Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyer Blog

In one of my recent Philadelphia car accident cases, my client was severely injured and notified his insurance company of the accident. Immediately, he received a notification in the mail with a carbon copy to my law firm that stated in effect the following, “This notification is to advise you that in the event you are injured as a result of an accident, you have available to you the services of _________ medical provider. You can call _______ phone number of visit them online at _________ to find out which medical providers are included in this health network. You may also have available to you the services of a different medical provider as a secondary medical provider network in the event a provider is not available in the first health network.” The letter goes on to explain that this program is designed to provide better customer service and that you are under no obligation to use the network and are free to use a medical service provider of your choice. This notice is for informational purposes only and using a provider within the network should not be considered confirmation of coverage.

As an experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyer who has handled thousands of catastrophic car accident injury cases over the last 30 years, one thing I am certain of is that insurance companies will continue to delay, deny, and defend any claim and do whatever it takes to improve their bottom line despite the fact that we all pay a lot of money to insure our homes and automobiles expecting that all damage claims and medical bills will be paid promptly.

I have found that when clients go to automobile repair shops recommended by their insurance company or repair shops on the insurance company’s approved list, the prices are controlled by the insurance companies who steer the clients toward their “preferred businesses” that bid for the work. Many times this leads to repair shops that do superior work losing business to shops that use substandard parts and do inferior work. The insurance industry tells us that every year they try to figure out who can do the best work for the lowest cost and yet I have been engaged in continuous battles with insurance companies over the price and quality of auto repairs necessary to satisfy the client. Many shops that sign on to do business with insurance companies claim they are fearful that they will be left in the cold if they do not participate , and as one owner of a body shop claimed, he views the insurance company as his customer and not the customer who owns the car.

Imagine what the situation will be when it comes to health coverage. It is important to note that as an educated consumer, you have the right to choose the physician or health provider you want. Under most car insurance policies your bills must be paid no matter where or from whom you receive medical treatment and get your car repaired. Understand that you may choose any doctor, hospital, or health provider for your care and the bill must still be paid by your insurance company.

When selecting a healthcare provider or physician, I advise my clients to always select the best possible health provider and not the cheapest.

If your insurance company tries to force you to utilize a particular health provider or auto repair shop, it is time to speak up and exercise your rights. Do not let them pressure you.

The Philadelphia car accident and catastrophic injury law firm of Reiff and Bily has been representing injured consumers for over 30 years and always offers a free, no obligation consultation to victims and their families injured in serious car accidents. For more information, contact us toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

I am now 57 years old and have been practicing catastrophic injury and car accident law in Philadelphia since 1979. Over the last three decades, our Philadelphia car accident law firm has had the privilege of successfully representing tens of thousands of victims who were catastrophically injured or wrongfully killed in car accidents due to someone else’s negligence, defective roadway design, or through the fault of a corporate or private entity. In short, many of the victims have had the wind knocked out of their sails financially, emotionally, and physically and will never be the same as they were prior to the accident. A piece of the total pie has been taken away and they have a right to expect that a competent and experienced catastrophic injury lawyer will passionately and diligently represent their legal interests in an attempt to make them whole via compensatory and punitive damages.

When I meet with victims and their families, it still shakes me to the core and imposes a sense of responsibility and diligence to do whatever it takes to make these well deserving clients as whole as possible. I recognize now more than ever that life is fragile and understand that my battles with insurance companies have increasingly become more difficult as they continue to engage in a pattern of delay, deny, and defend: delaying payment on claims, denying claims, and defending their actions against claims that they rightfully owe injured victims and their families. I find myself working harder and more driven than ever with an indescribable passion and demand justice for my clients.

I remain convinced now more than ever that despite the unjust attempts of my opponents and insurance companies, the justice system will always allow the truth to surface. An ancient proverb states that “one hour of justice is worth a hundred of prayer”, and yes that place of justice is a hallowed place that the skilled and experienced catastrophic injury and car accident lawyers of Reiff and Bily and their staff will continue to work towards.

