Car Crash Deaths On The Rise In PA

Car Crash Deaths On The Rise In Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, car crash deaths increased 10% in the first six months of 2018. There are 6.4 million car crashes each year in the United States, resulting in 40,000 deaths. The country as a whole has seen a decrease 0.5 percent in total car crash deaths. However, the National Safety Council found the number of deaths by motor vehicle in Pennsylvania has increased an incredible 10 percent from this time last year. Pennsylvania ranks the sixth highest in the country regarding car accident deaths within the first six months of 2018.

There are a variety of contributors to motor vehicle accidents including, but not limited to:

• Driving While Impaired
• Reckless Driving
• Texting
• Poor Vehicle Maintenance
• General Negligence

There are several key factors to know regarding motor vehicle accidents:

Wrongful Death

Pennsylvania upholds two types of wrongful death laws: Wrongful Death Action and Survival Action.

The Wrongful Death Action centers around the family of the deceased. The law allows the spouse, children, and/or parents to collect compensation as a result of a wrongful death lawsuit. The compensation can be in the form of loss of companionship, lost wages, recovery of damages, etc.

The Survival Action allows the estate of the deceased to receive compensation as a result of wrongful death. The estate can retrieve monetary damages that include the remainder of wages the decedent would have earned if still alive. Additionally, pain and suffering experienced during the accident until the time of death can be compensated. The financial recovery will be dispersed to the will of the decedent.

Dram Shop

Pennsylvania is among the states who enforce “dram shop” law, a civil statute that allows victims in personal injury matters to file a lawsuit against a business that served liquor that resulted in an alcohol-related incident. In the majority of cases, Dram Shop law is utilized after an intoxicated person caused a motor vehicle accident.

Reckless and Distracted Driving

Pennsylvania driving laws describe reckless driving as “in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.” A person has encroached this law if their driving is hazardous and if they disregard the accident potential of the risk. Distracted driving falls under reckless driving.

Pennsylvania Injury Attorneys

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries/death from a motor vehicle accident, call us. The experienced lawyers at Haggerty & Silverman, P.C can help you. Don’t be the victim of someone else’s bad driving.  We fight for your rights to get you the compensation that will cover you or your loved one’s medical bills, pain and suffering, wage loss, final expenses, etc. Call or text us today at 717-397-3200 to speak to a professional member of our legal staff. Or, fill out our online contact form and schedule your free consultation today. We are conveniently located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania for all your personal injury legal matters.