Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyer Blog

As I have written for many months, the rental car market has a hidden danger lurking in it’s system. Namely, that no law exists for preventing cars to be rented without fixes, even after product recalls.

Approximately four months ago, the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration first announced that approximately 3 million rental cars were being investigated in that they had been recalled for product defects. However, no action had been taken. It appeared then the rental companies were putting profitability over the safety of its renters and consumers. That initial recall included 29 models from General Motors Company, Ford Motor Company, and Chrysler Motor Company that had been sold to the rental car companies fleets. Recently General Motors and Chrysler informed NHTSA that tens of thousands of the recalled vehicles still had been unrepaired for months or longer.

Since automobile rental companies are some of the largest purchasers of motor vehicles from automobile manufacturers, news sources have indicated that Ford did not release its data concerning recalls, claiming that the release of their information may have a potential negative impact on its relationship with rental car companies could result in decreased sales of vehicles to those companies.

When you are on vacation you generally have your family and precious cargo of children with you and to think that there is no law currently requiring rental companies to make repairs to recalled vehicles before renting them or selling them to consumers is absolutely frightening and untenable.

As an experienced Pennsylvania automotive product liability, product defects, lawyer and consumer safety advocate, I query with NHTSA that “while dealers have a legal obligation not to sell a new vehicle after they have been notified of the recall by the manufacturer”, NHTSA does not have the legal authority to require consumers, including fleet owners like rental car companies, to have recalled vehicles fixed. In order to prevent the needless deaths of innocent victims unaware of defects on vehicles, I feel that there must be strict regulations with teeth and more pointed laws that address this dangerous practice.

Continue reading " The Car You Rent May Be Dangerous To Your Health And Safety - Experienced Auto Defect Lawyer Weighs In " »

As an experienced Pennsylvania catastropic bus accident and car accident attorney since 1979, I salute New York State transportation investigators whose sting operation, weeks after a horrific bus crash, ordered 14 buses off the road. New York State investigators reported 9 major safety issues with drivers including lack of updated log books which indicates how long a driver has been behind the wheel, as well as 10 major vehicle issues and 40 minor infractions.

On March 9, 2011, 15 people were killed in the Bronx borough of New York when a bus returning to New York from Connecticut overturned and split in two by a side support pole. The experienced Pennsylvania bus accident lawyers of Reiff & Bily have been contacted to represent the interests of several individuals on the bus. Our own investigation has indicated concern regarding various violations against the driver and safety issues of that particular bus. As a result of the New York sting, 54 criminal summons were issued Friday, March 18, 2011 and 8 of the buses were towed away due to safety violations. Other buses ordered out of service were safe enough to be driven by qualified drivers but evidentally not safe enough for passengers.

The bus involved in the New Jersey Turnpike crash had “one of the worst rankings for unsafe driving”. The Pennsylvania bus accident, car accident, and product safety lawyers of Reiff & Bily have recently joined forces with the legendary bus accident lawyers of the Beasley Firm and we have been calling for a crackdown on unsafe buses for decades. I have always believed that you get what you pay for. However, safety should always be a priority and always triumphs over profitability.

The Super Luxury Tours bus involved in the New Jersey Turnpike accident had a score of 99.6% for unsafe driving, meaning it scored worse that all but 0.04% of all bus carriers in the nation.

If you or a loved one has sustained catastrophic injuries or wrongful death as a result of a tour bus or casino bus accident, put decades of experience on your side. The Pennsylvania bus accident and car accident lawyers of the Beasley Reiff Law Group have been awarded billions on behalf of their clients and have hundreds of settlements, verdicts, and awards in excess of $1 million dollars. Please contact us online at www.reiffandbily.com or toll free at 800-421-9595.

Boss Hoss Motorcycle recently settled a case involving a rear axle fracture. Approximately two months after purchasing a motorcycle, a husband and wife claimed to be traveling on a highway when suddenly without warning the rear axle on the subject motorcycle fractured causing a rear wheel lockup. Traveling at highway speeds, the operator of the motorcycle lost control resulting in the death of the wife passenger and catastrophic injuries to the husband. A metallurgical failure traveling at high speeds on a motorcycle is one of the worst accidents that anyone can imagine. In the immediate case, what is so surprising is that the rear axle fractured only two months after purchase.

