Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyer Blog

As an experienced Pennsylvania rollover lawyer who has investigated all too many accidents involving minivans and 15 passenger vans, I was sorry to learn of another catastrophic accident involving the tragic death of 5-year-old boy killed in yesterday’s horrific crash on the Pennsylvania Turnpike at milepost 303 in West Nantmeal Township, Pa. shortly after 4 p.m. This accident involved a Chrysler van which has a history of accidents/rollovers due to what we feel is an unstable design caused by a high center of gravity when fully loaded. This alleged design defect often results in an unstable vehicle in an accident avoidance maneuver, or if tire problem occurs. Our extensive research has revealed that the manufacturer knew about such defects. Yet they continue to sell these defective vehicles putting profits over safety, despite a minimal expenditure to fix the defect. Our hearts and prayers go out to those who were injured and died in this easily preventable accident.

If you or a loved one has suffered catastrophic injuries or wrongful death due to an SUV or van rollover, please contact one of our experienced Pennsylvania van rollover attorneys for a free no obligation consultation at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

Quite simply, common sense dictates that summertime is a time for fun and relaxation. People take vacations in their car and with school out of session many times there are more young, inexperienced drivers behind the wheel adding to the risk of car accidents. If we add to the equation unlawful drinking, texting, phoning, and the additional presence of more bicyclists, pedestrians, and highway construction projects, the risk of having a catastrophic car accident is increased substantially. Summertime means road trips.

At the experienced Philadelphia car accident law firm of Reiff & Bily, we have been representing catastrophically injured victims and those unfortunately killed due to the negligence of others as a result of car accidents. Our lawyers and experts have noticed a trend that summer weekends are the deadliest time for car accidents, a finding which is corroborated by research from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

AAA has created a top ten driving mistakes list that could lead to a serious or fatal car accident along with tips on how to avoid them.

1. Risk taking – believing that you won’t be involved in a car accident.

2. Overconfidence – thinking you already know how to handle any risky situation.

3. Giving in to peer pressure - failing to speak up about dangerous driving behaviors.

4. Not wearing a seat belt.

5. Speeding.

6. Having too many passengers in the vehicle.

7. Driving distracted by cell phones.

8. Adjusting the radio or CD player especially for new drivers.

9. Late night cruising.

10. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

For more information see the article “Teen Driver Risks In High Gear Over Summer”, USA Today, June 21, 2010.

If you or loved one has been involved in a Pennsylvania car accident, please feel free to contact one of our experienced Pennsylvania car accident attorneys for a free no obligation consultation. Of course, the best Pennsylvania car accident attorneys will always offer a free no obligation consultation and a no recovery, no fee guarantee.

As an experienced Philadelphia car accident attorney who has handled a multitude of closed head trauma and brain injury cases since 1979, I have worked with many neuro-psychiatrists, neurologists, and cognitive specialists to investigate and evaluate cognitive dysfunctions resulting from head trauma.

Concussions and resulting neuropsychological symptoms have been increasingly in the public eye due to injuries caused by IED’s in Iraqi and other military situations. In most cases, concussion symptoms will occur within the first 7 to 10 days after an accident and generally will gradually diminish over a 3 to 4 month period. However, approximately 20% maintain symptoms that last beyond a year or more. Most concussion symptoms include headaches, dizziness, fatigue, irritability, argumentativeness, stubbornness, paranoia, anxiety, insomnia, loss of concentration and memory, nausea, light sensitivity, and emotional outbursts.

Continue reading " A Head Injury in a Car Accident Can Cause Structural Damage to the Brain or Disruption of Neurotransmitter Systems " »

Since 1788, “Philadelphia lawyer” has been a term often used to describe a lawyer who knows the most detailed and minute points of law or is an exceptionally competent lawyer. Philadelphia-based colonial American lawyer, Andrew Hamilton, a lawyer best known for his legal victory on behalf of printer and newspaper publisher John Peter Zenger is believed to have been the inspiration behind the term “Philadelphia lawyer.”

As an experienced Pennsylvania serious injury and Pennsylvania car accident lawyer who has traveled around the world on professional business for the last 31 years, people are always impressed when I tell them with pride that I am a Philadelphia lawyer. I am repeatedly told that in many people’s opinions the best lawyers come from Philadelphia. While this may be a generalization, I can honestly state that I am very proud to be a Philadelphia trial lawyer committed to achieving justice since 1979. Many people may say that trial lawyers such as myself are greedy and I freely admit that yes I am greedy, “greedy for justice.” Justice is a virtue that assigns to every person who sustains a catastrophic injury or death their due and protection of their rights which is in the greatest interest of every man and woman on earth.

I know that from practicing personal injury law for over three decades that lives can change completely in a tragic instant. A severe and catastrophic personal injury brings life altering financial, emotional, and personal pressures upon one that seems insurmountable. The catastrophic injury or loss of a loved one forever changes one’s family dynamic and outlook and therefore, it is important that the client be guided by a committed Philadelphia lawyer with genuine compassion and skilled legal guidance and experience to navigate the sudden obstacles of an already complicated life.

