Posts tagged "personal injury"

In the same month that two Philadelphia police officers were killed after being struck by vehicles, an officer was injured after a driver tried to flee a traffic stop. According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, the officer suffered a broken ankle and other injuries on July 17 when he was dragged by a car for an entire block in the Olney section of Philadelphia.

The article said that the 27-year-old driver was pulled over and refused to get out of his truck. His truck was found abandoned later that night.

At the time of the article, the injured officer was listed in stable condition. In addition to facing criminal charges, the driver who injured him could be held financially liable for the injuries he caused. He would be well advised to consult with a personal injury attorney who will discuss the extent of the injuries. Often times in a serious accident such as this one a victim may need to be hospitalized, may require surgery, or even need to stay in a rehabilitation facility for a long period of time. Financial compensation can help victims like him pay for medical bills, physical therapy and rehabilitation, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

The attorneys at Marciano & MacAvoy, P.C. can help victims and their families examine these key factors after a serious accident. When someone's negligence was to blame for the accident, that person should be held accountable through a claim or lawsuit.

If you were recently injured in a serious accident caused by another person's negligence, schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced Philadelphia personal injury attorneys today.

Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer, Fleeing driver injures Philadelphia officer, July 18, 2012

On June 22, 2012, Philly.com reported that General Motors will be recalling 475,000 Chevrolet Cruze compact cars built from September of 2010 through May of 2012 because of the risk of engine fires.

GM said that the fires can ignite when fluids drip onto a plastic shield below the engine. Most of the fires were caused by spills during oil changes that weren't cleaned properly. They are already aware of 30 fires caused by this problem. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported so far.

We have previously reported about the responsibility that manufacturers have for producing safe products. Auto manufacturers have a duty of care for people who drive the cars that they release to the market. If a serious accident causes a serious injury or death, part of the case investigation should be a review of possible auto component malfunctions.

If you have been injured in an accident and you think have a case against a car manufacturer because of design flaws or defective parts, contact an experienced product liability attorney. Attorneys who take on these cases must be sure that a detailed investigation by auto design engineers and other professionals will show liability on the part of the manufacturer or dealer of the car.

The Pennsylvania attorneys of Marciano & MacAvoy, P.C. have extensive experience representing injured victims and their families. Call today to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced Philadelphia auto defect attorneys.

Source: Philly.com, GM to recall Cruze cars over risk of engine fire, June 22, 2012

At least 15 SEPTA bus riders and the bus driver were injured on June 20 when the bus was rear-ended by a dump truck. According to Philly.com, the accident occurred at Germantown and Windrim Avenues in the Logan section of Philadelphia. The article said that a SEPTA spokesman was not sure if people were getting on or off the bus at the time of the accident.

Because of their size and power, dump truck accidents can often be fatal. Their size, weight, speed, and power make them very dangerous unless operated in a completely safe manner. Fortunately, based on the report, it sounds like none of the injuries the passengers suffered were life threatening. The cause of the accident is still being investigated. If there was any negligence on the part of the dump truck driver, he could be held liable for the injuries caused. It is very possible that the driver was speeding or distracted at the time of the crash.

If you or a loved one have been injured in a serious accident resulting from another person's negligence, contact an attorney who can assist you in determining the right course of action to take. Marciano & MacAvoy, P.C. are personal injury attorneys who are prepared to investigate the facts that led to your truck accident. We have a great deal of experience handling injury claims related to Philadelphia truck accidents and welcome your inquiry after a serious accident in Pennsylvania. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Source: Philly.com, 16 hurt when dump truck crashes into SEPTA bus, June 20, 2012

Earlier this month, The Monster Jam Path of Destruction was held at Lincoln Financial Field in South Philadelphia and the U.S. Hot Rod Association's Monster Trucks are coming to the Delaware State Fair Grounds in July. It's important to note that, although rare, fatal accidents do occur to spectators at these events. In the past few years, accidents at Monster Truck shows have resulted in tragic consequences.