For over 40 years, I have regularly driven on Roosevelt Boulevard, the major traffic artery running through north and northeast Philadelphia. Just yesterday, I was driving with my son northbound in the middle lane when two vehicles appeared to be racing out of control, weaving in and out of traffic in a dangerous fashion. Police cars were stopped at several locations apparently investigating a number of car accidents. When I was 16 or 17-years old, four of my closest friends were killed in a serious car accident on this highway and since that date, I have investigated and litigated a multitude of other wrongful deaths or life altering catastrophic injuries caused by car accidents on Roosevelt Boulevard. The safety of this well-traveled road raises great concern.

Just this week, I was contacted by a client who has been in intensive care for over two weeks with multiple crush fractures after being hit by a vehicle while crossing Roosevelt Boulevard. The 12 lane highway known as Roosevelt Boulevard contains two of the most dangerous intersections in America, each one and a half miles apart. Many experts and highway design defect experts claim that design highway safety fixes to the dangerous situation are fairly cheap, so why are steps in this direction not being taken? Over 36 million cars travel the Roosevelt Boulevard every year, making it one of the busiest roadways in the country according to Pennsylvania Department of Transportation officials, who also claim that many of the accidents are inevitable.

As an experienced Philadelphia car accident attorney who has litigated and investigated many Philadelphia and Pennsylvania highway design defect claims which result in catastrophic automobile accidents, I am of the opinion that due to the current volume of traffic on Roosevelt Boulevard, it does not meet roadway design standards and safety equipment standards, even though it may have adequately met them 4 or 5 decades ago. Many traffic engineers, highway design experts, and traffic investigators feel that the roadway and traffic design of Roosevelt Boulevard is inadequate to safely handle the volume of traffic on the highway and the design is frankly out of touch with the times.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident or have been a pedestrian struck by a car on Roosevelt Boulevard, the experienced Philadelphia highway design defect and Philadelphia car accident lawyers of Reiff and Bily always offer a free, no obligation consultation and will inform you with their decades of experience so that those responsible may be held accountable for resulting medical bills, financial damages, loss of emotional security and foundation, as well as the loss of life’s pleasures. In just one split second, a victim’s life can be changed forever. Reiff and Bily always offers a free, no obligation consultation and can be reached toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

As an experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyer for over three decades, I am well aware of the dangers of black ice and always thought I knew what to look for when weather conditions seemed appropriate. This morning as I was leaving my driveway on roads that appeared to be dry with normal traction, I went to apply my brakes at a downhill stop sign and skidded clear across the road and narrowly avoided a car accident. After two strong cups of coffee, it was a rather unnerving and anxious way to start the day.

Icy streets and roadways are a top cause of Pennsylvania auto accidents when drivers lose control of their vehicle in an innocent fashion as was the case in my situation. Car accidents on icy roads happen to many people, and in fact, when my son was 17-years old, he did the same thing and skidded through a stop sign and unfortunately caused a car accident causing injuries to an innocent victim. He was rightfully found to be responsible.

The danger and threat of black ice on the highways is particularly concerning due to the fact that it is normally invisible. Black ice normally occurs due to light freezing rain or because of melting and refreezing of moisture on road surfaces and blends with the surface making it hard to detect. Many times black ice will form due to the heat of tires on the roadway coupled with freezing temperatures and is most common at night or in the early morning when the sun is not shining. Drivers passing over bridges or overpasses and the road beneath overpasses need to be particularly sensitive to black ice as do drivers on hills. If you lose traction or skid on black ice, don’t panic and don’t fight it. Always try to steer the car into the direction you want it to go and it may not be a bad idea to put your flashers on to indicate to other drivers that you are taking your time and exercising caution.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident and sustained an injury on an icy or snowy road, the Pennsylvania motor vehicle accident lawyers of Reiff and Bily have over three decades of experience with successful results recovering in the hundreds of millions of dollars. We always offer a free, no obligation consultation toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

