Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Despite years of warnings about the tendency of oversized vehicles such as SUVs and passenger vans to roll over, the oversized passenger van has become steadily more popular. The problem is that, as the sizes of these vehicles increase and their designs become more elaborate, they become more dangerous to handle. This is the case for the increasingly popular 15-passenger van—especially when it’s driven by an inexperienced driver. The combination of dangerous design and inexperience is indeed a lethal one.

15-passenger vans, like SUVs, have a high center of gravity, which means that they can be easily destabilized by accident-avoidance maneuvers, or by slick, icy roads—causing them to roll over. In addition, improperly sized or inflated tires on these vehicles can increase the chance of blow-outs or flat tires, which also creates instability.

Under certain conditions, even a properly inflated tire can have an increase in pressure, when additional weight and highway heat are added to mix. This is particularly true in hot and sunny places in the U.S., and in temperate countries around the world, where the surface temperatures of roadways can be dangerously high. A defective or over-inflated tire can explode from the combination of heat, elevated pressure, and friction on the hot roadway surface. If there is a blow-out, the long tail—or 4-foot overhang of the van—will wag the body, causing it to serpentine, become uncontrollable, and roll.

Despite their large seating capacity, these vehicles are vulnerable to overloading. Since adding passengers raises a vehicle’s center of gravity, a 15-passenger van will become harder to handle, the more passengers and luggage are packed into it. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the chances of rollover for a 15-passenger van increase more than 400 percent when it’s fully loaded.

While such exotic features as stadium seating may thrill passengers, they do not protect them from the danger of accidents. Many passengers in these vehicles seem to believe they are invincible while riding in them, and do not use seat belts. During the period of 2007-2011, 62 percent of individuals fatally injured in 15-passenger vans were unrestrained, and, of those, 54 percent were fully ejected from the vehicle. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the death rate for occupants of 15-passenger vans is higher than for all other passenger vehicle types combined.

What is of special concern to me, as a 15-passenger van rollover and SUV rollover attorney, is the fact that many people who drive these vehicles do so sporadically, and are inexperienced. For an inexperienced or inadequately trained driver, the responsibility of handling such a vehicle is enormous—both in terms of safety and liability. A camp counselor taking kids on a field trip, or a volunteer transporting a church group to a fundraising event, are equally at risk of getting into a serious accident. And, since most often these vehicles are rented, drivers have little opportunity to practice using them.

The reason experience is so necessary for driving these large vans is that their extreme length, width, and height make them harder to drive than smaller vehicles. Drivers must rely heavily on side mirrors to change lanes, judge distances, and negotiate the road. They must also be keenly aware of braking distances and special handling characteristics. And they must have the driving skills to park large vehicles. For an inexperienced driver, even simple things like backing up, or driving around a corner can be hard. Turning the steering wheel too far is enough to cause the van’s gravity to shift.

Having investigated and prosecuted cases where numerous victims have been killed or catastrophically injured in 15-passenger van accidents, we understand the trauma involved. We also understand how design defects in oversized vehicles can cause such calamities.

If you are the victim or family member of a 15-passenger van accident, you need to contact an experienced lawyer with a track record of beating automobile manufacturers in court. Such cases are complicated to litigate, and require skillful investigation and special expertise.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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" »

As an experienced Philadelphia car accident and vehicle defect lawyer for over three decades, I have investigated tens of thousands of car accident cases with many involving a single vehicle. Unfortunately single vehicle crashes tend to occur when there is a product defect or an unpredictable car handling characteristic in an accident avoidance maneuver. It may surprise some to learn that over 60% of all fatalities across the nation in car accidents involved only one vehicle.

In 2009 there were almost 60,000 crashes in Pennsylvania involving one vehicle which was less than the national average of 61% at 47%. A single vehicle car accident can be caused by a highway defect, mechanical failure, product defect, tire blowout or tire defect, stability and handling issues, seat belt failure, airbag defect, faulty or defective brake systems, roof crush, defective parts, or debris such as a tree which falls from another's property onto the road. Many times a single vehicle accident can be caused due to poor highway design, poor highway drainage, or an intoxicated driver who has been served by a restaurant or bar in violation of the Pennsylvania Dram Shop laws.

As statistics indicate, a single vehicle accident generally results in catastrophic injuries and death. As an experienced SUV and 15-passenger van rollover lawyer, I am aware that these vehicles are highly unstable and more prone to rollover crashes than any other vehicle due to their higher center of gravity.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a single vehicle car accident, do not assume it was your fault. It pays to contact a Pennsylvania car accident and auto defect lawyer familiar with automotive design and system failures. Our skilled team of experts and investigators know what to look for and have held major automotive corporations responsible to pay compensation for damages suffered by 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. For a free, no obligation consultation, please contact us toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Tragically another SUV rollover took the life of a young student in San Antonio, Texas on February 17, 2011. According to news sources, a school teacher, Deborah Holcombe, was driving a Suburban SUV with 6 students to a school event in San Antonio when her car drifted and the driver made an over correction sending the vehicle into a roll. A student was ejected from the SUV an killed and another passenger was taken by helivac to a local hospital.

