Lawyer for Car Accidents in PA 276
Practice Areas
Which Philadelphia Highway Has the Most Accidents?
Nobody should have to go through a car accident. Unfortunately, thousands of drivers face this frightening reality on a daily basis – and in many cases, the scene of the crash is a highway. With so many drivers fighting for a spot on a busy, high-speed road, an...
read moreThe dangers of highways in Pennsylvania are well known, especially in PA 276 where serious and chaotic accidents are notorious for making national headlines. A noteworthy one occurred in 2014 when portions of PA 276 looked like a parking lot after over 100 vehicles were involved in a chain-reaction of car crashes. In 2017, PennDOT reported that Philadelphia (8.7%), Montgomery (7.0%), and Delaware (3.9%) counties were among the top counties with the highest percentages of car crashes in Pennsylvania.
For the victims of car collisions in PA 276, the consequences are often traumatic and devastating. The injuries can lead to lifestyle changes and irremediable losses of quality of life, or sadly heartbreaking losses of the lives of loved ones. When these accidents are caused by distracted and drunken drivers o by careless motorists, there are remedies under the laws of Pennsylvania to receive financial compensation for the losses.
If you or a loved one has been injured due to the negligence of another person, you may be able to recover financial compensation for your losses. With over 80 years of combined experienced, the Philadelphia, Delco, Montco, Main Line personal injury attorneys of Jacobs & Fishman, P.C. display an unwavering commitment to helping clients recuperate the health and other losses caused by someone else. For a free legal consultation, call (610) 941-4250 or contact us online.
Route 276 Pennsylvania Driver Safety Laws
The Pennsylvania legislature has enacted a body of statutes and regulations to make highways safe and to ensure that all motorists are trained and keep their vehicles safe. There are essential laws involving speed limits, traffic, licensing and permitting requirements. The are additional laws distinctive of Pennsylvania, including:
- The Steer Clear Law requires drivers to move over or slow down when they encounter an emergency, traffic stop or disabled vehicle.
- Daniel’s Law imposes penalties for texting while driving resulting in a serious injury.
- The Ignition Interlock requires DUI offenders to install an Ignition Interlock System in their car.
- The child passenger safety law makes it mandatory for children to be buckled into the rear-facing car seat until the age of two or until a specific height is met.
- Prohibiting Use of Hearing Devices bans the use of headphones or earphones while driving, except for prescribed hearing aids. Bluetooth use is permitted if used on one ear only.
- Ride on Red Law concerns inoperable or malfunctioning signals. If the red signal cycles through longer than 4 minutes and does not give you the green light, the driver may treat the light as a stop sign and proceed with caution.
- The Unattended Motor Vehicle law prohibits vehicles to stand unattended without placing the gear shift lever in a position impeding the movement, stopping the engine, locking the ignition, removing the key from the ignition and, when standing upon any grade, turning the front wheels to the curb or side of the highway and effectively setting the brake.
Understanding Negligence in a Pennsylvania Auto Accident on PA 276
Negligence cases typically require a plaintiff to show that the person who caused the harm had a duty of care that was not exercised, thus, causing the injuries. Pennsylvania law allows a shortcut for a personal injury claim under the legal theory known as “negligence per se,” which streamlines the evidence needed to the information showing that the cause of the harm was the other person’s negligence.
One example that illustrates how negligence per se creates a shortcut comes into play in cases where the accident is caused by a truck driver who causes an accident and concurrently violates trucking and safety regulations. The proof that the truck driver violated the law will be helpful because the lawsuit will be focused on the conduct surrounding the statute violations causing the injuries.
What Happens If Dangerous Road Conditions Caused My Car Accident?
Pennsylvania has a legal duty to keep public roads and intersections safe. While the general rule is that government officials cannot be sued, Pennsylvania has instituted exceptions to this prohibition. The Pennsylvania legislature allows lawsuits against state agencies and officials for creating dangerous state road conditions.
Our PA 276 Car Crash Lawyers Can Help You Today
The recommendation most lawyers will make is to talk to an attorney as soon as possible because there are time limits and other legal considerations. Pennsylvania has a time limit of two years for filing a personal injury claim. Pennsylvania also bars a personal injury claim if your responsibility exceeds 51%. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t sue.
A full evaluation with an experienced attorney is a critical step to make an informed decision about your legal rights. Therefore, even if you were partly responsible for the collision, an experienced attorney is best equipped to help in quantifying levels of culpability. Also, a lawyer who is familiar with Pennsylvania highway laws will know more about PA 276 and will help you make an informed decision about your level of responsibility.
The law firm of Jacobs and Fishman serves the communities enveloped in the area of PA 276 that runs across Philadelphia, Delco, Montco, the Main Line, and Norristown. We are known for our dedication to pursuing our client’s legal rights aggressively. Our approach is results-oriented and relentless. Call your PA 276 personal injury attorney at (610) 941-4250 to schedule a free consultation.