OUR DISTRACTED DRIVING ACCIDENT LAWYERS HELP YOU WIN

At Kats, Jamison & Associates, we are a comprehensive law firm that cares for the client with a track record of multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. We will represent you with humanity, humility and honor, regardless of your case size.

(215) 396-9001 help@mkats.com

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Real Automobile Accident Cases Won

$10,000,000 SETTLEMENT

For a 9 year old Northeast Philadelphia boy who suffered traumatic brain injuries after being hit by a truck as he crossed the street.

$3.5 MILLION AWARD

From a Chester County jury to a nurse and mother of two after she was seriously injured when she was rear-ended by a National waste disposal truck.

$1,055,000 SETTLEMENT

Settled in 7 months for responsible party’s policy limits and under-insured motorist policy limits

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Real Car Accident Stories

Why Choose Philly Lawyers

How We Help You Win

We will review your bicycle accident case thoroughly.

We will investigate all evidence regarding the cause of the accident.

We will interview witnesses and experts if necessary.

We will work to ensure that victims and their families receive the maximum settlement.

Did A Distracted Driver Cause Your Auto Accident?

Have you been injured by a distracted driver? The Bucks County Distracted Driver Attorneys at Kats, Jamison & Associates are here to help. Since the invention of cell phones, global positioning systems and other portable devices, the number of automobile accidents caused by distracted driving has seen an increase in scale. If you are texting while driving, checking Instagram, or talking on the phone – you may be at higher risk for being involved in an automobile accident.

If you or a loved one sustained injuries in a car accident due to a carelessness or distracted driver, the lawyers at Kats, Jamison & Associates could help you with filing a personal injury cause.

Types of Distracted Driving

You can be distracted behind the wheel of a car in many different ways. According to the NHSTA (The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) distractions are classified in three main categories:

– Cognitive – distractions occur when drivers allow their mind to wander off instead of focusing on the road and things around them.
– Manual – distractions occur when drivers take their hands off the steering wheels.
– Visual – distractions occur when drivers take their eyes off the road for a variety of different reasons.

There are some cases, which are particularly dangerous, where a driver is distracted with a combination of any of the three categories listed above. For example, a person who is scrolling through their FaceBook news feed is visually distracted, as well as manually distracted as one hand is holding the phone instead of the steering wheel. They may also be commenting on a post which adds the third category, cognitive distractions.

Depending on the type(s) of distraction or combination of distractions could create very dangerous circumstances. Here are a list of distractions that commonly occur and should be avoided as much as possible if you want to be a responsible driver:

– Adjusting the radio
– Applying makeup
– Eating
– Grooming
– Listening to extremely loud music
– Looking out at something other than the road in front of you
– Reading
– Talking on the phone
– Using a GPS device

Statute of Limitations in Distracted Driving Cases In Pennsylvania

In most circumstances, the laws of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, an injured car accident victim has two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. There are some extremely limited exceptions, but for the majority of cases, unless a victim files within two years, he or she will lose the right to seek monetary compensation for injuries and damages sustained.

The timing of your case is very important, so contact an experienced and knowledgeable personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.

Distracted Driver Statistics and Laws

Distracted drivers are more and more becoming significant public health concern. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), each day in the United States, approximately 9 people are killed and more than 1,000 injured in crashes that are reported to involve a distracted driver. With the rapid expansion of mobile devices, it is expected that distracted driving accidents are likely to increase as time goes on. To face this issue, many states including Pennsylvania have passed specific legislation limiting or even banning the use of mobile devices while driving.
If you believe that a distracted driver caused your car accident or personal injury, have an experienced and knowledgable Northeast Philadelphia personal injury lawyer review your case to determine whether you have a valid injury claim.

Distracted Driver Laws for Commercial Vehicle Drivers

Federal law has banned commercial vehicle drivers from texting or using mobile devices while driving. These offenders may face significant files in order to deter drives from taking their hands off the wheel. Multiple violations of distracted driving can not only result in large fines, but also could prompt the removal of a drivers license privilege all together.

