Category: Pennsylvania laws

Texting Blamed in Teen’s Accident Death

May 11, 2012   Staff   No comments
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A 20-year-old driver died Wednesday in a car accident police are blaming on texting behind the wheel. Morgan Strubel, of New Providence, was reportedly driving on May Post Office Road when she failed to properly direct her car through a curve. Her vehicle crossed the double-yellow lines and into the teeth of oncoming traffic. She struck another car driven by a 66-year-old woman head on. Strubel died at the accident scene while the other woman sustained minor injuries. Pennsylvania’s law banning texting while driving went into effect this past March. Violators receive a fine of $50.

My heart goes out to the victims’ family and friends. Losing a child is the most painful loss a parent can experience. While this event is tragic beyond measure, it underscores the need to remain focused on the road at all times when driving. Everyone needs to put the cell phones down, lock them in the glove box or just turn them off.

Taking focus from the road to send a text message – even for as little as four seconds – is the equivalent of driving with a blindfold on for nearly 100 yards.  In 2010, distracted driving contributed to 3,000 traffic-related deaths in the United States, according to The U.S. Department of Transportation. What do you think? Is Pennsylvania’s texting ban going far enough to deter drivers from gazing at their cell phones?

Accidents involving distracted drivers can be particularly violent because the drivers don’t realize accidents are happening until it’s too late to stop. That means no reduction in speed, no swerving to avoid oncoming cars or bracing for impact. Colliding with vehicles head on, as happened in Strubel’s accident, greatly increases the risk of serious injury and death. Waiting to send text messages until vehicles are at a complete stop and parked can mean the difference between people making it home to their families and sustaining life-altering injuries.

If you or someone you love sustained injuries in an accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages. Contacting a team of Philadelphia accident lawyers is a key step in preserving your rights and preventing insurance companies from delaying your claim.

Photo Credit: Public Broadcasting

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Chester County Teen in Coma After Hit-and-Run

May 07, 2012   Staff   No comments
Hit and Run accidents

A hit-and-run accident in Miami has left a Chester County teen in a medically-induced coma just days before she was to return home for summer vacation. Eliza Gresh, 19, of Paoli, was in the final days of her spring semester at the University of Miami when a driver struck her at more than 50 mph without stopping to render aid. Police identified the driver as 24-year-old Luis Felipe Moya with the help of a local mechanic. Moya attempted to have the accident damage to his Mercedes Benz repaired, but the shop quickly contacted the authorities after a mechanic saw Eliza’s story on a local Miami news channel.

Moya remains at large, however police have arrested his mother with charges she attempted to cover up the hit-and-run. Suffering from a number of injuries, doctors opted to sedate Eliza rather than have her conscious during this critical time in her recovery. She’s a 2011 graduate of the Shipley School in Bryn Mawr.

My thoughts and prayers are with Eliza and her family as she passes through this integral stage in her medical care. I hope for a speedy recovery as well as swift justice for those who would allegedly attempt to get away with harming her so terribly.

In 2010, there were 32,885 accident fatalities on United States roadways; 1,324 of those deaths occurred in Pennsylvania. Pedestrian deaths in 2010 in Pennsylvania, 145, were the highest in three years, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. If the data continues to show a rising trend in pedestrian fatalities, it could be indicative of increased driver distraction. In Pennsylvania, efforts to combat driver distraction include the state’s new ban on texting behind the wheel. The new law, effective in March, makes using a handheld device a primary traffic offense. This grading means police officers can pull drivers over for texting even when no other traffic violations are present.

Suffering severe injuries in a car accident can change your life. You may have reduced usage of your limbs, be unable to walk or face months of grueling physical therapy. The insurance company you thought would take care of your bills may delay your claim, deny you rightful coverage or try to get you to accept a reduced settlement that doesn’t meet your financial needs. Contacting a team of knowledgeable Philadelphia car accident lawyers is important to protect your rights and hold those responsible for your injuries accountable.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia

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Philly Police Officer Kills Hit-and-Run Driver

April 12, 2012   Staff   No comments
Philadelphia Police Officer

A suspect is dead after fleeing the scene of a hit-and-run accident and threatening to kill a female Philadelphia police officer. Police have identified the man as 26-year-old Thomas Hennelly of Havertown.  The incident began Thursday morning in Brewerytown when an unidentified man struck a Temple University student and drove his truck away from the scene. A plain clothes officer actually witnessed the pedestrian accident and fired on Hennelly’s truck in an attempt to blow out his tires. He then drove about six more blocks through the city before abandoning the vehicle. While on foot, a female police officer attempted to stop him.

Hennelly informed the officer to “back off” or he would shoot her. She fired twice, striking him once in the chest. Emergency responders pronounced the suspect dead at the scene. Police reportedly found drugs on him, according to NBC Philadelphia, but have released no other information relating to the original cause of the accident. The condition of the Temple student is also not available at this hour.

My heart goes out to the student and their family during this confusing time. My hope is that the student’s injuries are minor and the recovery is a quick one. There are many concerned people who’ll want quick answers from authorities.

In 2010, there were 4,454 car accidents involving pedestrians in Pennsylvania, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. These accidents resulted in 148 pedestrian deaths. Crashes involving pedestrians represented 3.7 percent of all motor vehicle accidents in Pennsylvania for 2010.

As a pedestrian, car accident can leave substantial injuries in its wake, prevent you from returning to work and make it impossible to perform even the simplest tasks. You don’t have any of the protective materials around you that a driver or passenger has – your body is literally your vehicle. If you or a loved one sustained injuries in this type of accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact an experienced Philadelphia injury lawyer to review your options and rights to pursue full compensation for your damages.

