According to data gathered by the Bicycle Coalition, in 2016, cars have caused 63 fatalities in Philadelphia. Although this is not significantly more than the amount in earlier years, the proportion involving bicyclists and pedestrians is up to 59%, which is much higher than that in previous years. In just November, four pedestrians suffered fatal injuries in car accidents, and a fifth person was severely injured.
One death occurred when an 8-year-old girl was walking home with her older brother and was hit by a hit-and-run driver. The next occurred when an unidentified 23-year-old male was hit by a drunk driver on Roosevelt Boulevard. Another occurred when two employees of the Lucky Strikes bowling alley were struck by a pickup truck, leaving one dead and one severely injured. The fifth fatality occurred when a young woman was crossing Lehigh Avenue.
Now, the question remains, how many of the 63 deaths from this year will result in criminal charges? Many believe that only motorists who commit other crimes, such as fleeing the scene or drunk driving, are held accountable for the deaths of innocent pedestrians and bicyclists. According to one source, “If the driver isn’t drunk, it just gets declared a terrible accident.” Another source, who runs the National Association of City Transportation Officials, explains that even when a driver is found to have been speeding after a fatality occurs, the driver often goes without facing any criminal charges.
When at-fault drivers are not criminally charged for their wrongdoings, accident victims or family members of deceased accident victims may feel they are unable to recover compensation for any medical expenses, emotional damages, lost wages, funeral expenses, and other financial losses that may have occurred as a result of the driver’s negligent actions. However, even if a driver is not criminally charged, the driver can still be held accountable in civil court. For this reason, accident victims or individuals who have suffered the loss of accident victims should contact experienced legal representation right away. A highly skilled lawyer can help file a civil lawsuit against the negligent, careless, or reckless driver.
Our Team at Shrager, Sachs, & Blanco Has Experience Handling Such Cases
At Shrager, Sachs, & Blanco, our Philadelphia personal injury lawyers have helped numerous individuals file lawsuits against negligent, careless, or reckless drivers that have severely injured or caused the death of individuals.
In one case, Attorney Robert Sachs represented the estate of a young Bulgarian ballerina who was studying at the Rock School of ballet and performing with the Pennsylvania ballet. She was killed by an underage drunk driver on South Broad Street when she was crossing the street. Surveillance video from a nearby diner showed that she very clearly had a green light and was crossing in the crosswalk. The driver fled the scene on foot. Fortunately, he was apprehended, prosecuted, and has served time in jail. Additionally, Attorney Sachs was able to recover damages for the ballerina’s family members.
Currently, Attorney Sachs is handling a case involving two young people who were killed by a speeding taxi on North Broad Street. The two were in Philadelphia for the annual “Made in America” music festival. In this case, the district attorney has chosen to not prosecute the driver. However, Attorney Sachs and the entire legal team at Shrager, Spivey & Sachs is working diligently to see that the taxi driver is held fully accountable for the harms and losses experienced by these families.
Shrager, Sachs, & Blanco is Here for You
If you have suffered the loss of a loved one due to the negligence, carelessness, or recklessness of another driver, we urge you contact our Philadelphia personal injury attorneys at Shrager, Sachs, & Blanco right away! We can examine the details of your case and determine which legal strategies can best pursue a positive outcome for you.
Don’t wait to get the help you need, call Shrager, Sachs, & Blanco!
