Philly Traffic Fatalities Highest in 23 Years

Philadelphia road deaths have skyrocketed in 2020, increasing by 60% since last year.  One hundred twenty (120) people have died from traffic accidents so far, which represents the highest number the city has seen since 1997. These accidents not only affect drivers, but also affects bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorcyclists.

According to the city’s updated numbers, reduced traffic congestion, aggressive driving and speeding appear to be some of the top contributing factors in these incidents. Although it may seem like having fewer cars on the road would lead to less crashes, police officials say that the opposite has proven true. More drivers are speeding and people are engaging in riskier behaviors like walking, driving, or biking while distracted or not wearing seatbelts or helmets. There have been more than two-times as many deadly hit-and-run accidents this year as there were last year, and the number of fatal single vehicle collisions grew from 17 to 29.

Every category of traffic deaths has gone up in Philadelphia with the exception of ATV riders, of which the city has many. Motorcycle crashes have grown by a whopping 75%, cyclist deaths are more than two-times as high as what they were at the same time last year, and there have been 12 more pedestrian deaths. Arguably, even more concerning is that Philadelphia is by no means alone in this worrisome trend. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the absolute number of crashes may be down but the percentage of accidents relative to how many vehicle miles are being traveled has actually gone up. In plain terms, this means that the chance of a crash occurring has grown across the board.

This problematic shift in deadly accidents signals the importance of taking every available precaution to minimize serious and deadly injuries associated with collision and crash rates. Just like bicyclists and motorcyclists should wear protective gear like a helmet and clothing with adequate bodily coverage, drivers and passengers need to buckle up every time they get into a vehicle. Increasing educational outreach programs as well as law enforcement efforts to oversee distracted driving has also been documented to positively impact communities.

The goal is always to stay safe on the roads, but no matter how many responsibility and safety pledges we take, serious accidents are still bound to happen. Some of the most common injuries associated with traffic incidents include:

• Whiplash is a common neck injury that occurs when the head moves backward and then forward. More than 200,000 people get whiplash every year. Some victims require physical therapy, prescription medications, or even neck injections.
• Bruising, broken bones, and contusions.
• Head injuries, which includes concussions and other types of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Concussions can cause a variety of complications, including vertigo, post-concussion syndrome, and frequent headaches. Traumatic brain injuries can also cause complications, such as fluid in the brain, seizure, deep vein thrombosis, and other serious and potentially deadly complications
• Neck and/or back injuries. Lumbar sprains, disc herniation, spinal stenosis, facet joint injuries, and thoracic spine injuries are some of the most frequent neck and back injuries that traffic accident victims experience. Several types of neck and back injuries may require major medical intervention, like surgery
• Internal bleeding
• Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD

Determining which party or parties were at fault in a traffic incident is usually a complicated and confusing process. Our attorneys are well versed in helping clients through this difficult time, treating each one with the utmost compassion and respect. While so many other firms treat clients like faceless cases, at Galfand Berger we pride ourselves on developing personal and meaningful relationships with the injured individuals we represent. If you were hurt in a traffic accident and would like to learn about filing a personal injury claim, someone at our firm can help. Contact a representative online now.

Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyers at Galfand Berger, LLP Representing Victims of Automobile Accidents Since 1947

With offices located in Philadelphia, Bethlehem, Lancaster, and Reading, Galfand Berger serves clients throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. To schedule a consultation, call us at 800-222-8792 or complete our online contact form.