Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyer Blog

In most of our cases where a victim has sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI), the attorney for the defendant and their insurance companies always try to negate the injury or in severe cases greatly minimize the consequences. Unfortunately, the issue of traumatic brain injury goes beyond each individual case, the victim, and the betrayer.

In the early 1990’s, the United States government began to publish studies of traumatic brain injury and traumatic stress. The studies sought to clarify the impact of traumatic brain injuries on a victims everyday life. The National Institute of Health, the world’s largest government sponsored research institute spends approximately $80 million dollars on (TBI) traumatic brain injury research which has concluded that most people who sustain a traumatic brain injury will suffer lasting damage to their short term memory and problem solving abilities. The prognosis and diagnosis of traumatic brain injury is generally confirmed by objective and subjective testing administered by a neuropsychiatrist over a period of a few hours or days. Traumatic brain injury occurs at various levels and involves an injury to the brain due to a sudden trauma. Many times unfortunately, TBI often goes undiagnosed.

The major causes of TBI (traumatic brain injury) are a motorcycle accident, car accident, truck accident, bicycle crash, or an explosion blast very close to the head. Millions of people in the United States sustain some form of TBI each year. However, most people with mild TBI do not go to the emergency room or ever report these injuries to their doctor. Common symptoms caused by a TBI (traumatic brain injury); are headaches, ringing in the ears, mood changes, trouble remembering or inability to concentrate for long periods of time, depression, affectation of sleeping habits, anxiety, lethargy, and the inability to enjoy routine events daily. Many of our clients have reported feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or thoughts of suicide. In almost all cases involving TBI, the insurance company or lawyer for the defendant will hire what we refer to as a “paid painted lady” expert to vigorously refute all claims of TBI as they attempt to vigorously defend mostly all of these claims and boldly pronounce the findings as “nonsense”. Traumatic brain injury is the “real deal” as recognized by the United States government and other prominent medical scholars.

If you or a loved one has sustained an injury to your head, or has been a victim of any of the accidents stated above, it pays to contact an experienced traumatic brain injury lawyer for a free, no obligation consultation. The experienced Philadelphia car accident and defective auto product liability lawyers of Reiff and Bily have over 30 years of experience successfully representing traumatic brain injury victims and making sure that their claims are heard and understood. If the federal government and scholars think that TBI is a big deal, we will not let the insurance company or their representatives minimize it and tell you that it’s not. Contact us toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

For over three decades as an experienced Philadelphia car accident and hit and run accident lawyer, I have noticed an alarming increase in the number of hit and run accidents. A hit and run accident is a crime committed by a fleeing driver. I have stated many times before that there is never a good reason why someone would not stop after being involved in a car accident.

Recently I met with the family of a young father with an impeccable work record who was struck by a hit and run driver on his way home from work one evening a few weeks ago. The investigation revealed that the offending hit and run driver was an off duty police officer. The victim now lays motionless in a coma in a hospital room while his parents, family, and child express concerns and worries about his and their futures. Medical bills and bills for rehabilitation will likely skyrocket into the hundreds of thousands if not millions of dollars.

The day following the accident, the investigation revealed that the police officer turned herself in with extensive damage to the striking vehicle. The obvious question to be answered is Why would an off duty police officer and a responsible individual not call 911 immediately after the accident to inform the police about what happened and offer immediate assistance?

As an experienced hit and run accident lawyer, I have shared the pain of innocent and unknowing victims with all too many parents and families who have suffered losses as result of hit and run accidents caused by drivers who leave the scene generally because they were intoxicated by virtue of drugs or alcohol. Law enforcement officials claim that the situation is a growing challenge and I for one can state that our law firm received at least 4 phone calls just this morning from hit and run accident victims.

Continue reading "When A Police Officer Leaves The Scene Of A Hit And Run Accident Which Renders The Victim Unconscious And In A Coma, It’s Time to Wake Up And Recognize That The Hit And Run Epidemic Needs An Immediate And Major Fix" »

Philadelphia has more bicycle commuters per capita than any of the nation’s other top ten most populated cities according to new census figures. Philadelphia’s rate of bicycle commuters is more than triple the national average of .55% according to analysis performed by The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia. This statistic calls to issue an interesting query. With the growing number of uninsured motorists in Philadelphia, what happens when a bicyclist is hit by an uninsured or underinsured motorist? The uninsured motorist clause on your own automobile policy may pay if you are hit and run down while bicycling. Check your policy carefully.

