Pennsylvania Personal Injury Blog

It is normal and a very common thing to take a walk when visiting a new city especially with your significant other. Unfortunately, a tragic story unfolded on the streets of New York City recently when a husband and wife from Britain were run down by a garbage truck driver who forgot to take his anti-seizure medicine, according to a story on the nypost.com website. The avoidable accident happened in February 2008 and now the 58-year-old driver of that truck has been found guilty by a jury and sentenced to 20 years to life in prison. The couple, both age 47, were enjoying a nice walk near Pennsylvania station when the driver lost control of the garbage truck, smashing his way onto the sidewalk where the couple happened to be walking.

The judge said that by not taking his medication, the man had become “a time bomb ready to explode.” Prosecutors stated that the man had failed to disclose his illness at the time of hiring. Without question, this story highlights the flawed hiring procedures by the city. How can a person be given the keys to a multi-ton vehicle without being tested to see if they are fit to operate such heavy duty equipment?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, pedestrian and motor vehicle accidents are a serious problem throughout the world and the United States has a particular problem with pedestrian deaths and injuries. Not surprising is the fact that older pedestrians are more likely to be injured or killed when struck by a motor vehicle than younger pedestrians.

Continue reading "Garbage Truck Kills Two Pedestrians" »

According to an article in The Philadelphia Inquirer, a car that was speeding ran off the road on Route 70 in Cherry Hill and slammed into a utility pole recently, killing the motorist and a man who just happened to be there.

The article reported that witnesses saw a red Pontiac GTO “traveling at a high rate of speed” on the westbound lanes of Route 70 on December 14.

The vehicle ran off the road then hit the pole and struck the pedestrian before the wreckage came to a halt in a driveway.

Both men were pronounced dead shortly after the accident.

Continue reading "Motorist and Pedestrian Killed in Cherry Hill Crash " »

On November 24, a woman swerved across three lanes on Marshall Road in Upper Darby, PA to get around a traffic jam and slammed her car into two school children. She then drove on at high speed and hit a third boy, which threw him against a building and left him in a coma. According to an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer, a 12-year-old is in critical but stable condition at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

A 13-year-old and another 12-year-old were in serious condition being treated for non-life-threatening injuries. The boys were leaving Beverly Hills Middle School when they were hit. Two of the boys were waiting to cross Marshall Road. The woman driving a Dodge Charger then swerved. When her car plowed into the two boys crossing Marshall Road, one of the boys was tossed into the air and bounced off the windshield, shattering it.

The car continued 15 yards and struck the other boy. The impact sent him into the side of an auto-parts store. The car did not stop.

The Dodge returned to the eastbound lanes, where it traveled 50 more yards before striking a Subaru station wagon. The force drove the Subaru into a parked Mercedes-Benz. The Dodge continued for an additional 20 yards before stopping. According to the article, police believe she was trying to get away. Police took the woman into custody and took her to Upper Darby police headquarters.

Every eight minutes a pedestrian is hurt in a traffic accident – that’s up to 65,000 injuries a year. And 5,000 or more pedestrians die every year in pedestrian accidents.

Continue reading "Darby Crash Injures 3 Boys" »

On November 3, 8-year-old twins were mowed down by a hit-and-run driver in Crescentville, PA. According to an article in the Philadelphia Daily News, the sisters were on their way to a corner store at Cheltenham Avenue and Colgate Street when they were struck by a gray Lincoln Town Car that sped from the scene.

One of the girls suffered only bumps and bruises and was treated for minor injuries at St. Christopher’s hospital.

The other child’s injuries are much more severe than her sister’s.The article said that the Lincoln rolled over the little girl, leaving tire marks on her clothes and abdomen. She was listed in critical condition.

An arrest in the case is expected to come soon, as police found a car that they believe might have been involved.

The driver of the Lincoln should be held both civilly and criminally responsible for the girls’ injuries. The twins’ family would be well advised to seek the advice of an experienced personal injury attorney.

Continue reading "8-Year-Old Twins Injured in Hit-and-Run Accident" »

The Delaware County driver who lost control of her car while reaching for an iPod, killing one woman and injuring another, was found to have drugs in her system. According to an article in The Philadelphia Inquirer, the 20-year-old female of Havertown tested positive for marijuana and Difluoroethane, an ingredient found in Dust-Off, a can of compressed air used to clean computers.

The Upper Darby superintendent of police said they are recommending the District Attorney’s office charge the young woman with homicide by vehicle involving DUI, manslaughter, and other related charges. On August 15, two females, a 19-year-old and a 20-year-old, were struck from behind by the car the intoxicated driver was operating.

