Motor Vehicle Accidents
Every 10 seconds someone in America is involved in a car accident. Annually, over 40,000 people are killed in approximately 5 million motor vehicle accidents. Thousands more are seriously injured, but seldom do they receive just compensation for the accident and subsequent injuries. Insurance companies routinely offer victims small settlements, hoping the victim does not realize the value of their case. Without strong legal representation, you too could be stuck paying the majority of the expenses from an accident that was not your fault.
The motor vehicle accident attorneys at Wilson, Johnson and Zuber will fight for victims of negligent or drunk drivers, victims of malfunctioning safety equipment, or those injured in vehicular rollovers. If you or a family member is the victim of a motor vehicle accident, contact our Philadelphia office immediately. You may be entitled to financial compensation. We will evaluate your case and fight for your rights.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s 2004 Traffic Safety Facts sheet, motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death for persons from every age between three and 33. That year, 42,636 people were killed in the estimated 6.18 million police-reported motor vehicle crashes, and 2.78 million people were injured with property damage exceeding $200 billion. An average of 117 people per day were killed in motor vehicle accidents.
Our experience and aggressive motor vehicle accident lawyers at Wilson, Johnson and Zuber will represent victims of:
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Recent Motor Vehicle Accident Verdicts and Settlements
$3.1 million settlement – truck accident
$2.8 million settlement – motorcycle accident
Check out our other recent settlements and verdicts
At Wilson, Johnson and Zuber, Trial Lawyers, we will take on the big insurance companies or car companies responsible for your pain. If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident and are entitled to damages, contact our Philadelphia office today. We will fight for you!
Auto Accidents
Every 10 seconds someone in America is involved in a car accident. Statistics indicate that during your lifetime, you will be involved in at least one auto accident. You should be aware of your rights. If you are injured in a car accident, contact our offices immediately. Insurance companies will fight to give you as little compensation as possible for your damages. The days and weeks following a serious car accident are chaotic and overwhelming. As you recover, you need someone on your side, looking out for your rights as a victim.
Wilson, Johnson and Zuber, Trial Lawyers can also help those who have lost loved ones to auto accidents. We will file a wrongful death suit, to recuperate your losses. Our motor vehicle accident attorneys know the devastation that can occur as a result of a serious auto accident. Our team will fight to restore security and the quality of life for victims and their loved ones.
Auto Accident Statistics for 2004:
[Statistics were taken from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s 2004 Traffic Safety Facts sheet.]
If you were involved in a serious car accident, get legal representation immediately. The insurance company representing the party at fault will have a team of attorneys, investigators, and adjusters working to minimize your claim. Often accident victims choose to delay hiring an attorney or decide to represent their own legal interests. Our motor vehicle accident attorneys at Wilson, Johnson and Zuber are experienced and can maximize your compensation. Contact our Philadelphia office today and arrange a case consultation.
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Drunk Driving Accidents
In 2004 there were 16,694 alcohol-influenced traffic fatalities. On average, about three in every 10 Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related accident in their lifetime. Alcohol-related accidents account for an estimated 39 percent of fatal motor vehicle accidents. Almost a quarter million people are injured each year in accidents where the police reported that alcohol was present. That is an average of one person injured every two minutes.
The phrases "driving while intoxicated" (DWI) and "driving under the influence" (DUI) do not only refer to drinking and driving. DWI and DUI can also mean that a driver was operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of an illegal drug, such as marijuana or cocaine.
Drunk driving victims are not limited to other drivers. Passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, and family members (in instances of wrongful death) may be entitled to receive compensation. Even passengers of the vehicle driven by the drunk driver may be eligible to file a lawsuit.
In addition to being able to claim damages against the drunk driver responsible for your crash, you may be able to file a dram shop claim. Dram shop liability refers to a body of law governing the liability of bars, night clubs, taverns, liquor stores, or other commercial establishments that serve alcoholic beverages. Dram shop liability claims are common in motor vehicle cases involving a DUI or DWI. Most often dram shop liability suits are filed against an establishment which continued to serve visibly intoxicated people or minors who subsequently cause death or injury in an accident.
If you or a family member has been injured in a DUI or drunk driving accident, contact our Philadelphia law offices today. Our motor vehicle attorneys are experienced in alcohol-related accident litigation and will seek compensation for your damages.
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Truck Accidents
Due to their massive size, even a low impact truck accident can inflict serious injuries, damage, or even death. Trucking accidents can be devastating. Despite accounting for just 3 percent of all registered vehicles, trucks account for 8 percent of all vehicles involved fatal accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), one out of every eight traffic fatalities results from a collision involving a large truck.
More truck accident statistics:
Trucks inherently have certain speed, turning, visibility, and braking limitations that other driver’s need to be aware of. Often, truck accidents are caused by this combination of a truck's characteristics. Other causes for serious trucking accidents include:
If you, or a loved one, are the victim of a truck accident, contact our motor vehicle attorneys today and arrange a case evaluation. You may be eligible to collect damages. In addition to the truck’s driver, our experienced truck accident attorneys may seek damages from:
Truck accidents are not merely bigger automobile accidents. There are unique laws governing trucks involved in interstate commerce. Understanding the details and intricacies of truck accident litigation is essential to your case. In 2006 our truck accident attorneys negotiated a $3.1 million settlement. Contact our offices and find out what Wilson, Johnson and Zuber can do for you.
