Pennsylvania Injury Lawyer Blog

Electromagnetic interference (EMI) is being taken into consideration by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as a possible cause for the influx of acceleration-related vehicle issues plaguing Toyota Motor Corporation and its vehicles. The issue was recently highlighted in a usatoday.com article that discussed the problems associated with EMI and how auto manufacturers have known about these issues for quite some time. While faulty floor mats and gas pedal malfunction have been the more closely examined causes of unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles, EMI could end up being cited as a contributing factor in at least some crashes which, at this point, have not been assigned a definite cause.

The theory of EMI explains that electronic devices emit a certain amount of electronic radiation, and it may be possible for that radiation to interfere with electronic control systems that all modern day cars now rely on. In regard to the unintentional acceleration issue, it is being examined whether or not the electronic throttle systems in Toyota vehicles are experiencing interference which is causing them to malfunction. However, regardless of whether or not this issue or another is found to be the cause of motorist accidents involving Toyota vehicles, it is safe to say that negligent action of some kind may be greatly contributing towards the numerous auto vehicle recalls that seem to be taking place on a weekly basis.

Continue reading "NHTSA Investigating EMI as Possible Cause of Toyota Acceleration Issues" »

A 61-year-old man from Derry recently lost control of his vehicle in Westmoreland County. Reportedly, the man had just purchased a 1965 Pontiac GTO and was on his way home when the car suddenly failed to stop, came to rest on railroad tracks, and was then struck by a Norfolk Southern freight train. The operator of the train did attempt to apply the train’s brakes prior to striking the car, but was unable to stop in time. This incident marks the third fatality involving a train to have taken place in Derry since this past summer.

According to Pittsburgh’s ABC affiliate, WTAE-TV channel 4, the man was able to bail out of the vehicle prior to the collision, and was found about 40 yards from the scene of the accident. It was determined that the 61-year-old died at the scene from blunt force head trauma. Police are investigating the accident and trying to determine what exactly went wrong with the vehicle. In accidents where vehicle malfunction plays some sort of contributing factor, it is important to attribute any instance of negligent action to the appropriate party so that they can be held liable for their actions. Although the vehicle involved certainly wasn’t brand new, the man involved in the accident had purchased the vehicle the very day that the accident took place. Whether or not the seller of the car knew that there was something wrong with the vehicle is yet to be determined.

Continue reading "Derry Man Dies After 65' GTO Fails at Railroad Crossing" »

Inclement weather conditions contribute towards a large number of traffic accidents each and every year. According to a philly.com article, multiple accidents have been occurring in Pennsylvania and New Jersey as a result of icy road conditions. Reportedly, a Blue Route accident involving a Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) bus and two other vehicles took place when the bus crashed into the two vehicles that had already been involved in a crash with each other. According to the article, a total of 10 bus passengers were injured. There was no mention of injuries sustained by the motorists of the two other vehicles involved.

Inclement weather conditions are certainly not the fault of motorists, but driving recklessly in such conditions is. Reckless driving practices result in far too many Pennsylvania auto accidents each year. In the event that a motorist chooses to drive in a reckless manner, that motorist can be held liable for injuries and other damages that take place as a result of said reckless driving practice.

Continue reading "Icy Road Conditions in Pennsylvania Contribute to SEPTA Crash that Injured 10" »

According to a report from KYW 1060 News Radio, a total of six people sustained minor injuries when a trolley collided with a passenger car in West Philadelphia. The accident occurred near South 36th Street and Market, and involved five adults and one child. The injured adults were taken to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, while the lone child was taken to Children’s Hospital. None of the involved individuals sustained major injuries, and the cause of the crash is still being investigated.

Traffic accidents in Pennsylvania always need to be carefully examined to ensure that the negligent party deemed responsible for the accident is held accountable for his or her actions. Furthermore, it needs to be investigated as to whether or not some other entity played a contributing role in the accident as well. That is, if a faulty auto part leads to an accident, then the manufacturer of that part can be declared negligent in their ability to provide the consumer with a supposedly safe product.

Continue reading "West Philly Trolley and Car Collide Injuring Six" »

Energy conservation is becoming more and more commonplace amongst not only private citizens, but businesses and other entities who are seeking to be more eco-friendly. However, not all ideas are as effective as they are in theory when put into action. According to an ajc.com article, energy-efficient traffic lights are doing more than just cutting down on energy usage. They’re also cutting down on how safe motorists are while traversing city streets equipped with the LED-powered lights.

