Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyer Blog

We are lucky to live in a time when automobiles are recalled, as a matter of course, whenever facts reveal that it may be defective and potentially dangerous. But, on the other hand, it is pretty alarming when a major automobile manufacturer recalls several of its newest models. This is the case with Nissan, which just announced a recall of five different 2013 models—Altima, Pathfinder, Sentra, Leaf, and Infiniti JX35—and for two separate defects.

All five models, it appears, may have faulty occupant detection systems (ODSs), and one model, the 392 Sentra, has a potentially leaky fuel tank, owing to a faultily manufactured seal. The ODS recall affects 87,094 Nissans built this year, and all 2013 models built in 2012. The fuel tank recall only affects cars built from September 11, 2012 to October 2, 2012.

The air bag malfunction, which involves a much larger number of vehicles than the fuel tank anomaly, is a serious safety hazard. Sometimes, an airbag can cause injury because of its inordinate force, or because it was deployed erroneously. But, in this case—owing to a faulty occupant detection system—the danger is that airbags will not deploy at all.

The purpose of an occupant detection system is to determine who is sitting in a car, and—importantly—the size and weight of each occupant. It is there to ensure that airbags will not be deployed for children or very small adults, thereby harming them. But, in the case of these new Nissan models, the ODS system does not work properly, and can potentially keep airbags from being released at all, regardless of the weight of the occupants of the car. Needless to say, this malfunction can cause serious harm to those who are large enough to require airbags for protection.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the lives of 4,658 people have been saved because of airbags. The combination of safety belts and air bags is said to be 75 percent effective in preventing serious head injuries, and 66 percent effective in preventing serious chest injuries. Moreover, driver air bags reduce deaths in frontal crashes by 26 percent for drivers wearing safety belts, and passenger air bags reduce deaths in frontal crashes by 14 percent for passengers wearing safety belts.

It goes without saying that the other defect, a potentially leaky fuel tank, can cause a car to explode. Though, fortunately, fewer cars have been recalled for this flaw, it is indeed a serious problem.

If you have recently purchased one of these 2013 Nissans, you should contact your local dealer immediately. And, if you or a loved one has been injured in an accident involving one of these recalled cars, you should contact a knowledgeable product defect attorney as soon as possible—one with a track record of success in fighting automobile manufacturers.

Our airbag and product defect lawyers understand that safety should never be an option. The lawyers at Reiff and Bily have received the highest possible peer review ratings in legal ability and ethical standards, and have been recognized as the Top 100 Attorneys in Philadelphia and Top Attorneys in the Northeast. We always offer a free, no obligation consultation.

In the last few years, our firm has undertaken multiple cases against bus companies and trucking companies, in which people were killed and catastrophically injured because a driver had been forced to drive more than the maximum allowable number of hours. Unfortunately, such accidents are all too frequent, owing—at least in part—to insufficient federal oversight of these companies.

Recently, we filed a case against the Canadian company, Mi Joo Tour and Travel, the operators of bus tours of Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, and Idaho. The sole driver of one of Mi Joo’s bus tours drove between 10 and 12 hours a day, in order to meet the demands of a tight travel itinerary. On the last day of one tour, he left Boise, Idaho early in the morning, and— three hours later, oblivious to signs on the icy Oregon interstate highway that warned of hazardous conditions—failed to slow down , lost control of the bus, and collided with a guardrail. The bus spun around and crashed down a steep embankment, rolling at least once before it landed. Nine passengers were killed, and 39 others were severely injured.

Multiple lawsuits were filed in different jurisdictions, alleging diverse causes of action. Allegations were made that the tour operator, Mi Joo, was vicariously liable for the driver’s failure to follow hours-of-service regulations, and to heed road and traffic warnings. In addition to negligence claims, it was alleged that the bus had several maintenance and product defects that contributed to the accident. Investigations indicate that at least one tire failed to meet the required standards for the particular driving conditions. Some passengers claimed that they had asked the driver why there were chains on the tires going to one location but not coming back, suggesting that something was undeniably wrong.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) ordered Mi Joo to cease operations, and cited the driver for excessive driving hours. The FMCSA also noted, in an out- of-service order, that it had cited Mi Joo in 2010-2011 for violating drug- and alcohol-testing regulations, and had suspended the company for two months in 2011, until it paid an agency fine. During those investigations, the FMCSA uncovered multiple safety violations.

Accidents such as these, and the legal actions that ensue, demonstrate the need for better regulatory oversight— and, indeed, for an overhaul of the federal system that regulates motor carriers and buses engaged in interstate transportation. They also suggest that the FMCSA must increase the frequency and depth of compliance reviews of carriers that are subject to prior out-of-service orders. After all, the companies that operate these vehicles owe the highest duty of care to fare-paying passengers.

The Philadelphia bus accident lawyers of Reiff and Bily have over 34 years of experience representing victims and families of those catastrophically injured or killed in trucking and bus accidents. Our lawyers have been recognized as among the top lawyers in the United States. They are members of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers, and have been noted by their peers to have the highest possible rating in both legal abilities and ethical standards. Reiff and Bily always offers a free, no obligation consultation. Call them toll free, at 1-800-421-9595.

Last night, Tuesday, February 26, 2013, a 15-passenger van rolled over on a Pennsylvania highway, striking a tree. Initial police reports indicate that the vehicle was carrying fifteen occupants, and crashed just after 8:00 p.m. on Interstate 380 North. Driving conditions were said to have turned treacherous, with the onset of freezing rain. At least one occupant of the vehicle was pronounced dead, and others were transported to the nearby Geisinger Medical Center. Our hearts and prayers are extended to the victims and their families, and we ask that anyone who has further information report it to us.

While many will attempt to point the finger at the driver, this accident was likely caused by deadly, but not uncommon, combination: a vehicle with serious design flaws and hazardous road conditions. Indeed, the 15-passenger van may be one of the most dangerous vehicles on the road, when fully loaded. Design defects on these vans include a high center of gravity, which has long been known to increase the possibility of rollover, and stadium seating, in which seats are placed at graduated heights. The rear of the vehicle extends up to four feet beyond the rear wheels , a feature that increases the possibility of ‘fishtailing,’ or sliding from side to side, if the van loses traction on an icy road surface.

The National Transportation Safety Board is fully aware that vans overturn more than 50 percent of the time when involved in single vehicle crashes. Indeed, 81% of all fatalities in 15-passenger van crashes occur in single vehicle crash rollovers. A 15-passenger van carrying 15 people and overloaded with cargo has a 70% greater chance of being involved in a rollover accident than any another vehicle on the road.

The 15-passenger van has been deemed so unsafe that many churches, schools—in addition to the military— have totally banned them as a means for transportation. There are currently in excess of a half million 15-passenger vans registered in the United States. 85% are listed as Ford Econoline Club E-350 and Dodge B-350/3500.

NHTSA has gone so far as to recommend that the drivers of these vans need a commercial driver’s license. A fully loaded 15-passenger van requires special driving skills and, unless an individual has been properly trained in how to drive them safely under various road conditions, and learned special accident avoidance maneuvers, an accident can likely occur in such conditions.

We have investigated and prosecuted cases where dozens of victims have been killed or catastrophically injured in 15-passenger and SUV rollover crashes. We understand how and why life-altering injuries and deaths can occur as a result of design defects—drastically altering the hopes and dreams of innocent victims and their families.

Victims and their families involved in a 15-passenger van accident should contact an experienced 15-passenger van rollover lawyer with a track record of beating automobile manufacturers in court. The successful prosecution of 15-passenger van accident cases requires experience, skillful investigation, and immediate action, to avoid non-spoliation of evidence. 15-passenger van rollover cases are high-stakes, complicated cases to litigate, and require special expertise.

The 15-passenger van rollover and SUV rollover attorneys of Reiff and Bily have been recognized by their peers as having the highest possible rating in both legal abilities and ethical standards, and are consistently recognized as Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and are members of the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Attorneys. Our skilled 15-passenger van and SUV rollover always offer a free, no obligation consultation.

A significant multi-million dollar verdict was recently awarded against an ambulance company, after the ambulance careened, at full speed, into a truck. It was alleged that the ambulance service had failed to enforce company policy regarding driver oversight, retraining, and education. It was further alleged that the driver had poor vision and a history of accidents, and had failed to meet the company’s driving standards for a period of over 30 months.

As an experienced motor vehicle, car, and ambulance accident lawyer for the last three and a half decades, I can attest to the fact that ambulance drivers do not get a free pass. Indeed, there are no exceptions to the rules of safe conduct—if passengers are killed or seriously injured. Ambulance drivers and ambulance companies alike must be held accountable for their negligence, or their failure to provide a duty of care.

Many ambulance accidents occur at intersections controlled by stoplights or red lights. Even though the protocol is to pull over and yield to an ambulance, ambulance drivers themselves must exercise a reasonable degree of caution in their quest to safely transport their patients to the nearest health facility. An emergency vehicle such as an ambulance must never attempt to assert the right-of-way through an intersection, against a traffic-signaling device, since the light on the ambulance is frequently obscured at intersections, and its siren may not be heard, as it bounces off impediments such as buildings and trees, thereby confusing nearby motorists.

Surprisingly, the majority of ambulance accidents occur on days when the visibility is good, and they are simply the result of the poor judgment or inattention of the driver. Another surprising fact is that most rural ambulance crashes do not involve other vehicles, and are likely to be caused by factors such as wet or icy highways, or the improper maintenance or overloading of the vehicle.

An ambulance typically weighs more than 12,000 pounds, and is often traveling more than 40 miles per hour. As its vehicle weight increases, so does its safe vehicle braking distance. Additionally, ambulances are often overloaded by crews, negatively impacting the handling and braking characteristics of the vehicle—and jeopardizing patient and crew.

Too often, ambulance drivers are simply poorly trained and educated. This is a reality that needs addressing. The National Fire Protection Association has attempted to identify strategies that would have a positive impact on emergency responders and ambulance safety.

Ambulance companies and their drivers owe patients a duty to exercise a reasonable caution of care. If it is found that an ambulance driver or operator’s negligence is the cause of injuries or death, the ramifications can be very significant. As health costs continue to rise, many fly-by-night ambulance companies have entered the arena. Because they are more concerned about profits than about driver and paramedic training and experience, they are more apt to be remiss about their duty of care.

If you or a loved one has been the victim of an ambulance accident, it is important to retain an ambulance accident lawyer immediately, to carefully investigate a claim, and avoid spoliation of evidence. There are often many different theories to be explored—such a faulty parts, road or weather conditions, breach of safety regulations and the motor vehicle code, negligence on the part of the driver, or negligent hiring on the part of the owner of the ambulance company.

If you were injured, or someone you love was injured or killed, while being transported in an ambulance, know that you are not alone, and that you may be entitled to financial compensation. Jeffrey Reiff, an experienced ambulance accident lawyer, has been recognized as one of Pennsylvania’s top attorneys from 2004 to the present, and has received the highest rating in both legal ability and ethical standards. Mr. Reiff has been recognized as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by National Trial Lawyers Association.

Imagine the following scenarios. You are sitting home late one evening, and suddenly the phone rings. You answer the call, only to learn that a loved one was involved in a catastrophic accident. Or, you are traveling down the highway with your spouse, on the way home from a restaurant, when all of a sudden an unexpected event—such as a collision with another vehicle, or a tree falling onto your vehicle—occurs, causing life-altering injuries.

Every year in America, almost 8 million traffic accidents will occur, and many of the victims of these accidents will experience Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and severe emotional distress, immediately following the accident. Symptoms may include, but are not limited to: shock, nervousness, worry, anxiety, panic, guilt, uneasiness, anger, depression, irritability, insomnia, and concentration problems. Or they may include more generalized feelings like trouble believing what happened, being unable to stop replaying memories of the accident, feelings of disconnection from others, and a loss of desire to move forward. Oftentimes people become severely depressed, and hibernate in their homes, without seeking proper medical attention or legal advice.

Of course, it is normal to be shocked after a car accident, and most people will bounce back quickly, after the shock recedes. However, when the emotional and mental feelings become overwhelming, start to change the way you think and act, and get in the way of everyday life, you may, in fact, have PTSD. Many times, victims will suffer from a more serious type of injury, such as a traumatic brain injury or a concussion, which produces more extreme symptoms.

As an experienced Philadelphia car accident and traumatic injury attorney, I constantly meet with clients and family members who sustain traumatic brain injuries and PTSD that require psychological and psychiatric attention. PTSD can be extraordinarily debilitating—and it is compensable for recovery of damages.

Those who experience PTSD may feel intense fear, helplessness, or horror— which may also be accompanied by a diminution of sex drive or physical strength. These symptoms typically appear immediately after, or within months of, the event. Sometimes, they do not occur until years later. A sudden onset of emotional distress and PTSD, resulting from a catastrophic accident, can leave an individual or a family totally incapacitated—and uncertain about what to do, and to whom to turn for advice.

In view of these possibilities, it is vitally important, in the critical moments following an accident, to avoid spoliation of evidence, and to conduct a careful investigation—in order to protect your legal and financial interests. This is especially crucial following a catastrophic accident or wrongful death.

Thus, following an accident, you should consult a physician, to obtain a complete medical history, a physical exam, and a mental evaluation--and an attorney who is skilled in the areas of traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder. Doing so will help get you back on proper emotional and physical footing as soon as possible.

An alarming number of serious single vehicle car accidents—often involving death or catastrophic injury—are caused by negligent auto repair, not negligent driving. In fact, negligence on the part of a repair technician or mechanic can be as profoundly damaging as negligence by a medical professional, and it warrants the same degree of attention, concern, and careful investigation.

Consumers have every right to expect auto mechanics to repair their vehicles in accordance with current technical and safety standards, thereby assuring the safety of both drivers and passengers. Conversely, auto mechanics, car dealerships, and repair facilities have an obligation to provide their patrons with an appropriate standard of care—and to take responsibility for any breach of care that causes catastrophic injury, death, or property damage.

Continue reading "Who is Responsible when Incompetent Automobile Repair Causes Catastrophic Injury or Death?" »

Over the Labor Day holiday weekend, a story was published in a Philadelphia newspaper noting the death of an individual and catastrophic injuries sustained by two other passengers in a one car crash in Bucks County. Evidently a car carrying a man and two passengers ran off U.S. Rt. 1 and struck girders supporting a business sign and rolled over several times before it caught on fire. The driver and front seat female passenger were ejected from the vehicle and the other woman was pinned in the back. Initial police investigation revealed that alcohol was not believed to be a contributing factor.

For the last 33 years, I have litigated thousands of very simple to complex automobile crashes, many involving rollovers. I have learned that many times defective vehicle design and manufacturing defects can cause single vehicle car accidents.

Our Philadelphia catastrophic injury law firm has focused on serious injury cases from car accidents in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and throughout the United States for over 33 years. When one purchases a vehicle, they have the right to expect that the vehicle is safe for use.

Continue reading "When a Single Vehicle Crash Occurs, One Normally Jumps to the Conclusion that it Was Driver Error, but Many Times this is Not the Case" »

A 41-year-old female driver was operating her vehicle on a state highway when a 10 lb. corner iron securing raisin crates on a tractor trailer came loose. The corner iron struck the windshield of another driver’s vehicle, hitting her in the head and causing her to suffer a traumatic brain injury and seizure disorder which prevented her from driving. According to news sources, medical expenses amounted to $178,900.00 and the victim, a teacher, was forced to retire and apply for disability benefits. The defendant was sued with the allegation that they failed to properly secure the corner iron and the jury awarded $12.23 million dollars after hearing the facts of the case.

Each year, the negligent operators of trucks seriously injure or kill thousands of pedestrians, drivers, and motorists. Unsecured truck loads continue to pose hazards for innocent drivers who are often wrongfully killed or catastrophically injured as a result of the unsecured or improperly secured cargo. I am sure that many of my readers have observed trucks and other vehicles improperly loaded with cargo traveling down highways at high rates of speed. It is reported that over 50,000 truck accidents occur every year due to unsecured cargo and often trucks are hauling hazardous materials or flammable materials which are not properly secured and result in horrific consequences if an accident or malfunction occurs.

Continue reading "Failure to Properly Secure Cargo on a Truck Results in Catastrophic Injuries and Significant Eight Figure Jury Verdict" »

In the last two years, I have been entrusted with the representation of several individuals who sustained some of the most unimaginable catastrophic injuries that will dramatically affect them for the rest of their lives as a result of short cuts and corner cutting by low cost bus services which sacrificed safety in the name of profits.

The Double Happiness Bus Company regularly transports passengers on the northeast corridor making stops in Philadelphia, Washington, New York City, and Albany, New York.

In December, the U. S. Department of Transportation declared Double Happiness a “eminent hazard to safety” after federal review found numerous safety violations in hours of service, vehicle maintenance, and controlled substance and alcohol testing. It was interesting to note that in our representation of individuals in some of our cases we had to pursue a complicated web of corporate shells and identities before we were able to discern the appropriate and responsible corporate and individual entities that are operating these buses.

When a passenger boards a bus, he or she has every right to expect that the bus will be properly inspected, operated safely, and not operated by an over-fatigued, alcohol or drug induced intoxicated driver. One has a rightful expectation that the bus will be regularly and safely maintained.

The experienced Pennsylvania bus accident lawyers of Reiff and Bily salute the efforts of federal officials in obtaining a court order against the Chinatown bus company, as well as salute every continual effort that federal and state agencies utilize at their disposal to protect the traveling public and remove unsafe bus companies and commercial carriers from our highways. On a side note, it should be stated that the restraining order against the Double Happiness Bus Company cited four violations of controlled substance and alcohol use, including two drivers who had failed pre-employment drug tests. Additionally the company had filed 49 false driver reports and violated several inspections and maintenance regulations. I have voraciously argued for enforcement of common carrier rules when it comes to the substandard bus companies and believe that one must stand for something.

If you or a loved one has been a victim of a common carrier or catastrophic bus accident, our experienced investigators and legal experts are always glad to offer a free, no obligation consultation and a zero recovery, no fee guarantee.

When you think of pulling a U-Haul trailer, one thing you probably never ever consider is that many SUV’s including but not limited to the Ford Explorer may be one of the most unsafe vehicles to hitch a trailer to. U-Haul International, the nation’s largest provider of rental trailers claims to be highly conservative when it comes to safety, however, U-haul has known for several years that there is a potentially unsafe and dangerous situation that existed with a combination of the two.

In 2003, U-Haul banned towing of its trailers with Ford Explorers due to the fact that trailer sway (the leading cause of towing accidents) caused the driver to lose control of the SUV in a tail wagging the dog manner often causing a catastrophic vehicle rollover. Driving downhill, making a sharp turn, or even a gust of wind, can cause the trailer to swing so violently that even the most experienced drivers have problems regaining control and avoiding a catastrophic accident.

Despite U-Haul’s policies, we have discovered that customers are still pulling trailers as heavy or heavier than their own vehicles. Simply stated, this is an accident waiting to happen. Many times these trailers go months without thorough safety inspections which clearly is a violation of the company’s own policies.

Many trailers have problems with brakes and are towed by people who have little if any knowledge about loading or towing trailers. Many renters of trailers are given little or no instructions about loading or towing trailers, and in an accident avoidance maneuver, many drivers pulling a trailer take instinctive and reflexive actions to avoid an accident scenario which can make the swing worse and contribute to the accident. Yet, when an accident occurs, the trailer company almost always blames the customer or driver, noting “driver error”.

It’s conventional wisdom that products, cars, and trailers should be safely designed, and that their operators should receive proper instructions prior to operating them. Too many times trailer towing companies fail to fully explain the necessary safety requirements to the novice and inexperienced trailer renter. It is imperative that when towing a trailer the towing vehicle must significantly outweigh the trailer. The U-Haul trailer rental company is well aware of the risks of a run away trailer rollover accident and has been sued countless times for wrongful death and personal injury. Additionally U-haul has repeatedly failed to properly maintain its fleet of close to 20,000 trailers in a proper and safe condition, and address the weight distribution issue, not adding adequate safety devices to prevent trailer sway

U-Haul still remains one of the only company’s in American that allows customers to rent its trailers and pull them behind an SUV, whereas many of U-Haul’s competitors, recognizing the weight distribution problem, requires customers to pull the trailers with a heavy six wheel vehicle. In fact, U-Haul’s fleet of trailers used to have a decal affixed that stated for use behind six wheel vehicles only. However the company changed the policy seemingly stressing profitability over safety in continuing to rent trailers to customers with SUVs. U-Haul’s only clear policy, that I am aware of, states that customers are prevented from using Ford Explorers to pull their trailers. However, U-Haul trailers are still unsafely being pulled behind many other SUV’s and four wheel vehicles.

Until you have come face to face with the victims and their families of a catastrophic rollover, one cannot understand the devastation that occurs when a company that is aware of dangers continues to stress profitability over safety.

The vehicle rollover and defective trailer accident lawyers of Reiff and Bily understand that one must always stand for something or you will fall for anything, and that safety rather than profits always must be priority number one. If you or a loved one was the unfortunate victim of a vehicle rollover or defective trailer accident, let one of our experienced vehicle rollover and defective trailer attorneys offer a free, no obligation consultation. We are committed to vehicle and consumer safety and always offer a zero recovery, no fee guarantee. Contact us toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

As the parent of three boys, two of whom have progressed through the teenage years, I have always expressed a concern for poor decision making by young and inexperienced teenage drivers. After handling catastrophic automobile accident cases in Philadelphia for over three decades, some of the most serious and catastrophic accidents have been caused by teenage drivers. Unfortunately many teenagers still continue to operate vehicles while texting or under the influence of drugs or alcohol, oblivious to the criminal and civil penalties that await them or their parents if an accident should occur.

Distracted driving remains one of the leading causes of horrific car accidents in Pennsylvania and America today. My father used to tell me routinely that an inexperienced driver behind the wheel of a powerful vehicle can be just as dangerous as a man with a gun, not to mention what occurs if we add intoxicating substances into the mix. Unfortunately many teenage drivers feel they are experienced and know more than their parents and yet over and over in depositions, it amazes me how many teenagers and their parents lack a sense of responsibility or culpability after an accident occurs.

Each year over 5,000 teens will die from injuries caused by car crashes and more than a half a million teenagers will sustain injuries serious enough to require emergency treatment according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

As an experienced Philadelphia car accident attorney and a parent, I reach out to all of my readers to educate their children and friends on the dangers associated with distracted driving and teenagers. If you or a loved one has been injured as the result of a car accident, please contact one of our experienced Philadelphia car accident attorneys for a free, no obligation consultation toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

How many times have you been driving down a highway or street when someone cuts in front of you at a high rate of speed and you narrowly avoid an accident. If you avoid an accident you are one of the lucky ones because many times fatal and catastrophic injuries are caused by unsafe driver actions such as an improper or erratic lane change.

In a study prepared for the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety by Lydia P. Kostyniuk, Frederick M. Streff, and Jennifer Zakrajsek of the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute unsafe driver action conditions that were most likely to cause fatal crashes between cars and trucks were addressed as well as the identification of strategies for educating motorists in safe driving practices. (http://www.aaafoundation.org/pdf/CarTruck.pdf). While the study is limited in that it did not address non-fatal crashes, single vehicle crashes, or crashes involving more than two vehicles, the study identifies probability and analyses techniques realizing information about pre-crash actions of drivers based upon police observations, post-crash scene, and unsworn testimony of survivors and other witnesses. The study concluded five likely factors contributing to an accident:

1. Failing to keep in the lane;

5. Inattentive or distracted drivers.

Additionally four factors out of 94 were found to be more likely to occur in fatal car/truck crashes than in fatal car/car crashes:

1. Following improperly;

2. Driving with vision obscured by rain, snow, fog, sand, or dust;

3. Drowsy or fatigued driving;

4. Improper lane change.

The study noted that drowsy or fatigued driving and following improperly were more likely to be reported for male than female car drivers, car drivers in crashes where their vision was obstructed tend to be older than other drivers, car drivers who were drowsy/fatigued were likely to be younger than other drivers, and younger drivers were more likely than older drivers to follow improperly, speed, and use alcohol or drugs.

The experienced Philadelphia car accident and Philadelphia truck accident lawyers of Reiff and Bily have joined a national campaign to educate students and drivers in safe practices and must emphasize that mistakes or erratic driving or erratic changing of lanes often comes at a cost with serious consequences.

Continue reading "An Erratic Lane Change Tends To Lead To A Catastrophic Lane Change Advises Experienced Philadelphia Car Accident Attorney" »

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.

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 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.

Since 1979, the experienced Philadelphia car accident and auto product liability and automobile defect lawyers of Reiff and Bily have handled tens of thousands of car accident cases. Over the three decades of our legal practice, we began to notice more and more significant injuries and deaths to victims due to seat belt failures, airbag defects, tire defects, as well as seat back failures and motor vehicle crashworthiness issues. While many attorneys look for the easy “A” and fail to explore issues beyond normal negligence theories, we began to pioneer inroads into auto defects, automobile manufacturer failures, and design defects which resulted in significant catastrophic injuries and wrongful deaths. Of course, the learning curve was significant and the costs were quite expensive. However being curious lawyers committed to the best interests of our clients, we understood that there were many puzzles to be solved, and since have successfully resolved many cases against not only offending third party defendants or negligent automobile drivers but also against the automobile manufacturers and automobile component manufacturers as well. We practice car accident law with the same degree of intensity required for the most complex cases. We understand that when you put your mind to it, it can be done and further understand that chance always favors the prepared mind.