The 19-year-old was killed instantly; and the 20-year-old was hospitalized with multiple injuries. She is now at home recovering. According to police, the driver was heading south on Lansdowne Avenue when she lost control of her car, crossed two lanes of traffic, drove onto the sidewalk for 30 feet before striking the women. There were no skid marks at the accident scene.

The driver in this case should be held both criminally and civilly responsible for the death of the young teenage woman and for the injuries of the other female. Their families would be well advised to seek the advice of an experienced wrongful death attorney.

Continue reading "Driver Who Killed Woman Had Been “Huffing”" »

On August 14, a 20-year-old driver who was distracted by her iPod struck two young women who had just walked out of Delaware County Memorial Hospital in Upper Darby, PA, killing one. According to an article in The Philadelphia Inquirer, the car struck a 19-year-old from Clifton Heights, and a 20-year- old from Lansdowne, from behind.

The 19-year-old was killed instantly and the other pedestrian was stabilized at the hospital and then transferred to an area Medical Center and was in “extremely critical condition.”

The driver, who is from Havertown, was treated for minor injuries.

According to police, the driver was heading south on Lansdowne Avenue when she lost control of her 2003 Hyundai Accent, crossed two lanes of traffic, traveled up onto the sidewalk for 30 feet, and struck the women. The car became trapped between a large tree and a brick wall.

The driver told police she was reaching down for the iPod, wasn’t paying attention, and lost control of the car.

The female driver could be held criminally and civilly responsible for the accident and for the death of the pedestrian. The families deserve to be rightfully compensated for their tremendous loss. They would be well advised to contact a Philadelphia wrongful death attorney who will file a wrongful death claim on their behalf and fight for their rights.

Continue reading "Driver Distracted by IPOD Hits Pedestrians" »

On July 16, a driver in University City, PA struck three construction workers — including flipping one onto his hood and smashing his windshield — then drove around the block to argue with them. According to this article in the Philadelphia Inquirer, the man was driving a Chevrolet Malibu east on Chestnut Street approaching 30th Street in Philadelphia when he got stuck in traffic.

The traffic was caused by a construction crew directing trucks loaded with supplies onto a site next to the intersection. First, the angry driver confronted a 33-year-old flagman who was stopping traffic and screamed at him to get out of the way. He then sped into the construction crew and caused a rare case of a pedestrian and work accident in Philadelphia.

The flagman was flipped over the hood of the offender’s vehicle and hit the windshield head first, breaking it. The driver then ran down two other construction workers and drove around again to confront the construction workers one more time. He was arrested and charged with three counts of aggravated assault.

Continue reading "PA Construction Workers Injured by Angry Driver" »

Four people suffered serious personal injuries after an out-of-control cab ran on to the curb outside the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia, CBS News reported in a story. Eyewitnesses told officials that the cab was speeding when it swerved to avoid another car changing lanes. The taxi clipped the side mirror before completely losing control and running onto the curb. The cab then struck a bicyclist before crashing into a light pole.

The impact of the collision sent the cab spinning into a pedestrian waiting to cross the street. He suffered severe leg injuries and the female bicyclist is reportedly in the hospital in critical condition with a skull fracture. A passenger in the cab was also treated for injuries and the cab driver is apparently in the hospital with serious injuries.

If you are a Philadelphia vehicle accident victim and have been seriously injured as a result of another person's recklessness or negligence, you have legal rights that should be upheld while a valid investigation is affectively conducted to find the cause of the accident. Some factors of determining the cause of an accident include examining road conditions, the condition of the vehicle involved (mechanical problem or auto product defect) or alcohol consumption (DUI).

Continue reading "Philadelphia Car Accident Causes Multiple Injuries" »

A man and a female bicyclist were seriously injured after they were hit by a cab that jumped the curb in front of the Kimmel Center while swerving to avoid another car on June 24. According to this article in the Philadelphia Inquirer, the injured man may lose one or both legs after suffering serious fractures from the pedestrian accident in Philadelphia.

A police report said that the red Victory cab was headed southbound on Broad Street in Philadelphia and swerved to avoid a car changing lanes. It then jumped the curb and hit a lamp post and the bicyclist before spinning back into the street, striking a man crossing the street.
The bicyclist suffered head injuries and was reported in critical condition.

The driver and his passenger also were taken to a hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

The police also are viewing videotapes from surveillance cameras in the area to see if they show what happened.

Continue reading "Kimmel Center Pedestrian Accident Critically Injures 2" »

A 62-year-old man, Ahilefs Kalaitzi, was struck by a car and killed in a pedestrian accident on June 1 in Evesham Township, NJ. This was the township’s third pedestrian fatality this year.