Commercial vehicles typically include large trucks, vans, and tractor-trailers. Due to their size and weight, these vehicles often have more kinetic energy during impact which could cause serious accidents and devastating injuries to occur. This is especially the case when a driver is distracted at the wheel. When commercial drivers violate the law and cause accidents, their employers and or insurance companies will often be liable for any damages that are to occur.

Children Causing Distracted Driver Accidents

In addition to cell phones and other mobile devices, distractions in the car can occur due to children misbehaving within the vehicle. There are a few ways children can unintentionally cause an automobile accident.

– Misbehaving – if a child starts misbehaving or throwing a tantrum, it could be easy for a driver to get distracted and lose control of their vehicle.
– Roughhousing – if there are a number of children fighting in the backseat of the car, the driver may have to physically turn around to intervene, therefor losing focus on the road and potentially creating the situation for a car accident.
– Conversations with children – in cases where a driver is trying to calm down a child, or help them find a lost item, the parent’s attention is taken away from the road, which could significantly increasing the risk of an automobile accident.

Proving Distracted Driving Caes in Bucks County & Montgomery County

Bucks County and Montgomery County laws prohibit texting while driving as well as other distracting devices. If a driver acts carelessly while operating a motor vehicle on a public roadway, then that driver may face liability for the subsequent injuries and damages.

In distracted driver cases, the injured party always has the responsibility of proving negligence on the other driver or party. To prove negligence in a car accident that was caused by a distracted driver, the injured accident victim must prove the following:

– Cause – The plaintiff must show that the distracted driver created the situation necessary for the accident to occur.
– Damages – Calculation of damages both economic and non-economic.
– Duty – Being a privileged driver holds the responsibility and duty to drive in a reasonable and careful way. In distracted driving cases, drivers are held to the same standard of care of a “reasonable person” who operates a motor vehicle under the same or similar circumstances.
– Violation of the duty of care – Potentially it is possible to prove that a driver must have breached the applicable duty of care.

For example if they answered a phone call while driving and caused and accident.

Potential Damages in Distracted Driving Car Accidents

There are many types of damages associated in distracted driving car accident cases. These may include both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages typically include the victim’s medical bills and lost wages. Non-economic damages are usually more subjective and call for an experienced attorney to calculate. Some examples include, but are not limited to:

– Disability
– Emotional distress
– Inconvenience of life
– Loss of companionship
– Loss of enjoyment of life
– Lost earning capacity
– Mental anguish
– Pain and suffering
– Permanent damages
– Psychological sufering or (PTSD)

Negotiating with Insurance Companies After a Distracted Driving Car Accident

Most often than not, insurance companies are not representing your interest when they try and settle a personal injury case. When a distracted driver is at-fault, the driver’s insurance company’s primary goal is to save as much money as possible, leaving you with as least money as they can. Insurance tend to avoid paying out personal injury settlements as long as they can. If an insurance company has offered you a settlement for your case, it is highly recommended that you first speak with an experienced and knowledgeable personal injury attorney before accepting the offer.

Contact a Bucks County Personal Injury Attorney Today for a Free Consultation

Distracted drivers can cause serious accidents and serious injuries for their victims. It is important that victims seek the maximum compensation outlined by law to make things right for themselves, their families and their futures. The most reliable way to ensure that you receive fair compensation, is to retain the services of an experienced and knowledgeable Bucks County personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.

Marina Kats firm Kats, Jamison & Associates have been helping victims of personal injury cases for more than 33 years. For a free, non-commitment consultation, please give our office a call and schedule an appointment.

To receive a free consultation, please call our offices to schedule an appointment for your personal injury case at 215-396-9001.

CALL US: (215) 396-9001

Free case evaluation

Frequently Asked Questions

We understand when the injury occurs, you are scared and need immediate help. Here are the answers to some of the questions we hope are helpful to you.

If you come to us, we have all the answers for when you are injured in any type of accident.

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Do I have to pay to speak with an attorney?

Philly Lawyers offers free case reviews so that you can better understand your legal options. This means you pay nothing for your first consultation. Additionally, Kats, Jamison & Associates works on a contingency fee basis meaning that if you do choose to hire us, you pay us nothing unless and until we win your case.