Generally an axle failure is due to an engineering defect, metallurgical defect, or improper maintenance. When the weather gets warmer in the northeast and Pennsylvania, avid bikers will be taking there bikes out for the first ride of the season. It is important first to inspect the tires and then inspect the rest of the bike paying special attention to the axles and rear and front wheel bearings. If the bike has been stored or ridden in the rain, many times there is a corrosive effect on the bearings and axles. In some of our motorcycle accidents, we have found that metal utilized in bearings or axles contained latent failures and was too soft for the job it was intended to do which happens over time the metal or bearing wear away allowing water, rust, and corrosion to form eventually causing a seizure and failure with potentially catastrophic results.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a catastrophic Pennsylvania motorcycle accident, the experienced motorcycle accident legal team at the Beasley Reiff Law Group have over 50 years of experience representing motorcyclists and their families. Our avid bikers attorneys have been awarded in excess of $2 billion dollars on behalf of injured victims and their loved ones. As always, for a free no obligation and confidential consultation, please contact us online at www.reiffandbily.com or toll free at 1-800-421-9595.

In the last few weeks and months, many innocent victims have been killed and catastrophically injured as a result of being involved in bus accidents operated by cut rate bus companies.

A New York bus crash that killed 15 people on their way home from a casino focused attention on problems federal and safety investigators have warned about for years, namely driver fatigue and failure to perform proper background checks. The driver of the bus had a past history notable for past offenses and driving on a suspended license and should not have been behind the wheel. There is an old saying “you get what you pay for”, and whereas a normal trip to New York on a Greyhound bus might sell for $50, a Bolt bus and some of the other cut rate buses charge anywhere for $1 to $12 for a trip to New York. However, one thing is for certain, the safety of passengers should not be compromised no matter what the cost.

As an experienced Pennsylvania catastrophic bus accident lawyer, I am well aware of short cuts taken by bus operators in order to maximize profitability. Beside the negligence to the bus operator and driver, the initial analysis of this case recognizes that perhaps the bus had product defect or design defect issues such as failure to use laminated windows which would prevent ejection of the passengers and allow for containment – one of the key safety factors in a rollover accident. Also, there may be a roof crush or crashworthiness issue. The victims and their families would be well served to seek the services of an experienced bus accident attorney with a background in automotive product liability to fully evaluate this claim and work with a team of accident reconstructionists and biomechanical engineers in order to make a proper financial recovery. Our hearts and prayers go out to the families who lost their loved ones and we pray for a speedy recovery for those catastrophically injured.

The experienced Pennsylvania car accident, bus accident and automotive defect lawyers of Reiff & Bily currently joined forces with the Beasley Firm and together both firms have been awarded over $2 billion dollars representing the rights of injured victims and their families since the mid-1950’s. For more information, please contact us toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

It is that time of the year and many motorcyclists are taking their bikes out of winter storage and getting ready for the first motorcycle ride of the season. As an experienced motorcyclists for over 40 years and as an experienced Pennsylvania motorcycle accident attorney, the first thing that you ought to do is check your tires. I was about to get on a bike and take it for a ride and had a close look at the tire and saw signs of microscopic cracks. I have handled enough catastrophic motorcycle accidents and deaths resulting from tire failures that I am aware that it is time to get rid of those tires and replace them with new tires. Cracks and dry rot on tires is probably the most dangerous issue that occurs with winter motorcycle storage. There is no repair but to replace the tires. Winter storage is the main culprit of cracks and dry rot, if you are storing the bike in a non-heated garage or not on a piece of carpet. Motorcycle riders should check the tires on their motorcycles for tire pressure, dry rot, and cracking. Hairline cracks and dry rot on motorcycle tires may appear harmless, however, they are indicative of a serious problem when a sudden loss of air pressure in a motorcycle tire can cause a sudden loss of control and a catastrophic injury or death. The best way to avoid cracks and tire deterioration is to ride your motorcycle frequently. Riding a bike will warm the rubber which will help the anti-aging materials in the tire compounds to work properly. If you have ridden your bike on salt coated highways that are wet, always wash your tires.

The experienced Pennsylvania motorcycle accident lawyers of Reiff & Bily are committed to motorcycle safety. We have recently joined forces with The Beasley Firm and many of our experienced motorcycle accident lawyers are experienced riders. If you or a loved one has sustained a motorcycle accident resulting in catastrophic injury or wrongful death, please feel free to contact one of our experienced Pennsylvania motorcycle accident attorneys for a free, no obligation consultation. You may also follow our motorcycle accident blog online.

On February 13, 2011 Aaron Peru, Melanie Nichols, and her son Justin were involved in a horrific car accident when a trailer broke loose of its hitch and hit their vehicle head on. Tragically, Aaron’s wounds were fatal and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Melanie and Justin were helivaced to a medical center where Melanie suffers from severe head trauma, a broken leg, and numerous other fractures throughout her body, and Justin suffered major and minor lacerations but remains in stable condition. Our hearts and prayers go out to the victims and their families.

