Tag: accident attorneys

Hit and run accidents, like the deadly crash that killed a man riding his bicycle on a Scranton sidewalk on Sunday morning, are happening all too frequently in Scranton, Wilkes-Barre and surrounding areas. Just today, a motorcyclist was killed in a hit and run accident in Philadelphia. The impact so strong when the motorcycle was hit by an SUV, that the victim’s body was thrown about 30 feet. Hit and run accidents can be deadly, especially when involving a pedestrian, bicyclist or motorcyclist. They are tragic for the victims of these crashes, and also for their families.

2015 Traffic Crash Facts

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released a report this week stating that traffic accident fatalities were up sharply in 2015. 2,348 more people died in traffic accidents in 2015 than in 2014. A total of 35,092 people were killed in crashes. This a 7% increase over the previous year, the largest increase in traffic crash fatalities in nearly 50 years. The number of those injured in crashes increased to 2.44 million people. Hit and run accidents have been on the increase with other crashes.

  • Bicyclist fatalities rose by 12.2%
  • Pedestrian fatalities rose by 9.5%
  • Motorcyclist fatalities rose by 8.3%

Pennsylvania Hit and Run Accident Laws

When a truck, SUV or car hits something smaller, it can have tragic results. Leaving the scene of a hit and run accident is illegal. When you are involved in an accident, you are required to stop. Failure to do so can result in considerable penalties.

Kevin’s law was passed in 2014. The law was named for Kevin Miller, a 5-year-old boy who was killed by a hit and run driver on a Wilkes-Barre Street. With the law, penalties became stricter for those who flee the scene of fatal hit and run accidents. The law also fixed a loophole when it comes to DUI hit and run cases. DUI seems to be a major factor for drivers fleeing the scene of a hit and run crash.

Kevin’s Law increased the mandatory minimum prison sentence for fleeing the scene of fatal accident to 3 years. This sentence is now on par with the 3-year sentence for DUI pedhomicide. This closed the loophole under which leaving the scene of a fatal accident carried a lesser minimum sentence than DUI homicide. Continuing to impose stricter penalties on those who flee the scene of these deadly accidents may save lives. It may also result in a safer environment for pedestrians and others.

If you have been injured in a hit and run accident or another car accident or truck accident, call the car accident attorneys at Distasio Kowaslski in Wilkes-Barre today at 570-970-5400. You need an attorney who is experienced and is going to fight to get you the justice you deserve.

 

WWaySix wrong way crashes near Wilkes-Barre in Northeast Pennsylvania in a little over a year has gotten the attention of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDot). Twelve vehicle accident fatalities occurred in four of those crashes on Pennsylvania highways. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Safety Administration, wrong way driving crashes result in 300 to 400 people killed each year in the United States on average. Because wrong way crashes often involve head-on high speed crashes, they tend to be more severe, causing serious injuries and fatalities.

This week, PennDot began a $778,000 Safety and Wrong Way Crash Improvement Project in Luzerne and Lackawanna counties. The road safety improvements are expected to be completed by September 2016. The project will include adding additional signage, warning drivers of Wrong Way and Do Not Enter on off-ramps. It will also include upgrading reflectivity of current signs. According to PennDot, the work will occur at non-signalized off ramps on interstates 80, 81, 84 and the Casey Highway. PennDot will also add high friction surface treatments on certain sections of SR 309 in Luzerne County.

Tips to protect yourself from wrong way crashes

  • Be sure everything in your vehicle is operating correctly, including horn and lights.
  • Always wear your seat belt and be sure everyone in the vehicle is buckled up.
  • Be aware of the road around you and scan the road in front of you as far as you can see. Watch for vehicles ahead of you breaking or swerving.
  • If you see a wrong way driver coming at you, flash your lights and honk your horn.
  • Pull over as quickly and safely as you can, to get out of the path of the wrong way driver.
  • Call 911 and report the wrong way driver and the location.
  • Alcohol is often a factor in wrong way crashes – Never drink and drive.

The accident attorneys at Distasio, Kowalski & Yelen represent the innocent victims of head on collisions and wrong way crashes near Wilkes-Barre. The Distasio, Kowalski & Yelen law firm has represented hundreds of car, truck and other auto accident victims in Wilkes-Barre and throughout Northeast Pennsylvania.

Call an auto accident lawyer at Distasio, Kowalski & Yelen in Wilkes-Barre today for a free consultation. Call 570-970-5400.