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Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcyclists are 32 times more likely to die in an accident than passenger car occupants and six times more likely to be injured. Despite only accounting for 2 percent of all registered vehicles in the United States and only 0.3 percent of all vehicle miles traveled, motorcycle riders accounted for 9 percent of traffic fatalities in 2004. Another 76,000 motorcyclists were injured.
Motorcyclists are substantially more exposed than operators of other motor vehicles. When a motorcycle accident occurs, serious injuries often occur. Common injuries include:
If you are the victim of a motorcycle accident, contact our Philadelphia law offices today and arrange a case evaluation.
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ATV Accidents
Like motorcyclists, operators of all-terrain vehicles (ATV) are substantially exposed, resulting in severe injuries. 75 percent of ATV accidents result in serious damage to the head or spinal cord. These injuries can cause serious life threatening or lifelong physical problems and ailments or paralysis. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that 467 people died in ATV related accidents in 2001 and an additional 113,900 people sustained serious injuries. Children are particularly at risk for death or serious injury when operating ATVs. Nearly 40 percent of ATV related deaths and injuries involve victims under the age of 16.
Some ATV designs are unsafe and lead to accidents (such as rollovers) despite the use of safety precautions. In 1988, the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission took legal action against 3-wheeled ATV manufacturers. Since ATV cases can be very complex, victims need aggressive and experienced lawyers on their side. Contact Wilson, Johnson and Zuber for a case evaluation.
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Seat Belt Failures
Seat belts were designed to prevent injury and when they work correctly, they are the most important safety device in a motor vehicle accident. While they are usually effective (the NHTSA estimates that seat belts saved 15,434 lives in 2004), when they fail or have a defective design, a seat belt can cause serious injuries. Seat belt failure can actually be more damaging than not wearing one at all.
Common seat belt defects include:
If you would like to know more about seat belt failures, contact the law offices of Wilson, Johnson and Zuber. We will evaluate your case and fight for your rights. Set up a consultation with our Philadelphia motor vehicle attorneys today.
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Defective Tires
Since the infamous Firestone tire recall of 2000 and the resulting $149 million settlement, public awareness about the danger of defective tires is at an all-time high. There were at least 271 U.S. traffic deaths linked to the Firestone tire recall.
Tire defects such as tread separations and tire blowouts have been responsible for thousands of serious injuries and wrongful deaths. If a defective tire loses its tread, the tire may blowout. Blowouts often cause the driver to loose control of the vehicle, resulting in accidents and sometimes even rollovers. Tire companies, like the manufacturers of all products, have a responsibility to ensure their products do not harm consumers. If they do, the manufacturer can be held liable and be responsible to pay damages to the victim or the victim’s family. Learn more about product liability here.
If you or a loved one was injured as the result of a tire defect, you may be eligible for compensation. Our Philadelphia motor vehicle accident attorneys can help. Contact Wilson, Johnson and Zuber, Trial Lawyers today and arrange a consultation.
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Vehicular Rollovers
In a motor vehicle accident, vehicles are either slowed down rapidly by hitting an object or are jarred in a different direction. Often, crashes cause vehicles to skid or spin, but they should not rollover. When they do rollover, many times it is a direct result of a design flaw. Designs that accommodate rollovers include:
According to statistics from the NHTSA, in 2002, vehicle accidents that included a rollover accounted for just 3 percent of the 11 million motor vehicle accidents. However, accidents that included rollovers accounted for 33 percent of the traffic accident fatalities.
Sport utility vehicles have been shown to be much more likely to roll over than other automobiles. SUVs have a much higher center of gravity than other vehicles. When a driver makes an emergency corrective action, an SUV has an increased chance of rolling over.
Reasons for injuries and fatalities during vehicular rollover include:
If you or a family member has been seriously injured as the result of a vehicular rollover, contact our motor vehicle attorneys and arrange a case evaluation.
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Airbag Injuries
When an airbag is produced, designed, or installed incorrectly, these potentially life-saving safety features can inflict serious injuries, or even death. Airbags deploy at speeds up to 200 miles an hour, causing serious damage to anyone too close to it. Defective airbags include, but are not limited to:
Airbags are designed to save lives and prevent injuries by cushioning occupants as they move forward in a front-end crash. The airbag provides a cushion which is supposed to keep the occupant’s head, neck, and chest from hitting the steering wheel or the dashboard. In order to work properly, airbags must inflate very quickly. Many airbag injuries are the result of the passenger coming into contact with the bag before it is fully inflated. These injuries can include eye or cornea damage, broken facial bones, and even decapitation.
Contact Wilson, Johnson and Zuber, Trial Lawyers, if you or someone you love is the victim of an airbag injury. Our Philadelphia injury attorneys will fight for the damages you deserve.
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Contact our lawyers today to arrange a consultation.
Wilson, Johnson & Zuber
One South Broad Street
Avenue of the Arts
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Main: (215) 988-9277
Fax: (215) 988-1580