At the Philadelphia serious injury law firm of Reiff & Bily our track record of success in complex high stakes injury and wrongful death cases speaks for itself. And yes, we are proud to be Philadelphia trial lawyers offering clients in Pennsylvania what we consider to be the best legal services when they need it most.

31-year old John Paul Endicott was killed on Wednesday, July 7th when his motor scooter traveling on Broad Street was struck by an SUV making a left hand turn. Mr. Endicott was southbound on Broad Street at approximately 8:35 a.m. when a 29-year old woman behind the wheel of a 1999 Ford SUV made a left turn onto Susquehanna Avenue from the northbound lanes of Broad Street hitting the scooter. The victim was pronounced dead at 9:08 a.m. at Temple University Hospital.

As an experienced Philadelphia motorcycle and car accident lawyer, this case is nearly identical to a case that paralyzed a dear friend of mine almost 30 years ago when I started practicing law. The facts of this case spotlight that vehicles breaking traffic laws often pose the greatest danger and threats to innocent motorcyclists. The law of Pennsylvania states that vehicles making a left hand turn must yield the right of way to oncoming vehicles. In this case according to the initial investigation, the 29-year old operator of the 1999 Ford SUV was traveling in the northbound lanes of Broad Street and made a left hand turn onto Susquehanna Avenue by intersecting the southbound lanes, failing to yield the right of way. Although an investigation by the police is underway and no charges have been filed, it appears to this experienced Pennsylvania motorcycle and car accident lawyer that the driver of the vehicle making a left hand turn may have been at fault for failing to yield the right of way and failing to notice the motorcycle. It is not clear why she made the left hand turn into oncoming traffic and I question whether or not she was impaired or distracted. Was she inattentive driving recklessly or negligently? Was there any dangerous condition on the street which may have contributed to this collision? Was she texting or chatting on a cell phone? I trust that city officials and police will be closely examining these and other facts to determine how and why this collision occurred.

The family of the victim would be well advised to contact an experienced Pennsylvania car accident and motorcycle accident lawyer to analyze all facets of this crash to insure that the negligent parties are held fully responsible. The best motorcycle accident law firms will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive claim evaluation to victims and their families. At the Philadelphia motorcycle accident law firm of Reiff & Bily, we believe that motorists should be “extra conscious” while operating a vehicle particularly in the summer while motorcycles are about on our streets and highways. Please contact us for a free no obligation consultation at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

When it comes time to representing clients in Pennsylvania personal injury and Pennsylvania car accident cases, the communication between the lawyer and his client should be seamless. If it is not, clients suffer. Ineffective communication by and between a client and their lawyer is one of the most frequently cited causes of client dissatisfaction and poor results. The more complex the client’s case, the more likely it is that there will be an error in communication. All Pennsylvania lawyers are bound by the Rules of Professional Conduct and lawyers as representatives of clients are officers of the court and have a special responsibility for the quality of justice. A Pennsylvania lawyer must provide you with an informed understanding of your legal rights and obligations, as well as their practical implications.

The laws require the lawyer to maintain communication with a client concerning representation in a competent, prompt, and diligent manner. Unfortunately difficult ethical problems arise from a conflict between a lawyer’s responsibility to his clients and the system. Rule 1.4 of the Pennsylvania Rules for Disciplinary Enforcement state that with regard to attorney/client communications:

(a) a Pennsylvania lawyer shall:

(1) promptly inform the client of any decision or circumstance with respect to which the client’s informed consent is required;

(2) reasonably consult with the client about the means by which the client’s objectives are to be accomplished;

(3) keep the client reasonably informed about the status of the matter;

(4) promptly comply with reasonable requests for information;

(5) consult with the client about any relevant limitation on the lawyer’s conduct when the lawyer knows that the client expects assistance not permitted by the Rules of Professional Conduct or law.

(b) A Pennsylvania lawyer shall explain the matter to the extent reasonably necessary to permit the client to make informed decisions regarding representation.

Reasonable communication between the Pennsylvania lawyer and his or her client is necessary for the client to effectively participate in representation. At the Pennsylvania car accident and catastrophic personal injury law firm of Reiff & Bily, we believe that the client comes first and all phone calls must be returned within 24 hours and we regularly meet with our clients to keep them informed of the status of their case. If this is not being done, there is a serious chance that an error can occur and the client will not be protected to maximum of our legal abilities. If you are involved in a significant Pennsylvania injury case or Pennsylvania car accident case, you should insist on regular conversations and meetings with your lawyer as “you get one bite at the apple” in the litigation process and chance favors the prepared man.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a catastrophic injury or Pennsylvania car accident, please contact one of our lawyers for a free, no obligation consultation at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.