Reportedly, the traffic lights outfitted with the energy-efficient light bulbs are not creating enough heat during their usage, which makes traveling in freezing temperatures rather difficult. The reason for this is that frost can now easily build up over the traffic light lens, making it impossible for a motorist to be completely sure as to which traffic law must be obeyed. The issue has already led to dozens of traffic accidents, one of which included a motorist fatality. While governing authorities cite monetary savings as a significant factor in installing the efficient bulbs, opponents of the move can cite several cases where individuals were involved in car accidents as a result of the low heat-producing light bulbs that contributed towards the obstruction of a traffic signal.

Municipalities have a responsibility to provide and maintain safe road conditions for city residents and visitors alike. In the event that a governing body fails to provide such conditions, then that government entity may be held liable for damages resulting from said instance of improperly maintained conditions. Ultimately, if a city fails to provide safe conditions and does not address and correct known problems in a timely manner, then the city is exercising negligent behavior that needs to be addressed in a court of law.

Continue reading "Energy Efficient Traffic Lights Prone to Frost Buildup, Pose Danger to Motorists" »

A recent article from thepittsburghchannel.com reported that a fatal head-on auto collision between a passenger car and a UPS truck in Pennsylvania took the life of the passenger car driver. The UPS truck driver’s condition was not provided but the article stated that he was taken to a local hospital. According to police, the car swerved out of control after skidding on some oil that was on the road. Although the article does not mention at what speeds the vehicles collided, considered the catastrophic consequences of the head-on crash, it is fair to say that speed may have been a factor.

When auto accidents are caused by foreign substances on the road, such as excessive oil, or by poor road conditions, these factors are unfortunately enough to cause vehicles to lose control, taking an automobile in unexpected directions and resulting in a collision with other vehicles. Head-on collisions in Pennsylvania are some of the most serious auto accidents to take place due to the vulnerability of drivers and front-seat passengers, especially for individuals in small passenger cars who are involved in accidents with larger vehicles like delivery trucks and SUVs.

Continue reading "Robinson Township Auto Collision Kills 1" »

It was reported on the website sfexaminer.com that families of the 10 people killed when a semi truck smashed into stopped cars on the Will Rogers Turnpike in Oklahoma have decided to file a joint lawsuit against several defendants. The defendants mentioned in the lawsuit are the driver of the truck, his employer, Associated Wholesale Grocers, ACE American Insurance located in Pennsylvania, G.D. Transport out of California, their insurer National Liability and Fire Insurance Co. located in Nebraska, Rajeev Sharma a resident of California, and Erin Alf who is from Texas.

At approximately 1:15 p.m., the 73-year-old truck driver slammed his big rig into the cars while cruising at 70 miles per hour. Oklahoma Highway Patrol reports that the driver made no attempt to avoid the devastating collision. The lawsuit contends that the driver was rushed by his employer Associated Wholesale Grocers to make a delivery and forced him to work beyond what is deemed safe and lawful. The two residents mentioned in the lawsuit were the drivers of another tractor trailer involved in the collision that had stopped traffic on the turnpike when unfortunately the worst case scenario occurred. G.D. Transport is their employer and they are accused of not training their drivers properly.

A lawyer for the plaintiffs said the grieving families acted this way as “a means of obtaining efficiency and economy in the administration and handling of the case, and demonstrates the enormity and gravity of the loss, and harm caused.”

Continue reading "Family Members File Joint Suit In Tragic Truck Accident That Killed 10 People" »

A jury in Carlisle Pennsylvania listened attentively to the testimony of Pennsylvania’s deputy secretary of the state Labor Department, who is accused of driving drunk and crashing his state issued vehicle with a parked car. The report stated that the 50-year-old secretary testified that he was completely sober and had absolutely nothing to drink prior to him running into a parked car at approximately 3 a.m. He did admit to having some drinks shortly afterwards, specifically three or four beers and two whiskey drinks. Cumberland County prosecutor strongly contended the deputy secretary’s testimony pointing out that his blood alcohol level was higher than twice the limit four hours after the crash.