The Philadelphia car accident lawyers of Reiff and Bily are committed to automotive and motorist safety and always offer a free, no obligation consultation and a no recovery, no fee guarantee. For more information, contact us toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

For over thirty years, our office has represented many victims and their families who have suffered catastrophic injuries and wrongful deaths due to car accidents caused by black ice on the highways. I live in the suburbs of Philadelphia and have a 17-year old son who travels to school early every morning as a relatively new driver. I am sure that my son has never had an experience with black ice, and recall an incident that occurred when my oldest son who is now 30-years old skidded through a stop sign on black ice approximately a month after he learned how to drive. Yes, Halloween can be scary enough for young kids, but when the first frost comes and moisture joins it as a partner and creates a black ice situation, the fear reality should strike with even greater magnitude than a scary Halloween. Black ice, also known as glare ice, is really nothing more than a thin layer of ice on the roadway that occurs when there is moisture in the air and temperatures are below freezing. When you travel over certain spots and go to apply your brakes, you lose traction and the car has a tendency to shift to the left and then right, or proceed dangerously into an object in front of it. This typically happens and occurs when you least expect it and is often the cause of car accidents that were avoidable with the proper use of caution. Many times black ice is not glossy like typical ice and has a dull appearance making it almost invisible. The moral of the story is, if it is a cold day and there is moisture, take some extra precaution. Even if you have a four wheel drive vehicle, it does not mean you are immune to black ice.

The Philadelphia car accident lawyers of Reiff and Bily are committed to motorist and automotive safety and have successfully handled thousands of car accident and auto defect claims since 1979. We always offer a free, no obligation consultation toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

Recently one of the major automobile manufacturers confidentially resolved a case involving brain damage to a driver who was at fault during the accident. Counsel was able to demonstrate that the failure to provide side curtain airbags and lack of side laminated glass caused massive head trauma and resulting brain damage when the vehicle experienced multiple rollovers. The attorneys were able to demonstrate that the technology to provide operating side-impact airbags existed long before this catastrophic incident occurred and that the automobile manufacturers simply decided that it was not necessary to place side curtain airbags in the vehicle or provide glazed or laminated glass when in fact the same was being provided in other countries. Obviously, the automobile manufacturer felt that they could make more profits by their actions.

At the Philadelphia car accident and automotive product liability and airbag defect law firm of Reiff and Bily, we understand that safety is priority number one. If you or a loved one had been involved in a car accident involving an airbag failure defect, it costs nothing to contact one of our experienced airbag and auto product liability lawyers for a free, no obligation consultation. We are experienced in thinking “out of the box”. For more information, contact us toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

I just returned back to Philadelphia from the West Coast and observed a fairly familiar scene which was more horrific to me and should be to any of my readers than any Halloween or haunted attraction, namely a rerun of a scene that I have witnessed all too many times.

While traveling down a highway at a high rate of speed, I saw a 15-passenger van loaded with college students on their way to a sporting event. The van approached a curve at what I consider to be too high a speed, and narrowly avoided rolling over which would have surely resulted in catastrophic injuries and potential deaths to the young occupants. The driver was barely able to prevent a van rollover accident.

As an experienced 15 passenger van and rollover accident attorney for many decades, one can not imagine the horror inflicted upon unknowing and innocent occupants of these vehicles during a normal accident avoidance maneuver which results all too many times in a catastrophic 15-passenger van rollover. Unfortunately, many of the occupants of these vehicles are churchgoers following God’s way or school children on their way to a sporting event or class outing. Last year, over 1,000 people were killed or injured in 15-passenger van crashes. Unfortunately, there is still in excess of 500,000 of 15-passenger vans on America’s roadways. The 15-passenger van was a modified design of a van originally meant to carry cargo. As the 15-passenger van becomes fully loaded with occupants and luggage, the rollover rate increases significantly due to its high center of gravity and extended rear section. If this occurrence is coupled with an inexperienced driver, defective tires, or an accident avoidance maneuver, the horror is unimaginable and often results in the loss of innocent and young lives. The automobile manufacturers and their well versed attorneys will tell you that these vehicles are very safe and have passed many stringent safety tests. However, as an experienced 15-passenger van and rollover attorney, I am aware of internal corporate documents possessed by the automobile manufacturers that clearly indicate the dangers of these vehicles. So the question that begs to be answered is why are they still being used by so many daycare centers, senior citizen centers, churches, sports teams, and schools when they are so extremely hazardous and dangerous. Simply put, automobile and 15-passenger van manufacturers continue to emphasize profitability over safety, and all too many people do not know about the dangers of these vehicles until they receive a frantic phone call informing them of an accident.

Continue reading "15-Passenger Vans Are More Horrific Than Anything Else You Will Come Into Contact With During Halloween Season" »

For over three decades handling tens of thousands of Pennsylvania car accident cases, I have shared the loss of a child with all too many families after car accidents involving teenage drivers. As an experienced Philadelphia and Pennsylvania car accident attorney, I salute the efforts of Governor Tom Corbett and the state legislature who today signed House Bill 9, also known as Lacey’s Law, which will enable junior drivers to receive more comprehensive training, limit the number of passengers that junior drivers may carry, and make failing to wear a seat belt a primary offense for junior drivers and passengers. The legislation is named in honor of Lacey Gallagher who was age 18 when she was killed in a car crash on April 28, 2007 while she was a passenger in an SUV with six other teenagers. All of the other teenagers in the SUV crash where injured and none were wearing seat belts. As the father of three teenage boys who has litigated many car crashes involving product defects and careless driving by teenagers, I am well aware that the number of car crashes for teens increase incrementally with the number of passengers in the car. As responsible as we hope our children to be, I salute the strengthened restrictions for teenage drivers.

To learn more about young driver safety and Lacey’s Law, please visit the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s website at www.dot.state.pa.us.

The experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyers of Reiff and Bily always offer a free, no obligation consultation to victims and their families who have been involved in significant car accidents where one has suffered a serious personal injury or wrongful death. For more information, contact us toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

In an important decision for many workers involved in Pennsylvania car accidents with an underinsured party, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court reversed a ruling of the Appellate Court striking down an exclusion on a car insurance policy which claimed that if an individual received workman’s compensation benefits, he was not eligible for underinsured motorist benefits. The facts of the case revealed that a police officer in the course and scope of his employment was injured in an automobile accident with a minimally insured driver and sustained severe injuries. Workers’ compensation paid the plaintiff’s medical expenses and two-thirds of his salary. The injured police officer recovered $25,000 policy limits from the third party insurance carrier, Allstate, (the insurance company responsible for the accident), however, due to the fact that losses and damages far exceeded the liability coverage, the plaintiff pursued an underinsured motorist claim for additional monetary damages and sought underinsured motorist benefits. The underinsured motorist carrier denied plaintiff’s claim for recovery pursuant to a policy exclusion stating that UIM coverage did not apply to anyone eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. The Supreme Court disagreed with the insurance carrier and stated “We conclude that the workers’ compensation exclusion in an employer sponsored insurance policy violates public policy and is therefore unenforceable. According, we reverse the Order of the Commonwealth Court.” Moreover, the Court stated that where a third party tortfeasor or offender causes a work related injury, Pennsylvania law dictates that the ultimate burden for payment of benefits must rest upon the tortfeasor or UM/UIM carrier.

As an experienced Philadelphia and Pennsylvania car accident lawyer who specializes in uninsured and underinsured motorist car accident claims, I believe that this decision is significant in enabling those injured in car accident in the course and scope of their employment to receive all benefits available.

When Bill Brownwell was cruising in a 15 passenger van and suddenly felt a shake in the back of the van and to his right, he became concerned and alarmed and turned around to take a look at what the noise was. Brownwell was driving a 1993 Ford Econoline E350 15-passenger van on a church outing for a spring concert tour in 2004 when he lost control of the 15 passenger van when the right rear tire tread separated. Like most other 15-passenger van operators in a similar situation, he tried to regain control of the vehicle and bring it back to the roadway after which point the 15-passenger van flipped sideways and then rolled over four times ejecting the driver Brownwell and another passenger leaving them both dead on the side of the road. This 15 passenger van rollover case is currently being tried in California with allegations that the Ford Motor Company knew that the 15-passenger econoline van was dangerous and failed to notify its customers about its alleged defects.

As an experienced 15-passenger van rollover attorney who has witnessed a similar scenario over and over, and unfortunately has dealt with the families of those who have unnecessarily died or have been catastrophically injured due to the alleged defects of the 15-passenger vans, it is important that the manufacturers of these 15-passenger vans be held accountable for their conduct and lack of actions. 15-passenger vans have a high center of gravity and have a high risk of crashes and rollovers in an accident avoidance maneuver or if they are not properly driven or maintained by those who have knowledge of its specific handling characteristics. Many states and school districts have now banned 15-passenger vans. However, they still be the dominant vehicle of choice for church groups, many of whom have limited knowledge of their dangers. The Federal government recently banned the use of 15-passenger vans for school transportation purposes and NHTSA has recently stated that only trained drivers should operate their vehicles and to make sure that the vehicle is properly balanced and loaded.

While NHTSA advises passengers to buckle up for every trip, our experienced 15-passenger van and crashworthiness attorneys have been able to demonstrate even in a van rollover, a weak roof structure, and inadequate and defective design still renders the occupants subject to life altering catastrophic injuries including quadriplegia or paraplegia or death. Many times 15-passenger vans are operated in the South or Southwest where roads have high surface temperatures and tires blow out or delaminate preceding the rollover accident. Many 15-passenger vans still have recalled tires on them, that is, defective tires that are prone to blow out or tread separation. There are currently in excess of 500,000 15-passenger vans on the road, and according to safety and consumer advocate Sean Kane, the 15-passenger van “has a unique position in the world of defective vehicles in the United States”. These vehicles, Kane added, were cobbled together to meet certain needs but were never vetted in terms of safety. There really weren’t any standards applicable to these kind of vehicles.

For over three decades, the experienced vehicle rollover accident and 15-passenger van accident attorneys of Reiff & Bily have been successfully investigating and litigating SUV rollover crashes, 15-passenger van rollover crashes, and other product liability claims, including but not limited to defective seat belts, airbags defects, fuel fed fires, roof crush, and crashworthiness. We are committed to consumer and automobile safety and believe that automobile manufacturers must be held accountable and safety rather than profitability must be priority number one.

Since 1979, I have been actively investigating and litigating catastrophic motor vehicle accidents that result in life altering injuries and wrongful death. My original car accident law practice progressed over the years into the area of auto seat back failure, airbags defects, restraint system failure, and crashworthiness, and I have learned that when someone is catastrophically injured in a car accident, there is often more than meets the eye and you must carefully investigate and reconstruct the accident to investigate for product defects. In many car accident cases involving vehicle rollover or severe collisions there will be failures of restraint systems, seat back failures, roof crush, and crashworthiness issues. One of the key issues in a vehicle crash is containment of an occupant within the vehicle, and when a victim is vehicle ejected, often times there is a failure of one of these factors. Car seats must be properly and safely designed with adequate strength so as to avoid deformity and failure in the event of a collision.

A seat belt must protect the victim rather than spool out allowing for ejection from the vehicle. Many seat belts we have found are equipped with inadequate pre-tensioners when there are safer designs with sensors that would activate in the event of a rollover collision. Many times seat belts are not attached properly within the vehicle and windows are not glazed and are inadequate creating a portal for occupant ejection. Obviously, many car accident lawyers do not possess the experience, knowledge, or skills of biomechanics, occupant kinematics, occupant restraint, seat design or accident reconstruction experience necessary to successfully prosecute a serious case.

The experienced automobile defect and car accident lawyers of Reiff & Bily have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for over three decades and are not afraid to think outside the box. The resulting injuries from car accidents are not always solely caused by negligent drivers.

As an experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyer for over 30 years who has handled thousands of car accident cases, I have all too many times seen clients make statements that will be used against their interests to another party or witness after a car accident. If you have been in a car accident, the best thing to do is calmly exchange information with the other party and not to say anything about fault or too much about injuries. Don’t make any excuses that you are on medication, lost your job, or having a personal crisis. These statements can be used against you when the insurance company denies liability or tries to settle the case as cheaply as possible.

Many times, so many of the insurance companies assign a claims adjuster to contact you immediately and they will attempt to take a statement. Do not talk to any adjusters without speaking to a lawyer, and if he is there to look at your car, just let him look at your car. No need for commentary or cross examination or questions about fault at this stage. Many times these insurance adjusters will try to settle on the spot for a cheap price or coerce you into using a preferred insurance company repair shop which may use secondary market non-original or used parts. The claims adjuster knows many tricks in the book to try to settle the case on behalf of the company as inexpensively as possible and most of them are not looking out for your interests but rather for the bottom line profitability of their company. I have seen all too many cases compromised by people making statements that they wish they had not made after it was too late. It is best to only relay the basic information about the case and to contact an experienced car accident attorney to act as your mouthpiece when dealing with the insurance companies.

The experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyers of Reiff & Bily have been assisting tens of thousands of victims and their families injured in car accidents since 1979. Recently we joined forces with the legendary Beasley Firm to create the Beasley Reiff Law Group and together our attorneys have been awarded over $2 billion dollars since 1957. We always offer a free, no obligation consultation. For more information, contact us toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

Lack of child restraint systems or improper use of child restraint systems greatly increases the chance of traumatic brain injury, injury to the internal organs, fractures, and unfortunately even death. Although there is no uniformity of laws governing infant seats in all 50 states, there is uniformity and universality in the thought that all responsible parents want to protect their children from harm or death. The safest place for any child in a motor vehicle is in the back seat of the vehicle. All children between ages 4 and 8 who weigh under 80 lbs. should sit in a booster seat. In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the law requires that all children under age 4 ride in a federally approved car seat appropriate for the child’s age, height, and weight. While airbags are designed to prevent injuries, it is important that one never puts a rear facing infant restraint in the front seat of a vehicle with a front passenger airbag. A rear facing infant restraint places the infant’s head too close to the airbag module which can cause severe injuries, brain trauma, or death if the airbag deploys.

As an experienced vehicle and airbag defect lawyer who has handled tens of thousands of motor vehicle accidents, I have all too often witnessed the tragedy of airbag fatalities involving children as well as shorter individuals below the median height and weight. No doubt, the safest place for an infant to be seated is in the center of the backseat which also allows the driver to keep an eye on the baby in the rearview mirror. Studies indicate children under age 3 seated in the center of the back seat had nearly half the risk of injury in motor vehicle crashes than children seated in other positions. It seems that the center rear seating position is used less often by children and parents than safety indicates.

The Philadelphia car accident and airbag defect lawyers of Reiff & Bily are committed to consumer safety. If you or a loved one has been involved in a motor vehicle accident resulting from a defective airbag or safety restraint system, we always offer a free, no obligation consultation. For more information, contact us toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

Imagine this scene, in a split second you are in a car accident. Without warning, your head and neck are violently thrust about in an acceleration/deceleration type movement also known as whiplash injury. Even without a direct hit to the head, the brain is composed of several pounds of a soft like substance violently thrown about the inside of the skull. The inner surface of the skull is not smooth and contains several ribbed or bony structures, and if the brain is violently thrust in one of these structures, a serious brain injury can occur. Many people will visit the emergency room with a headache or nausea or vomiting and be sent home. They will continue to experience memory loss, irritability, depression, a feeling of malaise, inability to concentrate, and not be able to visualize any objective symptoms. What they may not know is that their brain has been injured. There may be an internal brain bleed , tearing of tissue, or a swelling of the brain against the cranium which could lead to an intracranial hematoma. If the impact with the skull is severe enough, blood vessels inside the brain may break leading to a hemorrhage. Unfortunately many times this situation goes undiagnosed as people proudly claim that there is nothing wrong with them.

As an experienced motor vehicle accident lawyer since 1979, I have unfortunately seen the sobering effects resulting in long term disabilities caused by traumatic brain injury resulting from a motor vehicle accident. Each year in America, more people will sustain a traumatic brain injury then will be struck by heart attacks. Experts claim it is “the silent epidemic” as a traumatic brain injury or closed head injury caused by whiplash or an impact to the head often does not have visible signs yet can cause significant damage. Many people are tempted to just discuss it as a small bump on the head.

If you were involved in a car accident and sustained a violent whiplash injury or strike your head, it is necessary to receive a complete evaluation so that you do not become one of the walking wounded walking around with an undiagnosed traumatic brain injury. The experienced closed head trauma and traumatic brain injury and motor vehicle accident lawyers of Reiff & Bily are well versed in this arena and always offer a free, no obligation consultation to anyone who has been involved in a significant motor vehicle or car accident. For more information, contact us toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

It seems that more and more drivers in the City of Philadelphia as well as surrounding counties are morally bankrupt when they drive off from accidents where children and others are catastrophically injured or suffer a wrongful death. For over three and a half decades, I have been representing car accident victims, and unfortunately more and more of these cases that I investigate involves uninsured, underinsured and hit and run type of car accidents.

People leave the scene of a hit and run accident for a good reason, and most likely because they are drunk or under the influence of an intoxicating substance, or worse yet are afraid of the penalties because they are driving a car without insurance. It is a situation that reveals a shameful lack of humanity and morality and the penalties should be them same or stricter to those for aggravated assault or homicide calling for imprisonment. Most people know that there are loopholes that favor hit and run drivers who leave the scene when they are under the influence of alcohol. When I deal with victims and the families of victims whose loved one remains in a coma or has been killed as a result of a hit and run driver, I am astounded that we do not have any mandatory strict minimum laws punishing those who leave accident scenes.

I recently had the opportunity to meet with a client who struck her head in a violent car accident. At the emergency room, she was diagnosed with a mild concussion and despite the fact that she continued to exhibit symptoms a week after the accident including but not limited to vomiting, nausea, loss of memory, and anxiety, she could not get an appointment with a proper neurologist for a month.

The experienced traumatic brain injury and car accident lawyers of Reiff & Bily, who have had extensive experience dealing with traumatic brain injury expeditiously scheduled an immediate consult with a neurologist who diagnosed an intracranial hemorrhage just in the nick of time. I find that many emergency rooms discharge patients without the proper care or follow up and in such a situation, the unknowing patient or victim is left in precarious situation. If a diagnosis such as intracranial hemorrhage occurs within the skull, pressure is placed on the brain. Intracranial bleeding normally occurs when a blood vessel within the skull is ruptured due to an impact or trauma. This is a medical condition which is not to be taken lightly because if blood continues to build up within the skull, delicate tissue of the brain can be greatly impacted and lead to a more serious condition or even death.

Typically symptoms include but are not limited to headaches, vomiting, lower level of concentration, spotty vision, ringing in the ears, appearance of lucidity, and seizures. If symptoms persist and you cannot get an appointment immediately with a neurologist, it is important to present to a hospital emergency room as soon as possible. Between 4 and 5 million concussions and more significant brain injuries are caused by motor vehicle crashes every year.

For over three decades, the experienced car accident and traumatic brain injury lawyers of Reiff & Bily have been researching, investigating, and litigating closed head trauma, traumatic brain injury and car accident cases. We have represented thousands of clients recovering hundreds of millions of dollars on behalf of injured victims and their families. For more information, contact us toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

On my way home from work, I have the occasion to pass through the intersection of Broad and Vine Streets on a daily basis. On 12:01 on Monday, October 3, 2011, Philadelphia will activate the newest red light cameras at this busy intersection. Philadelphia now has 20 high risk for car accident intersections equipped with devices and cameras to catch red light runners. So far Philadelphia is the only city in the state of Pennsylvania to have these intersectional red light cameras although recent legislation has been introduced to expand the program to other Pennsylvania cities. Red light cameras have been in effect in many other American cities and a recent study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that red light cameras at intersections have caused a major drop in fatal red light running car crashes and other types of intersectional accidents.

If you are injured in an intersectional car accident by another driver who has run a red light, the experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyers of Reiff & Bily has over three decades of experience holding those negligent motorists accountable so that you are fully compensated for your losses, pain and suffering, and medical bills. Our skilled Philadelphia car accident attorneys have been awarded in the hundreds of millions of dollars representing victims and their families catastrophically injured or wrongfully killed as a result of a motor vehicle related accident.

The Philadelphia car accident lawyers of Reiff & Bily have been representing catastrophically injured victims and their families for over three decades. We always offer a free, no obligation consultation. For more information, contact us toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

The intersection of Red Lion Road and Roosevelt Boulevard and Grant Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard in Philadelphia, PA have been listed as two of the top ten most dangerous intersections in the United States according to auto insurance company studies. Just last weekend, another victim was struck on Roosevelt Boulevard which has long been known as Philadelphia’s most dangerous roadway.

When I was in high school, I was invited with four friends of mine to take a trip into the greater northeast and for some reason, my parents refused to let me get in the car with my 17 year friend who was driving. Unfortunately I woke up the following morning to news that my friends and high school classmates were killed in a catastrophic car accident at one of these intersections. Ever since that date, when I travel on Roosevelt Boulevard, I am grimly reminded of the potential for catastrophic injury and wrongful death that lurks on this road. This highway is not just dangerous for drivers but also for pedestrians that must walk across multiple lanes of traffic with only a slight sliver of a median and a number of entry and pull off lanes that are often unwieldy and poorly navigated by drivers attempting to merge.

As an experienced Philadelphia car accident attorney, I am all too familiar with the number of catastrophically incurred deaths and tragedies that have occurred on this highway. I wonder why, despite the number of injuries and deaths that occur, safety continues to be ignored by those who have the power to make a change.

It is not a coincidence that there are more car accidents being recorded In Philadelphia and surrounding Pennsylvania counties including more accidents involving hit and run drivers who leave the scene of an accident or car accidents involving uninsured or underinsured vehicles. Although over 90% of Americans have jobs, wages adjusted for prices have decreased for the third time in five months, and personal income has dropped for the first time in 2 years. The median household income is at the lowest point in more than a decade and the poverty rate has jumped to 15.1%, a 17 year high.

Obviously many people will put off repairs to vehicles or give a second thought to purchasing a new vehicle because they simply can’t afford it. More and more people are driving vehicles without car insurance or if they have car insurance with the minimum amount of insurance necessary and often do not check to see what the benefits are until it is too late.

As an experienced catastrophic injury and wrongful death car accident lawyer in Philadelphia for over three decades, I am seeing some of the most catastrophic cases of injury and wrongful death without insurance or without sufficient coverage or worse involving a hit and run driver. As an automobile safety stalwart and automobile accident attorney, I am somewhat concerned with the direction this trend is continuing.

I don’t know how many times people come into our office after a catastrophic car accident or truck accident and tell us that they have purchased full insurance coverage. Now more than ever, insurance companies continued to delay, deny, and defend claims and offer what I consider to be almost worthless insurance policies that were never fully explained to the policyholder at the time of purchase. More and more insurance company business is being conducted over the internet, and unfortunately many of the agents only consider what it takes to sell you a policy, never explaining full benefits or interpretation of various clauses that can be very important in the event of a car accident.

We were able to demonstrate that many agents did not even know the difference between liability or collision coverage or uninsured or underinsured motorist insurance coverage despite the fact that they were selling the same. Many times after an accident when we contacted the agent, the agent was unaware that the client had not purchased uninsured or underinsured coverage. It seems to me that insurance companies don’t do a very good job training the people who deal with the public when it comes time to explaining policy benefits. Not all companies or policies are created equal, and if you have any doubts about whether you are fully covered or not, it is best to have a free consultation with an experienced car accident attorney who understands how insurance companies will look to avoid paying claims and what you can do about this unconscionable and widespread behavior. Today more than ever, you need to be smart and savvy and have an experienced advocate on your side when dealing with an insurance company.

The experienced Philadelphia car accident insurance claims lawyers of Reiff & Bily always offer a free, no obligation consultation to those victims and their families involved in car accidents. We always offer a free review of your car and truck insurance policy. For more information, contact us toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

We all pay a lot of taxes and when we drive down the roads and streets in our cars with precious cargo on board, we expect that city, state, and federal governments who we pay taxes to will keep the streets safe and free from roadway defects. Many times unfortunately this is not the case and roadway hazards and defect designs puts the safety of drivers and passengers at risk and unfortunately result in catastrophic injuries and wrongful deaths. Improper signage, negligent construction, worn roadways, and improper highway design jeopardize the safety of all drivers and if any of these situations causes a car accident, truck accident, or rollover accident the municipality may be held liable for negligence.

The experienced Pennsylvania car accident lawyers and highway defect lawyers of Reiff & Bily have over 30 years of experience handling car accidents and roadway defects including but not limited to lack of guardrails, lack of signs, construction negligence, potholes, uneven roadway, water pooling, shoulder drop offs, and municipal negligence.

If you have been involved in a car accident due to a defective/improper roadway design, please contact one of our Philadelphia car accident and highway defect attorneys for a free, no obligation consultation toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

The National Center for Statistics Analysis indicated that over a quarter of a million children are injured every year in car accidents which means that over 700 are injured every day while traveling on the roadways of America. Thousands of children are killed as a result of their failure to use a seat belt, seat belt malfunction, or the improper installation and usage of a child safety seat. Many times catastrophic injuries and deaths are caused by defectively designed or manufactured child safety seats despite all of the proper precautions being taken by responsible parents. The week of September 24th has been designated as National Child Passenger Safety Week, and many organizations such as AAA and local police and fire departments are offering safety seat and seat belt checkpoints.

