Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Not many people are as great at multi-tasking as they would like to think. As many of the recent distracted driver campaigns have revealed, texting and driving definitely don’t mix. However, just as dangerous—and much less discussed— is a phenomenon known as “iPod oblivion.” Often, when I drive to and from work in the early morning or early evening, I see multitudes of joggers in a trance-like state, running with headphones in their ears, oblivious to the world around them—and to passing cars or horns. Psychologists refer to this phenomenon as “in-attentional blindness.”

I have observed the same to be true of many drivers and cyclists, who are immersed in music while driving. Last week, I was contacted by a prominent executive in Philadelphia whose vehicle was violently rear-ended by a seemingly “stoned” individual listening to blaring music on an iPhone, while driving at night on roads covered with black ice—a dangerous situation indeed.

Despite the numerous local campaigns that address distracted driving, a recent study indicates that 80% of all crashes are caused by distracted driving—which is now the top danger behind the wheel, taking precedence over driving while intoxicated. Today, 8 out of 10 crashes involve some type of driver inattention caused by music, texting, talking on the phone, or attending to children or pets.

To this experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyer, it seems insane that people must die, or sustain life-shattering injuries, because a driver is immersed in a seemingly all-important text message and is not paying attention to the road. When we add the phenomenon of joggers, walkers, or drivers distracted by the music of their iPods, statistical numbers for death and injury increase to an even greater extent. How many of you have glanced sideways, or avoided an accident, only to see the other driver bopping his or her head to the beat of the music?

Many of the new smart cars contain advanced technology that adds to the distraction factor—with drivers fumbling to operate their high-tech navigation systems, or to utilize their advanced music selection or telephone functions. While many states do not allow speaking on a handheld phone while driving, some drivers circumvent the issue by wearing headphones, but unfortunately the volume is often so high that it overrides the senses, and undercuts the sensory control necessary for completely safe driving.

I have long believed that chance favors the prepared mind, and advise all parents and drivers to take steps to safely protect themselves by not driving in a distracted manner. If you have sustained injuries in a car accident, and believe that a driver has been distracted, it is important to contact an experienced car accident attorney with the investigative resources and experience necessary to take action against it.

It should come as no surprise that distracted driving is a leading cause of car and truck accidents. What is surprising, however, is the reason. A distracted driver has a tendency to overcorrect, once his or her attention reverts back to the roadway, and to engage in what is called an ‘accident avoidance maneuver.’ In other words, the shock of surprise leads to overreaction—and danger.

Overcorrecting to avoid an accident is one of the deadliest driving mistakes a driver can make. It is what typically occurs when a driver’s vehicle hits gravel or ice, or when the driver’s attention is diverted by talking on a cell phone or changing a radio station. Not surprisingly, overcorrection is linked to drowsiness as well as distractedness. Indeed, over 5 percent of all automobile fatalities that occur each year are due to overcorrection by drivers who are either drowsy or distracted.

Continue reading "Overcorrection following Distracted Driver Inattention a Major Cause of Car and Truck Accidents" »

One would normally think that the winter months with ice and snow on the roadway in the northeast would be the most hazardous time for drivers resulting in more car accidents.

As an experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyer since 1979, I have noticed that our firm receives many more inquiries with many more serious injuries resulting from vehicle collisions during the summer months. Obviously during the summer, kids are on break from school and families are taking vacations. Road surfaces are hot which may cause tire failures or delamination of tires as the hot air increases the tire pressure when combined with the friction of the tire on the heated road surface. Additionally, the oils used in many roadway surfaces can rise to the top and when combined with moisture from rain or humidity can lead to unknowing slick surfaces.

When we combine these factors, drivers who text while driving or drive while intoxicated after attending a summer barbecue or party and sudden summer rain storms, it is no surprise that there is an increase in fatalities resulting from catastrophic car accidents during the summer. In the Philadelphia region, many times people leave the beach to commute back to Philadelphia and are fatigued, sunburned, or dehydrated and simply put, not in the best physical and mental condition to be driving.

Continue reading "The Summer Months Are the Busiest Times for Car Accidents and Catastrophic Injury According to Experienced Philadelphia Trial Lawyer" »

Texters beware - a new law in Pennsylvania was just passed. On March 8, 2012, a ban on texting while driving went into effect, carrying a $50 fine. The new law means that police can stop you if you are using a phone, computer, or other device that sends texts, emails, or similar messages while driving. Police cannot seize the item but they can write you a ticket. Governor Tom Corbett stated during his bill-signing event in Harrisburg: “We’ve said it in the past, but today we are making it law: If you have an urgent need to text, you must pull over and park. … No text message is worth a human life. The message of this legislation is drive now and text later.”