Fortunately no one was injured in this car crash, but it does raise eyebrows in regards to the justice system. In this country, everyone has a right to a trial, but we hope that no one is given any special favors. In this case, it appears that the deputy secretary was completely intoxicated when he crashed and is now trying to save himself going as far as to lie under oath in the courtroom. The owner of the vehicle should be able to receive full compensation from the deputy secretary.

Continue reading "PA Official Testifies in Carlisle Courtroom that He Was Not Drunk Driving" »

A lawsuit alleges that the famous former Wrestler Hulk Hogan, his wife, and their son are culpable in the tragic car accident that left a friend of the Hogan son and Iraq veteran with a serious brain injury, the celebrity news website eonline.com reported. The 23-year-old friend was a passenger in Hogan’s son Toyota Supra that had been altered for racing. They were racing another friend who was driving a Dodge Viper that is also owned by Hulk Hogan. The race ended with the Supra crashing into a palm tree.

The lawsuit also alleges that the Hogan parents are responsible for their son driving “reckless and negligent” and that “they not only encouraged it, but they did not take appropriate action to stop it and to protect the safety of the public.”

Hogan’s son has had a history of speed driving since he acquired his license in 2005, including twice being pulled over for driving in excess of 100 miles per hour in 2006, and three separate speeding tickets in 2007. The lawsuit claims that Hogan’s son was a drift racer akin to the Movie The Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift.

Most implicating is the accusation that Mrs. Hogan was heard saying, “Oh, I love it. I love it. The rush, the speed on the road, stereo-blasting, heat-pounding, racing in between all the cars, dodging the cops. It’s awesome.”

In addition, the lawsuit claims that Mr. Hogan, the co-owner of the car, purchased the alcohol that was consumed on the day of the accident and furthermore Mr. Hogan was aware or should have been aware that his son had customized his car, in effect making it “exceedingly dangerous instrumentality for his son.”

Continue reading "Hulk Hogan and Wife Facing Lawsuit Alleging they Encouraged Son to Race" »

A news report on the wdtv.com website informed the public of a dreadful pedestrian accident involving an SUV which took the life of a Pennsylvania man in front of the Cottrrells Store in Morgantown. Sheriffs from the Mon County Department reported that at approximately 9:30 p.m. a 56 year old woman was behind the wheel of a Dodge Durango heading north on Point Marion Road when she ran over a the 43 year old man.

Emergency response teams transported the victim to Ruby Memorial Hospital via ambulance but it was too late, and doctors pronounced him dead. Authorities are investigating the circumstances that led up to the accident and urge the public with any relevant information regarding this case to call the sheriff’s department at (304) 291-7260.

Many of us enjoy eating foods that may not be to healthy for us, which in turn, leads many us to exercise to try to burn some of those pounds off. Many Americans choose to do their exercise outdoors in various fashions such as biking, jogging, or simply taking a stroll around the neighborhood. Unfortunately, each day in the United States, innocent pedestrians are injured by negligent motor vehicle drivers. The effects on injured pedestrians can be quite serious, including broken bones, comas, paralysis, brain injury, and even death as in this story.

Continue reading "Pennsylvania Pedestrian Killed by SUV in Morgantown" »

The website post-gazette.com reported that another big rig accident on route 22 in West Wheatfield claimed the life of an 82 year old man from Apollo, in Armstrong County. The man suffered serious injuries according to the authorities. He was immediately taken to Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center in Johnstown, where he was later pronounced dead of multiple traumatic injuries according to the Cambria Country Deputy Coroner. State police said the 82 year old man crossed over to oncoming traffic and hit the semi truck. The man stood no chance of surviving the impact, and there was a third vehicle involved which ran over a tire that became loose from the truck accident in Pennsylvania. That driver suffered minor injuries.

Accidents involving trucks account for over 130,000 injuries in the United States. There are 5,000 deaths each year and close to 35% of the injuries are catastrophic. Trucks over 10,000 pounds (semis and tractor-trailer) represent only 3% of all registered vehicles but are responsible for over 25% of vehicle related deaths. The most common causes of truck accidents are unsafe driving, driver fatigue, oversized loads and mechanical negligence.

Continue reading "PA Trucking Accident Kills Senior Citizen" »

Honda has recalled many models of its 2001 Civics and Accords for an airbag defect, which may cause serious injuries to vehicle occupants. According to this news report, a 26-year-old woman was nearly killed when metal fragments shot out of her Honda airbag during a car crash in April.

