Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyer Blog

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Believe it or not, a recent survey indicated that over 78% of all drivers are improperly seat belted in their vehicle with improper shoulder belt position which means that in the event of an accident, the seat restraint systems will not perform as they were designed to prevent injury or death. When I first started to drive, I very rarely used a seat belt and as I have been practicing catastrophic motor vehicle accident law and automotive defect law with a concentration on airbag defects and seat back defects, I have learned that it is extremely important to always use a seat belt, as well as properly determine that the seat belt is properly positioned. Many people may not be aware of proper seat belt positioning and may not understand the likelihood of serious and permanent injuries that result from an improper seat belt fit. In many seat belt defect cases that we are called upon to investigate, manufacturers will initially try to state that the victim was not wearing a seat belt and then thereafter, if we can prove that a seat belt was worn, that they will many times try to argue that the seat belt was improperly positioned and the resulting injuries were due to a fault of none other than the victim. Even worse yet, if a child is injured, many defense attorneys will point the finger at the parents, claiming that the parents allowed the child to ride with a belt behind their back or under their arm or against their face and this situation naturally caused the injury.

A properly positioned seat belt is one that should be snugly fitted against the strongest areas of the body. Position seat belts low enough across the hips and pelvis and never across your stomach, particularly if you are pregnant. Position shoulder belts across the chest and across the hips and pelvis and never against the front of the neck or face or under the arms. Allow no more than one inch of slack in shoulder belts and always sit erect with the seat back straight as safety belts cannot work and cause injury in a crash if the seat back is reclined, if your back is away from the seat or if your legs are curled beneath you. It is important to have specially designed child safety seats to protect small children and infants.

The experienced seat belt defect, airbag defect, and Philadelphia car accident lawyers of Reiff and Bily are committed to automobile and motorist safety. 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, 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.

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.

In 2004, a 15 passenger church van rolled over. The plaintiffs’ lawyers representing the deceased victims argued that the Ford Motor Company knew that the vehicle had faulty tires but refused to do anything about it. Plaintiffs’ attorney stated to the jury “the evidence is uncontested that Ford made a conscious decision to not communicate information to dealerships and they made a conscious decision not to tell their customers.” The facts of the case alleged that a tread separation and tire defect of the van’s rear right tire, manufactured by Goodyear, caused the accident. Plaintiffs’ attorney claimed that Ford (the manufacturer of the 15-passenger 1993 E-350 Ford Econoline van) knew about the recall and was negligent for never informing its dealers or customers. However, not so surprising in this case, is the fact that Ford claims the deaths of the driver and passenger was due to their not wearing seat belts. The case has not yet gone to the jury.

As an experienced Pennsylvania 15 passenger van and SUV rollover attorney who has investigated and litigated many rollover claims involving tire defects over the years, one thing is for certain, that these vans and SUVs have a higher center of gravity and when fully loaded become very unstable if a tire should experience a blowout due to a defect or the driver enters into a sudden accident avoidance maneuver. I trust that the jury will carefully evaluate all of the evidence and render a just verdict in the California courtroom where this case is being tried. Our hearts and prayers go out to the victims and their families.

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.

The economy is tightening and insurance companies seem to think that they can play an even harder game of ball with their insureds in an intimidating and demeaning fashion. As an experienced bad faith insurance claims denial attorney who has handled tens of thousands of cases against many of the nation’s largest insurance companies, I have witnessed an almost unconscionable shift of behavior by insurance company executives and their team of adjusters in a patten which tries to take advantage of customers who lack information and knowledge to properly fight back. I have been on the front line fighting insurance companies since 1979 and yet today even the experienced adjusters are throwing their hands in the air claiming they can’t believe the orders they are getting from the higher ups to minimize claim payments and try to strike the lowest deal possible with the insured.

Bad faith insurance practices seem to be on the rise. Whereas a hand shake use to mean something, now a signed contract between the insurance company and insured has little value if the insured is not prepared to fight back. The insurance company may be determined to be acting in bad faith if they delay, deny, or discount payment without any reasonable basis or if they fail to acknowledge or reply promptly after notification of a covered claim. The insurance company must act in a fiduciary duty to their insured which means they must deal in good faith and promptly and thoroughly investigate claims where there is reasonable liability and damages owed based upon the information presented. An insurance company must act within a reasonable time upon receipt of claim or proof of the loss and must not act to take advantage of the insured by failing to notify the insured of any known arbitration or appeals policies in the claims process in an attempt to settle a claim for less. If an insurance company advises a claimant not to hire an attorney and then attempts to settle the case for a figure well below the proper settlement value, the insurance company may be responsible for unfair or deceptive claims practice damages. Insurance companies should not over burden you with documentation or make you jump through hoops to pay the monies you are rightfully owed.

If you feel that your insurance company is not giving you a fair shake, you should immediately contact an insurance claim and unfair insurance claim practice attorney for a free, no obligation consultation. Insurers have an obligation to live up to and comply with industry standards and be forthcoming in their dealings with their insureds. The unfair insurance claims practice lawyers of Reiff & Bily always offer 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 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.

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.

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.

With the tightened economy and diminishing budgets, many people jump at the chance to save money on car insurance. I agree that many of the TV commercials touting cost savings of various car insurance products are very appealing. However, as an experienced Philadelphia car accident attorney for over 30 years, one thing is certain you get what you pay for and that chance favors the prepared man. What good is car insurance if it does not fully cover you when you need it most.

Now more than ever, more drivers in Philadelphia are operating uninsured or underinsured vehicles which means that if you are in a car accident and sustain a serious injury resulting in extensive medical bills, loss of wages, and other economic and emotional distress to your family, you may not be covered if you purchased the cheapest policy out there.

With over 30 years of expertise, experience, and understanding car insurance and risk management, I am well aware that many victims of accidents do not recognize that they did not have the proper level of auto insurance coverage until it is too late. We highly recommend full tort coverage for a minimal difference in premium, as well as substantial underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage.

Our experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyers have represented the rights of victims after car accidents and have fought automobile insurance companies for decades who will constantly attempt to deny, delay, and defend a victim their rights.

We always offer a free, no obligation consultation to discuss your insurance options whether or not we represent you for a car accident or not. We can review your policy to determine whether or not you understood what you purchased and whether or not you have sufficient uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, as well as purchased full tort. For a free, no obligation consultation contact one of our experienced Philadelphia car accident attorneys 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.

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.

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.

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.

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" »