As an experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyer for over 30 years who has also investigated and litigated many seat belt defect and child car seat defect claims, it is important that parents perform due diligence prior to purchasing and using a child safety seat. All children should remain in a child safety seat or booster seat until age 8 or older unless they are 4'9" tall. Statistics indicate that 4 out of 5 children age 6 to 8 who were killed in car crashes were improperly restrained or not belted at all according to a AAA study. In almost all auto seat defect cases, the manufacturers will claim that most parents improperly installed the seat and did not follow the manufacturers instructions. Unfortunately many times, sadly this is the case, and safety must never be an option whether it be by manufacturers of infant seats or by parents who take shortcuts in securing their children. Most car accidents occur 5 minutes from the home and all too often parents don’t give a second thought that their child seat may not be properly installed.

If you or a loved one has been the victim of a child seat accident, it pays to have a careful and detailed investigation of the facts to determine who is or may be responsible for resulting catastrophic injuries or wrongful death. The defective child seat and Philadelphia car accident law firm of Reiff & Bily has been litigating car accidents involving catastrophic injuries and wrongful deaths to children and defective child seats for over three decades and has recently joined forces with the Beasley Firm to create the Beasley Reiff Law Group. Together our skilled auto product liability and defective child seat lawyers have recovered billions of dollars on behalf of thousands of injured victims and their families since 1958. We always offer a free, no obligation consultation. For more information, contact us toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

With the number of trucking accidents increasing due to truck driver errors, as well as positive testing for drugs and alcohol, one trucking company has decided to screen all new applicants for drugs via hair samples in an attempt to reduce new truck driver accidents within the first crucial months of employment. Many truck drivers are randomly screened with urinalysis and are schooled to understand that there are many products available on the open market which will make a positive test appear negative. Hair testing offers a longer time frame of measurement for drugs or intoxicating substances in the blood system, and is one of the best possible screening tools at this time. Results have indicated that out of 170 applicants screened, 10 tested positive that would have otherwise been hired.

As an experienced Philadelphia car accident and trucking accident attorney who has handled some of the most catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases, I believe that trucking companies owe it to the general public as well as themselves to utilize the newest advances in technology as federal minimum requirements are absolutely not enough. It is essential for all trucking companies, motor carriers, and bus operators to raise the bar on safety and screen for drug use, sleep apnea, as well as ban the use of cell phones while driving.

For over three decades, our experienced Philadelphia trucking accident lawyers have represented catastrophically injured victims and their families and recovered millions of dollars in awards, settlements, and verdicts. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a truck accident, contact one of our skilled lawyers for a free, no obligation consultation toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

As an attorney who has represented car accident victims in Pennsylvania since 1979, I am increasingly frustrated that insurance companies and their lobbying efforts continue or attempt to cut benefits to consumers, as well as bury exclusions so deep in policies that the average consumer is not aware of the same until a problem occurs. Additionally, by virtue of joint and several liability, passengers injured in intersectional collisions are faced with a potential reduction and the ability to obtain full compensation. The insurance limits of 15/30 are so antiquated and behind the times that unfortunately many victims who are seriously and catastrophically injured in an accident and do not have sufficient underinsured motorist coverage may pay a price with their health and economic deficiencies for the rest of their life. Now more than ever, I recommend a careful review of your insurance policy to make sure that you are fully protected in the event of a catastrophic car accident.

Philadelphia ranks among one of the highest cities in the United States with uninsured vehicles on the highways and if we consider the uninsured motorist crisis, the results are somewhat alarming. Unfortunately as a long time practitioner of car accident law, I see more and more clients frustrated when they are confronted with a review of the policy when it is too late after the accident and note that they did not have the proper coverage even though their agent told them they had full coverage and never explained exclusions or full tort option. Louis Pasteur once stated that “chance favors the prepared mind”, and for that reason, the law firm of Reiff & Bily always offers a free, no obligation consultation to those involved in a car accident, as well as a free, no obligation review of your car insurance policy.

The experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyers of Reiff & Bily are committed to consumer and auto safety, and have successfully represented claimants injured in car accidents since 1979. Our skilled auto accident lawyers are some of the most highly rated lawyers in Pennsylvania and the United States and have received top accolades and reviews on behalf of their work for victims and their families that were catastrophically injured or killed in car accidents. For more information, contact us toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

Over a year ago, a detached utility trailer caused a crash on Interstate 95 in Anderson, South Carolina that killed the parents of two young children. The trailer was not licensed and the driver kept going and has yet to step forward taking responsibility for causing a multi-vehicle accident car accident as well as multiple wrongful deaths.

Defective trailer accident and consumer advocate Ron Melacon of Virginia has devoted his lifetime to lobbying lawmakers to improve trailer safety and demands accountability from legislators. In South Carolina, as well as many other states, most utility trailers weighing less than 2,500 lbs. do not need to be licensed or registered according to the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles. In the trailer accident mentioned, a small homemade utility trailer was being towed by a truck when it broke free, came to stop in the middle of the highways whereupon a gray Honda Odyssey struck the trailer and then swerved into the path of an 18 wheeler traveling in the right lane and the force of the collision caused the crumpled minivan to hit a parked SUV that had pulled over to the side of road to make a 911 call about the unattended trailer. The Odyssey’s front seat occupants ages 34 and 35 died at the scene, while their two daughters ages 3 and 6 remained in the rear seat.

Our experienced trailer accident attorneys salute the work of Ron Melacon and understand that tens of thousands of people will continue to die across the United States unless stricter legislation is enacted involving passenger vehicles towing trailers. Every day individuals in the United States will continue to lose their life as the result of an accident with a detached trailer.

The defective trailer accident lawyers of Reiff & Bily have been investigating and litigating truck accidents, car accidents, and trailer accidents for over three decades and have recently joined forces with the legendary Beasley Firm. Together our attorneys have been awarded billions of dollars since 1957 representing the interests of catastrophically injured victims and their families and those who have sustained wrongful deaths. We always offer a free, no obligation consultation. For more information, contact us toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

For over the last three decades, I have investigated and litigated many trucking accidents resulting in catastrophic injuries or death. This morning I was cut off the road by a speeding 18 wheeler who had no regard for other traffic. When I observed the driver, he was talking on his cell phone and when I honked the horn he gave me a part of the hand as a response.

Recently, another investigation revealed that an Alabama truck driver using his cell phone during a 2010 truck crash killed 11 people. In that incident, the truck operated by the driver on his cell phone crossed over the median strip and struck a van carrying a Mennonite family and friends to a wedding. It was fiery, exploding crash of the van. A NTSB report indicated that the driver was talking and texting on his phone for hours leading up to the accident.

As one can imagine, truckers normally drive long hours and are often fatigued and talking or texting on a cell phone only further serves as a distraction. Many state and federal authorities have known for a long time that a number of trucking accidents have occurred from various factors including driver fatigue, sleep apnea, as well as utilizing a cell phone while driving. Yet, there is no federal regulation banning the same.

A recent federal investigation revealed that many truck drivers exceed the 11 hour driving limit or 14 hour on duty limit and continue to operate large trucks in violation of state regulations. Simply put, many trucking companies and truck operators put profitability above safety.

As an experienced Philadelphia truck accident and car accident attorney who regularly deals with the tragic outcomes of such incidents and meets with families who have lost children or financial providers, I must state that there must be a federal ban on cell phones while driving. Hopefully federal lawmakers will quickly take action to prevent other deaths and tragedies from occurring by prohibiting the use of handheld and hands free mobile phones while driving on the job. This action should serve as a catalyst for local and state authorities to take appropriate actions with regulations that can be enforced with meaning.

Since 1979, the experienced Philadelphia car accident and truck accident attorneys of Reiff & Bily have represented generations of victims and their families who have been catastrophically injured or killed due to the negligence of other drivers and automotive defects.

Recently our skilled trucking accident attorneys joined forces with the legendary Beasley Firm and together our attorneys have recovered billions of dollars on behalf of victims and their families since 1958. We always offer a free, no obligation consultation. For more information, contact us toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

The recent deluge of rain and overflowing creeks and rivers in the Philadelphia and eastern Pennsylvania area has lead to many car accidents and not so surprisingly has tragically resulted in the drowning of an individual who was trapped in her vehicle and could not safely get out.

Several years ago, a friend of mine who is the Mayor of city in Florida in an area surrounded by waterways gave me a rescue escape tool which is commonly used in Europe. I was not sure why she gave it to me or what to do with it. At first I thought that it was an odd choice as a gift, but have learned to appreciate the thoughtfulness and caring of the gesture. The tool has a flexible pointed hammer and a razor surrounded by plastic used to cut a seat belt. I keep it in my glove compartment and wonder if I will ever have to use it. Hopefully not, but if I do, I am prepared for the worst scenario. As an experienced Philadelphia car accident and drowning accident lawyer, I wish to inform our readers of the following. In Florida which is frequently hit with heavy rains in the Palm Beach County area, motor vehicle crashes which can cause a vehicle to plunge into a roadside canal are the third leading cause of drowning. Over 10,000 vehicles each year go into the water as the result of a car accident with 400 drownings. It only takes 6 inches to 2 feet of water to float a vehicle off its wheels. If a car is submerged in water, the battery will often short out immediately. If a vehicle assumes an angled nose-down position in the water, the water pressure against doors and windows can make it difficult to open. Rescue escape tools do not cost much money and can be bought in many places such as auto stores, hardware stores, as well as on the internet for mostly under $10.00. In times when rivers crest and water overflows the banks flooding roads or bridges sustain weakness and collapse, often split second decisions must be made which will lead to survival. A car accident is frightening enough. Imagine if your vehicle is thrown into water and becomes submerged and you are in the vehicle alone or worse yet with your children who cannot swim.

As an experienced Philadelphia car accident and drowning accident attorney, I strongly recommend all of our readers to go online and purchase a rescue or car escape tool. I am quite fond of quoting Louis Pasteur who famously said that chance favors the prepared mind.

The experienced Philadelphia car accident law firm of Reiff & Bily is committed to automotive and consumer safety and always offers a free, no obligation consultation to victims and their families who are catastrophically injured or sustained a wrongful death as a result of a car or motor vehicle accident. For more information, contact us toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com. Put decades of experience on your side.

In a positive sign for plaintiffs’ lawyers and their clients involved in litigation against Toyota over problems regarding sudden acceleration, a Federal judge in California has tentatively decided not to dismiss the first of hundreds of lawsuits. Over 14 million vehicles were recalled by Toyota due to acceleration problems in several models together with brake defects. Toyota has maintained that the problems were due to driver error, faulty floor mats, and sticky accelerator pedals for the unintended acceleration and this issue is being contentiously fought by many auto defects and plaintiffs’ catastrophic injury and wrongful death lawyers deeply committed to consumer and automobile safety.

The Pennsylvania auto product defect and unintended acceleration law firm of Reiff & Bily is committed to consumer safety and has successfully represented the interests of catastrophically injured and their families for over three and a half decades. We always offer a free, no obligation consultation. For more information, contact us toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

For over 30 years, I have prosecuted claims on behalf of those wrongfully killed and catastrophically injured resulting from unsecured or improperly secured cargo and in fact have been a victim of such an unfortunate truck accident myself.

It consistently amazes me how often I observe trucks and other vehicles improperly loaded with improperly secured or unsecured cargo traveling down the highways at high rates of speed. Over 50,000 reported truck accidents occur every year due to unsecured cargo consisting of tires, steel coils, lumbar, heavy auto parts, construction supplies, and machinery. Additionally, many times trucks can be hauling hazardous materials or flammable materials which are not properly secured and if an accident or malfunction occurs, horrific consequences are often the result.

Owners and operators of trucks are imputed with a duty to inspect and secure a load on every truck on the highway. Specific federal regulations define the securing of freight and proper loading of cargo. The situation with regard to unsecured cargo often is ignored by governmental authorities and is now reaching what some say are epidemic proportions. Many claim they are “freak” accidents.

As an experienced trucking accident and unsecured cargo and falling debris lawyer who has prosecuted some of the most tragic claims over the last 30 years, I can honestly state that these proclaimed “freak” accidents are generally not freak accidents and often cause the most devastating and damaging injuries. Often times an unsecured cargo case involves an improperly maintained truck, truck driver fatigue, negligence, or a product failure and requires competent and careful investigation for the successful prosecution of a claim to recover costs involved with long term medical treatment, rehabilitation, lost income, pain and suffering, and other financial losses.

Continue reading "Unsecured Truck Loads Continue to Pose Hazardous Dangers For Pennsylvania Motorists" »

Philadelphia is recently noted as having some of the most accident prone drivers among the 200 largest cities in America according to a recent report issued by All-state Insurance Company. The typical U.S. driver is involved in a car accident approximately once every ten years yet Pennsylvania residents were found to get into collisions at an alarmingly greater rate.

Each year in America, more than 32,000 individuals are killed as a result of car crashes according to the National Highway Safety and Traffic Administration, and most accidents are caused by errors in human behavior. Philadelphia residents were determined to be 60.2% more likely to be in an accident than other drivers in America and the average years between collisions was determined to be 6.2%.

For over three decades, the Philadelphia and Pennsylvania car accident law firm of Reiff & Bily has been committed to protecting the interests of those injured or wrongfully killed due to the negligence of others in a car accident or those injured or killed due to automotive product defect. We always offer a free, no obligation consultation. For more information, please contact us toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

As an experienced Philadelphia car accident attorney who has successfully litigated many airbag defect and vehicle products defect, I am well aware that automotive airbags are supposed to deploy within milliseconds to protect lives and avoid catastrophic injuries in the event of an accident. An airbag is inflated by highly compressed gas commonly known as nitrous oxide and a metallic charger. Many times due to a sensor defect or due to a charger malfunction, the airbag does not deploy properly.

Over the last year, hundreds of thousands of motor vehicles were recalled in the United States for airbag defects including but not limited to low speed deployment, early deployment, late deployment, or non-deployment. The airbag was invented in the 1950's and have been consistently redesigned and developed in the 1970's to the present. Unfortunately as the number of airbags being placed in vehicles has increased, there seems to be a lack of quality in airbag manufacturing and installation as evidenced by the growing number of defect recalls.

With so many different types and manufacture of airbags in vehicles there seems to be an increasing potential of airbag malfunction or airbag failure. Airbags are supposed to prevent drivers and passengers from striking the steering column, dashboard, or windshield and to spread the force of the impact to avoid net trauma, fractures, injuries, paraplegia, quadriplegia, and damage to internal organs or wrongful death.

Our skilled Philadelphia airbag defect and auto defect product liability lawyers have determined that many vehicle and airbag manufacturers are taking cost cutting measures including but not limited to negligent installation, inadequate testing, and defective materials. The skilled and experienced Pennsylvania airbag defect lawyers and automotive product defect lawyers of Reiff & Bily believe that safety should never be an option and must always take priority over manufacturers bottom line and profitability. A catastrophic injury or wrongful death caused by an airbag defect can have a profound effect on the victim or their family. A catastrophic injury often requires lifelong care and rehabilitation and can cost millions of dollars. The experienced auto product liability and airbag defect lawyers of Reiff & Bily understand this complex area of law and have represented generations of Pennsylvanians since 1979. Consumer protection is our priority. We always offer a free, no obligation consultation. For more information, please 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" »

On Saturday, August 20th, 8 members of the Mainland varsity and junior varsity football teams of Linwood, New Jersey were traveling to a restaurant in Egg Harbor Township for a traditional annual breakfast with coaches and players after the last football practice of the summer when tragedy struck.

According to news sources, the 2002 Ford Explorer that the eight football players were traveling in lost control and careened off the southbound ramp of Exit 38A on the Garden State Parkway causing the Explorer to overturn several times, ejecting two of the passengers. Three were pronounced dead at the scene, one died at the hospital, and 4 others were injured in this tragic accident. State Police continue to investigate. Our hearts, thoughts, and prayers go out to the victims and their families in this tragic accident. As an experienced SUV rollover
and 15-passenger van rollover lawyer, I am aware that these vehicles can be highly unstable and more prone to rollover crashes than many other vehicles due to their higher center of gravity. The families of the victims would be well advised to contact an experienced SUV rollover attorney to investigate this accident. Our skilled team of SUV rollover lawyers has handled many SUV rollover and 15-passenger van accidents and know what to look for and have held major automotive corporations responsible for damages suffered by the drivers and passengers of single vehicle accidents.

Since 1979, our skilled Pennsylvania car accident and single vehicle car accident lawyers have represented generations of Pennsylvanians with a successful track record. Recently, we have joined forces with the legendary Beasley Firm to create the Beasley Reiff Law Group. For a free, no obligation consultation, please contact us toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

Over the last three decades as a Pennsylvania car accident and truck accident lawyer, I have shared the pain with all too many parents and families who have suffered losses or catastrophic injury and wrongful death as a result of a car accident caused by a driver while intoxicated by virtue of drugs or alcohol.

While we often read of high statistics for DUI, statistics are not normally kept for those driving a motor vehicle while high on the intoxicating drugs. Law enforcement officials claim that this situation is a growing challenge and state arrest statistics of drivers charged while operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs have more than doubled since 2004 in Pennsylvania.

Our neighboring state, New Jersey, has approved a bill legalizing medical marijuana and the rising rate of drug impaired drivers presents a problem in enforcement. Most people can easily recognize a person intoxicated by the effects of alcohol, but not everyone knows what a drug impaired person looks like. Many times our experts and investigators have been able to determine that a driver who killed or catastrophically injured one of our client’s was under the influence of prescription medication or other intoxicating drugs at the time of the accident despite the fact that the initial police investigation never revealed the same. Law enforcement officials require probable cause to obtain blood tests when a driver is suspected of driving drug impaired and there is no breathalyzer or other type of analytic tool that can determine the use of drugs by an impaired driver.

As an experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyer who has steadfastly maintained a hard stance against driving while intoxicated, I believe the issue of increased drug impaired drivers needs to be seriously addressed by the legislatures of Pennsylvania and other states in order to prevent senseless deaths and catastrophic injuries to innocent victims of car and other motor vehicle accidents. Laws with strict enforcement and penalty provisions are called for.

Continue reading "The Number of Drug Impaired Vehicle Drivers In Pennsylvania Is Skyrocketing and In Fact Has Doubled Since 2004 - Car Accident Victim’s Lawyer Weighs In" »

As an experienced Philadelphia car accident attorney for over three decades, as well as a licensed driver for over 40 years, there is one thing I am certain, of marijuana, alcohol, and other substances that impair one’s thinking do not mix well with the operation of a motor vehicle.

Statistics indicate that people who drive after using medical marijuana are nearly twice as likely to be involved in a car accident. Although studies indicate that marijuana usage increases the risk of fatal accidents, it is much lower than those attributed to alcohol. Researchers note that even low doses of marijuana significantly increase the risk of fatal car accidents. Twice as many drivers involved in fatal car accidents tested positive for marijuana. As marijuana continues to be legalized in many states, most recently New Jersey, it is my fear that we will see more car crashes resulting in catastrophic injuries and fatalities on Pennsylvania and New Jersey roads along with other states passing such legislation.

According to NHTSA, 16.3% of all night time drivers in America were found to be on a drug, whether legal or illegal, and more than half of these cases involved marijuana. On many counts, I recognize the medical benefits of marijuana, I have no doubt that the increased marijuana usage will not mix well for driving and as a top philadelphia car accident attorney who unfortunately deals with some of the most tragic car accidents that one can imagine, I am a strong advocate of keeping the nation’s motorists as safe as possible.

This past Saturday evening, I attended a local dinner party and while I was sipping a glass of wine, I heard a shrill chirping or beeping sound. When I asked what it was, I was told that one of the guests had brought a portable breathalyzer. Interestingly enough, I thought that this little device was a great way to give myself and others at the party a little peace of mind by allowing the hosts to rest assured that they were not allowing someone, including myself, to drive when they are legally impaired, as well as allowing individuals attending the party to benchmark themselves.

Interestingly enough a discussion ensued and those who tested at or near the levels of intoxication were requested to turn over their keys and have a designated driver take them home or call a cab. I must confess, I liked this idea and as an experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyer who has investigated some of the most tragic cases involving intoxicated drivers, I placed my own order for a portable breathalyzer on Sunday morning. Of course, one must be careful that the portable breathalyzer does not give a false sense of security and I advise anyone who doubts that a person should not be driving and who appears to be impaired to confiscate that individual’s keys regardless of the results of the breathalyzer. Even if the breathalyzer notes that a person is not intoxicated, if someone is stumbling, slurring words, or otherwise acting incapable of driving, confiscate their keys because even if a police breathalyzer test shows you are not at the legal limit, you can still be arrested and charged with impaired driving if you exhibit the above symptoms.

Surprisingly the prices for these devices online range anywhere from $38 to less than $150 for a professional model. In fact, many might state that this is cheaper than a good bottle of wine or dinner for two at a restaurant. I urge all of our readers to consider purchasing a portable breathalyzer as "chance favors the prepared mind".

Continue reading "Portable Breathalyzer A Big Hit At A Dinner Party - Experienced Car Accident Attorney Thinks It’s A Great Idea For All Guests To Test Themselves Before Getting Behind The Wheel Of A Car" »

As many municipalities are in a tightened and deficit state, crash taxes and accident response fees seem to be sweeping the country. Thankfully as a Philadelphia and Pennsylvania accident attorney, I am glad to reassure Pennsylvania citizens that Pennsylvania and 12 other states have outlawed accident fees and taxes preventing cities from billing victims of motor vehicle accidents for fire and police response services. In some states, a car accident with injuries is billed at $490 to the driver. If there is a fire without injuries, bills are in the amount of $415, and in an accident without injuries, motorists are assessed a $365. The thought process was to shift the burden from the tax payers to those responsible for the accident. Of course, this begs the question as to how do we determine who was responsible on the spot?

It is my understanding that insurance companies are often refusing to pay these taxes when the consumers try to pass them on which leaves the motorist in the position that not only have they been the victim of a car accident, but they must now foot the bill or litigate over the matter just to even pay the tax. When you are involved in a car accident, the last thing you want to think about is being taxed.

In Philadelphia many times the police are not even responding to car accidents due to budget cutbacks, and it is important that you secure information from all of the individuals involved in the car accident. If you are injured, it is best to contact an experienced Philadelphia or Pennsylvania car accident attorney who will work with skilled investigators to fully investigate your claim. Of course, the best Philadelphia car accident attorneys never charge for an initial consultation and will always handle your case on a percentage basis meaning that if you win, you will be charged a fee and if you do not win you will not be charged anything at all including the costs of investigation.

Continue reading "It’s Bad Enough You Are A Victim In A Car Accident But Some States Now Want To Tax You With A “Crash Tax”" »

2011 is shaping up to be a banner year in the annals of tour bus accidents and resulting deaths and injuries. That is more than the total of 2010 when there were 30 fatalities, 272 injuries, and 28 tour bus crashes. In the wake of tour bus accidents, investigations have been commenced by various state and national authorities. However our experienced bus accident attorneys and investigators understand that many tour bus companies and discount bus operators continue to stress profitability rather than safety and seem to be taking all too many short cuts in a tightened economy.

For years, bus safety advocates and bus accident lawyers called for legislation with teeth that would strengthen bus driver safety and driving training. In our independent analysis of many bus companies and their drivers, we have found abysmal safe records. In one case, the tour bus drivers were cited for over 46 safety violations including speeding and fatigue. Many drivers were found to have deportation detainers from immigration and customs departments, as well as felony warrants. In one of our cases, one of the bus companies claimed to have an office in a premise that was totally non-existent. Amazingly the bus company still continues to operate despite fatalities in alleged ongoing investigations.

Senator Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey was concerned that the Department of Transportation was not moving quickly enough to make motor coaches or buses safer and was quoted as saying “Just because bus companies can discount prices, doesn’t mean they can discount safety”. Unbelievably in one of our cases, the insurance company claims that the bus did not have insurance as stated on their certificate. Until lawmakers take proper steps, bus owners and operators will continue to skirt the system and unfortunately more and more lives will be lost and other innocent and unknowing victims injured. We recommend that buses be equipped with black box recorders similar to those installed in airplanes.

Continue reading "In The First Six Months Of 2011, 17 Tour Bus Accidents Result In 323 Serious Injuries And 32 Fatalities - A Disturbing Trend Opines Bus Accident Law Firm Who Has Repeatedly Called On Legislators For Tighter Safety Legislation" »

What initially appeared to be a multi-car rear end collision with so low an impact that it was hard to see any damage on plaintiff’s vehicle grew into a $7.2 million dollar settlement for a plaintiff. The plaintiff described as a 35-year old athletic and healthy man visited a chiropractor after his collision and within six months was described as regressing to the point where he was losing his ability to walk without assistance. The plaintiff’s attorney made a demand to settle for $100,000 policy limits; however, the defendant’s insurance carrier Liberty Mutual denied. The original trial attorney demanded $100,000, the limits of the policy about a year after the accident, and in his demand informed the carrier that he thought the value of the case was in excess of $300,000. The lawyer worked diligently and as he described, tried to bend over backwards in an attempt to get Liberty Mutual to pay the contracted policy amount of $100,000. The insurance carrier continued to drag its feet requesting more and more information including plaintiff’s work history and medical records for the last five years. The attorney supplied the insurance company with full information and every opportunity to pay. The insurance company argued that the plaintiff’s medical condition was caused by a pre-existing condition rather than the car accident and also argued that another car accident in which the plaintiff had been involved two years earlier caused the damage. The plaintiff’s attorney continued to make new demands and in December 2010 demanded $3.5 million dollars, after which point Liberty Mutual offered their policy limits of $100,000 which was denied at that point. Thereafter in April 2010, another demand was made, this time for $5.5 million dollars. The insurance company again rejected the demand and proposed mediation and plaintiff’s lawyer said no. The insurance company’s attorneys asked for more time to review documents and depose experts.