Over the last few years, I have seen the hit and run car accident epidemic in Philadelphia increase to the point where law enforcement officials and legislators really must take a much more aggressive stance to address the situation. Just this morning on the way into my office, I was traveling southbound and was the third car in line stopped at a red light when a vehicle in the lane to the right of me also traveling southbound made a left hand turn from the right lane and clipped off the right front quarter panel of another vehicle and kept going despite the protestations evidenced by the horn blasts of the victim’s vehicle. The victim who was struck by the hit and run vehicle obediently did not move his car through the intersection as he was lawfully stopped for the red traffic signal. Despite the loud and most obvious collision, the striking vehicle kept proceeding eastbound once it made the left hand turn. Infuriated, I sat in my vehicle and imagined how the victim felt. As an experienced Pennsylvania automobile accident lawyer, I have investigated and handled all too many cases involving life altering catastrophic injuries and wrongful death that occurred due to the irresponsibility and negligence of another. Oftentimes drivers who leave the scene of a hit and run car accident in Philadelphia do not have mandatory automobile insurance coverage required under Pennsylvania law.
While the news coverage seems to get more voluminous concerning hit and run car accidents in Philadelphia, I have yet to see a satisfactory response by legislation creating or enforcing laws so that strict penalties are sustained by offenders. In my mind, the streets of Philadelphia have become like the “wild west”. Obviously there is never a good reason for anyone to leave the scene of a car accident, and until strict legislation with meaningful enforcement guidelines is passed, this epidemic will continue, greatly affecting the lives of innocent victims.
If you have been involved in a Philadelphia hit and run car accident, the experienced Philadelphia hit and run car accident lawyers of Reiff and Bily always offer a free, no obligation consultation. Contact us toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

Imagine this scenario, you were in a violent automobile collision where both vehicles have to be towed from the scene, occupants taken to the hospital and diagnosed with significant and permanent injuries. A few days later, a representative of the insurance company comes to your house and offers a small sum of $250 to settle the claim and tries to disclaim responsibility in an attempt to intimidate the claimants. Does this sound strange? Indeed it does, but unfortunately it is true.

I recently met with clients who were witnesses and participants in this scenario only to learn that they had sustained severe and permanent debilitating injuries which require surgical intervention and due to the fact they were naïve and immigrants to America, a representative of the insurance company for the striking vehicle clearly tried to take advantage of them when the justifiable and proper resolution of their claim could be worth a multiple of hundreds of thousands more than the original settlement offer.

Why does this continue to happen? Because the main objective of insurance companies is to try to avoid payments of justified claims or settle early before claimants have a chance to educate themselves and seek the advice and opinion of an experienced car accident lawyer who understands the stonewalling and low balling techniques increasingly utilized by insurance companies. It is imperative to fight back against the insurance companies if you are injured in a Philadelphia car accident caused by the negligence of another.

Experienced Philadelphia car accident attorney Jeffrey Reiff has witnessed such despicable insurance company behavior for over three decades and distinctly remembers one claim over 30 years ago where an adjuster for a large company visited a wonderfully naïve and polite elderly “old school” Italian woman, bringing her lunch and offering her a check for $100 to settle her claim that was ultimately resolved later for over $100,000. Initially the client was going to accept the $100 to fully settle her claim after she was seductively encouraged to do so by the “kind claims representative” who befriended her with lunch and polite small talk about her family. Chance favors the prepared mind and I advise anyone involved in a serious automobile accident who sustains a serious injury to contact an experienced car accident lawyer for a free, no obligation consultation to discuss their rights and remedies.

Car accidents in Pennsylvania are one of the leading causes of injuries and deaths. It is important to level the playing field by seeking the assistance of a lawyer who has dealt with insurance companies and tens of thousands of cases involving cars, buses, and truck accidents.

Reiff and Bily is an experienced Pennsylvania catastrophic injury and car accident law firm and always offers a free, no obligation consultation and can be reached toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com. We always offer a zero recovery, no fee guarantee.

In the past few days, I have met with a number of catastrophically injured victims and their revelations of the attorney selection process was mind boggling to me. One of the victims, a well-educated professional, was approached and informed by an out-of-state attorney unfamiliar with Pennsylvania laws relating to Pennsylvania car accidents. The victim was informed erroneously that she could recover benefits from the defendant’s homeowner’s policy, as well as from the defendant’s car insurance policy. Not only that, the soliciting attorney offered to accept the case at a greatly reduced fee due to the nature of the catastrophic injuries involved. The same attorney was not even licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania and mentioned that he would try to settle the case or refer it to a friend.

