Pennsylvania Injury Lawyer Blog

An 8-year-old boy was killed in a Philadelphia car accident involving a driver who left the scene of the accident. According to Philly.com, the fatal hit-and-run crash occurred at White Horse Pike and Elm Avenue near Clementon Park. The boy was walking with his family across the street when a car struck him and drove away. The young victim of this pedestrian accident suffered critical injuries and died the next morning. A witness to the crash followed the 57-year-old male hit-and-run driver and notified authorities. The driver was arrested and charged with leaving the scene of an injury accident. Authorities are in the process of determining if he will face additional charges.

It is illegal to leave the scene of a crash when someone has been injured. According to Pennsylvania Vehicle Code Chapter 37 Subchapter C: "The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident shall immediately by the quickest means of communication give notice to the nearest office of a duly authorized police department if the accident involves: (1) injury to or death of any person; or (2) damage to any vehicle involved to the extent that it cannot be driven under its own power in its customary manner."

The family of someone killed in a Pennsylvania hit-and-run accident may pursue financial compensation for their loss by filing a wrongful death claim. At-fault drivers may be held liable for losses including medical bills, funeral expenses and emotional distress. An experienced Pennsylvania pedestrian accident attorney can help a family recover damages even when the authorities do not find the at-fault driver.

The reputed Pennsylvania personal injury attorneys at Anapol Schwartz have a long history of handling injury car accidents. We know how to hold at-fault parties liable for the damages they cause. Call our offices today at 866-735-2792 if you have lost a loved one in a Philadelphia car accident. We are here to help you.

A 31-year-old man was critically injured in a hit-and-run pedestrian accident in Philadelphia recently. According to NBC Philadelphia, the accident occurred on Marshall Street in Philadelphia. The driver who officials say was responsible for the accident allegedly tried to intentionally strike a man with whom he had been arguing. Instead of striking his intended target, the driver hit the victim and fled the scene. The victim suffered two broken legs as well as multiple internal injuries. The authorities are searching for the man in his 30s responsible for the crash. The vehicle has been described as a white Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Under Pennsylvania Vehicle Code Chapter 37 Subchapter C: “The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident shall immediately by the quickest means of communication give notice to the nearest office of a duly authorized police department if the accident involves: (1) injury to or death of any person; or (2) damage to any vehicle involved to the extent that it cannot be driven under its own power in its customary manner without further damage or hazard to the vehicle, other traffic elements, or the roadway, and therefore requires towing.”

Victims who have been injured in accidents caused by hit-and-run drivers may seek financial compensation for the damages they have suffered from either holding the at-fault liable through a civil lawsuit or through their own uninsured motorist coverage. An experienced Philadelphia pedestrian accident lawyer can help a victim understand their legal options in such cases.

The reputed attorneys at Anapol Schwartz protect the rights of our clients. We know how to hold at-fault drivers responsible for their negligence and how to seek compensation when the authorities do not find the at-fault party. If you or a loved one has been injured in a hit-and-run accident in Pennsylvania, please call our law offices at 1-866-735-2792 right away.

Philly.com reports that a man from North Philadelphia was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver on Roosevelt Boulevard in the Olney section of town on Monday, May 9. According to police, the 22-year-old-man was walking across the southbound outer lanes of the road shortly before 2 a.m. when he was hit by a motorist.

Accident investigators have stated they are looking for a dark, older-model Ford Taurus or a Mercury Sable. It is believed the vehicle suffered extensive damage in the fatal Philadelphia pedestrian accident, including a broken windshield and possibly a missing windshield wiper. Anyone with information is asked to all the Accident Investigation Division of the Philadelphia Police Department at 215-685-3180 or -3181.

The article notes that 49 people have been killed on Roosevelt Boulevard in the last five years. When someone is killed in an accident on a road that is considered to be hazardous, their family may be able to hold the government entity that oversees and maintains the roadway liable for the death and other accident-related losses. The following are examples of a dangerous roadway in Pennsylvania for which a city or state government can be held accountable for:

• A road is poorly designed, with dangerous curves, little visibility, narrow shoulders, missing guardrails, or diverts traffic ineffectively
• A road has not been adequately or regularly maintained, such as having potholes or uneven pavement
• A road with traffic signs that are not easily seen
• A road that is not adequately lit
• A road that has ongoing road construction, and does not have sufficient warning signs notifying motorist of the project

When a hazardous roadway accident occurs, in order for the governing body to be held responsible, it will need to be proven that the roadway was a contributing factor in a fatal accident and that the governing body was aware of the dangerous conditions but did not repair the road. The Philadelphia wrongful death attorneys at Anapol Schwartz have the knowledge and skill needed to hold negligent parties accountable for a death caused by wrongdoing or inaction. Call 1-866-735-2792 to learn how our lawyers can help your family during this difficult time.