News sources indicate that the insureds had to hire their own counsel to put pressure on their insurance company Liberty Mutual. Pressure by the insurance company to resolve the case was credited with boosting the settlement value.

Continue reading "$100,000 Policy Limits Turns Into $7.2 Million Dollar Settlement For Client Due To Insurance Carrier’s Foot Dragging During Settlement Negotiations In A Personal Injury Case" »

Over the last few months, the experienced Philadelphia car accident attorneys of Reiff & Bily have received much more than the normal amount of calls involving people leaving the scene of a car accident after they struck a pedestrian or another vehicle.

Last Saturday night, two people were struck when a car came onto the pavement and struck them from behind as they were walking home after a Saturday evening date. The driver got out of his car and then got back in and took off leaving the injured pedestrians to fend for themselves. Unfortunately none of the victims owned a motor vehicle and had no other health insurance.

Leaving the scene of an accident is commonly referred to as a hit and run accident. The penalties depend on the seriousness of the damage or injuries. Pennsylvania’s motor vehicle code treats accidents involving unattended vehicles, i.e. one’s without drivers or occupants as the least serious. The level of punishment escalates to a more serious offense when the other vehicle is occupied or a pedestrian is hit and injured. A hit and run car accident involving personal injury or death can receive a high level of punishment which may include a first degree misdemeanor punishable by up to five years in prison or if the victim suffers a serious bodily injury, the offender can be charged with a third degree felony carrying a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 90 days and a maximum sentence of up to 7 years and a minimum fine of $2,500. If the victim dies, the offense may still be classified as a third degree felony but the mandatory minimum sentence would be one year. It is also important to know that conviction for any of these offenses could result in suspension of a driver’s license.

Continue reading "There Seems To Be An Epidemic In Philadelphia Of People Leaving The Scene Of A Car Accident - Experienced Car Accident Attorney Weighs In" »

As an experienced Philadelphia car accident attorney, I was surprised to review data findings of a Philadelphia based automotive safety research project which concluded that children were half as likely to be injured in a car accident with their grandparents rather than their parents were driving.

As one who spends quite a bit of time on the highways and streets and has been a practicing car accident attorney for over 30 years in Philadelphia, after considering the results of the study and evaluating the results, I thought to myself that many more of the car accidents that I have litigated have involved younger people as well. The study concluded that there were several possible explanations for the better car accident safety record of grandparents versus parents driving. Grandparents have more time on their hands, are not as rushed, and not as stressed. Grandparents may not be multitasking rushing between work, dinner, and child activities. Grandparents do not speak on cell phones or text as much as younger drivers. Grandparents transporting grandchildren were less likely to be involved in an accident on roads with speed limits of 35 mph or higher. Of particular consideration is the average age of the grandparents in the study was only 58. According to statistics from the National Highway Safety Administration, there are more than 38 million American drivers beyond age 65 and overall this group of drivers has the greatest likelihood of being involved in an auto accident making the study findings even more surprising. The study also revealed that grandparents were also less likely to use child safety seats than were parents and more than a quarter of the grandparents used less than optimal child restraints, while 2% failed to use any at all.

The Philadelphia car accident attorneys of Reiff & Bily are committed to auto safety and have represented generations of Pennsylvanians since 1979. If you or a loved one has been involved in a Pennsylvania car accident, please contact us toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com for a free, no obligation consultation.

Unfortunately another deadly bus accident has occurred in New York taking the lives of several innocent and unknowing victims. Over the last six months, there have been a series of bus crashes and near crashes involving the discount tour bus industry which has killed almost 20 individuals and catastrophically injured many others.

The experienced bus accident lawyers of Reiff & Bily are representing individuals and their families in one of the earlier fatal bus crashes and our investigative efforts have revealed a plethora of bus safety and driver training issues and problems. To reiterate the words of U.S. Senator Charles Schumer who is pushing for legislation to strengthen bus safety and driver training, “There isn’t a moment to spare when keeping bus passengers and drivers safe and informed”. As a bus accident and catastrophic injury attorney who deals with the almost incomprehensible tragedies that occur in the lives of otherwise innocent victims, it is evident that the bus industry is incapable of regulating itself when it comes to safety. The bus industry continues to emphasize profitability over safety and the growing epidemic of crashes over the last few months reenforces the need for strict legislation with teeth to address this terrible epidemic. We wholeheartedly appreciate the efforts of Senator Schumer and others committed in their fight to improve tour bus safety.

Reiff & Bily has recently joined forces with the Beasley Firm to create the Beasley Reiff Law Group and together we have recovered over $2 billion dollars in verdicts, settlement, and awards for catastrophically injured victims and their families. We always offer a free, no obligation consultation. For more information, please contact us toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com

Last week I investigated one of the saddest cases of my three decade car career as a Philadelphia vehicle product defectand Philadelphia car accident lawyer. The case involved a head on collision caused by another driver who was texting at the time of the accident causing the texting driver to swerve into the opposite lane of travel hitting another vehicle head on killing the young woman driver. Upon my investigation of the vehicles involved, I was surprised to see that although the vehicles were the same size, one of the vehicles had extensive crush and dashboard intrusion, and it also appeared that the driver’s seat came off of its track and was forced into the dashboard with the resulting impact forces. The other vehicle’s damage from the accident forces was minimal in comparison.

As an auto product safety lawyer who has successfully handled many vehicle product liability claims, one thing for certain is that there is a big difference in the safety of vehicle occupants depending on the type and manufacture of the vehicle. A simple recall history and investigation of the vehicle deemed non-crashworthy indicated that occupants of similar vehicles had sustained almost identical injuries to the driver and evidence indicated that the vehicle’s poor structural resistance and inability to perform well in crash testing. As our investigation continues, it is readily apparent that we will be pursuing a claim against the offending driver as well as against the automobile manufacturer for  design and manufacturing defects.

In my experience I have found that many attorneys handling car accident cases never look further than the obvious third party defendant or wrongdoer and fail to explore other options such as product liability and crashworthiness theories. The experienced Philadelphia car accident and auto product liability defect lawyers of Reiff & Bily have recently joined forces with the Beasley Firm to form the Beasley Reiff Law Group. Since 1958, our skilled product liability and car accident lawyers have been awarded billions on behalf of those catastrophically injured or wrongfully killed. We always offer a free confidential, no obligation consultation to those involved in car accidents. For more information, contact us toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

As an experienced biker and Pennsylvania motorcycle accident attorney since 1979, I understand that warm weather brings motorcyclists to our roadways, but unfortunately this is often coupled with catastrophic injuries and wrongful deaths in motorcycle accidents. Over the last month, over a dozen people were injured or killed on Pennsylvania highways in motorcycle accidents.

I started building and riding motorcycles in my early teens and had never taken a motorcycle safety course until I was in my late 40's as I thought I knew it all. Frankly, I hate to admit it but I thought the course was way beneath my skills and would be elementary and boring. However, I was pleasantly surprised regarding how much I learned regarding motorcycle operation and safety. Pennsylvania motorcycle safety program is sponsored fees paid when obtaining, renewing, or replacing a motorcycle permit license and many insurance companies will give you a substantial discount if you prove that you have completed the course. Courses will be offered from July 21st to July 24th, and July 28 to July 31st. Many of my clients and friends have told me that they have avoided many accidents with the skills they learned in the Pennsylvania motorcycle safety course.

The Pennsylvania motorcycle accident law firm of Reiff & Bily is committed to motorcycle safety and always offers a free, no obligation confidential consultation to those who are injured in a motorcycle accident. For more information, please contact us toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

As a Pennsylvania personal injury lawyer who has been litigating catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases for over three decades, I am very careful in my case selection process and always attempt to recognize a difficult or unrealistic client at the outset. While many individuals may sustain a catastrophic injury or wrongful death, often personal injury cases involve complex legal issues and liability may not always be what it appeared to be at the initial meeting with the client. Obviously each party has their own bias or prejudice as to their version of the case, and as the case proceeds through discovery, additional facts are uncovered which may benefit one party to the detriment of another.

Plaintiffs and their attorneys have the burden of proof and often clients mistakenly listen to relatives or other non-involved lawyers who unrealistically evaluate a case without the complete knowledge of the facts. Of course, the jurisdiction is an important consideration in case evaluation and although someone may be injured through the fault of someone else or a negligent product, it is not the law’s job to guarantee a retirement check either. Many attorneys make the mistake of providing a client with unrealistic expectations at the outset which is something that I will never do. Many times a client’s email address will reveal something about the client’s character and cause me to decline the client. Such an example would be someone who had the email address something to the tune of “angryattheworld.com”. Whenever the client asks me at the initial meeting how much their case is worth rather than express concern about the recovery from injuries, a red flag goes up. Another red flag is a client who has gone through many lawyers and has something negative to say about each one before calling us. I fully believe that this client will never be happy and will have unrealistic expectations and will be at another lawyer’s office having something negative to say about myself and our staff no matter how hard we try to aggressively represent the client’s interests and keep that client informed and happy.

Continue reading "How The Unrealistic and Difficult Client Can Destroy Their Own Legal Case Opines Pennsylvania Catastrophic Injury and Wrongful Death Lawyer" »

As an experienced Philadelphia car accident attorney many times the facts reported by the police, parties, or witnesses are not always as they appear to be. A complex automobile or motor vehicle accident where one has sustained a catastrophic injury or wrongful deathcalls for careful accident reconstruction and forensic analysis. Many portable navigation devices such as Garmin, Magellan, and iPhone are capable of recording geo referenced data such as trip routes, waypoints, destinations, times, and speed.

An experienced car accident attorney will work with forensic experts to access and analyze data stored in these devices. Additionally, an experienced car accident or motor vehicle accident attorney will want to forensically retrieve and review data recorders in passenger vehicles and commercial trucks. The best car accident attorneys will never assume the accuracy of facts as indicated by the opposition or on the police report and will perform their own independent analysis to assure the accuracy of the investigation.

The experienced car accident attorneys of Reiff & Bily know very well that many times police reports are incomplete and inaccurate and that defendants and independent witnesses have skewed perceptions of the events leading up to the crash. The best Philadelphia car accident attorneys always offer a free, no obligation consultation. For over three decades the skilled and experienced accident attorneys of Reiff & Bily have represented generations of Philadelphians and Pennsylvanians and have recently joined forces with the Beasley Firm to create the Beasley Reiff Law Group. Together our attorneys have been awarded over $2 billion dollars since 1958. For more information, please contact us toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

The Center for Auto Safety Claims that Jeep Cherokee model years 1993 through 2004 have a design defect, notably a defective fuel tank design, that can cause the gas tank to rupture in a crash. Clarence Ditlow, the Director for Auto Safety claims that these Chrysler Jeep Grand Cherokees are the most dangerous vehicles on the road and additionally claims that at least 55 people have died in crashes where fire was the most harmful factor. The Center provided to the government crash test results revealing that the gas tanks failed in rear end impacts due to the fact that the fuel tank is located behind the rear axle.

As an experienced fuel fed fire and defective gas tank lawyer, I believe that placing the gas tank behind the rear axle is extraordinarily dangerous due to the fact that upon a rear impact, the tank can rupture and lead to fire and explosion. In crash tests, the fuel hoses pulled off and the tanks ruptured. Chrysler disputes the test results noting that the test impact conditions were three times as severe as the government standard and that the vehicle meets or exceeds federal standards.

As experienced auto defect and Pennsylvania product liability lawyers, we are well aware that many vehicle fires are caused by design defects, notably improper placement of the fuel tank. Highway vehicle fires account for 17% of all reported fires and 12% of all U.S. civilian deaths. The experienced Pennsylvania vehicle defect lawyers of Reiff & Bily have recently joined forces with the Pennsylvania product liability lawyers of the Beasley Firm and jointly have been awarded over $2 billion dollars on behalf of victims and their families who have sustained catastrophic injuries or wrongful death as a result of defective products, auto defects, and other catastrophic injury causes of action. Our lawyers have been litigating cases against automotive manufacturers for alleged design defects for decades. We always offer a free, no obligation confidential consultation and no recovery, zero fee guarantee. For more information contact us toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

On Sunday June 12, a story was published concerning a family whose vehicle ran out of gas and was thereafter violently and forcefully rear ended by an oncoming car. As an experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyer, this bad dream is becoming a reality for many individuals who were trying to stretch their dollars in a tightened economy by attempting to fill their tanks at the last possible minute. Many times fuel gauges in cars are not accurate. Today many individuals admit that they keep their gas tank lower than they did in the past and will even “unexpectedly” run out. However, this experienced automotive defect and car accident attorney warns that the highway might be the most dangerous place to be stopped due to running out of gas. Not only are you a sitting duck for a vehicle that might not see you or be unable to stop in time, but I can assure you it will be much more costly to have a service truck come to temporarily refill your car so that you can make it to the next available gas station.

Recently I was driving down the Atlantic City Expressway on a rainy Saturday night when I saw a vehicle stopped on the side of the road with a man waving on the shoulder. Cars were “whizzing by” at unbelievable speeds and I was afraid for this individual and the victims in his car. I am fond of quoting Louis Pasteur who stated that “chance favors the prepared mind”, and please always keep your gas tank full and do not allow yourself to become a sitting duck for a violent collision.

Continue reading "Experienced Pennsylvania Car Accident Attorney Warns That You Are A Sitting Duck For a Catastrophic Accident If You Run Out Of Gas On A Highway" »

As an experienced Philadelphia 15-passenger van rollover attorney , I always lose a part of my heart and soul representing innocent victims and their families who were catastrophically injured or killed as a result of a 15-passenger church van rollover accident. Recently this past weekend yet another single van rollover catastrophically injured and took the lives of church members after returning from an amusement park outing. Members of the church group state that there was a tire failure causing the driver to lose control whereupon the vehicle rolled over. A 19-year old recent high school graduate died in the accident. Eight other children or teenage passengers were ejected from the van with many remaining in critical condition.

I have written many articles and spoken to church groups and school groups about the dangers of 15-passenger vans and the epidemic of rollovers that continue to take the lives of unknowing and innocent individuals. There is not a week that goes by without news of another catastrophic 15-passenger van rollover.

The experienced 15-passenger van rollover lawyers of Reiff & Bily have known for a long time what manufacturers have also known, simply that the 15-passenger van is one of the most unsafe and unforgiving vehicles on the road as they suffer from a multitude of design defects. Most times the 15-passenger van rollover crash occurs due to a defective tire coupled with an inexperienced and untrained driver. The 15-passenger van is extraordinarily easy to roll over when it is fully loaded due to the fact that it has a high center of gravity and the known design defects create unsafe conditions and instability in an accident avoidance maneuver. Extensive research performed by the lawyers of Reiff & Bily together with some of the finest experts in the world has revealed that many manufacturers knew about these van defects which was evidenced in internal and testing documents. Yet they continue to sell them due to high profit margins despite minimal expenditures to fix even though their own test drivers were being injured during testing procedures.

Continue reading "Its Summertime and Experienced 15-Passenger Van Lawyer Not Surprised To Learn More Tragic News About Catastrophic Injuries and Fatalities In Church Van Rollover Accidents" »

I recently had the opportunity to meet with a client who sustained catastrophic injuriesincluding but not limited to multiple fractured vertebrae and a crushed legs. The facts of the accident were simple, the gentleman was crossing the street at the corner when a vehicle pulled from behind a stopped truck and struck the pedestrian. Unbelievably the striking vehicles insurance company is attempting to deny the claim.

As an experienced Pennsylvania car accident attorney with over three decades of experience, I am not sure what “Kool Aid” the insurance adjuster is drinking or is this just part of the continuous deny, delay, and defend policy implemented by many of the automobile insurance companies in tough economic times. Accidents like this just don't happen and are generally caused by inattentive or over aggressive drivers. It is well known that pedestrians have the right of way when crossing in crosswalks. However in many residential areas, crosswalks are often not marked. The positioning of my client at the intersection where a crosswalk should have been painted indicates that the injured victim was acting in accordance with the law and that other vehicles should have been prepared to stop as was the as the truck that was in front of the vehicle that aggressively swung around the stopped vehicle.

All Pennsylvania automobile drivers have an obligation to drive at safe speeds and pay attention to their surroundings, and if you are not paying attention or driving aggressively and hit a pedestrian then there is no way that an insurance company should rightfully deny a claim. Perhaps the posture of the insurance company in this case by denying the claim is why people are forced into unnecessary litigation.

If you find yourself in a situation where an insurance company wrongfully denies payment of your claim in an automobile accident, I strongly advise that you contact an experienced Pennsylvania car accident for help. The experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyers of Reiff & Bily have over three decades of experience representing generations of Pennsylvanians who have suffered catastrophic injuries and wrongful death as a result of Pennsylvania car accidents.

If you or a loved one has been injured as the result of a car accident, please contact us toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com for a free, no obligation consultation.

As an experienced van rollover attorney, one of the first things I almost always observe after a van accident is that the driver is blamed and cited for unsafe driving. As an experienced van rollover lawyer for over three decades, I can state honestly that van and rollover cases gets in your blood, heart, and head because these vans are probably the most unsafe vehicles on the road and have even proven to be unsafe when operated by skilled test drivers for the manufacturers but yet innocent and unknowing drivers and victims are often blamed for the disaster.

According to news sources, the van accident occurred in the southbound lanes of I-95 in the Churchmans Marsh area at 6:30 a.m. on Wednesday in New Castle County, Delaware. Paramedics took 16 people to the hospital for treatment. Thankfully none of the injuries were life threatening. The van rolled over several times on the highway before coming to rest on the shoulder of the highway. The driver claimed he lost control due to something mechanical. Although the driver was cited for operating a vehicle without a driver’s license, proof of insurance, or registration, and the cause of the accident remains under investigation, one thing is for certain, the epidemic of large van rollovers will continue as attorneys and consumer safety groups continue to tackle the manufacturers of these knowingly unsafe death machines. Almost weekly in the summertime, I can predict that we will receive news of another catastrophic van rollover accident that will catastrophically injure and kill innocent and unknowing victims, often church groups or young children. Independent research performed by noted safety investigators, auto defect attorneys, as well as auto safety stalwarts note that there are significant risks in rollovers, death, and catastrophic injuries involving large passenger vans when they are fully loaded. Many times 15-passenger van rollover crashes occur due to defective tires and inexperienced and untrained drivers unfamiliar with the stability and handling characteristics of these vehicles.

Our hearts and prayers go out to the victims and their families of this unfortunate van rollover accident and we would advise that they should immediately contact an experienced van rollover accident attorney to fully investigate this accident and immediately preserve the evidence. It is essential that there be no spoilation of the van or any evidence. The 15-passenger van is extraordinarily easy to roll over when loaded because they have a high center of gravity and such design defects create unsafe conditions and instability in an accident avoidance maneuver. If a tire problem occurs and the unknowing driver tries to avoid a road or traffic hazard or accident, the chances of a van rollover is more likely than not when the van is loaded.

Continue reading "Individuals Injured In Van Rollover On I-95 In Delaware With Unlicensed Driver - Experienced Van Rollover Lawyer States It Is Probably Not The Driver’s Fault" »

As the economy tightens and insurance companies seem to be getting hit with an unusual string of bad weather, more claims, and a tightened economy, they appear to be short staffed with agents and adjusters and unable to handle claims in a timely and efficient manner. Additionally many of the insurance carriers continue to express their deny, delay, and defend claims policies placing otherwise responsible and honest individuals in a position where they have to compromise their claim or hire an attorney.

To add insult to injury, I have recently learned that many policyholders are being hit with triple digit increases in the last few weeks ranging from 19% to as high as 64%. In one case, I read of a 280% increase.

As an experienced Pennsylvania insurance claim and catastrophic injury attorney, when I speak to many insurance adjusters and insurance company principles who I have gotten to know fairly well over the last three decades, they tell me that many decisions are being made by corporate individuals who do not understand how important it is to treat the policyholders fairly, and frankly state that they have had enough and am getting out of the claims adjustment business. I have witnessed much wide spread, unconscionable, stonewalling, and low balling claims by insurance companies who increasingly fail to live up to their contractual commitments. Repeatedly the insurance companies are failing to give innocent and honest individuals what they deserve when tragedy strikes.

The Pennsylvania catastrophic injury and wrongful death law firm of Reiff & Bily has been committed to representing the interests of consumers for over three decades and has aggressively represented those catastrophically injured or sustained losses against insurance carriers with a successful track record. We always offer a free, no obligation consultation. Contact us online at www.reiffandbily.com or toll free at 1-800-421-9595. If we decide to take your case, we will only charge a small percentage of the recovery.

Our experienced bus crash and rollover lawyers and investigators have been busy the last few months investigating various tour bus accidents which catastrophically injured many and killed many individuals. Most of the tour bus operators involved in the fatal accidents were discount bus services. Many had unsatisfactory ratings and were found to be in violation of multiple federal safety regulations.

In this recent bus crash disaster, the New York City bound bus hit an embankment and overturned in Virginia and the driver was later charged with reckless driving and he claimed fatigue was a factor in the crash. Federal documents revealed that this particular bus company had a particularly poor safety record. News sources indicate that over the last two years the small bus company involved in this fatal and catastrophic accident had been involved in several accidents with 46 violations of fatigued drivers over the same time period. Although the bus company offered a relatively inexpensive fare between New York City and North Carolina ($30), our experienced bus accident attorneys and the federal government recognize that safety should always be the number one priority and that carriers such as this, whether they are discounted or not, owe the highest obligation of care and safety to unsuspecting fare paying passengers.

While the bus industry has been a booming business for discounters, a string of fatal accidents has prompted calls for federal regulations. As an outspoken critic of the bus and common carrier industry, I have been writing for years on this very topic. In one of our cases, our investigators were unable to even locate an existing office for one of the discount bus companies despite information provided to federal and state authorities. While the bus industry claims that these problems are limited to a small number of rogue operators, the experienced bus accident attorneys of the Beasley Reiff Law Group understand that until tougher government regulations and enforcement of the regulations are put into effect with strict penalties this situation will continue in epidemic proportion and that many innocent people will put their lives at risk.

Continue reading "Feds Shut Down Another Tour Bus Line After Virginia Bus Crash Kills Four - Pennsylvania Tour Bus Accident Lawyers Wonder Why It Took So Long" »

As a conversion van accident and van rollover lawyer, I understand that safety is a priority particularly when dealing with individuals suffering from handicaps. Many times vans are modified or converted to facilitate an active life style for individuals that are wheel chair bound. Many vans are pone to roll over without modification and therefore, it is important that the conversion complies with all safety standards regarding construction and design. One considering conversion of a van or other vehicle should look into whether or not crash testing was conducted on similar vans that were converted and that the van passed the necessary safety hurdles. Many companies advertise that their handicap van conversions are strong, safe, and reliable and make promises that unfortunately prove to be untrue in a catastrophic accident.

The experienced Pennsylvania conversion van and 15-passenger van accident attorneys of Reiff & Bily are aware of and have investigated many van design and manufacturing defects and understand that vans are susceptible to rolling over in an accident avoidance or over-steering maneuver. Many times modifications made by van conversion companies result in a loss of safety and quality concerns resulting in weaknesses in roof structure and ejection portals. If you are going to purchase a handicap conversion van, please fully investigate the manufacturer and do independent homework as to the safety and testing results of the vehicle in question.

The Philadelphia van accident and van rollover attorneys of Reiff & Bily are committed to consumer and automotive safety and we believe that safety should never trump profitability when it comes to vehicle design and usage.

Dozens were injured and 4 people were killed and yet another tour bus rolled over in a catastrophic bus accident. According to news sources, the bus was traveling from Greensboro, North Carolina to New York when it hit an embankment in Virginia and rolled over onto its roof on I-95 on Tuesday, May 31, 2011. The bus was carrying 58 passengers and its Chinatown office in New York was empty of workers on the date of the accident. Police blamed the bus accident on driver fatigue and investigators said that charges were pending.

As an experienced tour bus accident lawyer, it seems that the epidemic of driver fatigue and bus accidents continues to increase at an alarming rate and must be curtailed by stricter regulations, guidelines, driver health, and background checks.

The law office of Reiff & Bily in conjunction with the Beasley Firm joined forces to create the Beasley Reiff Law group and are currently representing victims of another bus crash that occurred just a few months ago when a bus traveling to Chinatown from New York to Philadelphia crashed killing and catastrophically injuring other individuals.