Distracted driving in Pennsylvania is a major problem and it is time that more people start realizing how dangerous it can be. This is the first Pennsylvania-state-wide law to take effect about cell phone usage. There is no statewide limit on cell phone use, but some local ordinances do address talking while driving. Philadelphia and Harrisburg are two of the largest cities to have handheld cell phone usage banned, but the ban expires in March 2012.

While distracted driving can affect anyone, it finds the most fatalities among teenagers. In Pennsylvania, in 2010, there were 57 deaths in accidents linked to teenage drivers compared with 40 in 2009. But, Delaware, which, in 2010, passed a full complement of distracted driving laws, saw a 14 percent drop in traffic fatalities in 2010. It’s about time Pennsylvania did something to protect the roads.

The Philadelphia car accident attorneys at Reiff and Bily have been handing distracted driving cases since before talking about them was popular. Distracted driving is an issue that has plagued drivers, young and old, for years. Signs of distracted driving include looking away from the road, rummaging through something on the seat, drifting in and out of lanes, and immediate stops or turns. When drivers are focused on something else, they cannot be fully focused on the road.

At Reiff and Bily, we have the knowledge and the experts to discover if you have been injured in a car accident as a result of distracted driving. Specifically, if you think that you were injured because someone was on their cell phone during the accident, the car crash lawyers at Reiff and Bily may be able to find out. Authorities have the ability to check phone records to see if a call or text was sent during the course of the accident. The new law claims that if this is the case, then the punishment will be more significant, but that is yet to be seen.

The importance of staying of safe on the road is not only about you, but others as well. Distracted driving is a major concern and now Pennsylvania is taking steps to mirror that message. The Philadelphia distracted driving accident attorneys at Reiff and Bily also mirror this message. If you or a loved one has been the victim of a vehicle collision because of distracted driving and you need help, the car accident attorneys at Reiff and Bily are available. Call us for a free consultation at 1-800-421-9595 or contact us 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.

As an experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyer, I salute the Pennsylvania Senate for passing a bill that would make texting while driving a crime. Unfortunately, although I have been a crusader against texting and talking on a cell phone while driving, 17-year old Alexis Summers was killed just hours after the Senate passage of the bill when she crashed into a tree while texting. Our hearts and prayers go out to the family of Alexis Summer, and as the father of a 17-year old teenage boy, I confess that such activity is one of my biggest fears as a parent.

According to news sources, the 17-year old female driver lost control of her vehicle while texting and then proceeded to go over a grass embankment and slammed sideways on the driver’s side into a tree. She was pronounced dead at the scene. The Pennsylvania no texting law will go into effect in Pennsylvania 120 days after signed by Governor Corbett.

As deaths among teenager drivers in car accidents rank among the highest in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and throughout the United States, it is my sincerest hope that this legislative action will bring us another step closer to reducing deaths caused by teenagers texting while driving.

The experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyers of Reiff and Bily are committed to automotive and motorist safety, and have represented tens of thousands of Pennsylvanians since 1979. We always offer a free, no obligation consultation as well as a no recovery, no fee guarantee. For more information, contact us toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

Over the past few years as an experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyer and philadelphia trucking accident attorney, during the discovery phase of several catastrophic car accident and truck accident cases, we were able to note that the offending driver was texting at the time of the accident. Several of these texting “just once” events resulted in fatalities to other innocent and unknowing drivers. Texting while driving is a pet peeve of mine since I am often on the other side of the fence representing victims and families of victims who have lost a loved one due to this potentially deadly multitasking combination performed by a defendant driver. Of course, I will admit I used to do it just as I did other silly things when I was younger, but it can be that “just once” incident that leads to an unforgivable and life changing event. When I am in the car with people who text while driving, and chastise them about it, they are quick to tell me “It’s just this one time. Don’t worry I never do it.” Many people believe that an accident will never happen to them and act irresponsibly when they get behind the wheel of a car whether it be driving while intoxicated, texting, or driving while on a cell phone.

Recently a 53-year old man was recently killed when a 19-year old who was allegedly texting while driving took his pickup truck and in a split second hit it straight on over the center into the man’s sedan. In another case, a texting driver rolled an SUV over amputating one of my client’s arms. Unfortunately many of the texting while driving accidents involve teenagers who pride themselves boasting that they can text quickly and control the vehicle, and in my house we have a rule, if you are going to drive a car you are not allowed to make a cell phone call or text. Almost every child and teenager today carries a cell phone and parents must strongly remind and advise their children of the dangers of driving while texting and if that doesn’t work bring them down to my office and I will show them some pictures of what can happen.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident, please contact one of our experienced Philadelphia car accident attorneys for a free, no obligation consultation. For more information 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.