With the number of people that commute throughout Philadelphia on a day-to-day basis, it is reasonable to expect that car accidents occur every day. While some car accidents result in mild damage to a person’s vehicle that would be better handled by an insurance company, some car accidents may be severe enough to warrant the need for a personal injury lawsuit. If you or a family member was seriously injured in a car accident, contact an experienced Main Line car accident lawyer.
The Reiff Law Firm is dedicated to providing our clients with the aggressive legal representation needed to pursue their injury claim. Our firm can help you with various tasks regarding your car accident case from gathering evidence to guiding you through interactions with an insurance company. To schedule a free consultation to discuss your legal options, contact the Reiff Law Firm at (215) 709-6940, or contact us online.
5 Common Causes of Car Accidents on The Main Line
Car accidents can be the result of various circumstances. These circumstances can also play a role in determining the severity of an injury suffered by a driver or other vehicle occupant. For example, if two cars collide in a head-on crash, there is a good chance that the vehicle occupants can suffer a serious head injury if they swing forward and strike their head on an area of the car.
The following is a list of common causes of car accidents.
Speeding
In Pennsylvania, the highest speed limit is 70 miles per hour for certain stretches of highways within the state, while most highways in Philadelphia have a speed limit between 60-65 mph. However, some drivers will fail to take heed of these posted speed limits and accelerate well beyond a safe limit.
When a car accident happens at a high rate of speed, there is an increased risk of vehicle occupants suffering a fatal or permanent injury. For example, a victim could be thrown from the vehicle or suffer a head injury after striking a hard surface, like the back of a chair.
Speeding becomes even more dangerous when a motorist speeds in a residential area that is not intended for high speeds.
Tailgating
Tailgating is when one driver closely follows behind another vehicle in order to force the lead driver to move out of the lane they are occupying. Tailgating is dangerous because if the lead driver is forced to make a sudden stop, there is a good chance the aggressive driver could cause a rear-end car accident.
Rear-end car accidents can cause a number of injuries from whiplash to back injuries. If you are being tailgated, it is wise to move out of the way and let the other driver pass. You do not want to be caught in a situation where a road rage incident may occur.
Distracted Driving
Every year automakers place more and more functions into vehicles that drivers may use to distract themselves while driving. While paying attention to these gadgets, a driver can easily lose track of events on the road and cause a serious accident. Under other circumstances, a driver could be sending a text or trying to make a call from their cellphone, which is equally as dangerous.
Distracted driving endangers the driver of the vehicle and any motorists or pedestrians in the vicinity of the vehicle, and has often resulted in deadly accidents that were easily avoidable.
Drunk Driving
The consumption of alcohol will dull a person’s senses, especially while they are behind the wheel of a vehicle. Drunk drivers are not able to react to events on the road, which places others in serious danger. Drunk driving is the cause of a large number of accidents in Pennsylvania and across the United States.
Vehicle Malfunction
A vehicle malfunction can happen for any number of reasons. For example, if a person failed to maintain their tires, there is a risk that the tires could blowout at an unexpected moment.
Under other circumstances, a vehicle malfunction could be caused due to an error on behalf of the vehicle manufacturer, like an automaker equipping a car with a faulty fuel tank.
There are many other causes of car crashes that are not listed in this article. Our firm can help you pursue a claim against a negligent driver that caused your injuries and damage to your vehicle.
Work with Our Experienced Bala Cynwyd Car Accident Attorneys Today
If you or a family member was the victim of a car accident, consult with an experienced Philadelphia car accident attorney. The injury lawyers at the Reiff Law Firm possess decades of combined experience, and we are ready to help you litigate your car accident claim. To schedule a free legal consultation, call the Reiff Law Firm at (215) 709-6940.