As an experienced Pennsylvania defective trailer accident lawyer since 1979, this tragic accident highlights a situation that our detached and defective trailer lawyers have been aggressively fighting for decades. Mainly, the fact that detached trailer accidents happen with much too much frequency due to limited minimal controls and regulations. NHTSA has admitted that no standards exist for trailer hitches. Unfortunately in most states, including the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, there is very little regulation addressed to trailers under 3,000 lbs. Many of these trailers are purposefully made to be under the gross weight of 3,000 lbs. so as not to be subject to regulations. Many state laws, including the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, are silent as to any design or construction specifications of these vehicles or trailers, as well as towing chains or hitches. In the many cases that we have investigated, we have found that the tow trailers have obvious safety violations relating to lighting, braking, security, and inspection requirements.

Several factors cause a trailer detachment:

1. They do not need to be inspected.

2. You can build one on your own and use it or sell it.

3. If they are under 3,000 lbs., they fall below federal guidelines and if trailers are
over 3,000 lbs. reflectors only need be placed at the extreme rear of the trailer.

Continue reading " Unhitched Trailer Accident Takes Dad’s Life and Catastrophically Injures Mom and Son " »

In the last month, a Lancaster County, Pennsylvania car dealer took a potential customer for a test drive and his alleged reckless driving is being blamed for the death of that potential customer. The Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office charged the salesman with homicide by vehicle, driving under the influence of alcohol or controlled substance, and two counts of recklessly endangering another person and other crimes. Shortly after the accident, the salesman admitted to police that he consumed alcohol, more specifically, Bacardi Rum, prior to driving. In addition, news sources report that he had tested positive for marijuana as well. As an ex-prosecutor and experienced Philadelphia car accident attorney, I am well aware that the level of alcohol in his blood stream would have caused diminished faculties associated with the safe operation of a motor vehicle, including alertness, judgment, perception, coordination, response time and a sense of care and caution.

In a separate test drive accident which took the life of an individual, a teenager went to test drive a motorcycle when he lost control and hit a tree. In that particular case, law authorities stated that the test rider was likely speeding when he lost control of the motorcycle on a tree lined road. Independent witnesses informed investigators that they heard the operator revving the motorcycle engine just before the crash.

In another case, a 27-year old saleswoman took a Corvette out for a test drive and wrapped the car around a tree killing her. Although that case did not involve alcohol, it did involve speed and recklessness.

As a car buff, I have been amazed by just how many times I have gone to car dealers to test drive the latest exotic car only to be given a pair of keys and be seated next to a salesman telling me to let the car fly and to take a turn at a high rate of speed. Obviously for one not familiar with the vehicle, this can sometimes lead to catastrophic consequences.

Continue reading " Who Is Responsible If A Death Occurs During A Test Drive Of A Vehicle? " »

Many years ago one of my law partners was killed when his vehicle slid under a tractor trailer illegally parked on the side of I-95 north during late night driving hours. Each year in the United States hundreds of people are killed in car accidents when the car strikes the back of a big truck and slides underneath. Approximately 15 years ago, I received an alarming phone call in the very early morning hours of a summer weekend informing me that one of my law partners had been killed in a catastrophic truck accident.

The Insurance Institute For Highway Safety has indicated that trailer bumpers are not good enough protection when a car rearends a big truck. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) put rear impact guards to a test by crashing a 2010 Chevy Malibu at 35 mph into the back of a parked trailer. The rear guard, that met U.S. minimum standards, gave way and the car slid right under the trailer crushing the vehicle. Occupants of the vehicle would not have survived the impact.

Since I know first hand from the death of my partner as well as representing the families of other individuals who were killed in truck under ride collisions, these are perhaps one of the most dangerous types of traffic accident. In a typical truck underride accident, the victim is crushed and the roof is sheared off the vehicle killing the occupants. Under ride accident happen frequently at night when a truck pulls across lanes of traffic or is not properly marked or lit and appears to be invisible to drivers of other vehicles. By the time the innocent driver sees the tractor trailer, it is often too late to prevent a catastrophic truck accident. Many older trucks travel without under ride prevention devices; however, newer trucks are equipped with under ride prevention devices that many times do not work properly. Trailers must be marked with adequate lights and conspicuous markings to prevent under ride accidents and the drivers must maintain that all lights are clean and that all reflective markers are present.