The metal shards from the airbag apparently cut two arteries in her neck and left her with a whole in her chest. What this woman, like many others in the country, found out was that the airbag that was supposed to protect her in the event of a car crash instead hurt and almost killed her.

Honda recalled these vehicles for a problem with a device that inflates the airbag on the driver's side, which produces too much pressure. This in turn can cause the device to rupture, sending metal fragments through the airbag. These sharp metal pieces can injure or even kill a driver during an auto accident. Consumers expect that the vehicles they purchase are safe and won’t pose any direct harm caused by a defective auto part.

Continue reading "Defective Honda Airbags Can Seriously Injure Drivers" »

A two-car crash in Warren County killed two people, according to this news report. The fatal auto accident in Pennsylvania occurred when a pickup truck collided with a sport utility vehicle on Route 6 in Columbus Township. The driver of the pickup attempted to pull out of a driveway into Route 6 when he drove into the path of an SUV driven by a 20-year-old man.

Police say the man tried to avoid the collision, but that his vehicle struck the truck. The impact caused the pickup to roll over to its left side. One person was ejected from the vehicle. The driver of the SUV and a passenger were transported to an area hospital with injuries. Police say none of those involved in this accident may have been wearing seatbelts.

Auto and truck accident cases in Pennsylvania can be extremely complex. The causes for car crashes could range from drunk driving, negligence, recklessness, dangerous roadways or defective automobile. Some auto accidents, such as the incident previously described, may involve multiple defendants and claims against auto makers or even governmental agencies. In various other cases, our attorneys have seen auto accident cases often involve uninsured or underinsured motorists.

Continue reading "Pennsylvania Auto Accident Kills Two" »

Two teenagers suffered injuries in a Pennsylvania car accident when one car turned left in front of another, according to this news report. The two-car crash occurred when a 19-year-old man driving a Chevy Lumina turned his car left onto Route 51 in the path of a Cadillac El Dorado that was northbound on Route 51. The Cadillac was also being driven by a 19-year-old, Pennsylvania State Police said. The El Dorado struck the back of the Lumina causing severe damage to both vehicles.

The driver of the Lumina sustained moderate injuries, but his 18-year-old female passenger suffered severe injuries. The driver of the Cadillac was not injured and his passenger suffered only minor injuries. The driver of the Cadillac said he had no time to stop because the Lumina cut out in front of him and that he couldn't get out of the way because there was another car next to him in the adjacent lane.

When it comes to liability in auto accidents in Philadelphia, a lot depends on who was at fault for it. A number of car accidents commonly occur when left turns are being made. In such cases it is important to see who had the right-of-way. If the auto accident victims suffered injuries because of another driver's negligence, carelessness, or wrongdoing, then they may be entitled to receive compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of wages, property damage and other losses.

Continue reading "Pennsylvania Car Accident Seriously Injures 18-year-old Woman" »

Rollover and roof crush is a serious auto product liability issue. Because of a defective or weak roof, vehicle occupants can suffer serious brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, or even death when the collision’s force causes the roof to cave in. These rollover accident victims are put at risk of being rendered disabled for the rest of their lives because of these defective autos. This is particularly true when it comes to several brands of sport utility vehicles or SUVs that have a propensity to roll over because of their high center of gravity.

The federal roof strength standard has not been changed since the 1970s. Large auto makers including Ford and General Motors have lobbied to keep those standards unaltered in spite of knowing that these roofs will only result in more injuries and deaths. It wasn't until this April that the U.S. Department of Transportation announced new roof standards for light vehicles weighing up to 6,000 pounds.

In an effort to help lower the severity of rollover accidents in Pennsylvania and throughout the nation, the new rule specifies that both the driver and passenger sides of the roof must be capable of withstanding a force equal to three times the weight of the vehicle. The Department of Transportation also announced recently that heavier vehicles from 6,000 to 10,000 pounds must now have both sides of the roof capable of withstanding a force equal to 1.5 times the weight of the vehicle. The phase-in schedule, which begins in September 2012, will be completed for all affected vehicles by the 2017 model year.