Philly.com reports a 28-year-old woman who was eight months pregnant was hit and killed by a motorcyclist in Philadelphia late Monday night, April 11. According to the article, the woman was walking home at approximately 9:30 p.m. when a motorcyclist traveling northbound struck her as she attempted to cross Roosevelt Boulevard, close to Lexington Avenue near a marked pedestrian walkway.

The woman was transported to Albert Einstein Medical Center shortly following the Philadelphia pedestrian accident but died soon after. Doctors were not able to save her unborn child. The motorcyclist sustained head injuries and a broken leg in the accident and is reported to be in stable condition. The fatal pedestrian accident is under investigation by police motor vehicle accident experts. At the time the article was written, no charges had been filed against the motorcyclist.

There is currently no stoplight at the pedestrian crossing where the woman was hit, although there is one a few hundred yards north. However, in spite of the designated walkway, the area appears to be especially dangerous for pedestrians as the walkway is in the middle of a winding, descending curve. It is also an area where motorists are known to speed, despite two recently installed traffic cameras at nearby intersections. A tree that is a few feet away from the accident site is known locally as “Dead Man’s Tree” as it has been struck many times by speeding motorists. Persons interviewed for the article recalled a woman who was killed several years ago while crossing the same place as the pregnant woman.

When an accident occurs on a road that is poorly maintained, offers poor visibility, has dangerous curves or is otherwise inherently dangerous, injured victims and the families of those killed may be able to hold the city or state government that oversees the roadway accountable.

In a dangerous roadway accident, it will need to be proven that the roadway significantly contributed to the accident, and that the city or state government that oversees the road was aware of the hazardous conditions yet did not fix the problem. At Anapol Schwartz, our Philadelphia wrongful death lawyers have the skills and experience it takes to hold negligent parties accountable for a fatal accident. To learn how we can help during this difficult time, call 1-866-735-2792 today.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that a man was killed after he was struck by a pickup truck in New Brighton, PA on Monday night, February 7.

According to the article, the Pennsylvania pedestrian accident occurred at the intersection of Third Avenue and 11th Street at approximately 7:30 p.m. One motorist stopped to allow the man and his daughter to cross the street, but a pickup truck traveling in the other direction struck both pedestrians. The man was carried for some distance on the hood of the truck. When emergency personnel arrived, the man was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. The woman was seriously injured and taken to Heritage Valley Medical Center for treatment.

New Brighton police have stated the pickup truck driver was taken in for questioning. The fatal PA pedestrian accident remains under investigation.

In the United States in 2008, 4,378 pedestrians lost their lives in traffic accidents, reports the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It is estimated that approximately 69,000 pedestrians were injured in collisions that same year. In Pennsylvania, 137 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in 2008. These alarming statistics result in an average of a pedestrian killed in a traffic accident about every two hours, with a pedestrian injured in an accident approximately every eight minutes.

According to the NHTSA, about 54 percent of the total pedestrian fatalities in 2008 occurred between the hours of 4 and 11:59 p.m. To prevent pedestrian accidents, the NHTSA recommends that walkers cross streets at designated crosswalks, and look both directions before crossing. Pedestrians should never assume that a motor vehicle will stop and allow them to cross; keeping in mind that many motorists often drive distracted, recklessly, or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. When out at night, walkers should wear light colored and reflective clothing, and use a flashlight to make their presence known to motorists.

A Philadelphia negligence lawyer at Anapol Schwartz can help victims injured in pedestrian accidents understand their legal rights and fight to obtain the compensation they deserve from negligent motorists. To schedule a free consultation, call 866-735-2792 today.

After a study of New York City pedestrian accidents revealed that nearly 7,000 crashes occurred between 2002 and 2006, law makers, personal injury attorneys and families who have lost a loved one due to these types of accidents pushed for new laws to pass. In New Jersey, a new law is in place which legislators and residents hope will make pedestrian accidents a much less likely occurrence.

In New Jersey, signs at crosswalks used to say “Yield to Pedestrians”. Now, the signs say “Stop for Pedestrians” with penalties for not stopping increasing from $100 to $200 and two points on the driver’s license. Anapol Schwartz’s own Joel Feldman, who lost his daughter in a pedestrian accident last summer, is an advocate for the new law and played a role in helping to get it passed.

Pennsylvania, which has not passed the law, still has signs that say “Yield to Pedestrians” and Mr. Feldman is in favor of the law passing there as well. In an interview with Fox29 news that can be viewed here, Mr. Feldman notes that culture plays a key role in how many drivers view their rights and the rights of pedestrians.

In states like Colorado and California, drivers MUST stop for pedestrians if they even get close to a crosswalk. In other states where drivers only have to yield, it is the pedestrians who must watch out for cars, not the other way around. Ultimately, when a pedestrian auto accident happens, the pedestrian is the one who will suffer more as they do not have the metal protection surrounding them like a driver does.

