Losing a loved one in an accident is many people’s worst fear. Unfortunately for many families, that worst fear has become a reality. According to the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, 57 people have died so far in Philadelphia traffic accidents in 2016 (as of November 8).
What do the statistics say?
The statistics, which come from several sources including the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the Philadelphia Police Department, show:
- Pedestrian fatalities make up a majority of these deaths (29)
- Seven of the deaths (12 percent) have been children (four of these children were under seven years old)
- 10 deaths were passengers
- Nine were drivers
- Six motorcyclists
- Four cyclists
- One disabled pedestrian
At least three deaths resulted from driving under the influence.
Ten of the drivers involved in these fatal accidents left the scene.
May was the deadliest month with 11 deaths, most were pedestrians.
A map of the incidents reveals that many of the pedestrian deaths occurred in Center City and on Roosevelt Boulevard.
Philadelphia has been struggling with road safety for a number of years. The Bicycle Coalition found that the rate of yearly deaths per 100,000 people in Philadelphia is higher than other major cities, including New York, San Francisco and Chicago. Philadelphia’s urban roads are some of the most dangerous in the country, with 11,000 car crashes occurring every year from 2009 to 2013.
How can I recover compensation after a traffic fatality?
If you have lost a loved one in an accident, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim against the other driver. To do so, you must be able to prove the driver who caused the accident was behaving negligently.
Many of these fatalities have resulted from negligent behaviors such as:
- Reckless driving
- Speeding
- Hit and runs
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol
- Improper left turns at intersections
If you are able to prove negligence, you may be able to recover compensation for your loved one’s lost wages, lost support, mental anguish, loss of consortium, and loss of guidance for your children.
Where can I get help with my wrongful death case?
While no amount of financial support can erase the pain you and your family are experiencing, it can help you pay your bills and allow you to focus on your emotional recovery and your family.
The compassionate wrongful death attorneys at Cordisco & Saile, LLC know how terrible this time is for you and want to do whatever we can to help you and your family. We will help you navigate through this difficult time and get you the compensation you and your family need.
For more information on how we can help, contact our firm to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today: 215-642-2335.