Continue reading "Roof Crush during Rollover Accidents Causes Serious Injuries" »

The website www.dangeroustrailers.com reported in an article on April 26, 2009 that families of three victims killed on the Bay Bridge in 2007 have filed a $19 million dollar wrongful-death lawsuit in which they claim the state is partially at fault for the auto accident. Matters discussed included prior crashes and fatalities during two-way traffic on the bridge and concern that the state should have been aware that the bridge needed barriers to divide lanes as well as a sign system to caution drivers of the “dangerous and perilous condition” approaching them.

Representatives with the transportation authority who are listed as one of the defendants and responsible for the bridge declined to comment on the allegations.

Downplaying the significance of two-way traffic, Sgt. Jonathan Green said, “If the trailer had not come unhitched, there would not have been an accident.”

Attorney Paul D. Beckman, disagrees and said, “This was a preventable tragedy.”

According to police reports a man was driving a 2000 Lincoln Navigator West across the Bay Bridge at about 4 p.m. when a homemade trailer he was hauling came loose ending with a 7 car pileup.

The families have named the following 8 parties as defendants in their wrongful-death civil lawsuit: Maryland Transportation Authority, the agency that oversees the Bay Bridge; Stephen Adam Burt, driver of the SUV hauling a trailer that became unhitched and caused the seven-car pileup; Levon Andonian, owner of the trailer that caused the accident; Joshua Hargrove, driver of a 18-wheeler semi involved in the crash; Mobile Mini Inc., a Tempe, Ariz., company that employed Hargrove; Edwin Dixon, driver of a second 18-wheeler semi involved in the crash; AG Trucking Inc., a Goshen, Ind., company that employed Dixon.; Travelers Property Casualty Co. Of America, the company that issued the car-insurance policy for one of the men killed in the crash.

Along with the pain and suffering of losing a loved one, you may have to battle many parties in a wrongful death claim, which can be overwhelming. This tragic story demonstrates that wrongful-death lawsuits can be incredibly complicated and require the help of a skilled attorney. The experienced Philadelphia personal injury lawyers at Anapol Schwartz have been helping victims of such tragedies for over 30 years.

Of course, wrongful death monetary gain can never replace the loss of a parent, child, sibling, or other family member. However it can support loss of income earned and pay for medical bills, if there were any, and funeral costs, and perhaps mental anguish.

The skilled Philadelphia wrongful death lawyers at Anapol Schwartz know it’s hard to come to grips and file a wrongful death lawsuit. Statutes of limitations apply and you don’t want to lose the rights you have in filing a wrongful death lawsuit. You have two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Don’t wait until the last minute. Please call 1-866-735-2792 for a free consultation.

The website philly.com reported in a story on May 13, 2009 that the trial involving a New Jersey State Trooper who collided with a minivan killing two teenagers while on pursuit of a speeder. Unknowingly, Joshua Wigglesworth, the speeder who the trooper was following, was a classmate of one of the victims and had no idea anyone had died in the auto accident.

Testifying in court Wigglesworth, 20, said, “I just broke down.”

There is no doubt that Trooper Robert Higbee sped through a stop sign at Tuckahoe and Stagecoach Roads in the Marmora section of Upper Township approximately around 10 pm.

The force of the collision on the Dodge van was so violent that Jacqueline, 17, a student at Ocean City High School, and passenger Christina, a student at Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, were flung through the passenger’s window and died at the scene of the car accident. According to the data recorder on the police cruiser, the trooper was traveling at 70 m.p.h. He claims he wanted to “close the gap” before turning on his emergency lights and siren.

Another witness who was in a car hit by the Dodge van testified that he was shocked when he went to check the conditions of the other occupants.

Wrongful death is a heartbreaking event. There is never a chance to say goodbye. Wrongful death is caused by a defendant’s misconduct or negligence. If you have lost a loved one due to the negligence of another person in a car accident in Pennsylvania, contact the skilled Philadelphia auto accident lawyers and personal injury attorneys at Anapol Schwartz who will inform you of your legal options. Please call 1-866-735-2792 for a free consultation.

The website philly.com reported in an article on March 17, 2009 that a semi truck had been cited time and time again for faulty brakes and operating with a falsified inspection sticker purchased at a Philadelphia shop. This truck crashed into stopped traffic on the Schuylkill Expressway in Janury, killing David Schreffler, father of three. The investigation of the Pennsylvania truck accident lasted seven weeks and now the driver Valerijs Belovs, 55, of Northeast Philadelphia is being charged with vehicular homicide.

