Unsafe Driving

For the first time in nearly 20 years, traffic fatality rates are increasing in the United States. One of the primary reasons for this is distracted driving. Today’s drivers have access to more technology than ever before. They drive while distracted by this technology, often focusing on cell phones, GPS systems or on-board computers instead of the road. Some drivers are even caught texting while driving.

In a perfect world, every driver would be cautious and observant while operating a motor vehicle. Unfortunately, this rarely happens in real life. Drivers often do many things that distract them while behind the wheel. They talk on cell phones, eat fast food, apply make-up, adjust the radio and interact with children in the back seat.

This distracted driving causes hundreds and even thousands of car accidents a year on roads in Pennsylvania and throughout the United States. And these accident cause serious injuries, like amputations, spinal cord injuries and wrongful death.

In over 50 years of handling personal injury cases, we have learned many things about the strategies necessary for success. Having seen a broad range of cases and situations, we have learned that negligent drivers are frequently multitaskers. Often too busy, distracted or sleep deprived to be behind the wheel, they put others’ lives in danger in many ways:

• Texting while driving
• Reading behind the wheel
• Eating while driving
• Tending to children
• Focusing on on-board computers
• Speeding
• Changing lanes without looking or signaling
• Making rude gestures
• Tailgating

Many of the cases we handle involve careless and reckless driving, which happens when motor vehicle operators disregard the safety of others or the rules of the road. They speed, change lanes quickly and without signaling, or take other actions that have great potential to cause harm.

While careless and reckless drivers often do not intend to cause accidents, their actions are common causes of personal injury. At the accident scene, they may be ticketed and can even face jail time, license suspension and steep fines.

If the other driver involved in your car accident has been convicted of careless or reckless driving, it does not necessarily mean that you will win your personal injury case. However, it can be a strong factor.

Excessive speed has always been a common cause of car accidents. This is particularly true when there are other challenging driving hazards such as steep mountain roads, construction zones and heavy truck traffic. Pennsylvania Route 115, with its many curves, has been the scene of a number of traffic fatalities as reported on our law firm’s personal injury blog. In response to the recent car crash deaths on this road, the speed limit has been lowered to 45 miles per hour. Will the newly posted speed signs deter drivers who are trying to get where they are going faster? Rosenn, Jenkins & Greenwald LLP attorneys hope that lives will be spared, but the sad truth is that car accidents caused by speeding are a fact of life in our fast-paced society.

Route 115 is not the only hazardous Pennsylvania traffic way. Perhaps you were injured or your loved one was killed on Interstate 81, the Pennsylvania Turnpike or Route 80. All have seen large numbers of serious accidents, including crashes that resulted in catastrophic injuries and fatalities. Drivers and pedestrians often clash in school zones when motorists ignore posted lower speed limits.

However your car accident occurred, you are no doubt facing serious challenges affecting your whole family if you suffered broken bones, a spinal cord injury or a traumatic brain injury (TBI). You most likely need legal advice and representation to help you recover compensation for losses and expenses such as the following:

• Medical bills, including emergency treatment, recovery, physical therapy and occupational therapy
• Lost wage replacement
• Related expenses: durable medical equipment, adaptive disability accommodations and costs that your family is incurring because of your injury

An experienced attorney at Rosenn, Jenkins & Greenwald LLP can help you discover, pursue and recover available compensation through your own insurance policies as well as insurance or other resources of a negligent driver who caused the accident.

When you call Rosenn Jenkins & Greenwald LLP, you will talk to speak to a representative or our law firm on day one. The lawyer or paralegal will ask you questions about your case to determine whether or not we may able to help. If we think we might be able to take action, we will meet with you in person for a free initial consultation.

When you meet with one of our personal injury attorneys, we will review your case in detail. What were your injuries? What effects did they have on your life? This fact gathering is important because it helps us start thinking about your case.

We use the information we gather about your case to help you achieve the best possible results in personal injury litigation. It tells us what evidence must be preserved and what matters we should pay special attention to.