According to CNN.com, two fatal monster truck show accidents occurred in January 2009 within two weeks of each other. A 6-year-old boy was killed by flying chunks of metal while watching a monster truck rally at the Tacoma Dome in Washington State. The article said the accident happened when an apparent mechanical malfunction in the truck's drivetrain caused metal fragments to fly out into the crowd. That same month, a promoter was killed after a monster truck ran over him in Madison, Wisconsin. The family of the boy who was killed settled a wrongful death lawsuit with the show's promoter.

 If you are planning on attending a monster truck show with your family this summer, be sure to take precautions to protect yourself. When you reserve your seats, try to sit higher in the stands in case a monster truck loses control and drives up into the grandstands. Keep your distance if you are at a parade or other outdoor event where a monster truck is planning on jumping cars.

Promoters of Monster Truck shows should have a strong safety program in place to ensure the safety of the spectators. If their negligence caused someone to be injured or killed at one of their events, they could be held legally responsible.

Pat MacAvoy and Kevin Marciano are representing a woman who was recently injured at a Monster Truck show as a result of debris flying off a truck that had crashed. The attorneys at Marciano & MacAvoy, P.C. have achieved large settlements and verdicts on behalf of numerous injury victims. If you have been injured due to someone else's negligence, please contact the law firm to schedule a free initial consultation.

Source: CNN.com

Related source: KOMOnews.com

The Delaware County Daily Times reported that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has closed 26 bus operations for safety violations. According to the article, it is the largest safety shutdown in motor coach history. Bus operations based out of six states (Georgia, Indiana, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania ) were declared hazards to public safety. The companies included Apex Bus, Inc., I-95 Coach Inc., and New Century Travel Inc.

According to the article, the investigation began about year ago after several fatal bus accidents happened in the spring of 2011. The investigation showed that carriers had many safety violations, including problems with drivers as well as buses that were not regularly inspected or repaired.

The Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety reported that there were approximately 24 motor coach crashes in the United States last year that caused 34 deaths and 467 injuries.

If you or a loved one were injured in a bus accident, the best thing to do is consult with a personal injury attorney who has experience with bus accidents. Marciano & MacAvoy, P.C. are Pennsylvania personal injury attorneys who can provide knowledgeable counsel and representation to people injured in any type of motor vehicle accident, including bus accidents. We offer free initial consultations to injured people and their families. We understand the challenges you face as you cope with a serious injury or the loss of a family member in an untimely accidental traffic fatality. Call us today!

Source: The Delaware County Daily Times,  Feds crack down on unsafe discount bus companies, May 31, 2012

Two brothers age 21 and 24 were killed in a Chester County, PA truck accident on May 26 when their car collided with a tractor trailer. According to the article on Philly.com, the 21-year-old driver of a Mercury Cougar ran a stop sign and went right into the path of the truck. The truck then went off the road and flipped over, injuring the driver.

Based on the article it sounds like the driver of the car was negligent as he violated a traffic law. It did not say what may have caused him to run the stop sign. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation reported that in 2010 car crashes claimed the lives of 1,324 people and injured another 87,949 people. Male drivers between the ages of 21 and 25 were involved in more crashes than drivers in any other age group (male or female). There was a high percentage of younger drivers in multi-vehicle crashes that year as younger drivers are more easily distracted while driving.

The truck driver would be well advised to consult with a personal injury attorney who can help protect his legal rights. Marciano & MacAvoy, P.C. have a great deal of experience handling injury claims related to Philadelphia truck and car accidents. Call today to schedule a consultation and we will respond promptly to your request for more information about what our law firm can do for you after a serious accident.