Since 1958, the lawyers of the Beasley Reiff Law Group have recovered over $2 billion dollars on behalf of catastrophically injured victims and their families. If you or a loved on has sustained catastrophic injuries or suffered a wrongful death as a result of a tour bus accident, please contact us online at www.beasleyreifflawgroup.com or toll free at 1-800-588-0130.

If you are parents of a teenage driver, it is probably cheaper not to add a third car as insurance companies typically believe that the teenager will drive less without his/her own car and thereby offer you a lower insurance premium. Typically car insurance premiums go up 55% to 60% when a teenager is added according to a recent insurance.com survey. Beware that many insurance companies charge if you own luxury cars and many insurance companies may charge you as if your child is driving the fanciest car in the house. Therefore, it may pay to shop around or in the alternative in that situation it may pay to get a clunker for the teenager without collision coverage and then perhaps place an umbrella on top of the same.

This tip is offered by the experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyers of Reiff & Bily. Umbrella insurance coverage is the key if you are interested in protecting assets. In a tightened economy many individuals chose to reduce their insurance premiums and insurance coverage. If you have any assets to protect, I wholly recommend purchasing an umbrella or excess insurance policy to kick in where liability coverage leaves off. Recent jury verdict analysis indicates that approximately 15% of personal injury liability cases result in awards in excess of $1 million dollars and if you have teenagers driving or may be at high risk situations or in a litigious area, consider increasing your umbrella. The more insurance you purchase on the umbrella, the cheaper it is. Many insurance companies do not like to sell umbrella coverage and you will find that if you insist, it should cost about $125 to $250 a year for an actual $1 million dollars of coverage.

Continue reading "A Smart Way To Cut Your Car Insurance Premium May Be Not To Buy Your Teenager His Or Her Own Car" »

In Pennsylvania it is unlawful for a bar or any establishment to serve alcohol to any individuals under the age of 21. Additionally, under the Pennsylvania’s Dram Shop law any business or individual who serves alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person is also legally responsible for any damage that person might cause.

Recently a Philadelphia jury award $1.6 million dollars to the estate of a young victim who was allegedly served at least 8 or 9 drinks at a night club and then was involved in a fatal collision on the way home. The victim’s blood alcohol content at the time of the crash was .224, almost three times the legal limit.

A bar and its employees are obligated to recognize and prevent the service of alcohol to those intoxicated or those under the legal age of drinking in Pennsylvania. Thousands of people die every year in Pennsylvania as a result of alcohol-related injuries due to the negligence of bartenders, night clubs, and restaurants who fail to act responsibly by putting an emphasis on profitability rather than on adherence to Pennsylvania Dram Shop laws. Our skilled Dram Shop and intoxicated and alcohol-related accident lawyers are aware that many restaurant owners and bar owners do not promote policies of alcohol awareness. We believe that those individuals must be held financially responsible for resulting injuries and fatalities. Pennsylvania law is clear that it is illegal to sell alcohol to either a minor or person who is obviously intoxicated.

The skilled Dram Shop and alcohol-related accident lawyers of Reiff & Bily are all too familiar with the catastrophic injuries and fatalities that result from violation of the Pennsylvania Dram Shop laws and believe that the wrongdoers must be held accountable. We always offer a free, no obligation and confidential consultation. Contact us at www.reiffandbily.com.

I recently learned that a prominent defense attorney told a jury at the conclusion of a personal injury case that pain and suffering is just a way of life in his particular county. As an experienced Pennsylvania personal injury lawyer for over three decades, I am fairly certain that pain and suffering is not a normal way of life for most of us.

In Pennsylvania a claimant can claim monetary damages for pain and suffering for a non-inclusive list of factors, including but not limited to physical pain, mental pain, embarrassment, fright, nervousness, grief, anxiety, worry, mortification, shock, humiliation, indignities, apprehension, disfigurement, loss of life’s pleasures, deformity, and basically the loss of life’s hopes and dreams. Since we cannot change the facts of life and fully restore one’s physical and mental condition to the exact state that existed prior to the event which gave rise to their legal claim, the goal of compensatory damages is to financially make a plaintiff whole by setting an amount of money that will hopefully compensate the injured person. The claimant may also recover for mental anguish resulting from an accident as mental anguish can be a result of physical pain and suffering.

I am curious whether the defense attorney who argued that pain and suffering is a way of life in his jurisdiction recognizes this when he goes home to his expensive home, pays for his kids in private school, or goes to play golf at an elite golf or country club?

The skilled catastrophic injury lawyers of Reiff & Bily know that when you are in an accident, you are entitled to the maximum amount of compensatory damages that can be proven and argued to a jury and that pain and suffering is not just a way of life for most of us. You have one bite at the apple and we do not believe, as do many insurance adjusters and defense attorneys, that pain and suffering should be and is a way of life.

I recently received a telephone call from a client who was in a vehicle that rolled over causing catastrophic injuries to herself and brain damage to her young daughter. Another lawyer sat with the case for a year and then informed her that there was no liability and there was no case.

Thankfully the unfortunate victim did not stop there and sought the opinion of another attorney who referred the matter to the auto product liability of the Reiff & Bily law firm. In many situations where other attorneys do not explore all aspects of a claim or are unfamiliar with automotive product defect and product liability claims, we are able to determine by the use of accident reconstruction and expert witnesses that many single car accidents and rollovers are caused by a defect in the vehicle or one of its components. Many times auto product defects will include but not be limited to a tire defect, an airbag defect, an instability or crashworthiness issue, or defective seat belt.

The skilled Pennsylvania car accident and vehicle defect lawyers of Reiff & Bily have prosecuted thousands of car accident claims for many decades taking on some of the world’s largest automobile manufacturers litigating auto defect and product liability claims that other lawyers may have missed.

If you or a loved one has been catastrophically injury or killed as a result of a single vehicle automobile accident, please contact one of our experienced Pennsylvania car accident and auto defect lawyers for a free, no obligation consultation. If we decide to accept your case, we will only charge a fee if we make a recovery for you. Please contact us online at www.reiffandbily.com.

As an experienced Pennsylvania crashworthiness and SUV rollover lawyer, I salute the efforts of automakers making dramatic gains in automotive safety.

Just last week, a new client demonstrated the parking abilities of her brand new Ford Explorer and I was spellbound. In the last decade, the major automobile manufacturers have significantly advanced automotive safety by the introduction of factors such as electronic stability control (ESC), use of ABS brakes, improvement of sensor and data measuring with regard to airbag deployment and seat belt tension, sensors which measure steering wheel angle, yaw rate, acceleration, and turning force when combined with software alga rhythms which interpret data and determine whether the vehicle is traveling in a proper fashion and if not, automatically activate the brakes or throttle slightly to bring the vehicle back in line. As the electronic sensors and software improvements become more sophisticated and less costly, it is my hope that technology will continue to improve and be implemented consistent with lower, wider, and safer vehicle designs to create a vehicle so sophisticated with anticipatory design features that it will actively prevent crash scenarios which would most likely lead to catastrophic injury or death.

The experienced Pennsylvania vehicle rollover and car accident firm of Reiff & Bily salutes the efforts of auto defect and product liability lawyers across the United States and worldwide and consumer safety groups who have fought the battle against automakers for decades serving as a force to create safer automobiles.

As an experienced 15-passenger van rollover accident attorney and consumer safety advocate, I salute the steps taken by a Missouri school board addressing safety concerns regarding the use of 15-passenger vans to transport students. In October, NHTSA urged users of passenger vans to take steps to keep occupants safe following two fatal crashes involving 15-passenger vans that rolled over and resulted in 10 deaths.

Our skilled 15-passenger van accident attorneys, along with government officials and consumer safety advocates, have known for many years that 15-passenger vans might just be the most unsafe vehicle ever made and have a higher rate of roll over than likely loaded vans. When a 15-passenger van is loaded to capacity or near capacity, the gross vehicle weight moves the center of gravity rearward and upward affecting the stability and handling of the van according to an NTSB report. Unfortunately our experienced 15-passenger van rollover accident lawyers have represented victims and their families of all too many school children and churchgoers who sustained tragic and catastrophic results while riding in the 15-passenger van. 15-passenger vans are one of the most popular vehicles for transporting pre-schoolers, school age, and college church groups, and are involved in more rollover crashes than any other vehicle. As a matter of fact, the danger of 15-passenger vans is so great that many states and municipalities, as well as the military, have outlawed them as a means for transportation.

Continue reading "Another Jurisdiction Updates Policies On The Use Of 15-Passenger Vans For Transporting Students - Thank You!" »

A catastrophic injury and fatality is 36 times the norm in a vehicle rollover accident. Victims of roll over accidents are most likely to sustain a catastrophic injury or death due to high incidents of occupant ejection. Head injuries, resulting paralysis, brain injury, as well as amputation of limbs are commonly suffered if one is ejected out of the vehicle and land under a vehicle that continues to roll or struck by another vehicle. More weight increases the chance of a truck or vehicle rollover despite a common belief that added weight adds to stability. Most rollovers occur when a driver runs off the road or the vehicle loses traction due to a tire defect or blowout. If the glass in the vehicle is not laminated or glazed, there is a high likelihood that the victim’s body parts will not be contained in the vehicle and that the person will be ejected.

If a fuel tank is ruptured or a fuel line severs during a rollover, there is a good likelihood that a devastating fuel fed fire can ignite which increases the risk of serious injury or death for drivers, passengers, or people nearby. Many times in a rollover crash, a fuel tank is punctured or tears and the filters and fuel lines separate or there is a hydrostatic burst of fuel vapors.

If you or a loved has sustained a catastrophic injury or wrongful death caused in a rollover accident by one of the above listed factors, it is important to preserve the evidence and contact an experienced SUV and vehicle rollover attorney to fully investigate the facts of your case together with renowned experts and investigators.

The SUV rollover and fuel fed fire lawyers of Reiff & Bily have recently joined forces with the Beasley Firm to create the Beasley Reiff Law Group. Since 1958, our experienced SUV rollover and fuel fed fire lawyers have investigated thousands of product defect and rollover cases and have been awarded over $2 billion dollars on behalf of catastrophically injured claimants. For a free, no obligation consultation, contact us online at www.beasleyreifflawgroup.com or toll free at 1-800-588-0130.

As an experienced bus accident attorney for the last 32 years, this winter brought to light just how dangerous bus travel can be. Our office is representing the interests of several catastrophically injured people who were involved in a New Jersey Turnpike accident last month which also killed a 21-year old Montgomery County, Pennsylvania man. State and Federal regulators have placed bus safety square in their spotlights. The Feds have shut down Super Luxury Tours of Wilkes Barre, PA. Our investigators have incurred a spider webs of confusion and misrepresentations on behalf of the many tour bus operators. As I have noted before, one generally assumes that bus travel is one of the safest means of transportation, but unfortunately, this is not the case when operators take short cuts on safety and maintenance. The U.S. Department of Transportation claims it is committed to improving tour bus safety records requiring higher standards of safety and controls for coaches and buses. The Greyhound Line, the nation’s largest intercity operator, recently announced that it would begin installing lap and shoulder seat belts on all its new buses.

Recently a federal court in Sacramento, California ruled that Greyhound could be held liable for failing to put seat belts on its buses. The case where 8 passengers traveling on a Greyhound bus were injured in a rollover accident on the I-5 freeway. Greyhound’s action to equip their new buses with seat belts represent a safety breakthrough, and we salute the concern for safety as the federal government does not yet require seat belts on large buses.

As an experienced Pennsylvania car accident lawyer and citizen of Pennsylvania, I am still amazed how many times I see many drivers running stop signs or traffic lights while still speaking on a cell phone. Just last week, I personally narrowly escaped a car accident when a very young driver operating an SUV ran a stop sign and I noticed she was speaking on a cell phone. She obnoxiously gave me the middle finger as if I had done something wrong after I issued a horn warning.

Just yesterday, a catastrophically injured victim met with me after she was also struck by a teen driver while texting on a cell phone. A new report issued comes as no surprise as it announces that distracted driving is killing more people than ever. It is claimed that at least 5% of all fatality accidents are due to texting and a rapidly growing list of distracted drivers. Such distractions include but are not limited to application of makeup, eating food, ipods, cell phones, and the use of computers and navigation devices inside the vehicle. A bill to ban texting while driving in Pennsylvania is one step closer to becoming law as it won unanimous support from the State House Transportation Committee. The legislation would ban texting by all drivers and prohibit drivers under the age of 18 from using handheld cell phones while behind the wheel.

As an experienced Philadelphia car accident attorney who has represented the families of loved ones who are killed by a texting driver, I am afraid to say that Pennsylvania has been behind the times and legislators have not attacked this issue in an aggressive enough fashion. While several localities have enacted restrictions in cell phone use, including West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, my experience as a car accident lawyer for the past 32 years has revealed just how dangerous multitasking can be while operating a car and I urge all the Pennsylvania legislatures to unanimously support any texting while driving bans.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident, please feel free to contact one of our experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyers. Recently the law firm of Reiff & Bily has joined forces with the Beasley Firm and together both of our law firms have been awarded over $2 billion dollars since 1958. As always, we offer a free, no obligation consultation. Contact us online at www.beasleyreifflawgroup.com or toll free at 1-800-588-0130.

I never had a second thought about using one of the cut rate bus services or even putting my children on one of the buses from Philadelphia to New York or Washington. After all, I thought to myself, what could really go wrong. One would normally think that buses provide one the safest means of transportation and should most certainly be safer than an airplane.

As news events of the past few months has indicated, many deadly tour bus crashes have occurred as a result of numerous safety and maintenance violations by many bus operators. Just last week a surprise New York bus inspection removed 124 drivers and 100 buses from the road following the deadly New York bus crash a month ago. A tour bus crashed on March 12, 2011 on a Bronx highway returning to the city from a casino in Connecticut killing 15 people. Our experienced Pennsylvania bus accident attorneys have been retained to represent victims of another tour bus crash in New Jersey a few days later, and the results of our investigation are very concerning and somewhat horrifying. We filed a lawsuit on behalf of a catastrophically injured victim only to be stonewalled by false information, addresses, and what appears to be misrepresentation of corporate identities and parties.

The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles has recently implemented facial recognition technology to arrest 31 drivers with commercial licenses for using aliases to fraudulently obtain multiple licenses with 50 more cases being reviewed. Federal transportation officials reported 2,800 spot checks of passenger buses from March 28 to April 6 resulting in 289 drivers of buses being removed from the road. Also, this followed 300 buses being removed from service after 3,000 inspections after 17 days of earlier spot checks.

Recently the Philadelphia bus accident lawyers of Reiff & Bily have joined forces with the legendary Beasley Firm to form the Beasley Reiff Law Group and together have recovered over $2 billion dollars for injured victims. If you or a loved one has sustained catastrophic injuries or wrongful death as a result of being involved in a tour bus or other bus accident, please contact us online at www.beasleyreifflawgroup.com or toll free at 1-800-588-0130 for a free, no obligation consultation.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Transportation shut down the Wilkes-Barre based tour bus company that was involved in the March 14, 2011 deadly bus accident. It was found that the bus driver violated federal insurance requirements.

Ironically, the decision to shut down the tour bus company came on the same day that the Senate subcommittee confronted the department because it was not addressing bus safety quickly enough. Subcommittee Chairman, Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D., N.J.), was concerned that the Department of Transportation was not moving quickly enough to make motor coaches or tour buses safer. He also felt that it was unsafe to continue to put unsafe buses and bus operators on the road. Senator Lautenberg was quoted as saying, “Just because bus companies can discount prices doesn’t mean they can discount safety.”

The experienced Pennsylvania bus accident attorneys Jeffrey Reiff and Raymond Bily have filed one of the first lawsuits against Super Luxury Tours on behalf of a victim who sustained catastrophic injuries in the March 14, 2011 bus crash, which also claimed the lives of several others.

The experienced auto accident lawyers of Reiff & Bily has recently joined forces with the catastrophic bus accident attorneys of The Beasley Firm and both law firms have been awarded in excess of $2 billion dollars on behalf of our clients since 1958. We will continue to diligently work on behalf of our clients, as well as with lawmakers, to ensure that the wrongdoers are brought to justice. For more information, contact us online at Beasley Reiff Law Group or toll free at 1-800-588-0130 for a free, no obligation consultation.

Experienced Pennsylvania bus accident attorneys Jeffrey Reiff and Raymond Bily have filed one of the first lawsuits against Super Luxury Tours on behalf of a victim who sustained catastrophic injuries in the March 14, 2011 bus crash, which also claimed the lives of several others.

The bus company involved in the fatal and catastrophic accident reported that it had offices in Wilkes-Barre, PA. However, the locations listed on paperwork filed with the Department of State are not occupied by anyone affiliated with the tour group or the bus company. Our investigators have determined that the company has had multiple accidents and multiple safety violations on its records over the past two years. According to state reports, Super Luxury Tours lists 115 N. Meade Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA as its address. However the building is a multi-unit apartment building owned by James A. and Helena K. Davis of Hanover Township. The building is a duplex with both units rented out. The landlord claims of no knowledge of the bus company operating out of the building.

Another address listed by Super Luxury Tours was identified to be a vacant space located at 17 E. Market Street across the street from City Hall in Wilkes-Barre, PA. Super Luxury Tours is identified by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration as having a higher than average number of violations for unsafe driving, including 9 tickets in the past two years for speeding, improper passing, and failure to obey traffic controls. They have also been repeatedly cited for having drivers who do not speak English. To add insult to injury, the passengers who were catastrophically injured or killed as a result of this accident are being denied benefits for payment of financial losses for themselves and their families.

As an experienced Pennsylvania bus accident attorney, I am horrified that buses entrusted with the safety of transporting innocent passengers away from the stresses of everyday life operate in a system lacking proper safety regulations and concern for the safety of innocent passengers. The legal team of Reiff & Bily has recently joined forces with the catastrophic bus accident attorneys of the Beasley Firm and both law firms have been awarded in excess of $2 billion dollars on behalf of our clients since 1958. We will continue to diligently work on behalf of our clients, as well as with lawmakers, to ensure that the wrongdoers are brought to justice. For more information, contact us online at Beasley Reiff Law Group or toll free at 1-800-588-0130 for a free, no obligation consultation.

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.

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.

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.

In the last two months, as an experienced Philadelphia car accident attorney, I have seen an increased volume of head on collisions with the cause being lack of caution on icy and snowy roads whereupon a vehicle traveling carelessly or too fast for the conditions loses control. Many times, the results are catastrophic with permanent injuries or unfortunately wrongful death. The crash dynamics of a head on collision are often unforgiving. Even at relatively low speeds, head on collisions will often leave the accident victim with catastrophic and debilitating injuries and many times death.

Snow and ice on roadways are major contributing factors in fatal car accidents and head on collisions in Pennsylvania. Many times, these accidents are caused by black ice which is sometimes called glare ice or clear ice and is a thin coating of glazed ice on the surface. While not truly black, it is actually transparent. When driving on snowy and icy roadways, please follow the offered tips from the experienced Pennsylvania car accident lawyers of Reiff & Bily:

1. Make sure your tires have at least a 6/32 deep tread according to The Tire Rack.

2. Make sure your windshield is clear and replace windshield wiper blades with new ones.

3. Apply Rain-X or water shedding material to your window and make sure that your
windshield washer system works.

4. Use your air conditioner. In order to remove condensation and frost from the interior
windows, gauge your air conditioner and select a fresh air option. It is fine to set the
temperature on hot.

5. Check your headlights to make sure that they are clean and other vehicles will see you.

6. Learn how to stop properly. For a non-ABS vehicle on a mixed surface road, push the
brake pedal hard until the wheels stop rolling and then immediately release the brake
enough to allow the wheels to begin turning again. Repeat this sequence rapidly.

Continue reading "Snow And Ice Most Likely The Cause Of A Growing Number Of Deadly Pennsylvania Head On Collisions In Recent Weeks" »

As an experienced Philadelphia car accident and truck accident attorney, I am all too familiar with snow and ice missiles that fly off cars or trucks that are not properly cleaned after a snow storm and then travel down the highway at great speeds. On February 22nd, after 4 to 6 inches of snow fell on the southeastern Pennsylvania vicinity, I was traveling on Rt. 476 when a large sheet of compacted and hard snow and ice flew off a semi-truck trailer striking my windshield with such force that it caused me to momentarily lose control of my vehicle. Thank God, I had gone to work late this day and there were no other cars in the adjacent lane which I swerved into in a state of shock.

Many accidents have occurred in Pennsylvania in the last few weeks and the experienced Pennsylvania truck accident law firm of Reiff & Bily had been retained to represent two individuals who were seriously injured in a similar accident on Route 80 just a week ago. Currently Pennsylvania law only prescribes a small fine for drivers and only if the ice or snow causes death or serious injury. The neighboring state of New Jersey has a law in place which punishes drivers who fail to make all reasonable efforts to remove snow or ice.
As an attorney who has seen the tragic side of snow and ice missile accidents, it is imperative that Pennsylvania legislature put more teeth into Pennsylvania’s laws regarding removing snow and ice from vehicles prior to entering the roadways. The safety and prosecution of motorist deaths should always be priority one.

If you or a loved one has suffered serious and catastrophic injuries or wrongful death as a result of a car or truck accident, please contact one of the experienced car and truck accident lawyers at Reiff & Bily. Effective January 1, 2011, the Reiff & Bily law firm has joined forces with the legendary Beasley Firm and has collectively been awarded billions of dollars on behalf of injured victims and their families. For more information, please contact online at www.reiffandbily.com or toll free at 1-800-421-9595.

According to news sources, excessive speed by a 17-year old teenage driver may have contributed to a fatal Chester County car accident on Saturday, February 19, 2011. The tragic car accident killed 19-year Jesika Kavanagh of Downingtown, PA. Sources state that the 17-year old male driver was operating a Dodge truck and entered an underpass and veered into the southbound lane where it struck a BMW driven by Ms. Kavanagh. Ms. Kavanagh was trapped in the vehicle and had to be removed by the Downingtown Fire Department and was taken to Brandywine Hospital where she died. The other passengers of the BMW were transported to Paoli Hospital for treatment.

Sadly the number one cause of teenager deaths in Pennsylvania and nationwide is car accidents. Teenager drivers, alcohol, and red light scoff laws are responsible for many of the car accidents in Pennsylvania. Many times teenagers are unable to multi-task and are found eating, drinking coffee, reading, or talking on cell phones, which is a huge distraction to drivers. The major cause of death to teenagers age 16 to 19 is traffic accidents.

I offer my deepest sympathies to everyone who knew and loved Jesika Kavanagh for their devastating loss. Please keep this grieving family in your prayers.

Based upon the news report, it appears that the teenage driver of the pickup truck was driving recklessly and perhaps too fast for the circumstances. In such cases, the family of the deceased or injured victims can file wrongful death claims seeking compensation for medical and funeral expenses, lost future income, loss of companionship, and other related damages.

Continue reading "Every Parent’s Nightmare - When An Inexperienced And Young Teenage Driver Takes Your Car And Gets Into A Fatal Accident" »

An SUV headed south on Route 130 in Edgewater Park, NJ rearended a Mercedes Benz pushing it into a bus stop. The car struck a person waiting for a bus and then hit a light pole according to the prosecutor’s office. The SUV rolled over on its roof hit hitting at least one other vehicle injuring several children, killing a woman, and injuring others.

Our hearts and prayers go out to the injured victims of this SUV rollover accident, as well as the family of the dead victim. We wish the injured victims the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Based upon news sources, it appears that the driver of the SUV swerved in an accident avoidance maneuver and lost control as a result.

According to NHTSA, SUV rollovers are some of the deadliest forms of more motor vehicle crashes accounting for more than 1/3 of fatalities. About 58% of all rollover casualties were to occupants of SUVs.

The experienced SUV rollover law firm of Reiff & Bily has over 30 years of experience and a successful track record in obtaining multiple seven figure wins for clients in auto accident cases and SUV rollovers.

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed as a result of an SUV rollover, please contact one of our experienced Philadelphia SUV rollover and car accident attorneys of Reiff & Bily. Effective January 1, 2011, Reiff & Bily has joined forces with the legendary Beasley Firm. Both product liability law firms have collectively been awarded over $2 billion dollars on behalf of injured clients and their families. For more information, please contact us online at www.reiffandbily.com or toll free at 1-800-421-9595.

Ford Motor Company recalled approximately 365,000 of their F-150 trucks on February 3, 2011.

According to the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the interior door handle housing unit could crack during routine use, resulting in inadequate spring tension to return the door handle back to a tightly closed position. That product defect could cause the truck door to open during a motor vehicle accident, ejecting the driver or passenger from the truck.

Our experienced automotive product liability and auto defect lawyers believe safety should never be an option, and recognizes that automobile manufacturers owe the highest duty of care to their customers and must be held accountable if a driver or loved one is injured in an accident due to their design failure.

Since 1979, the experienced Philadelphia wrongful death and automotive product liability law firm of Reiff & Bily has aggressively represented clients and their families who have been catastrophically injured or killed in automobile accidents or by defective products. Effective January 1, 2011 the Reiff & Bily law firm has joined forces with the legendary Beasley Firm in Philadelphia who since 1958 has been awarded over $2 billion dollars on behalf of their clients and have hundreds of millions and multi-million dollar verdicts, settlements, and awards to their credit. Please contact us toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com for a free, no obligation consultation.

