Center City Car Accident Lawyers

Philadelphia is home to some of the most dangerous roads in the United States, and Center City is no exception. One of the city’s most popular neighborhoods, Center City’s mix of business districts, shopping, dining, entertainment, and historical venues create high vehicle and pedestrian traffic and near-daily car accidents. 

Car accidents can be instantly life-changing, especially if you suffer serious injuries. When you are injured by a negligent driver, you need an experienced and dedicated legal team. For nearly 80 years, the Center City car accident lawyers at Galfand Berger LLP have held negligent drivers accountable for their actions and recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation for our injured clients.

What Types of Car Accidents Does Galfand Berger LLP Handle?

In a highly populated area like Center City, traffic accidents occur frequently, resulting in numerous injuries each year. Our experienced legal team handles numerous types of car accidents, including head-on collisions, multi-vehicle “pile-ups,” rear-end collisions, rideshare accidents, sideswipe accidents, and T-bone accidents. 

What Are the Most Dangerous Roads in Center City?

Center City is the bustling heart of Philadelphia. It features the city’s signature skyscrapers, museums, shops, restaurants, and historic sites, such as the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was signed. 

Center City’s roads are known for being dangerous due to high traffic volume, complex intersections, and high volumes of pedestrian traffic. Some of the most dangerous include:

• Broad Street (Avenue of the Arts): Center City’s major north-south artery is one of Philadelphia’s busiest and accident-prone due to its length, heavy traffic, numerous intersections and pedestrian crossings, and bus and subway stops.
• Market Street: Running east-west, Market Street experiences heavy vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle traffic. Many accidents occur in intersections near major hubs, such as 15th Street near City Hall.
• Chestnut Street: Chestnut Street is known for dense vehicle and pedestrian traffic due to its shopping districts, restaurants, and offices. 
• Walnut Street: Walnut Street is a key thoroughfare that runs through commercial and residential areas. Intersections such as Broad Street and 15th Street are known accident areas.
• Spring Garden Street: A key connector between Center City and other parts of Philadelphia, Spring Garden Street’s intersections can be dangerous due to high speeds and frequent merging lanes.
• Vine Street Expressway (I-676): This critical route cuts through Center City, and its entrance and exit ramps and underpasses create challenging driving conditions.
• Ben Franklin Parkway: This scenic boulevard is a major thoroughfare leading to the Art Museum and other cultural landmarks. Wide lanes, multiple intersections, and tourist activity create frequent accidents.
• Girard Avenue: Portions of Girard Avenue serve as major private and public transportation routes with a combination of trolley tracks, buses, and cars, often creating hazardous conditions.

What Are Common Causes of Car Accidents in Center City?

Car accidents are far too common in Philadelphia. Center City’s business districts and attractions for residents and tourists create a tangle of traffic, pedestrians, and public transportation that leads to daily accidents. Other common causes of car accidents include:

• Distracted driving: Any activity that distracts your attention from the road, such as texting, talking on the phone, eating, grooming, and more, leads to serious accidents. 

• Drowsy driving: Studies show that sleep deprivation causes the same neurological impairments as drunk driving, and driving while sleep-deprived is just as dangerous. 
• Drunk driving: Alcohol reduces brain function and focus, reaction times, blurs vision, and causes blackouts or sleep.

• Reckless driving: Swerving in and out of traffic, cutting other drivers off, and tailgating are considered reckless driving and risky behavior. 

• Speeding: Driving over the speed limit reduces available stopping distance, hindering sudden stops or changes in traffic.
• Weather: Rain, snow, and ice create slippery roads that decrease the tires’ ability to maintain traction, making sudden lane changes and tailgating significantly more dangerous.

What Are Common Car Accident Injuries?

Car accidents are a leading cause of injuries. Common 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

What Compensation Can I Seek?

Following a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and losses. Compensation typically includes:

• Current and future medical expenses
• Lost wages and potential future earnings
• Pain and suffering 
• Medications
• Disability or disfigurement
• Emotional distress
• Rehabilitative and psychological therapies
• Wrongful death
• Vehicle repair or replacement

What Should I Do if I Am in a Car Accident in Center City?

Your actions following a car accident can provide crucial evidence for your claim. If you are physically able, you should:

• Report the accident and injuries to police.
• Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver.
• Minimize conversation and do not argue or apologize to avoid your comments being used against you.
• Photograph everything at the scene, including injuries, damage, and your surroundings.
• Gather witnesses’ contact information and statements.
• Seek medical attention as soon as possible to rule out life-threatening internal injuries. A medical report is also required for your claim.
• Maintain all records and correspondence you receive related to your claim.
• Hire an experienced car accident lawyer with a successful history of recovering maximum compensation for clients.

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

Hiring an experienced Center City car accident lawyer lets you focus on your recovery and peace of mind, knowing your claim will be handled properly. At Galfand Berger LLP, our skilled legal team can:

• Investigate the accident scene and review police reports.
• Interview responding officers and witnesses.
• Determine fault.
• Establish your current and future healthcare needs.
• Consult experts, if necessary.
• Negotiate with insurance companies for maximum compensation.
• Represent you in court should your case go to trial.

The Center City Car Accident Lawyers at Galfand Berger LLP Hold Negligent Drivers Accountable

If a negligent driver has injured you or a loved one, the seasoned Center City car accident lawyers at Galfand Berger LLP can help you seek compensation for your injuries and losses. Call today at 800-222-USWA (8792) or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Located in Philadelphia, Bethlehem, Lancaster, and Reading, Pennsylvania, we serve clients throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania, including Allentown and Harrisburg.