It is the responsibility of all motorists to be alert and aware of pedestrians; however, many people still suffer serious injury and even death due to these types of accidents. The dedicated Pennsylvania pedestrian crash injury attorneys at Anapol Schwartz understand the pain that a victim of an auto accident and pedestrian accident goes through. Not only are you worried about your injuries, but you may be worried about mounting medical bills, loss of income due to having to miss work and other financial burdens. Our skilled Philadelphia personal injury attorneys can help you understand your rights and will fight to ensure that you are compensated fairly for the injuries you sustained. To learn more about our firm or to schedule a free consultation, please call Anapol Schwartz at 866-735-2792.

A teenager fell down a manhole while texting on her cell phone, according to a recent article released by NBC's Philadelphia affiliate. The fifteen-year-old girl fell four or five feet to the bottom of an open manhole while her vision was obscured by her cell phone. She suffered some scrapes on her arms and back. The girl was also severely shaken up by both the surprise of the fall and the unpleasant experience of landing in a sewer pipe. She was examined at a nearby hospital and then released.

The manhole cover had been removed by the Department of Environmental Protection, which planned to do some work in the area. Apparently, the employee who opened the manhole had turned his back to fetch some orange road cones intended to warn pedestrians about the hole. None of the department employees were watching at the moment that the teenager fell into the manhole, though they removed her promptly after her fall.

The family has announced that it intends to sue the Department of Environmental Protection for their daughter's injuries and suffering from the fall. Department workers who open manholes are supposed to block the sidewalk with warning signs in order to prevent pedestrian accidents such as these.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident in Philadelphia, it pays to know your rights. The experienced Pennsylvania pedestrian accident attorneys at Anapol Schwartz can help you understand your legal options after your accident and help you choose the best course of action. Our skilled legal team will help you hold negligent parties accountable. Call Anapol Schwartz today at 1-866-735-2792 to schedule a free and confidential consultation.

Accidents in which pedestrians are hit by cars occur every day throughout Pennsylvania and the U.S. Some, unfortunately, are fatal. Although some risks always exist when walkers and drivers share the roadway, you can take steps to protect yourself and your loved ones and decrease the chances of a pedestrian accident in Pennsylvania taking place.

For Pedestrians:

1. Wear bright or reflective clothing. Bright colors and jackets with reflective strips will help drivers see you. If you're walking at night, consider carrying a flashlight along with wearing reflective clothing.


2. Never trust drivers. Always make sure that drivers heed a stop sign or streetlight before stepping out in front of them. Remember, the driver may be distracted and may not see you until it's too late.


3. Never cross in the middle of a block. Drivers are rarely looking for pedestrians in the middle of a block, and parked traffic can hide you from a driver's sight. Cross only at intersections, preferably those that are marked for pedestrians with crosswalks and signals.

For Drivers:

1. Avoid distractions. Use your cell phone or look at the map only when your vehicle is parked or safely alongside the road. If passengers are distracting you, remind them to stay quiet, especially in areas with lots of traffic or many pedestrians. Try recruiting passengers to help you scan the road ahead for hazards.


2. Obey all traffic laws. Come to a complete stop at all stop signs and red lights. Pay special attention to intersections and crosswalks. Do not speed up to slip through a yellow light; come to a stop instead if possible.


3. Take special care at dawn and dusk, when the setting sun or the gathering darkness may obscure your vision. If the sun is in your eyes, a pedestrian walking towards you may not realize you cannot see him or her. Drive more slowly if necessary and scan the edges of the road for movement that may signal a pedestrian.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer in Pennsylvania or a skilled Philadelphia car injury attorney can help you get deserved compensation. Our attorneys at Anapol Schwartz have the knowledge and experience to examine the details of your accident and help you hold negligent parties responsible for their actions. Please call 1-866-735-2792 for a free consultation.

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 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.

Jarrad Rocheleau and Loren Welsh, two former University of Rhode Island (URI) students, have settled a lawsuit that accused them of causing the death of a college student from Richboro, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The wrongful death lawsuit alleged that the two students were responsible for the death of Francis J. Marx V who was crushed by a bus in Newport five years ago.

According to an account from philly.com, the wrongful death lawsuit began two weeks ago in Superior Court and was resolved prior to final arguments. Financial terms of the settlement were not disclosed, but Rocheleau and Welsh admitted no wrongdoing as part of the settlement.

Marx was out at a formal dance with friends when he got into an argument with a group of URI students who were out celebrating graduation. According to the lawsuit, the argument escalated to the point that Marx was pushed to the ground and fell beneath the wheel of a bus carrying students on a bar tour. Lawyers for the defendants said they never pushed Marx and suggested that he had been drinking heavily and fell backward on his own, resulting in the fatal pedestrian accident.

While there are many variables involved in this instance, the sad truth is that bus, pedestrian and auto accidents in Pennsylvania are an everyday occurrence. The details surrounding a pedestrian accident are complicated and should not be handled alone, especially while you are trying to recover from your injuries. Contact Anapol Schwartz today for your free consultation with a skilled Pennsylvania pedestrian accident lawyer. We will tell you whether you have a case and whether the best way to proceed is through your insurance company or through a court of law, or maybe both.

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" »