Recently I received a call from a middle aged man whose wife was involved in a car accident and since the car accident she has slid downward after being diagnosed with a closed head and traumatic brain injury. Prior to the accident, the victim who is now my client was gainfully employed as an executive. After the accident, her behavior was described by her husband and friends as becoming more detached, unable to remember things, reclusive with slurred speech and extreme depression. In fact, her husband told me that he “lost his wife,” and that she was unrecognizable after the accident.

A careful battery of neurological testing did in fact confirm that this once vibrant and functioning woman was suffering memory loss, sensory loss, diminished cognitive functioning, and communication problems. While it is not known whether these symptoms are permanent due to the length of time they have existed, the prognosis is not favorable. As evidenced by this situation, traumatic brain injuries which result from a car accident or trauma can seriously alter the lives of victims and their families. The victim’s husband has become a caregiver as he must attend to his wife’s basic needs on a daily basis. Her medical bills continue to skyrocket into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, and of course, without a job her family income is cut in half. In effect, this once very well functioning family and couple has had the wind knocked out of their sails in a financial and emotional way.

At the experienced Philadelphia brain injury and car accident law firm of Reiff & Bily, we have over 30 years of experience handling the most catastrophic car accident and brain injury cases, and we have been able to successfully obtain compensation from the parties responsible for medical expenses, rehabilitation, lost income, pain and suffering, and resident care. If you or a loved one has sustained catastrophic injuries or a wrongful death as the result of a car accident, please contact one of our experienced lawyers for a free, no obligation consultation at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

As an experienced Philadelphia catastrophic injury and traumatic brain injury lawyer since 1979, I have tackled thousands of cases involving serious brain injuries rendering once high powered individuals and executives to an unrecognizable state as compared to their life prior to the accident.

Recently a book “Left Neglected” was authored by neuroscientist, Lisa Genova, which tackles the serious issues of traumatic brain injuries in an intriguing and realistically dramatic manner. Ms. Genova writes compellingly of the story of Sarah, a high powered executive and mother of three, who has a car accident and suffered a catastrophic brain injury. The brain injury is noted to be left neglect syndrome, a disability whereupon one does not recognize anything on the left side even their own hand or leg. While most individuals would find stories such as this gruesome and perhaps boring, this book is one that I would recommend to friends and clients of mine as it is almost impossible to put down as one follows the path of the first person narrator Sarah Nickerson, a 37-year old achieving multi-tasker type A personality with a Harvard MBA and a demanding job with a human relations consulting firm in Boston. The catastrophic car accident leaves Sarah with a traumatic brain injury and explores the struggles that she and her family must go through even when the insurance runs out. Prior to her car accident, Sarah had it all and could do it all - the gorgeous suburban house in the most sought after neighborhood, a vacation home in Vermont, three great children, and a devoted husband. Yet with one car accident, her world was turned upside down when the horrific crash resulted in a traumatic brain injury.

As an experienced Philadelphia car accident and brain injury lawyer who has handled many catastrophic brain injury and closed head traumas, I have worked with individuals and families who after an accident recognize that life will never be the same, forcing them to reexamine their priorities, relationships, and the necessities of life. As an experienced traumatic brain injury lawyer, I am well aware that the extent of a brain injury depends on the areas of the brain that were damaged and persons with traumatic brain injuries exhibit memory loss, paralysis, sensory loss, diminished cognitive functions, and communication problems. Many times these injuries are permanent and many times the brain injury victims and their families may not recognize the extent of the injuries until weeks or months after the accident occurs.

Continue reading "“Left Neglected” A Compelling Read And Sensitive Look At Brain Injury" »

The Philadelphia streets were as slippery as ski slopes on the morning of January 18, 2011, yet many drivers failed to acknowledge the dangerous conditions and were speeding down the highways with rockets of ice and snow flying off their non-cleared roofs and windows into the path of oncoming traffic. Icy roads present a threat to innocent individuals who are at the mercy of people who are driving too fast or carelessly under the conditions whereupon they cause catastrophic Philadelphia car accidents, wrongfully injuring and killing others. Although the Philadelphia weather service reported a 1/4 inch or more of ice accumulation on the roadways, that did not deter many people from speeding and carelessly spinning out into other vehicles. I myself witnessed a crash this morning that was predictable as I saw another vehicle pass me on the right side at a high rate of speed before careening or sliding into another vehicle causing substantial property damage.

Pennsylvania has a subjective and arbitrary traffic rule that can punish drivers for “driving too fast for conditions” even though at the time they may not necessarily be exceeding the posted speed limit.

As an experienced Pennsylvania car accident lawyer, I believe it is reasonable to expect that drivers should operate at slower speeds and more carefully under adverse and icy conditions. Last year in Pennsylvania there were over 8,000 accidents as a result of aggressive driving on snowy, slushy, or ice covered highways due to motorists tailgating, speeding, or making careless lane changes. As a matter of fact, last winter I was driving down the Atlantic City Expressway during snowy conditions when another vehicle cut me off. I lost control of my car and rolled down a ditch. The other vehicle sped away and I sustained thousands of dollars of damage to my vehicle but was lucky to have suffered no personal injury. It makes sense that getting frustrated and driving aggressively on snow or ice is not likely to save you time, but in fact, will cause problems. If you start to slide on ice, try not to panic and steer the wheel in the direction that you want the front end to go to straighten out the vehicle.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident due to aggressive winter driving or a snow missile flying off another vehicle, it is likely that the other vehicle is traveling too fast for the conditions and a proper cause of negligence and liability may exist. The experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyers of Reiff & Bily always offer a free, no obligation consultation and a no recovery, zero fee guarantee. For more information contact us online at www.reiffandbily.com or toll free at 1-800-421-9595.

As 2010 comes to a close and the holidays are quickly approaching, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued loyalty, confidence, and trust, and wish you and your families a happy holiday season.

Christmas and the holiday season is generally about doing something extra for someone. At the Philadelphia catastrophic personal injury law firm of Reiff & Bily, we strive every day to make a difference in the lives of people who need our services. We have earned our reputation one case at a time. and we make a living by what we get for our clients but we really make and change lives by what we give.

May this holiday season wave a magic wand over your world and make everything softer and more beautiful.

Happy Holidays from Jeffrey Reiff, Raymond Bily, and our staff

For the second time in two weeks, another church van rolled over in a single vehicle accident after a tire blew out on a Georgia highway killing at least four individuals and injuring another 13 passengers. When the tire blew out, the van lost control striking the median, rolling over several times whereupon many passengers were ejected. The van was the notably troublesome 1987 Dodge Ram 3500 15-passenger van and was from Tabernacle Prayer and Deliverance in Columbus, GA.

We were involved in the prosecution of a similar case and call for the government and responsible automakers to take action to prevent senseless accidents such as these from happening in the future. Obviously the manufacturers continue to emphasize profits over safety and the government is sitting back failing to put into effect strict regulations concerning these death machines. The 15-passenger van in this experienced 15-passenger van rollover attorney’s opinion is perhaps the most dangerous vehicle on the roadways today killing innocent children and churchgoers. There is a 15-passenger church van rollover epidemic. In mid-September 2010, another 7 people were killed and 7 catastrophically injured when another church van rolled over.

The experienced 15-passenger van and SUV rollover lawyers of Reiff & Bily have known for a long time that 15-passenger vans continue to be one of the most unsafe vehicles on the road and suffer from a multitude of design defects that the manufacturers knew about. I have intimately shared the pain and loss of all too many parents, children, and churchgoers who are unknowing about these defects and dangers until the accident happens. Government research and research done by automobile manufacturers indicate there is a significant risk of rollover in 15-passenger vans when fully loaded. Many times, the 15-passenger van rollover crash occurs due to defective tires and inexperienced untrained drivers. The victims and the passengers of this unfortunate and tragic accident would be well advised to contact an experienced 15-passenger van rollover accident attorney to fully investigate this accident and recover proper compensation they rightfully deserve because the manufacturer of this van knew of the defects and continued to sell it and did not recall it. The 15-passenger van is extraordinarily easy to rollover when fully loaded because they have a high center of gravity and design defects create unsafe conditions and instability in a tire blowout or accident avoidance maneuver. Those injured or wrongfully killed have a legal right to hold the manufacturer responsible for physical and financial injuries and go a step further and make the manufacturer admit in court what they have known all along that these vehicles are not safe. Additionally, it is time for the government to take action as well and enforce regulations prohibiting the transport of church people or students in these vehicles as many other governments around the world have.

Seven people were killed and at least 7 other church members are catastrophically injured after a tire blew out on a 15-passenger church van resulting in a loss of control sending passengers tumbling and ejected out of the vehicle. Our hearts and prayers go out to the families of the victims and it saddens me as an experienced 15-passenger van rollover and accident lawyer every time I learn of another accident involving what I consider to be the most dangerous vehicle on the roadways of America today.

The experienced 15-passenger van accident and SUV rollover lawyers at Reiff & Bily have known for a long time simply that 15-passenger vans are one of the most unsafe vehicles on the road and suffer from a multitude of design defects.

We successfully handled a case almost completely identical to this accident involving another church group, and it is not surprising that the facts are almost identical. We have shared the pain and loss of all too many parents, children, and church-goers who are unknowing about these defects and dangers of the 15-passenger van until it is too late. Government research and research done by the automotive manufacturers indicates that there is significant risk of rollovers in 15-passenger vans when they are fully loaded. Most times, 15-passenger van rollover crashes occur due to defective tires and inexperienced and untrained drivers. The victims and their families of this unfortunate and tragic accident would be well advised to contact an experienced 15-passenger van accident and rollover attorney to fully investigate this accident and get them the proper compensation they rightfully deserve from the manufacturer of this van. The 15-passenger van is extraordinarily easy to roll over when loaded because they have a higher center of gravity and design defects create unsafe conditions and instability in an accident avoidance maneuver if a tire problem occurs such as news sources indicate existed here.

Our extensive research has revealed that manufacturers knew about these defects which was evidenced on internal documents. Yet, they continue to sell these defective vehicles due to high profit margin despite a minimal expenditure to fix the defect that they knew about even when their own test drivers and experts were being injured during testing procedures. Because these vehicles carry a large number of people and weight and the drivers are not required to have a special commercial driver’s license, they were generally a smart choice for transporting millions of school children and churchgoers across the United States until reports of rollover deaths in 15-passenger vans began rolling in. Those injured or wrongfully killed have the legal right to hold the manufacturers responsible for physical and financial injuries and go a step further and make the manufacturers admit in court what they have known all along, that these vehicles are simply not safe.

If you or a loved one has been injured or wrongfully killed in a 15-passenger van or rollover accident, please contact the experienced 15-passenger van rollover lawyers at Reiff & Bily for a free, no obligation consultation. We can provide references and free legal consultation. Our record of success speaks for itself. Please contact us at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

As an experienced Pennsylvania rollover lawyer who has investigated all too many accidents involving minivans and 15 passenger vans, I was sorry to learn of another catastrophic accident involving the tragic death of 5-year-old boy killed in yesterday’s horrific crash on the Pennsylvania Turnpike at milepost 303 in West Nantmeal Township, Pa. shortly after 4 p.m. This accident involved a Chrysler van which has a history of accidents/rollovers due to what we feel is an unstable design caused by a high center of gravity when fully loaded. This alleged design defect often results in an unstable vehicle in an accident avoidance maneuver, or if tire problem occurs. Our extensive research has revealed that the manufacturer knew about such defects. Yet they continue to sell these defective vehicles putting profits over safety, despite a minimal expenditure to fix the defect. Our hearts and prayers go out to those who were injured and died in this easily preventable accident.

If you or a loved one has suffered catastrophic injuries or wrongful death due to an SUV or van rollover, please contact one of our experienced Pennsylvania van rollover attorneys for a free no obligation consultation at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

Five Killed In Motorcycle Accident! These are headlines, that have every motorcycle enthusiast observing a moment of thought, prayer, compassion, and sorrow for the victims and the families involved in yesterdays Penn Township, Pennsylvania tragedy. Sunday’s accident on Route 72 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania involved a van and 6 motorcyclists, 5 of whom were killed.

In Pennsylvania, summer is upon us and so is the increase of motorcycle ridership on our streets and highways. Every week, the experienced Philadelphia motorcycle accident law firm of Reiff & Bily receives phone calls from motorcyclists who are catastrophically injured and unfortunately, from the families of individuals who were killed as a result of a motorcycle accident. According to news sources, so far this year Lancaster County, Pennsylvania has recorded 27 motorcycle deaths alone. That is an average of 2 deaths per week since the beginning of spring, and that is in just one of the states 67 counties.

The Pennsylvania motorcycle accident law firm of Reiff & Bily is committed to protecting the rights of motorcyclists. If you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle accident, contact one of our experienced Philadelphia motorcycle accident lawyers for a free no obligation consultation to fully evaluate your rights and options at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

Our hearts and prayers go out to the family Madina Sem, a Fels High School student who had completed her senior project in art therapy to rave reviews and then was tragically struck by an out of control vehicle that ran up on the highway and struck her as she was making her way home from school. Madina Sem, who was one of eight sisters born to Cambodian immigrants, was described as a beautiful young lovely lady. She was a mentor to other teens and helped them all through troubled times. According to news reports, at approximately 4:00 p.m. Ms. Medina got off the bus on Olney Avenue and 2nd Street and had just rounded the corner north on 2nd when she was struck by an out of control car that ran onto the sidewalk. As she lay bleeding on the sidewalk, her sister Melina Sem, 19, ran to the scene and stated that Madina was crying and asked what had happened to her. According to Philadelphia police, Ms. Sem was hit by a car that was struck by another vehicle in a Philadelphia car accident at the intersection suffering multiple fractures and head trauma. She was transported to Albert Einstein Medical Center where her family was informed that she needed immediate surgery to reduce brain swelling. However, at approximately 10:00 p.m., the doctors informed the family that she “did not make it”. News sources reveal that the motorists were also taken to Einstein for treatment of minor injuries and no charges have been filed as the police investigation continues.

Continue reading "Popular And Successful Philadelphia High School Teenager Killed By Runaway Car After Receiving Rave Reviews On Her Senior Project" »

Trailer detachments are becoming more regular occurrences in Pennsylvania and nationwide. This experienced Philadelphia car accident and defective trailer accident lawyer calls for more Pennsylvania Commonwealth and national regulation with teeth. In the latest event which occurred on March 14, 2010, state police in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania reported that a trailer came loose from a passing pickup truck, striking an artist who was carving a wooden sculpture. The 46-year old Pennsylvania artist was using a chainsaw and wearing heavy ear protection when the trailer broke free from the passing truck striking him. Pennsylvania police state that the truck hit a divot in the road and the trailer detached hitting the artist. The force of the detached trailer striking the Pennsylvania artist was so great that he was pinned against a building and died of massive injuries later at the hospital. The investigators are attempting to determine if the trailer was properly attached to the truck.

The family of 46-year old John Metzler, the victim, would be well advised to seek the services of an experienced defective trailer and Pennsylvania car accident lawyer to fully investigate the facts of this case to determine who may be liable for his injuries.

Several factors are known to cause trailer accidents - operator behavior, mechanical failure, design defects or limitations, uninspected damages, improper repairs, metallurgical component failures, improper operation, improper training, improper maintenance procedure, lack of safety harnesses and/or chains, failure of safety lock, failure of hitch, improper height or weight restrictions, corrosion of parts, improper assembly, overloading the trailer, abrupt start and stopping, and violation of applicable state codes.

There is no federal law or national agency administrating trailer defect accidents. There are no known general or uniform reporting requirements and the trailer industry is highly unregulated. There are important questions that must be answered and explored demanding a team of experienced defective trailer investigators and experts to determine how and why the accident occurred. It is important to bring wrongdoers to justice and to make sure victims are fully compensated for resulting injuries.

For more information regarding dangerous trailers, please visit consumer advocate Ron Melancon's website www.dangeroustrailers.org.

A Buick Regal speeding out of control in drag race type fashion slammed into a Toyota Camry westbound on Vine Street at its intersection with N. 16th Street tragically killing two innocent victims. According to police, the crash happened at 5:00 a.m. on March 18, 2010, when the Buick speeding northbound on 16th Street ran a red light and slammed into the Toyota Camry which was westbound on Vine Street. The two men in the Camry were pronounced dead at the scene. Their bodies remained in the mangled vehicle for hours while police conducted their investigation. The two men in the Buick jumped into a Pontiac which sped away down the nearby ramp to westbound Vine Street Expressway. The police found a hand gun in the Buick which is registered to an undisclosed Philadelphia address.
Our hearts and prayers go out to the victims of this tragic incident. We will closely follow this story as police continue to investigate. The families of the innocent deceased victims would be well advised to seek the services of an experienced catastrophic injury and car accident lawyer to fully investigate this claim and to work with the authorities to make sure their interests are properly protected.

Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman has scheduled a news conference to detail vehicular homicide charges, including multiple counts of reckless endangerment, against a school bus driver Frederick Poust III. Poust was at the wheel of a Perkiomen Valley School Bus carrying 45 students on the morning of February 17, 2010 when it collided with an oncoming car killing the passenger in the car and catastrophically injuring the driver.

As I noted in a prior blog, the school bus driver had been behind the wheel in another fatal accident a decade ago. In the previous fatal accident, the school bus driver was dialing his girlfriend on his cell phone when his Ford Explorer blew through a stop sign in Bucks County crashing into another car and killing a two-year old girl.

As it appears to this experienced Philadelphia car accident and school bus accident lawyer, the school bus company nor the responsible individuals did any background check on this driver’s past history. With the easy availability of driver records and a simple background check, perhaps this accident may have been avoided and the tragic loss of lives prevented.

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.

According to news sources a two vehicle car accident in Chester County claimed the life of a 59-year old Maryland man on Monday, September 28, 2009 at approximately 4:37 p.m. in East Nottingham Township. According to the news sources, a 2004 blue Chevrolet Cavalier driven by Kristia McMichael, 34, of Rising Sun Maryland was traveling westbound on Forge Road approaching its intersection with Hopewell Road which had a stop sign. Terrance Duncan, 43, of East Nottingham Township was traveling westbound on Hopewell Road in a 1994 black Toyota Tacoma. Police noted that as Duncan entered the intersection, McMichael entered directly in front of his Toyota, which struck McMichael’s Chevy on the passenger’s side door. McMichael’s passenger, her father, Larry McMichael was pronounced dead at the scene and Kristia McMichael was taken to Christiana Hospital for moderate injuries. Duncan was uninjured. The investigation is continuing.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of this tragic car accident. They would be well advised to seek the services of an experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyer to fully investigate the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.

The experienced car accident lawyers of Reiff & Bily have been successfully representing catastrophically injured victims of car accidents since 1979. For more information, please contact us for a free no obligation consultation at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

Twenty children were overloaded in a 15-passenger van operated by a driver from Kids Clubhouse Daycare that did not have a license. The full capacity of the van was actually 14 people. Additionally, the children were not seat belted. According to news source, the driver will face multiple traffic charges including running a red light and allowing children to sit in the van without seat belts. As a result of an intersectional collision, the van flipped over causing catastrophic injuries to the children inside of the van.

As I have written and spoken about for many years now, 15-passenger vans used to transport church groups and children are simply not safe and in this experienced 15-passenger van rollover lawyer’s opinion, simply death traps and their inherent defective vehicle design is the cause of accidents waiting to happen. 15-passenger vans have been banned by many governmental authorities and most states, as well as military authorities. As a matter of fact, many insurance carriers refuse to provide insurance for the same.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims in this unfortunate 15-passenger van rollover accident and they would be well advised to seek the services of an experienced 15-passenger van rollover attorney to help them investigate the claim and prosecute the wrongdoers.

If you or a loved one has been injured as the result of a 15-passenger van rollover accident, please contact one of our experienced Philadelphia 15-passenger van rollover attorneys for a free no obligation consultation at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

According to news sources, a Philadelphia man, Russell Dawson 44-years old, was arrested and charged with vehicular homicide in the deaths of a 91-year old man and his 84-year old wife in a September 21st crash in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. Police said that the investigation determined that “Dawson was the direct and substantial cause of the crash that fatally injured the couple on their way home." Police stated that the couple were headed north on Street Road when their car was struck by Dawson’s vehicle as he tried to make a left hand turn from Hulmeville Road.

This experienced Philadelphia car accident sends his heartfelt condolences to the family of Robert and Ann Clayton who were enjoying the golden years of their life until this tragic accident. The law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is clear that a vehicle making a left hand turn must yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic.

The families and survivors of the Claytons would be well advised to seek the advice of an experienced car accident attorney to investigate this claim in greater detail to determine the rights and remedies available to them under law.

If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of a car accident, please contact one of our experienced car accident lawyers for a free no obligation consultation at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

A violent two car accident tragically took the life of an 84-year old woman and her 91-year old husband on August 25, 2009 in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. According to news reports, Robert Clayton was a passenger in a 2000 Chrysler driven by his wife, Ann, when it was hit by a van at the intersection of Hulmeville and State Roads at 3:15 p.m. on August 25th. Mr. Clayton of Bensalem died of head injuries and his wife passed away the following morning. The initial by the police revealed that a GMC van operated by Russell Dawson, age 42, was traveling south on Hulmeville Road before it attempted to make a left hand turn on Street Road towards I-95. The experienced car accident lawyers of Reiff & Bily send their heartfelt thoughts and prayers to the families of the Robert and Ann Clayton who died as a result of this tragic accident. We offer our deepest sympathies to everyone who knew and loved Robert and Ann.

Based upon the initial report, it appears that the van making a left hand turn into oncoming traffic failed to yield the right of way and was at fault in this tragic Pennsylvania van and car accident. The law of Pennsylvania is clear that a vehicle making a left hand turn owes a duty to yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic. Failing to yield the right-of-way and making an unexpected left turn can often lead to tragic and fatal consequences such as presented in this case.

Since 1979, the experienced car accident lawyers at Reiff & Bily have recovered significant monetary damages for the unfortunate victims and their families in instances of left hand turn car accidents in Pennsylvania. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, please contact one of our experienced attorneys for a free no obligation consultation at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

The experienced Philadelphia car accident and motorcycle accident lawyers at Reiff & Bily send their heartfelt thoughts and prayers to the families of Ronald Eaton, 45, and his wife Peggy Eaton, 41, who were pronounced dead at the scene of a catastrophic and fatal motorcycle versus SUV accident in York County, Pennsylvania. On Sunday August 23rd, at 3:30 p.m., according to news sources, the eastbound SUV made a left hand turn in front of the motorcycle and collided with the motorcycle traveling westbound. Corporal William Tucker said that neither husband nor wife was wearing a helmet. In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the law clearly states that any vehicle making a left turn must yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic. We offer our deepest sympathies to everyone who knew and loved Ronald and Peggy.

Based upon the newspaper report, it appears that the SUV making a left hand turn into oncoming traffic failed to yield the right-of-way and was at fault in this tragic Pennsylvania SUV and motorcycle accident. It would be highly recommended that the families of these unfortunate victims consult with an experienced Pennsylvania personal injury and car accident lawyer specializing in motorcycle and car accidents who could properly advise them about their legal rights and options.

The Philadelphia car accident and motorcycle lawyers at Reiff & Bily have been analyzing car accident and motorcycle cases successfully since 1979. If in fact it is determined that the left hand turn of the SUV into oncoming traffic was the proximate cause of the accident then the owner and/or operator of the SUV could be held liable for the Eatons’ fatal injuries and the survivors of the Eatons would be entitled to collect monetary damages.

If you or a loved one has been injures as the result of a car accident or motorcycle accident, please contact one of our experienced car accident and motorcycle accident lawyers at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

As an experienced car accident attorney since 1979, I have long written and argued about teenagers, or for that matter any other driver, distracted from the roadway while texting, operating a cell phone or in this unfortunate case of catastrophic injury and wrongful death, fiddling with an iPod. According to news source, Nicole Gallo, age 19, died instantly on Friday, August 14, 2009 and her best friend Christine Bochanski, 20 years, was rendered in extremely critical condition after they were hit from behind by Rachel Jankins. According to news reports, Ms. Jankins struck the two friends while they were walking out of Delaware County Memorial Hospital at 11:15 a.m. on Friday, August 14th, as she was reaching down for her iPod and was not paying attention and lost control of her vehicle. Upper Darby Police Superintendent, Michael J. Chitwood stated that “This was a tragedy that happened because of stupidity and inattentive driving”. This experienced Philadelphia car accident attorney agrees with Police Superintendent Chitwood. A motor vehicle operated by someone not giving their full attention to the road ahead or multitasking can easily become an instrument of tragic consequences.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of Christine Bochanski and Nicole Gallo. It is our hope that anyone who learns of this story understands the importance of focusing your full undivided attention on driving and only driving when operating a motor vehicle.

The experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyers of Reiff & Bily have been representing catastrophically injured victims in Pennsylvania since 1979. If you or a loved one has been catastrophically injured or killed in a car accident, please contact us for a free no obligation consultation at www.reiffandbily.com or at 1-800-421-9595.