As my client had never had experience with a catastrophic injury or car accident lawyer and had never been involved in an accident in over six decades, she was naïve as to the realities of the situation and was being erroneously led down a primrose path by a lawyer interested in signing up her case by providing false and inaccurate information.

There is a well-known Latin statement “caveat emptor” which translated into English means “let the buyer beware.” The selection of a good and experienced Pennsylvania injury lawyer involves due diligence to find someone with the experience and knowledge necessary to successfully resolve the client’s problem. When a victim has suffered catastrophic injuries, loss of earning capacity, loss of life’s enjoyment and pleasures, and is saddled with medical bills and household expenses due to a catastrophic accident, selecting the right attorney may be one of the most important decisions of her lifetime. After all, the victim or client only gets “one bite at the apple.”

There are many independent review processes that are good places to start to help a client come up with a short list of candidates to consider. The avvo.com directory as well as lawyers.com directory are good places to start, and a careful search of the Internet will reveal much information on attorneys and law firms including articles they have written or news items. Don’t let a hungry lawyer overanxious for business take advantage of you, and you should never feel rushed or pressured to hire an attorney. I recommend speaking to a number of attorneys to determine if you have a comfortable fit. When you meet with an attorney during an initial consultation, don’t be afraid to ask questions about the lawyer’s experience, ask questions as to who will be handling your case, and what you can expect in terms of interactions and communications. Don’t be afraid to ask for references.

For over 32 years, the skilled catastrophic injury and Philadelphia car accident lawyers of Reiff and Bily have been committed to representing catastrophically injured victims and their families. We always offer a free, no obligation consultation and a zero recovery no fee guarantee. For more information, contact us toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

Over the last year, we have received reports from clients who have been “friended “ on Facebook by individuals that they cannot identify and we always advise all of our clients to never accept “a friend” that they do not know on any social media as more likely than not there is probably not a good purpose to this “meeting”. As a matter of fact, we recommend that any of our clients involved in a catastrophic injury claim suspend any and all messaging and posting on social media websites until the conclusion of their legal case. If someone attempts to “friend” you on Facebook or any other social media, ask yourself what is their motivation? Is that “friend” motivated by the quest for information? A successful and well versed defense lawyer will attempt to leave no stone unturned in determining any information that they may use against a defendant, including but not limited to queries, relationships, hobbies, and activities that people generally post on Facebook. Unfortunately many times people make postings on Facebook or other social sites that contain sensitive information that can be used against them by a well skilled advocate. When you post something on Facebook, it is posted at your own risk and the courts in Pennsylvania have determined that the information is discoverable.
After numerous depositions over the last year where defense counsel has asked my client to provide his or her Facebook user name and password, the courts have claimed that “only the uninitiated or foolish could believe that Facebook is an online lock box of secrets.” The Pennsylvania courts have held that if a party in a civil case posts information on his or her Facebook page and that information appears to contradict statements and discovery testimony, then the party’s Facebook page falls within the scope of discovery. Therefore, a simple lesson following a motto that I practice by is that “chance favors the prepared mind” and this mandates a strict and serious warning that any information posted online can and most likely will be found by opposing parties or their investigators in litigation and will be reachable through the power of a court issued subpoena.
Jeffrey Reiff has been practicing catastrophic injury and wrongful death law in Pennsylvania since 1979 with the experienced catastrophic injury and wrongful death law firm of Reiff and Bily. He welcomes inquiries concerning new legal matters and always offers a free, no obligation consultation toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

Over the last 32 years as a Pennsylvania catastrophic injury lawyer, I was inevitably tethered to my office but began to take advantage of the latest technological advances beginning with one of the first purchases of the first generation of word processors to replace an IBM Selectric Typewriter. Welcome to the beginning of my techno-geek journey of self-improvement.