Along with Belovs, the co-owner of the 18 wheeler and a garage owner were charged with vehicular homicide, which authorities say is rare in these cases but shows how seriously they are taking the case. All three are now sitting in jail.

Risa Vetri Ferman, Montgomery County District Attorney, stated that the auto accident in Philadelphia should serve as a wake-up call. She said, “It’s a death machine. The take-away is that these machines are all over the road, and people are going to get killed.”

Ferman added that the 18 wheelers worn-out brakes were unable to slow down the truck in time before it crashed into traffic.

Accidents involving trucks account for over 130,000 injuries in the United States. There are 5,000 deaths each year and close to 35% of the injuries are catastrophic. Trucks over 10,000 pounds (semis and tractor-trailer) represent only 3% of all registered vehicles but are responsible for over 25% of vehicle related deaths. The most common causes of truck accidents are unsafe driving, driver fatigue, oversized loads and mechanical negligence.

If you have suffered serious injury or lost a loved one due to a truck accident in Pennsylvania, the lawyers at Anapol Schwartz can help you. The skilled Philadelphia truck accident lawyers at Anapol Schwartz handle a multitude of cases involving automobile and truck accidents. They have the experience and knowledge in personal injury claims to help you get the maximum compensation possible. Please call 1-866-735-2792 for a free consultation.

It was reported in March 2009, that Pennsylvania state police announced that two men died after their cars collided on Route 6 in McKean County. According to the authorities, one car was traveling westbound and was driven by Leslie Badanes, 67 from Olean, NY. Ronald K. Gehman, 61 of Port Allegany was behind the wheel of his pickup truck traveling west when he was struck by Badenas vehicle that had crossed over the center lines. Both drivers were killed as a result of the Pennsylvania car crash.

Tragically car accidents are part of today’s society that relies so much on the automobile. Auto accidents change the lives of both the victim and their families. In fact, in the year 2001, over 3 million people were seriously hurt in motor vehicle accidents, and approximately 42 thousand people were killed.

Repairs to your vehicle are important and can be assessed by a body shop. Physical and emotional problems related to your auto accident, however, are a little more complicated to attend to. Some results of an auto accident are pain and suffering, loss of current and future income, impaired physical ability, and loss of enjoyment, just to name a few. After an auto accident, contact a Pennsylvania Auto Accident Attorney at Anapol Schwartz immediately to begin the process of exploring your options under the law. Do not consider accepting a settlement from an insurance company without first contacting and obtaining a lawyer.

The auto accident lawyers in Pennsylvania at Anapol Schwartz handle a multitude of cases involving automobile and truck accidents, as well as insurance issues. They have experience in cases ranging from automobile accidents involving modest injuries to those in which death and catastrophic injuries are the result. They also represent clients in actions against their own insurance companies, uninsured and underinsured motorist cases, when the responsible party either has no insurance or not enough insurance to pay for the damages caused. Please call 1-866-735-2792 for a free consultation.

The online Daily Journal reported in a story that former Missouri Rep. Brad Robinson, 42 has been charged with hit and run, being sentenced to five years of probation. According to the St. Louis Post Dispatch, Robinson was also ordered to pay out of pocket expenses for the victim Donald Marler of Desloge. The car accident happened in Bonne Terre approximately 60 miles south of St. Louis.

Capturing the whole thing was a high school surveillance camera. The video shows Robinson and his wife switching positions and returning to the scene of the crime.

Each day in the United States innocent pedestrians are injured by negligent motor vehicle drivers. The effects on injured pedestrians can be quite serious, including broken bones, comas, paralysis, brain injury, and death.

The experienced Pennsylvania auto accident lawyers at Anapol Schwartz handle a multitude of cases involving automobile and truck accidents. These cases range from automobile accidents involving modest injuries to those in which death and catastrophic injuries are the result. They also represent clients in actions against their own insurance companies, uninsured and underinsured motorist cases, when the responsible party either has no insurance or not enough insurance to pay for the damages caused. Often, the most devastating injuries occur when trucks are involved in the accident. Their attorneys are knowledgeable with respect to state and federal regulations governing the conduct of truck drivers, as well as the condition of their vehicles.