Our thoughts, hearts and prayers go out to the families of individuals who were catastrophically injured and killed as a result of a single vehicle15-passenger van rollover. According to news sources, the 15-passenger van rolled over several times and came to rest on its top in a ditch on the south side of I-70 in Columbia, MO. According to news sources, Evonne Manner-Wilson, 49, of Sanford, Florida was killed in the crash. Ms. Wilson was allegedly a passenger in the vehicle, seated in the third row on the passenger side. She was still inside the vehicle when it came to rest. The vehicle was a 2001 Dodge Ram van and the driver was identified as Kevin Leeks of Leesburg, Florida. He was inside the van as well and had to be extricated from the van by fire personnel. There were a total of 13 occupants in the van at the time of the crash and 7 of the occupants were transported to the hospital. The 15-passenger van was part of a caravan traveling from the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota back to Florida. News sources state there was no indication that the driver was impaired by alcohol or any other substance.

For many years, the experienced 15-passenger van accident and SUV rollover lawyers at Reiff & Bily have been representing passengers who have been catastrophically injured or killed by traveling in a 15-passenger van that is perhaps the most unsafe vehicle on the roadway today. The rollover risk proposed by the 15-passenger van, including those predominantly used by church groups, school groups and other unsuspecting groups, makes it beyond question one of the most dangerous vehicles out on our roadways.

Continue reading "Another 15-Passenger Van Rollover Claims The Life Of An Occupant And Catastrophically Injures Others - Experienced Rollover Attorney Weighs In" »

The experienced car accident and motorcycle accident lawyers at Reiff & Bily send their heartfelt thoughts and prayers to the family of 23-year old Bryan M. Loeffler who was struck and killed while on his motorcycle by a driver traveling in the wrong direction on Route 30 in Hanover Township, Beaver County, Pennsylvania. According to news sources, the State Police at the Beaver Barracks revealed that the crash happened at 8:40 p.m. on Sunday, August 9th. 19-year old Jonathan Hogue was driving west in the eastbound lane of Route 30 just north of Platt Road trying to pass westbound traffic. While in the oncoming lane, Hogue struck the 23-year old motorcycle driver and collided head on with another vehicle driven by 26-year old Nadia Diboun. Hogue then crossed back into the westbound lane of Route 30 causing minor damage to another vehicle.

As an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer and as an experienced motorcycle rider since my young teen years, it is easily preventable and almost unexplainable tragic accidents such as this which create the biggest nightmare for motorcyclists and other drivers. In this instance, the motorcyclist did nothing wrong and was a sitting duck for a driver who apparently had no regard for the safety of others on the highway when he attempted to pass traffic in the wrong lane of oncoming traffic. I am sure that officials are looking into whether or not the driver of the car that struck Bryan Loeffler was driving recklessly or driving under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicating substances. I would recommend that the family of Bryan Loeffler be well advised to contact an experienced Pennsylvania motorcycle accident lawyer to fully investigate this accident.

The Pennsylvania motorcycle accident attorneys at Reiff & Bily would be glad to provide a free comprehensive consultation and evaluation of their claim with no obligation. If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident or car accident, please contact one of our experienced lawyers at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Donald E. Johnston, 38, who was pronounced dead as a result of being involved in a motorcycle accident in Hempfield Township, PA on Saturday, August 1, 2009 when a Volvo operated by Elizabeth Floro, age 50, turned into him. I offer my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Donald Johnston for their tragic and heartbreaking loss and we ask that you please keep them in your prayers.

Regardless of who had the right of way in this fatal Pennsylvania motorcycle accident, it was the rider Donald Johnston who paid the ultimate price. I have been a motorcycle rider since I was a young lad and I am always concerned for myself and other motorcycle riders that we are highly visible while on the highway. All motorcyclists must be constantly aware that often car and truck drivers, for numerous reasons, are distracted or do not see them on the road and will often make quick and darting turns in front of them. In fact, I had to once lay my bike down due to the fact that an oncoming vehicle make a quick and darting left hand turn in front of me. Fortunately, I did not sustain serious injuries. However, many times in our office, we are faced with other motorcycle drivers who have sustained catastrophic injuries and many time fatalities.

In this case, the most likely scenario is that the driver of the Volvo will be held civilly liable for Donald Johnston’s death. The family of Mr. Johnston would be well advised to consult with an experienced Pennsylvania motorcycle accident attorney who will investigate the claim and fight for his rights and determine whether or not negligence or reckless driving can be attributed to the driver of the car that caused this tragic motorcycle collision. The Philadelphia motorcycle and car accident lawyers at Reiff & Bily always offer a free and comprehensive initial consultation to injured victims and their families in cases where the negligence of the wrongdoers is involved. Families of deceased victims may also be eligible to file wrongful death claims to properly compensate the victim’s family for medical or funeral expenses, lost wages and other related expenses.

If you or a loved has been involved in a motorcycle accident, please contact one of our experienced motorcycle accident lawyers at Reiff & Bily at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

According to a news sources, Meghan L. Obendorfer, 18, was exceeding the speed limit on a rain slicked creek road in East Brandywine Township at 4:30 p.m. on April 14th when she failed to negotiate a curve and slid into the path of a school bus in the opposite lane. Obendorfer’s passenger, Nicholette Pomon, 17, of Downingtown, who was 9 months pregnant, was pronounced dead at the scene and a certificate of fatal death was issued to her nearly full term baby daughter. The driver of the school bus was treated for injuries. The driver of the vehicle was charged with homicide by vehicle, reckless driving and marijuana possession. Phone records indicated that the driver Obendorfer received 39 messages and calls in the hour preceding the crash and text messages indicated she was en route to deliver marijuana.

I have written many times in the past about the dangers of text messaging and using a cell phone when driving and this is an extreme example of the dangers and resulting catastrophic injuries and wrongful death that can occur.

Our hearts and prayers go out to the family of Nicolette Pomon and the experienced car accident lawyers at Reiff & Bily strongly urge Pennsylvania legislators to follow the lead in New Jersey and other states in banning the use of cell phones while operating a motor vehicle.

The family of Nicolette Pomon would be well advised to seek the services of an experienced car accident lawyer who can investigate this matter and protect the rights of Nicolette Pomon and her family. Please contact one of the experienced car accident lawyers of Reiff & Bily at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

According to a recent story I read results from a 2009 GMAC Insurance national driver’s test found that roughly 41,000,0000 licensed American drivers cannot pass a written driver’s test exam if taken today. While Ohio, Idaho and Wisconsin are the most knowledgeable drivers, Pennsylvania scored number 16 on the worst drivers in America. The finding is quite significant and alarming due to the fact that many licensed Americans continue to lack knowledge of the rules of the road, added to the fact that many accidents are occurring involving uninsured motorists/ drivers. Make sure that your automobile insurance policy properly protects you in the event you are a victim of a car accident.

For a free insurance check-up, please contact the experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyers at Reiff & Bily at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

Many innocent victims and families are driving Chrysler and GM cars that have potentially dangerous defects that no one knows about yet. They are “ticking time bombs”. The Chrysler and GM bankruptcy rushes forward in a dangerous fashion to many unsuspecting Americans. The safety of the American public is being compromised by the existence a very dangerous ticking time bomb bankruptcy loophole. The GM and Chrysler bankruptcy plans contain legal loopholes that will shield Chrysler and GM from being held accountable for defective cars and products that are ticking time bombs for families. The bankruptcy plans take away a critical public safety protection that has been used to reduce the number of Americans hurt or killed from defective vehicles. Presently there are 40,000,000 Chrysler and GM cars on the road, some of which tragically will have defects that will injure or kill people. Historical data compiled through the National Highway Safety Administration indicates that 47% of all death and injury claims filed against automobile manufacturers involve Chrysler and GM cars.

In the last five years, research has indicated that these claims involve 3,497 casualties connected to Chrysler cars and 15,284 connected to GM cars. Examples of such casualties include seat belts that fail and strangle children, seat backs that collapse and cause brain injury, unstable vehicles that flip causing roofs to cave in crushing occupants, and cars with gears that “self shift” from park to reverse and end up running people over and gasoline or brake fluid containers that are improperly positioned and catch fire or explode severely burning or killing the occupants.

Continue reading "Experienced Pennsylvania Product Liability Lawyers Claim That Bankruptcy Of GM And Chrysler Severely Compromises Public Safety" »

On May 5, 2009, Arthur Burrus, age 49, tragically lost his life to an intoxicated hit and run driver. According to news sources, Luciano Rios, 30 years old, from Croyden, PA fled the initial scene of the accident, struck a barrier flipping his BMW, struck another car and twice more tried to escape police. Rios was speeding east on Erie Avenue in Philadelphia, PA at 8:30 p.m. when he struck Mr. Burrus who was walking southbound across Erie at 9th Street. Mr. Burrus was struck with such force that he was thrown 173 feet into the air and severed one of his legs, causing the 2007 BMW operated by Mr. Rios to go out of control secondarily striking a Dodge Durango occupied by 6 other people and then turned up right. A search of the criminal docket reveals that on February 19, 2005, Luciano Rios was also previously charged with DUI with a blood alcohol content of .10 to .16 to which he pled guilty.

I am noticing an interesting trend in my practice noting with particular interest that in the last few months we have seen many cases involving repeat DUI offenders with minimal insurance coverage or no insurance at all where innocent victims have been catastrophically injured or killed. In one of our recent cases, a gentleman with a substantial criminal record was traveling northbound on a highway at a high rate of speed while intoxicated and his vehicle flipped over, crossed the highway, killed the driver of the vehicle and placed the passenger in a vegetative coma.

Alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes kill an individual approximately every ½ hour and non-fatally but catastrophically injure someone in America every 10 minutes. Individuals driving while intoxicated, otherwise known as DUI, are responsible for more than 1/3 of all traffic deaths in this country. Believe it or not, the current law actually benefits those who leave the scene of an accident when intoxicated.

Continue reading "Hit and Run In Philadelphia - Enough Is Enough! Penalties Need More “Teeth”" »

Since 2005, more than a dozen pedestrians have been killed on Route 13 in Pennsylvania. Route 13 was deemed by PennDOT as the most dangerous road to walk across in Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, this past Monday evening, a woman walking her bicycle across Route 13 in Bristol, Pennsylvania, was killed when she was struck by a vehicle in front STS Tire and Auto Center between Bath Road and Route 213. Ten days ago, another fatal pedestrian accident occurred on Route 13, less than a mile from the scene of Monday’s accident when a 28-year old woman was killed by an SUV as she was attempting to cross Route 13. That accident was hit and run and remains under investigation. The week before that incident, two pedestrians were seriously injured when they were struck by a car on Route 13 within blocks of Monday’s accident.

Unfortunately as I have written in the past, hit and run accidents are becoming epidemic in Philadelphia and many other surrounding suburbs. People drive irresponsibly and often leave the scene of the accident when they are intoxicated, uninsured or for some other no good reason. After all, why would anyone leave the scene of a hit and run accident when there is no good reason.

Our hearts and prayers go out to the families of Jennifer Harley, and the other innocent victims who have been injured or killed as the result of negligent drivers not paying attention on Route 13.

The Philadelphia car accident lawyers at the Philadelphia hit and run and uninsured motorist law firm of Reiff & Bily are committed to protecting the rights of car accident victims since 1979. For a free consultation, please contact us at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

As an experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyer representing hit and run victims since 1979, it seems that not a day goes by where I am not receiving a phone call or inquiry about a hit and run accident on the streets of Philadelphia. Unfortunately, the string of bad news continued when on June 3, 2009 another victim was claimed by a hit and run driver at approximately 12:03 a.m. as she was crossing Roosevelt Boulevard at or near Rising Sun Avenue. Initial reports indicate that the 30-year old victim was hit by a Gold or Silver Pontiac or Oldsmobile as one or both of two vehicles that were apparently racing each other down the Boulevard, struck the innocent victim and fled the scene. Like any other irresponsible hit and run driver, in this case both drivers kept running rather than stopping. Our hearts and prayers go out to the family of the innocent victim and suggest that this family would be well advised to seek representation from an experienced hit and run lawyer to assist in investigating the situation and properly protecting their legal rights and interests. As stated before, there is never a good reason for not stopping after being involved in a car accident unless you are doing something wrong.

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

Typically when we think of summertime, we think of perfect weather, sunshine, , relaxation, gin and tonics, picnics, days at the pool or beach and nothing but smiles. Unfortunately after Memorial Day weekend, the highways are more crowded as people flock to their beaches, picnics and social gatherings which also may be accompanied by increased drinking and other social libations that do not mix well with driving. Additionally with summertime comes bar and drinking season which is in full swing as people let loose after work and on weekends at outdoor cafes, night clubs and other social gatherings as they recover from the months of winter hibernation. Not so surprisingly, summertime is usually the time that sees the highest number of catastrophic injuries and fatalities as a result of car accidents, as well as motorcycle accidents. When driving on the highways in the summer, it is important to note that many asphalt roads and highways have an oil residue on their surface or beneath their surface which rises with increased heat from the sunshine. When it rains and the water contacts this oil residue, a very slippery surface is formed and if it has not rained in a long time, there is more oil on the road for the water to contend with creating a very unsafe oil/water reaction which also leads to hydroplaning and loss of vehicle control.

Continue reading "Summertime In Pennsylvania Brings More Crowded Highways And Also More Accidents" »

In an effort to keep our readers updated, the Philadelphia car accident attorneys of Reiff & Bily wish to call attention to the fact that now may be a better time than ever to purchase automobile insurance in Pennsylvania. An insurance.com, Insurance Rate Watch survey indicated that on average annual automobile insurance rates fell in March by $103 to $1872 a year, a welcome decrease from rates in October. The March Rate Watch data noted that automobile insurance rates dropped in 19 states. This decline represented a continued shift in the insurance cycle. As a casual observer and someone intimately involved in the business of representing car accident victims, I have noticed on television lately that a rate war seems to be existing between many insurance carriers, most notably 21st Century (the named successor to AIG). 21st Century has seemingly taken a very aggressive approach to marketing and selling automobile insurance.

I have also started to notice the presence online, most notably at shopathome.com, for discounts and coupons applicable to the purchase of automobile insurance. The availability of lower rates is causing many consumers to shop for new auto insurance policies forcing the insurance companies to be more competitive. I have found that when you shop for car insurance rather than renew your current policy, it is almost certain that your new rates would be lower on average than the old rates you were quoted by your present carrier.

Continue reading "Philadelphia Car Accident Attorney Jeffrey Reiff Notes That The Economic Downturn Creates A Buying Opportunity For Car Insurance At Decreasing Rates" »

On Friday, May 8, 2009, a woman was killed and four other people were injured in a single vehicle SUV rollover accident. The driver of a Ford Explorer lost control, crossed over the center line, left the roadway whereupon the SUV flipped over multiple times before striking a fence and landing on its side. All of the occupants of the vehicle were ejected during the crash. A female passenger was pronounced dead at the scene. Another man was airlifted to a hospital in critical condition.

Marketing campaigns indicate that SUVs are safe and family friendly but the experienced SUV rollover lawyers at Reiff & Bily will tell you that they are anything but safe. SUVs are highly prone to tipping over, even during normal driving maneuvers because they have heavier bodies and higher centers of gravity. SUVs are the only motor vehicle with a rollover fatality rate higher than any other category of fatality indicated by this unfortunate situation. SUV rollover accidents are catastrophic and most often result in fatalities. Rollovers increase the chances that victims will be ejected from the motor vehicle. When someone is ejected the odds are normally increased that a victim will sustain a head injury or spinal cord injury with permanent catastrophic consequences.

If you have been injured in an SUV rollover or 15-passenger van rollover accident, you are legally entitled to financial costs. The experienced Philadelphia-based SUV rollover lawyers at Reiff & Bily represents clients throughout Pennsylvania and the United States in conjunction with other law firms works on a contingent fee basis, charging a small percentage of the recovery. We have successfully handled thousands of car accident and rollover accidents. Please call us for a free no obligation consultation at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

Nine individuals were hospitalized with injuries after a high speed crash scene involving an SUV went wrong on the set of a film in New York featuring Nicholas Cage. An SUV operated by a well trained ans skilled stunt driver went out of control and smashed into a parked car on the set in Times Square in Manhattan, injuring crew members. This accident calls to note what the Philadelphia SUV rollover and car accident lawyers of Reiff & Bily have known for many years, mainly that SUV’s are more likely than other vehicles to be involved in accidents and rollovers.

SUV’s are more prone to tipping over even during normal driving maneuvers because they have heavier bodies and heavier centers of gravity. They are the only motor vehicle with a rollover fatality rate higher than any other category of fatality. Even with trained stunt drivers operating them, accidents are likely to occur.

SUV accidents normally result in catastrophic injuries and often result in a fatality. Not so surprisingly, SUV rollover victims are two times as likely to die or suffer serious and catastrophic injuries than motor vehicle collision victims involved in normal flat crashes.

Continue reading "Even Stunt Drivers Have Problems Controlling SUVs" »

I learned of a second hit and run car accident death in Philadelphia in just over two days. As an experienced hit and run car accident attorney in Philadelphia practicing since 1979, I believe that the number of hit and run deaths and injuries in Philadelphia is rising to almost epidemic proportions. This time a victim in his mid-20's was struck at about 2:00 a.m. in the northbound lanes of Roosevelt Boulevard at 9th Street in Logan. On Tuesday night, another innocent pedestrian was struck and killed on Erie Avenue in the Tioga Nicetown section of the city and was hit so hard by a speeding BMW that one of his legs was ripped off. Thankfully, the police were able to apprehend and charge an allegedly wasted driver identified as Luciano Rios of Croydon, Bucks County, in that fatality.

In Pennsylvania, a ”hit and run” accident is a crime committed by a fleeing driver. In most instances, the experienced Philadelphia hit and run accident lawyers at Reiff & Bily find that drivers may choose not to stop after being involved in a car accident for a number of reasons, including but not limited to, the driver may be driving without auto insurance or a driver’s license or there may be an outstanding warrant for the driver’s arrest or that the driver may be so wasted on drugs or other mind-altering substances that if he stopped he would be convicted of a crime. There is never a good reason for not stopping after being involved in a car accident.

Our hearts and prayers go out to these unfortunate victims of hit and run accidents. The Philadelphia hit and run injury law firm of Reiff & Bily has received many accolades from highly regarded organizations and has developed expertise in investigating and representing individuals and victims who have been catastrophically injured or killed in hit and run accidents. The experienced hit and run injury lawyers at Reiff & Bily are the recipients of Martindale Hubble’s prestigious “AV” rating. We work on a contingent fee basis, charging only a small percentage of the recovery.

If you or a loved one has been a victim of a hit and run accident, please schedule a free consultation with the experienced Philadelphia hit and run accident lawyers at Reiff & Bily by contacting us at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

The experienced personal injury and car accident lawyers of Reiff & Bily have successfully handled thousands of cases since 1979 and have investigated or queried tens of thousands of potential insurance claim cases.

Reiff & Bily focuses its practice on serious personal injury claims throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and works with other law firms throughout the United States. When cases are presented to our office we provide a free initial consultation to review the merits of each personal injury and wrongful death claim and afterwards our staff thoroughly screens and investigates each potential case to evaluate its merits. We are extraordinarily selective in the cases that we accept so that we can fully dedicate our resources to cases that have the highest probability of achieving a successful outcome.

Lately, an interesting phenomena has started to occur with increasing frequency. I find that the downturn in the economy has resulted in an increase of calls by people whose claims have no merit and who are looking to a personal injury lawyer or the legal system as a quick fix for their economic troubles. Unfortunately, many of these claims are of a frivolous nature and scream of insurance fraud or “little white lies” that cause an increase in premiums for the responsible people who do not bring such claims. When I receive one of these calls, I think to myself “Are you serious?” It is quite unsettling to this writer how unscrupulous and how dishonest many people can be which ends up costing those who do the right thing more money. Even telling a small white lie to an insurance company constitutes fraud in the opinion of this lawyer.

Continue reading "Something Strange But Really Not So Strange In The Current Financial Environment Is Occurring With Regard To Increased Number Of Frivolous and Meritless Insurance Claims Being Filed" »

There have been an increasing number of defective trailer cases in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and nationwide. On May 7, 2009, a wayward trailer slowed traffic after it became unhooked, spun out and flipped over, dumping its contents on the roadway. The trailer was being hauled by a Dodge Durango. Although no other vehicles were involved in this accident, what would have happened if this trailer hit another vehicle or a school bus? Fortunately, this accident occurred at 5:00 a.m. when the roads are normally empty.

Unfortunately, the defective trailer and car accident lawyers at Reiff & Bily have participated in cases where other victims were not so lucky and there were multiple catastrophic injuries and wrongful deaths. If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident involving a loose trailer, defective trailer, or has sustained catastrophic and serious injuries as a result of a car accident, please feel free to contact the Philadelphia car accident lawyers at Reiff & Bily for a free no obligation consultation at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

Michelle Kott of North Strabane Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania died after the car she was driving was hit by a trailer which came loose from a pickup truck and crossed over a median on Route 19. An investigation by the police revealed that the trailer became dislodged from the truck as the driver of the pickup truck applied his brakes causing the trailer to rotate around the driver side of the vehicle, causing it to break free of the truck and cross over a cement median. The truck went up over the hood of the Kott vehicle and through the windshield. The young mother sustained massive head fractures, eye and ankle injuries, and an abdominal blood clot. The driver of the pickup truck, Ryan Bier, told investigators in North Strabane that he “felt the trailer pulling hard on the side and then heard a loud pop”. Our hearts go out to the family of Michelle Kott and the passengers in her vehicle.

The experience defective trailer lawyers at the Philadelphia defective trailer law firm of Reiff & Bily have had extensive experience representing victims that have been injured or killed as a result of trailer accidents.

Continue reading "Trailer Breaks Free From Pickup Truck And Kills Woman After Going Through Her Windshield" »

According to my research, there have been approximately 5,000 cases of drivers leaving the scene of a car accident through May 3, 2009. Last year, there were 14,707 hit and run accidents where drivers left the scene. As an experienced hit and run accident and car accident lawyer since 1979, I can honestly state that I have never been so depressed with the state of affairs surrounding hit and runs as I have been lately. There is nothing more upsetting than when I am contacted by a parent who has lost a child or a family that has lost a father, mother or grandmother. In my opinion, nothing comes close to the loss of a child. A recent hit and run death in Philadelphia took the life of Calvin Wilkerson, an 18-year old, who was run down by a van on 9th Street and Hunting Park Avenue as he walked home last week.

Unfortunately, the current state of affairs with regard to Pennsylvania law encourages somebody to leave the scene of an accident. Under the current Pennsylvania law, the penalty for leaving the scene of an accident is one year in jail. But if the same driver stays at the scene to render assistance and is found to be under the influence of alcohol or intoxicating substance, the penalty can be as much as five years. Obviously, a person irresponsible enough to drive under the influence of alcohol is irresponsible enough to leave the scene of an accident and if that person is apprehended after they have sobered up, they would be facing a much lesser penalty. Representative David Reed recently sponsored a piece of legislation raising the minimum sentence for fleeing the scene of an fatal accident from one to five years.

As an experienced car accident lawyer investigating hit and run accidents for over 30 years, I have noticed that many people leave the scene of a hit and run accident for many reasons. Most likely they have outstanding warrants, no car insurance or are drunk and operating a motor vehicle under the influence of an intoxicating substance. The applicable motor vehicle statute in Pennsylvania clearly states “the driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting in the injury or death of any person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident or as close thereto as possible but shall then forthwith return to and in every instance remain at the scene of the accident so as to fulfill the requirements of Section 3744 of the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Code relating to the duty to give more information and render aid. Every stop should be made without obstructing traffic more than is necessary.”

Continue reading "Philadelphia Hit And Run Car Accident Epidemic And The Loopholes That Act As Enablers - Its Now Run Baby Run!" »

As springtime prom season and summer is upon us, more and more teenagers will be driving their vehicles. Many of them will be doing so irresponsibly and unlawfully under the influence of mind-altering substances or alcohol. As we all know, a car or other motor vehicle in the hands of an inexperienced operator brings with it its own set of problems and can be viewed by some as a weapon.

Researchers at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, The University of Pennsylvania and State Farm Insurance Companies commenced a massive effort known as the Keeping Young Drivers Safe project. The conclusion of the project was that most of the crashes involving teenagers are caused by distractions and/or inexperience. One of the biggest distractions to teenage drivers is the presence of other teens in the car and one study found that carrying one teenage passenger almost doubled the fatal crash risk of teen drivers. The risk increased unbelievably to five fold when two or more teenagers were in the car. As for inexperience, 16-year old drivers have crash rates three times higher than 17-year old drivers and 5 times higher than 18-year old drivers as the rate drops with age.

Continue reading "Car Accidents Are The Leading Cause of Death Among Teenagers" »

As noted in my previous blogs, the hit and run epidemic continues to plague innocent pedestrians and motorists on the streets and highways of Philadelphia and Pennsylvania. Early this week an allegedly drunk driver from Bucks County tried three times to flee authorities after fatally striking a Philadelphia man crossing the street. According to news sources, Luciano Rios, 30 years old, from Neshaminy Road in Croydon, Pennsylvania fled from the initial accident on Tuesday, May 5th flipping his BMW, striking another vehicle, and twice more trying to escape police. Sources reveal that Rios was speeding east on Erie Avenue in Philadelphia at 8:30 p.m when he struck a man who was walking southbound across Erie at 9th Street. The victim was struck with such force that he was thrown 173 feet into the air and one of his legs was severed, after which the 2007 BMW operated by the hit and run driver went out of control secondarily striking a Dodge Durango occupied by six people, and turned upright causing it to stop. Mr. Rios, the operator of the hit and run vehicle, was charged with leaving the scene of an accident and involuntary manslaughter, homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence and related offenses according to authorities. Philadelphia police noted that the hit and run driver had a strong odor of alcohol on his breath when apprehended. Our hearts and prayers go out to the family of Arthur Burrus, age 49, who tragically lost his life to an intoxicated hit and run driver.

