Types of Philadelphia Car Accidents
Car accidents fall into just a few categories. Traffic experts, policymakers, and police officers classify car accidents in many ways, including the nature of the collision, the identity of the victims, and the cause of the accident. Understanding the types of accidents occurring in Philadelphia can help these experts find ways to prevent them.
This information can also help insurers and accident victims. The type of accident can tell you how the accident occurred, why it happened, and who bears liability for any injuries.
If you were involved in a collision in Philadelphia, PA, the team at Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers can help. Contact our personal injury law firm at (215) 875-7030 for a free initial consultation to speak with an experienced attorney.
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How Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Car Accident in Philadelphia, PA
Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers was founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, over 30 years ago. Since opening its doors, the firm has recovered over $50 million in personal injury compensation for accident victims.
Our Philadelphia car accident lawyers can help you after an injury with the following:
- A free consultation to provide legal advice so you can make informed decisions about your case
- A legal team with over 80 years of combined legal experience
- A reputation built on trust and personalized attention to your case
Car accident injuries can disable you from caring for yourself or earning a living. Contact Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation to discuss your car accident injuries and the compensation you can pursue.
How Many Car Accidents Happen in Philadelphia?
As the most populous city in Pennsylvania, Philadelphia has a lot of car accidents. According to the Pennsylvania Crash Facts Book for 2021, Philadelphia had 10,417 total traffic accidents that year. This total represented 8.8% of all crashes in the state.
These crashes included 128 fatal accidents and 6,462 non-fatal injury accidents. In total, 133 people died, and 9,220 suffered non-fatal injuries in Philadelphia car accidents.
Categorizing Philadelphia Car Accidents
Some types of Philadelphia car accidents include:
Pedestrian Accidents
Philadelphia had 955 pedestrian accidents in 2021, according to a query using the Pennsylvania Crash Information Tool (PCIT). These crashes injured 914 pedestrians.
Pedestrian accidents can happen when:
- Drivers fail to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks
- Pedestrians jaywalk
- Distracted drivers neglect to spot pedestrians
Pedestrians can suffer serious injuries in a collision. Since pedestrians have no protection during a crash, they can break bones and tear soft tissues in both the primary collision with the vehicle and the secondary impact with the roadway.
The liability for pedestrian crashes will fall on the road user who fails to follow traffic laws. A driver who fails to yield to pedestrians or hits pedestrians while distracted will need to pay for the resulting injuries.
Distracted Driving Crashes
Distracted driving is a common cause of car accidents in Philadelphia. Distractions can include any activity that takes your eyes, mind, or hands away from driving.
Some common distractions include:
- Eating
- Drinking
- Talking to passengers or on the phone
- Texting
- Tuning the radio
Distractions interfere with your ability to react to hazardous traffic, road, or weather conditions. They can take your attention from driving and delay your responses. They can even prevent you from spotting a hazard until it’s too late. The liability for distracted driving crashes will fall on the distracted driver.
Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end crashes happen when a vehicle plows into the back of another vehicle.
These crashes happen due to the following:
- Following too closely
- Speeding
- Distractions
Rear-end collisions cause your body to whip back and forth. As such, they have a high likelihood of causing injuries like whiplash, facial fractures, and back injuries. The fault for rear-end crashes is with the driver of the rear vehicle for failing to leave a safe following distance.
Occasionally, the driver of the front vehicle will bear the liability for a rear-end crash. This shift in liability can happen when the driver cuts off the other vehicle or brake-checks them.
Intersection Collisions
According to PCIT, more Philadelphia car accidents happen at intersections than in any other location. Intersection crashes happen due to a failure to yield the right of way.
This traffic violation can happen in many ways, including:
- Proceeding through an intersection out of turn
- Running a yield sign, stop sign, or stop light
- Turning into the path of an oncoming vehicle
Intersection accidents lead to angle or side-impact collisions. These crashes can cause serious or even fatal injuries when they take place near a vehicle’s doors. These weak points can collapse, crushing the vehicle’s occupants.
The liability for these injuries will fall on the driver who failed to yield the right of way.
Schedule a Free Case Assessment with Our Philadelphia Car Accident Attorneys
Determining the type of car accident you experienced is only the beginning of your personal injury claim. To discuss how an experienced Philadelphia personal injury attorney can help you recover financial compensation, contact Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation.