What should I do immediately after I’ve been involved in a car accident?

Call the police and make sure an ambulance is sent as soon as possible. Make sure everyone involved in the accident is conscious and responsive. Stay at the scene even if the accident isn’t serious, the police should be called regardless and a police report should be filed. It is important when speaking to the police that you stick to the facts, do not speculate, and most importantly do not admit any fault. Make sure you take as many pictures as you can with your cell phone. Also, we suggest taking a picture of the other person’s license plate, their drivers license, and insurance information. The pictures should document any damage that is caused by both vehicles. Seek medical attention as soon as possible if injured, even if you do not feel any pain, you may be in a state of shock and could experience medical issues later on.

What should I do before leaving the scene of an accident?

After a car accident, it is important to collect as much information as possible. Document the names, addresses, license plates of any other vehicle involved in the accident. Either document the weather conditions at the time of the accident or take pictures of the scene surrounding the accident. If you believe that road maintenance or lack thereof was a factor in the accident – it is important to document this as well. After your immediate medical injuries have been taken into account, it is then time to speak with a lawyer immediately. The sooner you contact a lawyer, the more time you will have to successfully prepare a personal injury case. The team at Kats, Jamison & Associates will analyze your car/motorcycle accident and determine whether or not you have a claim. Through this process we will make sure to protect your rights and guard you from predatory insurance company practices.

How do I know if I have a personal injury case regarding a car accident?

If you are experiencing pain, injury, or financial damages as a result of someone else’s negligence. You may have a personal injury case. If the other driver was at fault or failed to follow the legal rules of the road – our car accident attorneys may be able to prove that the other party is liable for those damages. For example, if you were rear-ended in a car accident, typically the other driver is responsible for that accident and the insurance company could be liable for any damages

What should I expect the first few days following a car accident?

Within the first few days, you will receive communications from both your insurance company and the other driver’s insurance company. You may be contacted by your health insurance company, doctors, and even attorneys. The other driver’s insurance company may request that you sign medical authorizations so they can retrieve your medical records. Before you speak to any of these people or sign any documents, it is important that you seek legal counsel.

How do I pay for medical expenses while my case is pending?

You may have a difficult time paying for your medical expenses, even if you have health insurance. Make sure to bill any treatment as you normally would through your healthcare provider. Additionally, you may have medical payment coverage under your car insurance plan. This could be used to cover your co-pays and other medical expenses that your health insurance company may not cover initially.

What type of compensation should I expect to receive for my car accident case?

This is a difficult question to answer because it depends on many factors. If we are successful in proving that the other party is liable for your injuries and damages, you could be compensated for medical bills and any other hospital costs, lost wages, costs of rehabilitation and physical therapy, disability or disfigurement, pain and suffering, wrongful death, including loss of financial support and any other out of pocket expense that was related to your accident.

How long will it take to complete my case?

After a car accident, it is important to collect as much information as possible. Document the names, addresses, license plates of anDepending on the severity of your injuries and the length of time you need to heal from your injuries will determine the length of your claim. We also have to factor in the willingness of the other party to settle as they make their initial offer. If unreasonable offers are made, your claim may proceed to trial, which will increase the length of your claim.y other vehicle involved in the accident. Either document the weather conditions at the time of the accident or take pictures of the scene surrounding the accident. If you believe that road maintenance or lack thereof was a factor in the accident – it is important to document this as well. After your immediate medical injuries have been taken into account, it is then time to speak with a lawyer immediately. The sooner you contact a lawyer, the more time you will have to successfully prepare a personal injury case. The team at Kats, Jamison & Associates will analyze your car/motorcycle accident and determine whether or not you have a claim. Through this process we will make sure to protect your rights and guard you from predatory insurance company practices.

What are the fees for representing me in a car accident case?

At Kats, Jamison & Associates all personal injury accident cases are handled on a contingency-fee-basis. This means that we will never charge you upfront for any cost and we will advance all costs and expenses. You will not have to reimburse our Firm for any costs unless we are successful. You will pay absolutely nothing for lawyers’ fees unless we win a monetary sum in your case.