If you have been seriously hurt in auto accident in Pennsylvania contact Philadelphia’s skilled personal injury lawyers at the law firm of Anapol Schwartz. They will help you fight against those who have wronged you or caused you harm because of negligence. Please call 1-866-735-2792 for a free consultation.

The centredaily.com website reported in an account on March 23, 2009 that Scott Hilliard was struck and killed by a vehicle while walking alongside Airport Road in the Pennsylvania auto accident in Bellefonte. There is a bike path running along this road but it is a couple hundred feet before it reaches State Route 550. Markings along the road indicate that Hilliard must have been struck while he was walking on the side of the road where the bike path runs short.

Maureen Farber said, “When we found his Bible he had pictures of the kids in there.”

Hilliard’s relatives believe that he was struck while walking home to his apartment on Governors Park Road, and was attempting to reach the bike path that runs alongside that road. The tragic auto accident in Pennsylvania happened around 7pm.

Farber said, “I just feel like Scott, he didn’t really get a chance. His life was brief and he spent most of his time in pain. It really frustrated me that he died with his feet at the bottom of the bike path. There was no where for him to walk.”

According to Farber, many elderly people without cars live in the area were the Pennsylvania wrongful death accident happened.

“They need a way to get back and forth. My own kids had to walk to the high school. It’s not safe. I don’t understand why there’s a bike path with no way to get to it. I don’t ever want to see that happen again,” said Farber.

Ralph Stewart, Borough Manager, said talks have been raised about constructing a sidewalk that would connect into the bike path; but two problems have hindered this from happening. Stewart stated that Zion and Airport Roads are state roads and that “our grant funds did not allow us to do that.” Secondly, the Department of Transportation has plans to widen the roads in that area, possibly changing the alignment of the Airport Road intersection. Stanley Goldman, Mayor, stated they are open to options.

If you or a loved have been involved in serious traffic accident in Pennsylvania you should contact a skilled attorney to protect your rights during this difficult time. The experienced Pennsylvania auto accident lawyers at Anapol Schwartz handle a multitude of cases involving automobile and truck accidents. These cases range from automobile accidents involving modest injuries to those in which death and catastrophic injuries are the result. Please call 1-866-735-2792 for a free consultation.

Over the course of one day on Friday, February 20, two car accidents in Pennsylvania left one pedestrian dead and one driver in critical condition, according to an article from philly.com.

Around 7pm, Kurt Spielberg, 81, was hit by a car driving westbound on Kelly Drive as he walked into oncoming traffic, according to a police spokeswoman. Spielberg was taken to Hahnemann University Hospital where he was pronounced dead due to the serious injuries. It was reported that it is unknown why Spielberg walked into oncoming traffic and the driver who hit him will not face charges.

Later that night, Lewis Leon, 26, was driving westbound on Somerset Street when he allegedly hit a car stopped at a traffic signal. The woman in the hit vehicle suffered head trauma, extensive bruising, and broken bones from this auto accident in Philadelphia. She was reported to be in critical condition on Monday February 23. Leon was arrested and charged with recklessly endangering another person, driving while under the influence of intoxicants, aggravated assault, and related offenses.

Continue reading "Philadelphia Pedestrian Accident Kills Man While Auto Accident Injures Another" »

A recent story from philly.com reported an auto accident in Pennsylvania caused by a SEPTA bus. The bus driver was reportedly experienced at maneuvering the bus, but on this particular day, the driver happened to choke on a throat lozenge, causing him to lose control of the vehicle while heading west on Ford Road near Balwynne Park Road. A SEPTA spokesperson said that the bus driver and six passengers were taken to a local hospital where they were treated for minor injuries and then released.

The bus had crashed into the residence of Tania James, 36, who was fortunately not home during the Pennsylvania bus accident. Witnesses say that on one side of the road, the bus hit five parked cars and struck a utility pole over. Luckily, no pedestrians or any other drivers were injured. According to reports, the bus also destroyed a metal awning at a house owned by Claudia Conway, 58, and then crashed into the brick front of a home owned by Wanda Kee Taliaferro, 49. There were no reported injuries in any of the buildings the bus crashed into.

Continue reading "Pennsylvania Bus Crash Injures Six Passengers and Driver" »