According to this article in the Philadelphia Inquirer, Kalaitzi was walking south on the shoulder of N. Elwood Road, near his home, when he was hit by a northbound car driven by 19-year-old Anthony Schepis III.

Kalaitzi was pronounced dead at Virtua Marlton Hospital. The driver, Schepis only suffered minor injuries.

According to the article, the incident remains under investigation.

Every eight minutes a pedestrian is hurt in a traffic accident – that’s up to 65,000 injuries a year. And 5,000 or more pedestrians die every year in pedestrian accidents.

It is recommended that victims and families of victims of Pennsylvania pedestrian accidents contact a competent, reputable and skilled PA personal injury lawyer with a good track record in order to pursue legal action against the person whose negligent behavior caused their injury. The right lawyer can help assess the case, gather evidence, negotiate between parties, and obtain compensation for injuries, associated trauma and costs.

The attorneys at Cherry, Fieger, & Marciano know how stressful and frightening pedestrian accidents can be, but we can help you during this difficult time. We have a long track record helping people bring negligent drivers to justice for pedestrian accidents - and we offer a free consultation to anyone with questions about whether their pedestrian accident could result in a valid lawsuit. Don't sit back and let someone get away with endangering your life, your happiness, and your financial future. Call our Philadelphia pedestrian accident attorneys today for a free and completely confidential evaluation.

For the second time in one week, a pedestrian was fatally struck by a hit-and-run driver while crossing a busy Philadelphia intersection.

According to this article in The Philadelphia Inquirer, the unidentified man was on Ninth Street and Roosevelt Boulevard in Hunting Park.

The victim was pronounced dead at 2:22 a.m. on May 8 at Temple University Hospital.

The man was crossing Ninth Street and stepped into an outer lane of the Boulevard when a northbound vehicle hit him.

The intersection has a traffic light with a camera, so authorities may be able to determine who had the signal and whether that camera or any others in the area captured helpful images.

According to the article, the vehicle was believed to be a minivan, possibly a dark-gray Chrysler Town and Country, with tinted windows. There was heavy damage to the front passenger side, where a headlight and the windshield were broken, the hood damaged, and the antenna ripped off.

An investigation continued into another pedestrian accident in Philadelphia that week that killed another person 1.3 miles away at Erie Avenue and 19th Street in Tioga.

Luciano Rios, 30, was charged with leaving an accident, involuntary manslaughter, homicide by vehicle, homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, and related offenses.

Rios should be held criminally and civilly responsible for the accidents, injuries and the deaths of these victims. There families would be well advised to contact a skilled Pennsylvania wrongful death attorney. When needless death occurs due to negligence of another party, a wrongful death can be filed. In these lawsuits, the decedent’s heirs sue the negligent party or parties for damages related to the loss of life and their own pain and suffering.

With the help of a wrongful death attorney, the family can sue the negligent person in court and receive monetary compensation for the wages the decedent would have earned had he or she lived, the loss of support to the family, even money related to pain and suffering and loss of consort.

The attorneys at Cherry, Fieger, Marciano understand the devastating impact a Pennsylvania wrongful death can have on a family. They can help you find justice and compensation for your loved one’s death. Your case consultation with one of the Philadelphia, PA wrongful death attorneys is free of charge and completely confidential.

Philadelphia police and SEPTA officials are continuing their investigation into the death of a man in a wheelchair, Milton Boneta, who was struck by a SEPTA bus at Eighth Street and Girard Avenue in Philadelphia on April 17.

According to this article in The Philadelphia Inquirer, 61-year-old Boneta was crossing Eighth Street in his motorized wheelchair when the bus hit him while making a left turn.

Boneta already lost a leg in September when a SEPTA bus hit him near the same location, which is why he was in a wheelchair.

Police are sorting out the details and have interviewed about 35 witnesses.

The SEPTA driver remains at work, but has been taken off his route.

Witnesses to the bus accident in Philadelphia said the wheelchair had gotten lodged under the bus and dragged about 100 feet before the bus veered onto the curb-less sidewalk and came to a halt. Boneta was pronounced dead at the scene.

The victim’s family would be well advised to contact a competent and skilled PA personal injury attorney with a good track record in order to pursue legal action against the person whose negligent behavior caused Mr Boneta’s death. The right lawyer can help assess the case, gather evidence, negotiate between parties, and obtain compensation for trauma and costs.

There are up to 65,000 injuries a year due to pedestrian accidents. And 5,000 or more pedestrians die every year in pedestrian accidents.

The unshielded human body is just not designed to stand up to the impact of a passenger vehicle, truck, or other conveyance. The pedestrian can be flung and suffer severe impact, such as brain injury, paralysis, broken bones, even disfigurement or death. Though urban areas increase higher pedestrian accident rates than the country, rural pedestrian accidents can be even more tragic due to crashes that occur at high velocities. Males are far more likely to be injured in pedestrian accidents, most of which occur on the weekends.