Fast forward 32 years and myself and my legal staff are now linked in via smart phones, I-Pads, Blackberrys, and other technological wonders and apps which make it possible for me to maintain constant and immediate contact with my office and clients 24/7. I am passionate about advances in technology and constant communication with my clients, and today whether I am in my office, walking down the street, at home, or in my car, or even on holiday, I am able to virtually meet with my clients and provide them with regular updates about their claims. I often hear my clients state “How did you just call me back when I just emailed you a second ago?” In my mind, the new communication technology is making it easier than ever to communicate with clients and convey documentation of their claim to them as well as other involved attorneys, representatives, and insurance companies. Most of our new clients are more apt to reach out to us via electronic media rather than telephone, and yes, I am addicted to my I-Phone, I-Pad, and Mac. Frankly, I can’t live without them. While many of my family members believe it is a curse because it keeps me connected and in touch 24/7, I have to admit I enjoy speaking with my clients and assisting them in times of concern when they need it most and a steady hand and mind to guide them through the frustrations, anxieties, and difficulties in the claim and litigation process. One of my greatest pleasures is the creation of new friendships with individuals who started as clients.

Most of our younger clients of the newer generations expect instant feedback, and the experienced Pennsylvania catastrophic injury and Philadelphia car accident lawyers of Reiff and Bily do our best to provide the quickest feedback possible so that clients are always in the communication loop. While many lawyers complain that their law practices have become more demanding due to the invention and progress of electronic technology, the skilled Philadelphia catastrophic personal injury lawyers of Reiff and Bily believe that this exciting level of evolution enables smoother and more consistent communication as well as happier clients.

Over the last few months, I have noticed a most disturbing discovery as I have met with some high net worth and fairly well educated clients after a catastrophic automobile accident only to discover that their insurance company attempted to limit or reduce medical coverage without their knowledge.

In one case, my client, an executive of one of the Philadelphia region’s largest Fortune 500 companies, was informed by his agent that he had full coverage, and when our skilled Pennsylvania car accident attorneys reviewed his policy after the accident, it was interesting to note that although his agent was careful to load him up with third party coverage and uninsured motorist coverage, he failed to provide underinsured motorist coverage or appropriate medical benefit coverage. The client was involved in a catastrophic accident and the $100,000 third party policy limits of the defendant were not even close to adequate to cover his medical expenses. The Philadelphia car accident lawyers of Reiff and Bily are now commencing an action against the victim’s insurance agent and insurance company, both of whom have yet to provide proof that the client intentionally signed down or waived such a limitation or reduction in coverage.

In another recent motor vehicle accident case, I met with a client whose medical payment coverage was reduced from $250,000 to $15,000 without the client’s knowledge or consent, and yet the client was charged an increased premium.

Ironically when I mentioned the situation to colleagues, I learned that the same insurance company was commencing special investigation unit fraud inquiries on a large number of claimants who had filed claims in what we believe is an attempt to intimidate those who have proper and valid legal rights.

As an experienced Pennsylvania car accident lawyer who has successfully handled tens of thousands of car accident cases since 1979, it is clear that many automobile insurance companies are now more than ever systematically attempting the squeeze the guts out of claimants despite the fact that when one buys a policy of insurance, a contract is entered into to be dealt with fairly and promptly.

The Pennsylvania motor vehicle accident law firm of Reiff and Bily is committed to fighting the battles of injured consumers every day against insurance companies. We always offer a free, no obligation consultation and can be reached toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

It never ceases to amaze me when dealing with defendants and insurance companies after a car accident and I suggest a loss of life’s pleasures, the representative or attorney on the other side seems to suggest that most people have the ability to walk away unaffected despite the fact that there may not be “hard core” objective findings of broken bones. Certainly it goes without saying that a car accident is a traumatic incident that produces anxiety, frustration, and depression in most individuals. While each individual is unique, even a minor injury can impact an individual’s ability to function as they did prior to the accident according to studies. You don’t need to sustain “broken bones” to be severely affected or injured in a car accident.

Over the last thirty years as an experienced Philadelphia car accident attorney, I have been able to effectively demonstrate through objective testing that victims of car accidents scored lower in cognitive function testing and lagged behind healthy peers in a work or educational environment, suggesting that anxiety, frustration, or depression associated with getting hurt can explain the lower scoring. A Pennsylvania car accident victim is entitled to receive compensatory damages against a defendant who is liable for his or her negligence or harm. An experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyer should aggressively pursue financial compensation for various out-of-pocket expenses including but not limited to medical costs, property damage, lost wages, and loss of life’s enjoyment and pleasures.

The experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyers of Reiff and Bily always offer a free, no obligation consultation and can be reached toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.