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.

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.