Bridesburg Car Accident Lawyers

After suffering injuries in a car accident, you need an experienced law firm behind you to hold the negligent driver accountable for your injuries and losses. At Galfand Berger LLP, our skilled Bridesburg car accident lawyers have a 75-year history of holding reckless drivers and other entities responsible for the injuries they cause. We can help you seek the justice you deserve.

Our skilled car accident lawyers have extensive experience handling numerous types of car accidents, including but not limited to head-on collisions, multi-vehicle crashes, rear-end collisions, sideswipe accidents, Uber and Lyft accidents, and T-bone collisions.

What Are the Most Dangerous Roads in Bridesburg?

Bridesburg, Pennsylvania is home to specific roadways with elevated risks or a history of car accidents due to congested intersections, poor design, and complicated highway interchanges. A few of the most dangerous include:

Tacony Street: Serving as a local connector, Tacony Street has experienced closures due to construction and maintenance, which can lead to increased traffic congestion and potential hazards.
Interstate 95 (I-95): Heavy traffic, complex interchanges, and high speeds in the Philadelphia area make this stretch of one of the busiest interstates in the country a high-risk zone for accidents.
Roosevelt Boulevard (near Bridesburg): Frequently cited as one of the most dangerous roads in Pennsylvania due to its multiple lanes, high speeds, numerous pedestrian crossings, and some of the highest accident rates in the state.

What Are Common Causes of Car Accidents in Bridesburg?

Car accidents can arise out of many different situations. Some of the most common include:

Aggressive Driving: Reckless behaviors such as sudden or excessive lane changes, cutting off others, disobeying traffic laws, and road rage are considered aggressive driving.
Distracted Driving: A leading cause of accidents, distracted driving is texting, eating, interacting with passengers, and any other activity that diverts attention from driving.
Drowsy Driving: Sleep deprivation causes the same neurological impairments as alcohol, and driving while fatigued can be just as dangerous and increases the likelihood of an accident.
Drunk Driving: While illegal, drunk driving continues to be a leading cause of accidents. Alcohol and drugs reduce focus and reaction time, affect information processing, block vision, and cause blackouts or sleep.
Speeding: Driving faster than the legal speed limit reduces stopping distance, the ability to stop quickly, and the ability to avoid sudden obstacles in traffic changes. It is one of the most common causes of rear-end collisions.
Tailgating: Traveling too closely to others limits stopping ability and space and is the leading cause of rear-end accidents, particularly in heavy traffic congestion.
Weather: Slick roads caused by rain, snow, and ice reduce tire traction, affect the driver’s ability to control the vehicle, and increase the risk of dangerous accidents.

What Are Common Car Accident Injuries?

Some of the most common types of car accident injuries include:

Broken bones
Burns
Crushed limbs
Whiplash
Neck and spinal cord injuries
Cuts and lacerations
Organ and nerve damage
Traumatic brain injuries
Paralysis

Does Pennsylvania’s Have Cell Phone Laws While Driving?

Cell phone use is a leading cause of car accidents throughout the country. Many states are adopting cell phone laws to reduce the growing number of accidents, injuries, and fatalities. In Pennsylvania, holding or manually interacting with a cell phone while driving is illegal, even when stopped at a red light or in traffic.

Most drivers can use hands-free and voice-activated options for navigation or emergency phone calls. Younger drivers, such as teenagers under the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program, are restricted from using all electronic devices while driving, including hands-free operation.

Am I Required to Report a Car Accident in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania law requires drivers to report certain car accidents that result in injury, death, or significant vehicle damage. If law enforcement is not called to the scene, drivers must file a crash report with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation within five days.

Pennsylvania drivers are required to carry at least $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident bodily injury insurance coverage, $5,000 property damage coverage, and $5,000 medical benefits coverage. Drivers can choose between full tort and limited tort options, which affect the ability to sue for pain and suffering.

What if the Other Driver Is Uninsured?

If the other driver is uninsured, you can seek compensation from your own insurance company, provided you opted for uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. You are not required to carry UM coverage, but insurance companies are legally required to offer it and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage as part of their policies.

You can opt out of coverage in writing, but obtaining UM coverage is highly recommended, as it protects you from accidents with uninsured drivers who cannot pay. Without it, you have limited options for recovering damages.

Additionally, Pennsylvania is a no-fault state and requires car owners to purchase Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance that must be used first to pay for medical expenses regardless of who caused the accident. You may be entitled to seek additional compensation from the at-fault driver if your expenses exceed your coverage limits.

What Compensation Can I Seek if I Am Injured in a Car Accident?

Following a car accident, you can seek compensation for economic damages, such as medical expenses and lost wages, and non-economic damages, for intangible costs, such as pain and suffering or loss of life enjoyment.

As a modified comparative negligence state, you are entitled to seek compensation if you are less than 51 percent responsible for the accident. However, your percentage of fault will reduce your total compensation. You are barred from seeking damages entirely if you are more than 50 percent responsible.

What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Bridesburg?

Gathering evidence immediately after an accident is crucial in supporting your accident claim. If you are physically able, you should take the following steps:

Report the accident and injuries to police.
Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver, but limit further conversation.
Take photos of everything at the scene.
Gather statements from witnesses.
Seek medical attention to determine whether you suffered serious internal injuries and obtain the medical report documenting your injuries for your claim.
Keel all records related to the accident.
Consult an experienced Bridesburg car accident lawyer to help you navigate a personal injury claim.

How Can Galfand Berger LLP Help Me After a Car Accident?

Car accident claims can be complex, and hiring an experienced car accident lawyer is crucial to protecting your rights, navigating legal challenges, and achieving the best possible outcome. At Galfand Berger LLP, our dedicated lawyers can handle every aspect of your case, including investigating the scene, determining negligence, interviewing witnesses, consulting experts, and representing you at trial if necessary.