As I have noted before in my blogs, Philadelphia has an uninsured motorist as well as hit and run accident pandemic and we are contacted many times a week by bicyclists in a bicycle accident with a hit and run driver or an uninsured motorist. It goes without saying that when a car strikes a bicycle, the injuries are generally catastrophic and many times fatal, often resulting in catastrophic consequences when there is no insurance or limited insurance. If you do not own a motor vehicle, you should contact an insurance agent to purchase a comprehensive insurance policy. A comprehensive bicycle insurance policy, like its counterpart for car insurance, will cover cyclists for risks such as liability, personal injury, uninsured motorists and theft.

Generally, if you own a car insurance policy, UM/UIM coverage will be available within the comprehensive automobile policy providing insurance against collisions with uninsured or underinsured motorists. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is not mandatory in Pennsylvania. This type of coverage is important for a cyclist to have. I recommend seeking more than the minimal level of insurance due to the fact that most times when a car is in a collision with a bicycle, the injuries are sufficiently more than the policy coverage unless there is a minor collision.

If you were involved in a bicycle accident with an automobile or a hit and run driver, one should select the services of an experienced bicycle accident and car accident lawyer to fully investigate the claim and make an informed decision regarding your options. Never accept a settlement from an uninsured driver’s insurance company without getting approval from your own insurance company. You may jeopardize your own company’s rights to pay a UM/UIM claim. If you or a loved one has been involved in a bicycle accident or car accident with a hit and run or uninsured motorist, please contact one of our experienced bicycle and car accident lawyers at Reiff & Bily at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

According to news sources a woman in her forties riding a bicycle in center city was critically injured by a suspected drunk driver on Saturday evening at approximately 7:30 p.m. at 22nd and Market Streets, Philadelphia, PA. The operator of the truck continued after the impact but was flagged down and stopped by SEPTA police at 22nd and the Parkway. The victim was transported to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and reported in non-stabled condition with severe trauma. The driver of the truck, a 79-year old man, was arrested on the suspicion of driving under the influence.

I have been writing now for many years that the hit and run car accident situation is out of control in Philadelphia and enough is enough. Penalties are needed with more teeth in them. For the last year, we have noticed an interesting upward trend whereupon many cases of hit and run occur involving repeat DUI offenders with minimal insurance coverage or no coverage at all where innocent victims have been catastrophically injuried or killed. Believe it or not, the current law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania actually benefits those who leave the scene of an accident when intoxicated. DUI punishments and hit and run penalties need to be much harsher in Pennsylvania as DUI and hit and run accidents tear families apart. Pennsylvania has a significant loophole that actually rewards people who leave the scene of an accident while intoxicated.

The experienced hit and run car accident lawyers of Reiff & Bily feel strongly that with the rate of hit and runs and recidivism on the rise, minimal prison sentences and fines are not enough. The hit and run car accident lawyers at Reiff & Bily feel that anyone operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol is no different than a man carrying a gun who kills someone where the penalty is much higher.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a hit and run or car accident, please contact one of the experienced Philadelphia hit and run and car accident lawyers at Reiff & Bily for a free consultation at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

Last week my son purchased a bicycle which will be his primary means of transportation to and from his classes in medical school. As any normal and loving parent would reveal, I am somewhat concerned about my child’s safety while operating his bicycle on streets already overcrowded with cars, buses, and trucks operated by motorists not paying full attention.

According to a recent study, bicycle riders are 12 times more likely than those in cars to suffer a fatal accident. Another study found that pedestrians are 23 times more likely than drivers to die per mile of travel. It is also interesting to note that 11% of bicycle accidents involve a collision with a car. As an avid bicyclist and motorcyclist since my early teen years and as a practicing car accident lawyer in Philadelphia since 1979, I can honestly state that there are a lot of bad drivers on the road who simply do not pay attention. Many times they will cut in front of you, open their door in your path, run a stop sign or traffic light, so you must always operate a motorcycle or bicycle in a defensive fashion and follow the boy scout model “Be prepared.”

Continue reading "I Ride My Bike To Work Everyday: Do I Need Insurance?" »