The Pennsylvania pedestrian accident attorneys at Cherry, Fieger & Marciano know how stressful and scary pedestrian accidents can be. They have a long track record helping people bring negligent drivers to justice for pedestrian accidents. They offer a free consultation to anyone with questions about whether their pedestrian accident could result in a valid lawsuit.

A man in a motorized wheelchair was killed in a Philadelphia pedestrian accident, according to this news report in the Philadelphia Inquirer. The wheelchair-bound man was reportedly crossing Eighth Street from the west when a westbound bus turning left on to Eighth from Girard Avenue struck the man. The wheelchair lodged in the bus' undercarriage and the man was dragged about 100 feet before the bus came to a halt.

The victim suffered severe injuries and died at the scene. SEPTA's systems safety engineers are looking into the condition of the bus' brakes and other aspects of its equipment. The bus driver has apparently been a SEPTA bus operator for 16 years. The driver is also being questioned and tested for drugs and/or alcohol. In this case, if the bus driver was found to have been driving recklessly or operating under the influence, both he and his employer, South Eastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), can be held liable.

SEPTA can also be held liable if it is determined that they did not maintain their vehicles properly and that their bus suffered a mechanical malfunction as a result of that lack of vehicle maintenance. If that Philadelphia intersection is determined to be a dangerous roadway or intersection, the city could be held liable for the bus accident in Pennsylvania.

In such auto versus pedestrian accidents, the victims' families would be well-served to consult with an experienced Philadelphia auto accident attorney, who will be able to thoroughly examine the investigative reports and determine exactly who should be held accountable. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a Philadelphia auto accident, please call Cherry, Fieger and Marciano LLP for a free consultation and case evaluation.

A 15-year-old boy admitted in Family Court this week that he was high on marijuana on Christmas Eve when he hit and killed William Wrigley, 73, with his mother’s SUV in this tragic pedestrian accident in Pennsylvania.

According to the article in the Philadelphia Daily News, Wrigley was crossing M Street near Erie Avenue in Kensington, PA on Dec. 24 when he was struck by the teen.

The teen pleaded guilty to homicide by vehicle while DUI, involuntary manslaughter, committing an accident with serious bodily injury while not properly licensed, and leaving the scene of an accident.

He will be sent to a secure state juvenile-placement facility for two years. In exchange for his plea, prosecutors agreed to not seek to have his case tried in adult court.

Continue reading "Pennsylvania Fatal Pedestrian Accident Taken To Court Finds Teen Guilty" »

A 3-year-old female pedestrian was struck and killed on Route 129 when a fire truck crashed into a pickup truck, causing the pickup truck to careen into the crosswalk center median and create the pedestrian accident. The pickup truck then struck the child, dragging her several feet down the southbound lanes of the highway.

According to this article that appeared in the Delaware County Times, the accident happened on January 30 around 7:20 p.m.

Several pedestrians were also injured when the fire truck careened into a light pole that then toppled over and landed on top of them.

The article stated that two adults, the 3-year-old girl, and a male juvenile were standing on the intersection’s median pedestrian crosswalk when the trucks collided and caused the Pennsylvania pedestrian accident.

Continue reading "Trenton 3-year-old Killed In Pedestrian Accident" »

Robin J. Yeager, a 49-year-old Voorhees woman was struck by a car and killed in a pedestrian accident in Voorhees on January 12 as she crossed White Horse Road.

According to this article in the Philadelphia Inquirer, she was crossing the street shortly after 6 a.m. She was hit by a Pontiac Grand Prix driven by a 21-year-old man whose name has not been released by police.

The driver stopped his car, called authorities, and waited at the scene until they arrived. Yeager was pronounced dead at Underwood-Memorial Hospital.

The driver, who was not injured, had a suspended license. The man may face criminal charges depending on the investigation following this fatal Voorhees auto accident.

When needless death occurs due to negligence of another party, a wrongful death can be filed. In these lawsuits, the decedent's heirs sue the negligent party or parties for damages related to the loss of life and their own pain and suffering.

With the help of a wrongful death attorney, the family can sue the negligent person in court and receive monetary compensation for the wages the decedent would have earned had he or she lived, the loss of support to the family, even money related to pain and suffering and loss of consort.

The Cherry, Fieger, Marciano attorneys understand the devastating impact a Pennsylvania wrongful death can have on a family. They can help you find justice and compensation for your loved one’s death. Your case consultation with one of the Philadelphia, PA wrongful death attorneys is free of charge and completely confidential.