An Experienced Hit And Run Lawyer’s Viewpoint On Why The Driver Of A Luxury Car May Have Fled The Scene After Killing Someone In Philadelphia
As an experienced Philadelphia car accident and hit and run lawyer, I have long been concerned with the epidemic of hit and runs that seems to be growing in the city of Philadelphia. Unfortunately, another victim was claimed on the evening of Saturday, September 25th when Derrick Martinez, age 2, was fatally struck by a late model silver Mercedes Benz as he and his mother were crossing the intersection at 6th Street and Washington Avenue in South Philadelphia. The Mercedes was described as having tinted windows and chrome wheels. This accident was described by AAA MidAtlantic as being “senseless and preventable”.
On the following evening in Philadelphia, another hit and run car accident claimed the life of yet another victim. Our hearts, thoughts, and prayers go out to the families of the victims and once again, these tragic incidents calls to question what the legislators are doing to close hit and run loopholes that currently exist under Pennsylvania hit and run laws. Currently the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania have loopholes that reward hit and run drivers if they were under the influence. Alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes kill an individual approximately every half hour and non-fatally and catastrophically injure someone in America every 10 minutes. Believe it or not, the current Pennsylvania hit and run law actually benefits those who leave the scene of the accident when intoxicated. When someone is intoxicated and kills or catastrophically injures someone in a motor vehicle, that person will have a much different penalty than if they left the scene of the accident and reported it the next day. I have been writing for years that hit and run accidents penalties need to be much tougher and have more teeth. Most people who are intoxicated or under the influence drive irresponsibly and leave the scene of the accident either for this reason or for no other good reason. After all, why would any responsible citizen leave the scene of a hit and run accident when there is no good reason particularly when someone is catastrophically injured or killed. The hit and run epidemic is becoming pandemic in Philadelphia and it is time for our legislators to step to the plate and make strong laws to punish the irresponsible wrongdoers.
If you or a loved one has been injured as the result of a hit and run accident, please contact one of our experienced hit and run car accident lawyers for a free no obligation consultation at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.
