and evaluation of their claim with no obligation. If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident or car accident, please contact one of our experienced lawyers at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

A few times in the past few months I was driving on Interstate 80 in Pennsylvania through the Pocono mountains when I was either almost run off the road or blown off the road by the force of an 18-wheel tractor trailer that came speeding by my car. Truthfully, it is quite unnerving to have a truck approach you at a high rate of speed and then to be suddenly jolted by a blast of a horn or by a buffet that pushes your car side to side.

I recently read an article where it stated that trucks make up one of every four vehicles on the highway and in some stretches of interstates there is nearly one truck for every passenger car.

As an experienced car accident and truck accident lawyer, I am very much well aware of the conclusive data showing that truck versus car accidents are climbing at an increasing rate. Literally, the driver of a car has minimal chances of avoiding a catastrophic injury or fatality if they are involved in an accident with a truck which can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. Car drivers must be aware that a tractor trailer moving at 60 miles per hour can require the length of a football field to come to a stop, added to the fact that the trucks just don’t have the maneuverability of a small car.

Continue reading " It Seems That Large Trucks Own The Highways In Pennsylvania Too Often With Careless Disregard For The Safety Of Others " »

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Donald E. Johnston, 38, who was pronounced dead as a result of being involved in a motorcycle accident in Hempfield Township, PA on Saturday, August 1, 2009 when a Volvo operated by Elizabeth Floro, age 50, turned into him. I offer my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Donald Johnston for their tragic and heartbreaking loss and we ask that you please keep them in your prayers.

Regardless of who had the right of way in this fatal Pennsylvania motorcycle accident, it was the rider Donald Johnston who paid the ultimate price. I have been a motorcycle rider since I was a young lad and I am always concerned for myself and other motorcycle riders that we are highly visible while on the highway. All motorcyclists must be constantly aware that often car and truck drivers, for numerous reasons, are distracted or do not see them on the road and will often make quick and darting turns in front of them. In fact, I had to once lay my bike down due to the fact that an oncoming vehicle make a quick and darting left hand turn in front of me. Fortunately, I did not sustain serious injuries. However, many times in our office, we are faced with other motorcycle drivers who have sustained catastrophic injuries and many time fatalities.

In this case, the most likely scenario is that the driver of the Volvo will be held civilly liable for Donald Johnston’s death. The family of Mr. Johnston would be well advised to consult with an experienced Pennsylvania motorcycle accident attorney who will investigate the claim and fight for his rights and determine whether or not negligence or reckless driving can be attributed to the driver of the car that caused this tragic motorcycle collision. The Philadelphia motorcycle and car accident lawyers at Reiff and Bily always offer a free and comprehensive initial consultation to injured victims and their families in cases where the negligence of the wrongdoers is involved. Families of deceased victims may also be eligible to file wrongful death claims to properly compensate the victim’s family for medical or funeral expenses, lost wages and other related expenses.

If you or a loved has been involved in a motorcycle accident, please contact one of our experienced motorcycle accident lawyers at Reiff and Bily at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

As an experienced Philadelphia car accident attorney practicing since 1979, I can honestly state that I have never seen the state of affairs with regard to underinsured and uninsured motorist car accident cases as bad as it is now. As the economy continues to worsen, cash strapped individuals and families are increasingly modifying their insurance or going without the same. Many insurance agents tell me that business is just plain awful as people are not renewing their policies and letting them lapse. Ironically, by failing to maintain proper automobile insurance or property insurance, the cash strapped consumer increasingly risks their family’s financial well-being in what they seek as a short term cost cutting measure.

I am currently involved in a case where a client sustained catastrophic injuries as a result of being involved in an accident with an individual who had only the most minimal coverage. Unfortunately a complete assets check determined that the defendant had no assets available to pay the present and future medical claims of my client as well as properly compensating her for the fair value of her injuries.

Continue reading " Uninsured Motorist Epidemic Is Becoming Pandemic " »

Recently General Motors and the United States Treasury were forced to agree that all claims arising out of incidents that occurred prior to the emergence of the “new GM” would be liabilities assumed by the “new GM.” This hard fought victory means that as many as 70 million vehicles for which there was intended to be no tort or product liability are now the responsibility of the “new GM.”

In the past, Chrysler did not assume the same accountability or liability. It now seems impossible that Chrysler can stand as the only car company which will not take responsibility for deaths and injuries caused by product defects in the 10 million or more Chrysler vehicles now on the road.

The Philadelphia car accident lawyers at Reiff and Bily are committed to representing the rights of catastrophically injured individuals as well as individuals who sustained fatalities as a result of being involved in a car accident with a defectively designed motor vehicle.