Source: Philly.com, Chesco car-truck crash claims two brothers, May 28, 2012

This week it was reported by the Associated Press that Zithromax (azithromycin), an antibiotic marketed by Pfizer, Inc. and used to treat bronchitis and other infections, may double a person's chances for sudden deadly heart problems. The recent 14-year study concluded that doctors would be better off prescribing other antibiotics for people who are prone to heart problems.

According to the AP, the study was conducted at Vanderbilt University where researchers analyzed data from 1992-2006. Out of about 540,000 Medicaid patients, there were 29 heart-related deaths. Researchers compared the risks of patients who took Zithromax to patients who took amoxicillin and found the Zithromax patients with existing heart problems had the highest risk. The results indicated that there would be 47 more deaths per million courses of Zithromax.

Because it can be taken for fewer days than other antibiotics, Zithromax, also known as the Z-pack, is often a more popular course of treatment.

Manufacturers, marketers, venders and installers of products must produce and distribute safe consumer products and can be held accountable if they do not. Attorneys and investigators often find that the reason for a victim's injury or death was related to some type of defective product such as a dangerous drug or defective medical device.

If you or your loved one have been seriously injured due to the negligence of a drug manufacturer, contact an experienced Pennsylvania product liability attorney as soon as possible. Marciano & MacAvoy, P.C. have extensive experience screening potential product liability cases. Call today for a free consultation.

Source: Philly.com, Antibiotic linked with rare but deadly heart risk, Associated Press, May 16, 2012

An 8-year-old girl was struck by a car while she was walking home from school on April 13. The accident occurred on Sprague and Woodlawn Streets near East Germantown, PA and did not have a crossing guard. On April 18, parents and students held a rally on the same corner to demand that the city hire more crossing guards. According to Philly.com, out of the 1,037 Philadelphia intersections that need crossing guards there are 120 that do not have any. In the past three years, at least 75 children have been injured by vehicles on their way to or from school in the city.

Children are particularly vulnerable to being struck by a motor vehicle. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were a total of 4,092 pedestrian fatalities in 2009 and 244 those fatalities were 14 years old and younger. There were an estimated 59,000 pedestrians who were injured that year and 13,000 of the injured victims were age 14 or younger.

The article said that the 8-year-old girl had to be taken to a nearby hospital. Fortunately, she did not suffer any serious injuries. It sounds like the presence of a crossing guard could have prevented this accident. Crossing guards play an important role for children who walk to school. They not only help the students to safely cross the street, but also remind drivers that there are pedestrians in the area.

If your loved one was injured due to another person's or entity's negligence, contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. The Philadelphia personal injury attorneys at Marciano & MacAvoy, P.C. can get to the bottom of the liability question. They are a proven-effective source of help and welcome your inquiry by phone or email.

Source: Philly.com, Accident spurs rally for more crossing guards, April 19, 2012

Related source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: Pedestrians

Last August a 9-year-old Phillies fan from Bucks County, PA was seriously injured when he was struck by a driver who was under the influence. According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, the young boy was leaving a Phillies game at A T & T Park in San Francisco when he was hit by the driver in a pick-up truck. He suffered a traumatic brain injury, laceration to his liver, broken bones and will undergo another surgery this week. It was reported that the driver also hit a woman and two parked cars, then fled the scene.

On April 11, the 22-year-old driver was sentenced to one year in prison and 5 years' probation. In addition to his sentence, he could also be held financially liable for all of the injuries he caused to the young boy. Because of his negligence, the young boy suffered a traumatic brain injury as well as the other serious injuries. He had to be hospitalized for more than one month before he could come home and had to undergo several procedures. He and his family can seek compensation to cover medical expenses, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation, and pain and suffering.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an auto accident, the best thing to do is contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. An experienced attorney can do a prompt investigation into the causes of an auto accident to help determine liability. The Philadelphia auto accident attorneys at Marciano & MacAvoy, P.C. are a proven-effective source of information and help. Call 866-708-5224 today to schedule your free initial consultation.

Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer, Driver who struck young Phils fan gets one year, April 12, 2012