I have mentioned in many of my earlier blogs that hit and run accidents are reaching epidemic levels in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania. Many times people fail to take responsibility for their actions most particularly when driving while intoxicated. We urge the family of Mr. Burrus to consult with an experienced hit and run car accident lawyer to fully investigate his case. There is a good chance that there is an underlying Dram Shop cause of action, as well as an action for third party negligence which would entitle his estate and survivors to receive financial compensation from the negligent party for injuries, pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost income and other associated damages.

Continue reading "Allegedly Drunk Driver Commits Hit and Run Accident Killing Philadelphia Man Crossing The Street And Tries To Flee Authorities Three Times - Hit And Run Epidemic Continues In Philadelphia" »

The experienced Philadelphia vehicle rollover lawyers at Reiff & Bily extend our deepest sympathy to the family of Zachary Stasik, an honor student at Kings College, who tragically lost his life in a single vehicle rollover crash on Interstate 81 in Pittston Township, Pennsylvania. According to news sources, Zachary Stasik and his girlfriend and another friend were on their way for an evening of enjoyment at the Scranton Cultural Center in Pennsylvania. Zachary Stasik, who was a back seat passenger in the car, was ejected when the car began rolling over a grassy median. I hope and pray that the other injured victims and passengers will get through this tough time and make a complete and quick recovery. The family of Mr. Stasik and the other injured victims would be well advised to contact an experienced car accident and rollover attorney who can help determine who was negligent and at fault for this single vehicle accident. It may turn out that there was a defect with this motor vehicle which caused the rollover.

A skilled car accident and rollover attorney will conduct an extensive investigation and accident reconstruction to determine who was at fault and will provide a free no obligation comprehensive consultation to any of the passengers and their families. Single vehicle rollover accidents are not uncommon and often result in catastrophic injuries and wrongful deaths. A rollover also increases the chances that a victim such as Zachary Stasik will be ejected from the motor vehicle.

The Philadelphia based lawyers at the law firm of Reiff & Bily represent clients throughout the United States and Pennsylvania and work on a contingent fee basis, charging a small percentage of the recovery. We do not get paid unless there is a successful recovery. We have handled thousands of automobile accidents since 1979 and multiple rollover cases with significant outcomes and have fought hard against the automobile manufacturers for catastrophic injuries and emotional damages sustained as a result of single vehicle rollovers. Please contact one of our experienced rollover attorneys if you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident or single vehicle rollover at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

At the Philadelphia car accident law firm of Reiff & Bily, our experienced lawyers have been handling traumatic brain injury cases for almost 30 years. Many times when one is involved in a serious car accident, an impact to the head results in an injury to the brain where it is located opposite to the side of the impact. While many people who sustain a traumatic head or brain injury appear to be fine after their accident, just as the recent case of Natasha Richardson revealed, many of these individuals will rapidly develop a variety of symptoms including headaches, nausea, dizziness, ringing in ears, blurred vision and problems with memory and concentration.

A brain injury can have a life-altering impact and long term consequences if not treated or properly diagnosed. Many times an injured individual is not even aware that he or she has suffered a traumatic brain injury and is often mis-diagnosed at an emergency room or by
a family physician.

Statistics reveal that over 50% of those who sustain a traumatic brain injury are diagnosed improperly which is a most frightening factor. It is stated that in excess of 53% of patients in the emergency room for the first time with a brain injury will fail to be diagnosed properly and may suffer an aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage according to a study published by The New England Journal of Medicine. Many times negligence of the health provider involves a failure to obtain or accurately interpret a diagnostic test which would have revealed a brain injury.

Continue reading "Rising Car Crash Statistics Across The Nation Also Results In Increasing Rate Of Traumatic Brain Injury" »

With the recent and growing economic downturn, many Americans, particularly those in Philadelphia and in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, have taken steps to reduce expenditures and it appears that one of the first areas being cut is automobile insurance. I find that many people have increased their insurance deductibles as well as selected lower coverage points and many motorists have opted not to purchase uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage often resulting in disastrous consequences for otherwise innocent and unsuspecting victims.

I had a situation with a client yesterday who sustained catastrophic injuries with the proper estimation of her case valued in excess of $1 million dollars. Unfortunately, the wrongdoer had minimal assets and our client had erroneously selected not to purchase uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage which would have paid her the full value of her claim in the appropriate forum. Obviously, this client was unhappy with her insurance agent and her attorney and could not believe that she was in this situation due to her own choice. Unfortunately, we find ourselves dealing with this scenario with increasing frequency.

A recent study has revealed that at least 16% of those with one vehicle households reported canceling or not renewing coverage for a vehicle in response to the economic downturn. Additionally, almost one third of those canceling automobile insurance coverage also reported selling their vehicles as a way to save money and an additional 14% of renters declined insurance coverage.

Continue reading "The Rate of Uninsured Motorists Is Increasing At An Alarming Rate In Philadelphia and Pennsylvania" »

For many years, the experienced Philadelphia car accident attorneys at Reiff & Bily have been representing catastrophically injuried individuals, as well as wrongful death cases resulting from people driving a vehicle while on a cell phone and not paying attention to the rules of the road.

Last week, the legislators of Pennsylvania, for some reason which I cannot comprehend, voted to add a $50 fine for drivers who are caught using a cell phone while driving carelessly. This experienced car accident attorney would have preferred to have seen a law with more teeth in it.

I salute the efforts of Republican Josh Shapiro, a Montgomery County Democrat, who stressed that he wanted to enable police to give a driver a $50 ticket if they were caught chatting on a hand cell phone or sending text messages while driving. However, a majority of his colleagues did not agree. As Representative Shapiro is aware, there have been thousands of accidents that have occurred on Pennsylvania roads due to cell phone usage since 2002. As I have previously blogged studies such as The New England Journal of Medicine has noted that being on the phone while driving makes people four times as likely to crash as those who are simply driving.

I am personally involved in a case at the moment where a gentleman has lost his arm due to the fact that he was a passenger in a vehicle where the driver was sending a text message while operating his vehicle, causing the vehicle to roll over and eject the passenger. Any person can understand that usage of a cell phone while driving causes a cognitive distraction significant enough to degrade the driver’s performance.

Continue reading "Philadelphia Car Accident Attorney Strongly Disagrees With Pennsylvania Legislature’s Choice Not To Ban Cell Phone Use While Driving" »

The catastrophic personal injury lawyers at the Philadelphia personal injury law firm of Reiff & Bily call attention to a story posted in The New York Times on March 31, 2009 in an investigative article entitled ”Exams of Injured Workers Feed Mutual Mistrust” detailing the abuse of such exams in the New York Workers’ Compensation system.

Since 1979, the experienced personal injury lawyers at Reiff & Bily have been zealously protecting their clients’ rights by fighting against insurance companies. When one purchases insurance coverage, it is expected that the claimant will be paid when the need arises. Unfortunately, according to another study published by the American Association for Justice this past summer, insurance companies continue to emphasize profits over policyholders’ interests and the name of the game is deny, delay, defend - do anything in fact to avoid paying claims.

The New York Times article revealed clear bias on the so-called “independent” medical exam. At our law firm, we do not refer to these medical examinations as “independent” but consider them company or defense examinations. Some of the highlights of The New York Times article are:

1. Quote from an IME doctor who was videotaped in an exam making positive findings directly contradictory to the report he later submitted. “If you did a purely poor report, you would be out on your ear and the insurers wouldn’t pay for it. You have to give them what they want, or you are in Florida. That’s the game, baby.”

2. “You go in and sit there for a few minutes, and up comes a six page detailed exam they never did.”

3. “There are some noble things you can do in medicine without treating. This ain’t one of them.”

4. “Physicians have regrettably moved away from being neutral observers. They have moved toward one camp or the other.”

5. Often IME doctors are hired by brokers that then have clerical staff prepare reports based on dictation or checklists completed by the doctors who often do not read reports before signing them. This article gives examples of doctors signing reports and exams they never performed.

6. The best protection against this sort of thing is to record or videotape an IME.

Continue reading "Independent Medical Exams By Insurance Carriers Are Really Not So Independent At All - Many Times A “Sham”" »

The Philadelphia Bulletin published an article on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 noting that police related auto accidents have claimed many victims on Philadelphia streets. So the Police Academy is boosting efforts to curb the number of crashes and save lives.

At the experienced Philadelphia car accident law firm of Reiff & Bily, we are all too familiar with car accidents caused by careless police chases or other police car involvement. According to the statistics released, last year there were 731 police vehicle accidents compared to 710 in 2007 and 625 in 2006.

Recently the experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyers at Reiff & Bily undertook representation of the estate of an innocent uninvolved driver killed during a high speed police chase. Our unsuspecting decedent exercised the right-of-way to enter an intersection when she was broadsided by the vehicle being chased by police. The “jaws of life” were required to extract this beloved grandmother from her vehicle. As a direct rsult of the horrific collision caused by the police initiated high-speed chase, our decedent sustained catastrophic injuries which ultimately resulted in her untimely wrongful death.

Catastrophic and fatal accidents can raise questions about the propriety of the underlying chase and conformity to the applicable law. We salute the efforts of the Philadelphia Police for initiating the Advanced Mobile Operations Simulator (AMOS) training program in recognition of the increasing problem of police vehicle related accidents and we hope that similar preventable accidents will be avoided in the future.

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries due to a car accident, please contact the experienced Philadelphia car accident attorneys at Reiff & Bily for a free no obligation evaluation of your case at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com. We have successfully handled thousands of personal injury cases since 1979.

Philadelphia car accident and uninsured/underinsured motorist accident lawyers at the Philadelphia law firm of Reiff & Bily have consistently watched as the tight economy fuels a surge in the amount of uninsured and underinsured drivers. Statistics now reveal that odds are increasing nationally that a driver involved in a catastrophic car accident is uninsured. David Corum, Vice President of the Insurance Research Council, (IRC) states that company and state officials are expecting an increase of uninsured and underinsured motorists in the next year. Mr. Corum stated “As unemployment rates go up, you have to expect more drivers to take that risk”. Nationally, the 2007 estimated percentage of uninsured motorist drivers was 13.8% and is projected to reach 16.1% this year. The number of uninsured drivers in Pennsylvania is expected to climb even higher.

Unfortunately, as the economy tightens, people look to save and want to believe that they are never going to be in an accident. In the list of priorities, they would rather keep the house and lose the car and since many of these people are already “under water” with debt to equity ratio of their homes, it really doesn’t matter in their minds if they get in an accident because they are already buried in debt and what difference will it make?

Statistics show that there are an ever growing number of drivers who are unable to show financial responsibility and more concerning do not even have the money to pay to have their driver’s license reinstated after suspension or revocation. Many insurance agents I speak to regarding the situation have noted that many of their clients are calling in to see what they can do to save money and most of the time, in this attorney’s opinion, are erroneously taking cheaper coverage, asking for limited tort instead of full tort, as well as dropping collision and comprehensive, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage and if it is an older vehicle, they are just taking the risk. We have even noted that many insurance agents are advocating and selling deficient insurance products that do not fully protect their clients and are recouping higher commissions. Unfortunately, this is not discovered by the injured client until it is too late.

Continue reading "Pennsylvania Uninsured Motorist Crisis Continues To Worsen - Don’t Always Listen to Your Insurance Agent" »

Over the next few weeks, many colleges, high schools and universities will have numerous students traveling on the roadways for spring break holidays. Roads will be more congested and there will also be more usage of 15-passenger van and SUV, the vehicle of choice for many.

Unfortunately, another single vehicle van rollover accident occurred last week. A Toyota Sienna passenger vehicle enroute to California for vacation with a driver and four of his college friends attempted to change lanes and in the process there was a car in his blind spot. The operator of the vehicle swerved back to the right lane and overcorrected back to the left and went rolling through the median in a typical single vehicle van rollover situation. The impact from the collision caused severe injuries to the passengers in the van.

What many students and drivers fail to recognize is that many of the SUVs and 15-passenger vans on the road today are unsafe in an accident avoidance and over-correction situation. When operating these vans, you must pay close attention to dangerous handling characteristics and make sure that before changing lanes you have a clear passageway and make adjustments before they escalate into catastrophic problems.

Most rollover accidents seem to be catastrophic. Rollover victims are more than twice as likely to die or suffer catastrophic injuries than typical motor vehicle collision victims involved in flat crashes.

Philadelphia based SUV rollover and 15-passenger van rollover lawyers at Reiff & Bily represent clients throughout Pennsylvania and the United States and are committed to holding the manufacturers of these vehicles responsible for physical injuries and associated financial costs that could have easily been prevented.

If you have been injured in an SUV or 15-passenger van rollover, please call us for a free no obligation evaluation of your case at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

As an experienced rollover attorney, I have noted on my blog in the past that all utility terrain vehicles are extraordinarily dangerous and improper usage often results in catastrophic and disabling injuries including amputations and death.

Recently a report entitled “Citizen Report On UTV Vehicle Hazards ”(report) was submitted by victims of UTV rollovers including the parents of children who were injured or killed in automobile accidents, as well as adult victims to The Trauma Foundation and The Center For Auto Safety.

In our opinion, the Yamaha Rhino is one of the most unsafe of the UTVs and reports have been sent to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Consumer Products Safety Commission and to key members of Congress, as well as The Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association which represents UTV manufacturers. Many lawsuits have been filed against Yamaha, the manufacturer of the Rhino, claiming that it is rollover prone with numerous safety defects. Yamaha was aware of problems and risk of injury and offered to install half doors free of charge for all 2004 to 2007 Rhinos. Yamaha never issued a recall of the vehicle and as a result, it is estimated that there are many Rhinos being operated with a design inadequate to prevent many injuries that Yamaha knows occurs when these vehicles rollover. Yamaha rollover accidents often lead to catastrophic injuries. These injuries are life altering and can leave the victim unable to work, making costly medical bills even more of a financial burden.

If you have been injured in a Yamaha Rhino rollover, SUV rollover or 15-passenger van rollover, you are legally entitled to hold the manufacturer responsible for your physical injuries and associated costs. Reiff & Bily has achieved an excellent reputation in the area of product liability and rollover accidents and in recognition of their accomplishments both Jeffrey Reiff and Raymond Bily have been named Superlawyers for seven consecutive years by Law and Politics Magazine and Philadelphia Magazine. If you have any questions regarding a Yamaha Rhino rollover, you can reach an experienced rollover attorney at Reiff & Bily by calling us at 1-800-21-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

It is now becoming commonplace in my law practice to review cases involving catastrophic injuries and fatalities that involve the operator of a motor vehicle sending a text message while driving. Unfortunately, too many bad things happen to good people that could have been easily prevented and although text messaging while driving is dangerous, it is legal in all too many states and jurisdictions.

Last week Mississippi lawmakers passed a Senate bill with an amendment that bans text messaging while driving for those with intermediate licenses and temporary learning and driving permits. I feel that the ban on text messaging should apply to all motor vehicle operators. Any critics of the ban on texting while driving state that it is an example of over government regulation. However, when you sit in the shoes of this experienced car accident attorney, there is a lot to learn when you see cases involving amputations, wrongful deaths and traumatic brain injury due to the fact that the operator of the vehicle was not paying attention. A motor vehicle operated by someone who is not paying complete attention to the rules of the road is just as dangerous as a gun or any other weapon. Driving a motor vehicle is a privilege and not a right and there should be certain rules and regulations passed that insure that one safely complies with this privilege.

If you or a loved has been injured as the result of a car accident, please contact the Philadelphia car accident lawyers at Reiff & Bily at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

As an experienced Philadelphia car accident attorney, I have written in the past noting that the holidays, particularly St. Patrick’s Day is an invitation for drunk drivers to take to the road. Periods following the holidays are often busy times in our office consulting with innocent victims who have been injured due to an automobile accident caused by an intoxicated driver. Thankfully, PennDOT has announced that they will be stepping up drunk driving enforcement efforts in many of the Pennsylvania counties. There may be sobriety check points, roving DUI patrols and undercover police in bars and speed and seat belt enforcement according to PennDOT. Quite simply, I need not repeat myself that drinking and driving do not go together.

Sadly in Pennsylvania many wrongful deaths and catastrophic injuries occur during holidays, particularly St. Patrick’s Day, which should be a time of enjoyment not resulting in emergency room trips or fatalities. In Pennsylvania, people who are harmed by drunk drivers may file lawsuits against irresponsible and reckless bar owners, as well as intoxicated drinkers.

Pennsylvania Dram Shop and alcohol related injury lawyers at the Philadelphia car accident law firm of Reiff & Bily have fought against drunk driving and resulting catastrophic injuries and fatalities since 1979. It is important that people who irresponsibly sell alcohol to individuals on St. Patty’s Day or any other day for that matter can be held financially responsible for resulting injuries and fatalities for selling alcohol to an intoxicated individual.

The experienced Dram Shop and Philadelphia car accident law firm of Reiff & Bily have the knowledge and personal experience necessary to investigate drunk driving accidents and hold owners of bars, restaurants, hotels, social hosts and individuals responsible for the injuries or deaths caused by drunk drivers.

If you or a loved one has been killed or injured as a result of a drunk driving accident, please feel free to contact us for a free, no obligation consultation at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

The Philadelphia car accident and Dram Shop lawyers of Reiff & Bily continue to be astounded when people fail to take responsibility for their actions, particularly while driving when intoxicated. In our opinion, these individuals are the worst offenders and deserve to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law criminally and civilly for the damages and harm that they cause. Recently, an Easton, Pennsylvania man identified as 44-year old Scott Allan Witmer, who represented himself in a court hearing, stated that the police lacked jurisdiction to pull him over and furthermore stated “I live inside myself not in Pennsylvania” and stated there was no victim in the crime. This is according to news sources published March 10, 2009 in the Daily Item, Easton, Pennsylvania. ((news article)

What this gentleman fails to recognize is that the drunk driving laws of Pennsylvania apply to everyone and are intended to deter such irresponsible behaviors which often lead up to catastrophic injuries and fatalities to innocent victims.

Unfortunately thousands of people die on Pennsylvania and national highways ever year as the result of alcohol related incidents. In Pennsylvania, people who are harmed by drunk drivers may file a law suit against irresponsible and reckless bar owners, as well as an intoxicated driver. An intoxicated person who causes a catastrophic accident or fatality while operating a motor vehicle, as well as a business or personal establishment or social host who gave alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person, is legally responsible for any damage that person may cause.

Continue reading "A Man Suspected Of Driving Under The Influence States That The Laws Do Not Apply To Him And The Court’s Have No Jurisdiction Over Him In Pennsylvania" »

The Philadelphia SUV rollover lawyers at Reiff & Bily have been handling and researching single vehicle SUV rollover cases for many years and written about their inherent dangers in previous articles. On March 8, 2009, four teenagers, ages 16 to 19, were critically and catastrophically injured when the SUV they were driving spun out of control and flipped over in Southwest Philadelphia. Two female passengers were found ejected and the two male passengers were found inside the overturned vehicle. Police state that the cause of the accident was unknown.

Thousands of deaths occur each year in the United States due to SUV rollovers. My heart and prayers go out to the four teenagers and their families. I constantly monitor single SUV and 15-passenger van rollovers when compiling “other similar incidents” for our SUV rollover research and SUV rollover legal practice. I am astounded that these vehicles are notorious for the tendency to rollover and cause catastrophic injuries and fatalities and continue to be so prevalently used. The families of these injured teenagers would be well advised to seek the counsel of an experienced Pennsylvania auto product defect and SUV rollover lawyer who will have an expert examine the vehicle for product defects (well noted and documented) in SUV rollovers. A knowledgeable Philadelphia car accident attorney would also advise the owner of this vehicle to preserve it in its current crash condition so that it can be examined for mechanical malfunction, product defects and other evidence.

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in an SUV rollover accident, please contact the SUV rollover lawyers at Reiff & Bily at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

Philadelphia car accident lawyer, Jeffrey Reiff, wants to emphasize that the percentage of uninsured motorists operating in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, as well as around the country, is increasing at an epidemic rate. According to a recent study conducted by an independent property casualty insurance group, the nation’s recession is triggering an increase in the amount of uninsured motorists.

The Malvern, Pennsylvania based insurance research council conducted the study and found that the economic downturn may push the percentage of uninsured drivers to an all time high in 2010. The study projects that the rate of uninsured motorists will climb drastically over the next year.

The lawyers at the Philadelphia car accident law firm of Reiff & Bily join Virginia Chichester, Manger of AAA MidAtlantic Insurance Company and highly recommend that automobile operators and owners immediately get coverage for uninsured and underinsured motorist to protect their families in the event of a catastrophic injury or fatality. This would cover you in the event of a hit and run accident or if you are involved in an accident and the other person does not have the insurance to cover your loss. At least if you have uninsured motorist coverage, you protect yourself. Proper insurance will reduce the financial impact of an unpredicted accident and as Louis Pasteur once said, “chance favors the prepared mind.” Based on unemployment projections, the study concluded that the percentage of uninsured motorists will rise 2.3% from 2007 to 2010. The study examined data from 9 insurers representing half of the nation’s auto insurance market.

Continue reading "Uninsured Drivers Reaching Epidemic Levels" »

Strange but true, even a minor impact to the head can trigger a nightmare scenario for the victim and caregivers. Recently, I have had the occasion to closely work with a client of mine who sustained a head trauma and concussion. Although she described the impact as fairly minor, our research and biomechanical evaluation indicated that the impact was not so minor and had resulted in a traumatic brain injury with extraordinary changes in the victim’s personality and behavior.

Continue reading "My Mother Was Hit On The Head In A Car Accident And Has Become A Monster" »

Automobile accidents can be devastating, destroying the lives on many innocent victims. Crashes can have a large impact on both physical health and mental health. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports vehicle traffic accidents. More deaths were caused by motor vehicle traffic accidents than homicide, suicide, and heart disease. The Pennsylvania auto accident lawyers at the Philadelphia law firm of Reiff & Bily have been researching and handling thousands of automobile accidents cases since 1979.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation reports that in 2005, there were 100,381 injuries and 1,616 crash related deaths in Pennsylvania. There was an estimated total of $5.298 billion in economic loss due to automotive deaths.

Continue reading "Auto Accidents Can Be Devasting" »

The Philadelphia 15-passenger van rollover attorneys at Reiff & Bily salute the State Department of Health and Human Resources of West Virginia which now requires daycare centers to make sure all vehicles used to transport large numbers of children meet the same safety requirements as school buses.

Even though this mandate does not go into effect until September 1, 2012, the State of West Virginia has recognized the hazards of 15-passenger vans. Upgrading to the new standards will make sure that the vehicles transporting our precious cargo (children) are less prone to rollovers. According to information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), rollovers are reported in 63% of all fatal accidents involving 15-passenger van occupants between 1997 and 2006. NHTSA data revealed a significant increase of rollovers when the vans were fully loaded. Most of those killed in 15-passenger van rollovers were not properly restrained. Other factors contributing to rollover incidents include improperly inflated tires, poor tire condition and inexperienced drivers.

Continue reading "Philadelphia 15-Passenger Van Rollover Lawyer Applauds West Virginia Law Requiring Daycare Centers To Replace Or Upgrade Passenger Vans" »

The Philadelphia car accident lawyers of Reiff & Bily are all too familiar with closed head injuries caused by car accidents that the average person may not recognize. Recently the family of one of our injured clients was noting that their 48-year-old mother was manifesting what they described as strange behavioral patterns. She was becoming extremely anxious, agitated and exhibiting bouts of unrecognizable anger. She was also complaining of memory loss and taking the wrong medication. When I met with this woman she was exhibiting confusion. Not so surprisingly, she struck her head on a pillar inside the vehicle at the time of the accident. She was referred for a neurological and psychological evaluation and it was diagnosed that she sustained a mild brain injury as the result of a closed head trauma.

Continue reading "My Mother Was Involved In A Car Accident And Is Not Making Sense" »

As you may or may not be aware, the insurance companies keep an eye on every claim you have made in the past with regard to homeowners, workmen’s compensation and auto insurance policies. There are two major property claim databases, The Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange (CLUE) and The Automated Property Loss Underwriting System (A-PLUS).

Continue reading "Don’t Lie To Your Lawyer About Prior Claims" »

Save money on auto registration in Pennsylvania if retired and receiving Social Security. The Philadelphia car accident lawyers of Reiff & Bily want you to know that if you are retired and receiving Social Security or other pension and your total annual income from all sources is $19,200.00 or less, you qualify to register your car or light truck at a $10.00 per year fee instead of the annual fee. Under the Pennsylvania plan, you will save $26.00 per year on the annual registration for a car and even more for a truck. For more information, please contact Pennsylvania Bureau of Motor Vehicles, P.O. Box 68269, Harrisburg, PA 17106 or contact them at 1-800-932-4600.

Continue reading "PHILADELPHIA CAR ACCIDENT LAWYERS " »