The experienced Pennsylvania SUV rollover lawyers of Reiff & Bily have investigated all too many cases involving SUVs which roll over after an accident avoidance maneuver killing innocent and unknowing school children. Our investigators have been able to prove that an alleged manufacturing design defect often results in an unstable vehicle in such an accident avoidance maneuver due to the fact that the SUV maintains an unstable design due to a high center of gravity. In this tragic case, a minor mistake ended with catastrophic and tragic results. Our hearts and prayers go out to the families of those injured and killed and they would be well advised to seek the services of an experienced SUV rollover attorney who will investigate this claim with knowledge of notable design defects where manufacturers continue to put profitability ahead of consumer safety.

The Philadelphia product liability and SUV rollover lawyers of Reiff & Bily have joined forces with the legendary Beasley Firm and in their collective efforts, they have been awarded in excess of $2 billion dollars on behalf of injured consumers. As always, they offer 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 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.

A crowded van full of children suffered a tire blowout causing it to lose control, rollover killing five people, and critically injuring another ten. According to news sources, a tire on the van’s driver’s side blew causing the driver to overcorrect and lose control. In just one second the lives of all the occupants have been changed forever. A minor mistake ended up with catastrophic and tragic results according to the sheriff on location. The vehicle flipped three or four times with kids ejected everywhere. The driver was killed instantly. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families. The families would be well advised to seek the services of an experienced van rollover attorney who will investigate this claim as many of the vans have notable design defects where manufacturers put profitability ahead of consumer safety.

On Saturday evening December 12, 2009 a tragic accident occurred when an SUV crowded with teenagers rolled over killing two innocent 9th grade high school students. The single vehicle SUV rollover occurred at 11:50 p.m. on Route 100 near Moyer Road. According to news sources, the driver of the vehicle lost control causing it to flip over and the two girls in the rear seats were ejected from the vehicle. The circumstances of the crash are under investigation. Our hearts and prayers go out to the families of these individuals. Unfortunately this crash was similar to another crash that occurred on November 23, 2009 when two Pottsgrove High School students were killed in a Honda SUV vehicle that went out of control and crashed.

These recent fatal SUV rollover accidents underscore just how devastating SUV rollover crashes can be. Any of the SUVs are unsafe at any speed and most of the deadly crashes involve accident avoidance maneuvers. There are many questions that need to be answered by the families of the individuals injured and killed in this accident. These accidents will require a careful investigation to pinpoint the exact cause of the accident and a possible product defect and who should be held liable or responsible.

An experienced SUV rollover and car accident lawyer will be able to guide the victims and their families through the complex legal process to insure that their legal rights are protected and that they receive fair and proper compensation for their injuries, damage and loss.

Ford has already paid more than $30 million in compensatory damages, interest and costs. Ford argued that they and other manufacturers “are routinely exposed to massive punitive damage awards without regard to whether they had sufficient notice to allow them to comply with the law and avoid punishment.” Plaintiff’s lawyers in the case argued that the Ford Explorer design made it prone to rolling over during common evasive or accident avoidance maneuvers and the vehicle’s roof was too weak to withstand a rollover. Lawyers for Buell-Wilson told the Supreme Court that a California jury and Court of Appeals noted that Ford has knowingly sold a dangerous and defective vehicle but it could have been made safe for a modest amount.

The original jury award against Buell-Wilson and her husband in California was in the amount of $368 Million Dollars, the largest award ever assessed against Ford Motor Company. The trial judge and Appeals Court later reduced the award.

On January 19, 2002, Benetta Buell-Wilson of San Diego, California was driving her 1997 Ford Explorer on an interstate highway when she swerved to avoid a metal object in the road and the SUV went out of control. The vehicle skidded across the highway and rolled more than 42 times before the Explorer came to rest on its roof. The accident left the 49-year-old woman crushed and paralyzed. A California jury awarded Buell-Wilson and her husband $369 million, including $246 million in punitive damages. The state courts of California reduced the amount of the verdict. However, the California Court of Appeals approved an $82.6 million dollar settlement, including $55 million in punitive damages.

The experienced motor vehicle accident and Philadelphia personal injury lawyers at the law firm of Reiff & Bily have been handling SUV Explorer rollover and 15-passenger van rollover cases in Pennsylvania and other states in the nation with a successful track record. The Explorer and other SUVs are flawed because they have a high center of gravity and are prone to rollover. Also, research indicates that the Explorer roofs are inadequate to protect occupants in a rollover accident and Ford was aware of knowledge of these designs flaws but failed to fix them. Ford has consistently argued that the verdicts against them are unjust because the design of the vehicles meets minimal federal safety standards.

Continue reading "Pennsylvania SUV Rollover Lawyer Weighs in on Design Defects Inherent to SUVs and 15-Passenger Vans in Pennsylvania and Throughout the United States" »

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.

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" »

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" »

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.

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.

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.