Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Over the last year, we have received reports from clients who have been “friended “ on Facebook by individuals that they cannot identify and we always advise all of our clients to never accept “a friend” that they do not know on any social media as more likely than not there is probably not a good purpose to this “meeting”. As a matter of fact, we recommend that any of our clients involved in a catastrophic injury claim suspend any and all messaging and posting on social media websites until the conclusion of their legal case. If someone attempts to “friend” you on Facebook or any other social media, ask yourself what is their motivation? Is that “friend” motivated by the quest for information? A successful and well versed defense lawyer will attempt to leave no stone unturned in determining any information that they may use against a defendant, including but not limited to queries, relationships, hobbies, and activities that people generally post on Facebook. Unfortunately many times people make postings on Facebook or other social sites that contain sensitive information that can be used against them by a well skilled advocate. When you post something on Facebook, it is posted at your own risk and the courts in Pennsylvania have determined that the information is discoverable.
After numerous depositions over the last year where defense counsel has asked my client to provide his or her Facebook user name and password, the courts have claimed that “only the uninitiated or foolish could believe that Facebook is an online lock box of secrets.” The Pennsylvania courts have held that if a party in a civil case posts information on his or her Facebook page and that information appears to contradict statements and discovery testimony, then the party’s Facebook page falls within the scope of discovery. Therefore, a simple lesson following a motto that I practice by is that “chance favors the prepared mind” and this mandates a strict and serious warning that any information posted online can and most likely will be found by opposing parties or their investigators in litigation and will be reachable through the power of a court issued subpoena.
Jeffrey Reiff has been practicing catastrophic injury and wrongful death law in Pennsylvania since 1979 with the experienced catastrophic injury and wrongful death law firm of Reiff and Bily. He welcomes inquiries concerning new legal matters and always offers a free, no obligation consultation toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

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.

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.

A potential problem including brake light switches on Harley Davidson motorcycles allegedly caused by exposure to too much heat from the exhaust system has lead to a recall of 308,000 Harley Davidson motorcycles. The recall indicates that the problem affects Harley Davidson’s Touring, CVO Touring, and Trike vehicles from 2009 through 2012 model years. Dealers will install a rear brake switch free of charge. Harley Davidson indicates it is aware of one crash from the problem.

If you or a loved has been injured as a result of a motorcycle accident or defective brake light switch, please contact one of our experienced motorcycle accident lawyers for a free, no obligation consultation 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.

As I write this, a 1-year old boy remains in critical condition in a Philadelphia hospital after he fell from a moving vehicle and was run over by another car. According to news sources, the unrestrained 1-year child was sitting in the rear seat when the back door somehow opened causing the infant to fall out of the moving SUV, after which point the baby was run over by another vehicle behind the SUV. While it remains unclear how the baby fell from the vehicle, what is clear, according to a spokesperson, is that the 1-year old had not been in a restraint.

As an experienced Philadelphia motor vehicle accident and faulty automobile restraint system lawyer who is also a dedicated consumer advocate for child and automotive safety, this unfortunate and tragic incident clearly exemplifies just how important it is to never take shortcuts and properly secure all infants and small children when they are riding in a motor vehicle. Pennsylvania state law requires that all children under the age of 4 ride in a federally approved car seat or booster seat whenever they are in a vehicle. Failure to comply with these laws could cause drivers to be fined, and in certain cases, sentenced to jail time. We all have an obligation to protect children. More catastrophic injuries and deaths are caused to small children by car accidents than any other cause.

As an experienced Philadelphia car accident and safety restraint lawyer, I strongly suggest that all children under 4 ride secured in a government approved infant seat and the back seat, and one must make sure that the seat is properly installed and affixed. Any child over the age of 8 and under 18 must be restrained using seat belts. As this unfortunate accident indicates, proper safety precautions should never be left to chance.

Our hearts and prayers go out to the infant and family members and we hope and pray for a speedy and healthy recovery.

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.

The violent forces that occur as a result of a car accident often leave innocent victims with a traumatic brain injury that will greatly affect their daily abilities to fully function after a car accident. Many times a traumatic brain injury will result in a lifetime of rehabilitative training, extensive medical bills, and loss of a job which can take the wind out of the sails of a victim and their family emotionally and financially.

A traumatic brain injury can range from a mild occurrences such as a concussion which will normally resolve with no long term health consequences to a severe trauma to the brain which often occurs in a sudden acceleration/deceleration injury or the result of a penetrating injury to the head.

As an experienced traumatic brain injury and car accident lawyer for over three decades who has handled tens of thousands of car accident cases, I have observed that many cases are worked up by attorneys or physicians unfamiliar with traumatic brain injury symptoms, and unfortunately it is only after a case is resolved that a proper diagnosis has been made. Too many inexperienced car accident attorneys look for the “Easy A” and quickly settle a case without proper due diligence for health concerns that will impact the victim and their family for a lifetime. TBI is often difficult to recognize and the damage is not readily apparent and requires a thorough evaluation and investigation by trained physicians, neurologists, and attorneys with experience in the field.

Many symptoms of traumatic brain injuries include but are not limited to memory issues, behavioral changes and irritability, speak and language difficulty, nausea, vomiting, headaches, seizures, pupil dilation, ringing in the ears, fractures of the skull, loss of consciousness, depression, loss of life’s enjoyment pleasures and libido, and inability to function in an emotional and mental level as the victim did prior to the accident. TBI is also referred to as a silent, hidden epidemic and often goes undiagnosed.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident or truck accident or has suffered a blow to the head as the result of negligence of another or a product defect, it pays to have a free, no obligation consultation with an experienced car accident and traumatic brain injury lawyer.

For over three decades, I have investigated and prosecuted tens of thousands of car accident cases and Philadelphia car accident lawyer or truck accident lawyer must take all proper measures to preserve evidence and investigate all aspects of the accident in question and to avoid spoliation of the evidence. Extraordinary results for victims of car accidents and truck accidents requires an extraordinary commitment by experienced car accident attorneys who understand how to dutifully retrieve all of the information from a black box in any situation where catastrophic loss or death occurs. In a collision event, the EDR or black box must be examined and downloaded. It is estimated that over 85% of vehicles have EDR's installed and NHTSA has set a timetable to have all vehicles in compliance with the EDR standards.

If you or a loved one has been the unfortunate victim of a car or truck accident and sustained catastrophic injuries or wrongful death, the law firm of Reiff & Bily always offers a free, no obligation consultation. For more information, contact us toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

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

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

If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident, please contact one of our experienced Philadelphia car accident attorneys for a free, no obligation consultation. For more information contact us toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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