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

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Motorcycle Deaths in PA on the Rise

April 10, 2012   Staff   No comments
PA motorcycle accidents

Pennsylvania relaxed its helmet laws for motorcycle riders and passengers in 2003. The more lenient rules allow experienced riders over 21-years-old to take to the road without helmet. Passengers who are over 21-years-old can also go helmetless. While Pennsylvania riders may enjoy the option to avoid cumbersome motorcycle helmets, the choice is leading to more deaths on PA roads. Accident fatalities involving motorcycles have risen sharply since 2003 and show no real signs of falling. Total deaths from motorcycle accidents have never fallen below the 158 mark a year after the regulations went into place.

It’s clear that helmets help save lives, but riders and passengers are willing to take the risk for the opportunity to go without them. In all motorcycle deaths in Pennsylvania occurring in 2010, 55.6 percent of those killed weren’t wearing helmets, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Drivers suffered the vast majority of fatal injuries at 90.6 percent compared to just 9.4 percent of passengers.

The death of 22-year-old Kyle Schwab in Trevose underscores the need for constant vigilance and safety precautions when riding a motorcycle.  Schwab, whose father is a Bensalem police officer, died on April 7 when his motorcycle collided with an SUV in the suburban Philadelphia town.  The SUV driver also suffered significant injuries in the motorcycle accident, which is still under investigation.

My heart goes out to the victims’ families during what must be the most difficult time in their lives.

The death a family member or loved one in an accident can be both an emotional and economic loss. Even as you struggle to cope with the emotional distress of making final arrangements, you may have to replace your loved one’s lost income to pay bills. Knowledgeable Philadelphia car accident lawyers provide the legal expertise you need to preserve your rights to pursue just compensation from at-fault parties. Don’t allow insurance companies or responsible drivers to bully you into a settlement that doesn’t address the magnitude of your loss.

Photo Credit: Motorcycle Pictures Collection

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Pennsylvania Anti-Texting Ban Goes Into Effect Today

March 08, 2012   Staff   No comments
Pennsylvania anti-texting law

Pennsylvania drivers face a new law on the road today—a ban on texting while driving. Although this is not a new phenomenon it is for PA who before this regulation went into effect only had limitations on young drivers. As far as the rest of the country goes they seem to be way ahead of PA, but better late than never.

The new law makes texting while driving a first offense punishable by a $50 ticket plus other fees, which makes the cost for sending a text around $135. There are a lot of concerns regarding this law, and have been since it was signed into law (check out this article about the addition of the texting ban).

One of the biggest qualms with the ban is enforcement. Pennsylvania is a difficult state to enforce a texting ban in because there is no law prohibiting talking on cell phones. If an officer pulls someone over because they thought someone was texting and that person defends themselves by saying they were dialing a number, what can the officer do?

The Republican Herald spoke with Chief Michael Combs of the Minersville Police Department who expressed concern about this law. “The concept is great. I think the difficulty will be in enforcing it, to see somebody actually texting while driving. I think we could have been better served by making it a little bit strong in the language by prohibiting phone calls unless you have a hands-free device.”

And that brings up another good point, why haven’t state officials outlawed talking on cell phones? The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation reported that in 2010 there were almost 14,000 crashes and 68 fatalities in accidents involving distracted driving, which includes talking on a cell phone.

The other grey area created by this law is that texting is only banned while the vehicle is in motion, making it perfectly legal to text while at a stop light or sign. This can still be extremely dangerous because if someone is texting while stopped at a light and then the light turns green and they do not see another driver could hit them.

Only time will be able to demonstrate just how helpful or ineffective this law is, but adherence by PA motorists would be the best way to resolve the dangerous distracted driving epidemic. Do yourself and all other motorists a favor and put the phone down while you are driving. If you need to use your phone be sure it is hands-free.

If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident caused by a distracted driver contact a Philadelphia auto accident attorney today. The lawyers at Console & Hollawell have been representing crash victims in Pennsylvania for more than 17 years; call us today at (866) 778-5500 to set up your free consultation.

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Local Legend Killed in Accident

February 27, 2012   Staff   No comments
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A local basketball hero was killed in a pedestrian accident in Philadelphia on Tuesday, February 21st. 77-year-old Alonzo Lewis was crossing the street to get to a Catholic Girls playoff game at Philadelphia University when he was struck by a car and killed. Lewis played at La Salle University as well as for the Eastern Professional Basketball League before becoming the coach for Chester High School’s basketball team. Alonzo Lewis, who was killed in the Pennsylvania pedestrian accident, will always be remembered as a local basketball hero.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Alonzo Lewis, who was tragically killed on February 21st.

According to a report released by PEDSAFE, “4,749 pedestrians were reported to have been killed in motor vehicle crashes in the United States in 2003. These deaths accounted for 11 percent of the 42,643 motor vehicle deaths nationwide that year.” The same report also states that “rates for older persons (age 65 and over) are lower than for most age groups, which may reflect greater caution by older pedestrians (e.g., less walking at night, fewer dart-outs) and a reduced amount of walking near traffic. However, older adult pedestrians are much more vulnerable to serious injury or death when struck by a motor vehicle than younger pedestrians.”

If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident, contact a Philadelphia injury lawyer to learn more about your rights as a victim. You may be entitled to financial compensation for your medical bills, rehabilitation costs, or other damages suffered as a result of the pedestrian accident.

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

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