Continue reading " The Same Type Of Truck Underride Accident Which Took The Life Of One Of My Best Friends And Law Partner, Namely A Truck Underride Case, Continues To Plague And Kill Innocent Victims " »

Many time each year our Philadelphia car accident and trucking accident law firm is contacted by victims and families of victims of catastrophic trucking accidents. A common scenario seems to exist when a tractor trailer suddenly makes a right hand turn from the left hand lane resulting in a serious collision. In many of the cases, our accident reconstructionists and engineers were able to prove that the actions of the truck operator were not consistent with a commercial driver’s manual and training. Specifically, the commercial driver’s manual states that when a tractor trailer operator moves the tractor to the left prior to turning right, he or she should keep the trailer in the right lane. By doing so, the tractor trailer compensates for the off track trailer unit by blocking the right lane thus preventing a collision. Many times trucking companies and their lawyers will argue that the car tried to squeeze by in the right and the tractor trailer operator was not at fault. Trucking accidents with small cars often result in catastrophic injuries and many times death.

If you are injured by a large 18 wheel truck or semi-truck, you have the legal right to hold the truck drivers and trucking companies responsible for the harm caused by the negligence or non-compliance with safety regulations. The experienced Pennsylvania truck accident lawyers of Reiff & Bily have the experience and resources to properly prepare truck accident claims and our track record of success speaks for itself.

The experienced truck accident lawyers of Reiff & Bily has recently joined forces with the legendary Philadelphia Beasley Firm and collectively has recovered billions of dollars since 1958 with an outstanding track record of success. For more information, please contact us online at www.reiffandbily.com or toll free at 1-800-421-9595. As always, we offer a no recovery, zero fee guarantee.

A few weeks ago, I was sitting the passenger seat of a car the my wife was driving when she had a major anxiety attack as she entered a “cattle shoot” of a highway construction project on I-476 southbound in Pennsylvania. State and highway traffic engineers had developed a traffic plan, closed traffic lanes, placing cones directing drivers into a “cattle shoot” to travel southbound on I-476 while construction took place on a wet evening in the adjacent lanes. Visibility was poor. My wife, a nervous driver to begin with, was having a panic attack while traveling in this narrow, enclosed lane at a fairly high speed. While she couldn’t stop and get out of the car, she became paralyzed with fear. I am sure that my wife’s reaction is not so dissimilar from many other drivers who enter the strange “cattle shoot-like” closure during road construction projects.

As an experienced Pennsylvania car accident attorney who has handled many highway defect design cases involving catastrophic injuries and death, I am all too familiar with the catastrophic car accidents that occur within highway construction projects, including but not limited to the “cattle shoot”.

Recently a driver was paralyzed in a crash while following a temporary traffic pattern in such a situation and the case was settled during jury selection for $13.5 million dollars. The 50-year victim suffered injuries resulting in partial quadriplegia requiring 24 hour care. The victim, his wife, and daughter sued the highway contractors, planners, and the city alleging that the traffic pattern, which was signed off by city officials, obscured vision creating a dangerous traffic pattern. Also alleged in the highway defect lawsuit was the fact that the contractor had negligently placed signed and cones in the wrong location and were not large enough.

Continue reading " Who Is At Fault When You Get Into A Car Accident While Driving Through A Highway Construction Site? " »

While working on an auto accident case involving a client who sustained a detached retina as a result of head trauma, I had the opportunity to converse with one of the leading ophthalmologists in the United States. The doctor described that after examining my client and her past medical records that she had sustained a retinal detachment or a separation of the retina. As a result of trauma to the head, a hole or tear formed in the retina. In layman’s terms, the retina is a thin transparent tissue of light sensitive nerve fibers and cells and covers the inside of the eye similar to how wallpaper covers the walls of a room. If there is a severe trauma to the head, a retinal detachment can occur. In a severe head trauma situation, the retina often sustains small tears or holes. Once a retinal tear or hole is present watery fluid may pass through the hole and flow between the retina and the back wall of the eye causing it to detach. The part of the retina that is detached will no longer work properly and it will cause a blind spot in vision. If the situation remains untreated and progressively worsens, there is a chance of blindness. Retinal detachment is a serious eye problem and must be dealt with immediately and any hard blow or trauma to the eye from a car or truck accident can cause a retina to detach.

If you are noticing blind spots or sight problems after a car or truck accident, it is important that you contact an ophthalmologist as soon as possible to seek treatment closing the retinal tear or detachment. Approximately 80% of all uncomplicated cases can be cured with one operation and an additional 15% will need repeated operations and the remainder will never retach. The prognosis is much worse if it is detached or the detachment is of long duration. Without treatment retinal detachment can become total within six months.

If you or a loved one has sustained a serious eye injury as the result of a car accident or truck accident, please contact one of our experienced catastrophic injury attorneys for a free, no obligation consultation. Reiff & Bily has recently joined forces with the legendary Beasley Firm and together have recovered over $2 billion dollars for injured victims. Please contact us online at www.reiffandbily.com or toll free at 1-800-421-9595. As always, we offer a no recovery, zero fee guarantee.