Common Causes of Car Accidents in Philadelphia

Car crashes rarely happen by chance. They usually occur because of vehicle conditions, environmental factors, or choices made by drivers. After being in an accident, you may have to deal with medical treatment, bills, and insurance questions at the same time. If you need guidance, speak with one of our attorneys at Soloff & Zervanos, P.C. We are familiar with the common causes of car accidents in Philadelphia and could provide clear steps and steady documentation to help keep your claim moving forward.

Motor vehicle accidents share familiar patterns. Traffic congestion, tight intersections, and busy corridors increase risk. A simple lane change near a rideshare pickup, a glance at a phone notification, or a rush through a yellow light can lead to wrecks. Our goal is to link your injuries to the cause of the collision, using proof that insurers respect.

What Are the Most Common Crash Factors?

Some causes of motor vehicle collisions that commonly appear in police reports and claims files in Philadelphia include:

  • Distracted driving, including texting or handling a phone
  • Speeding or driving too fast for conditions
  • Red-light and stop-sign violations at dense intersections
  • Unsafe lane changes, failure to yield, or following too closely
  • Impaired or drowsy driving and drug interactions that slow reaction time
  • Poor vehicle maintenance, including worn tires or brakes
  • Left-turn conflicts and limited sight lines
  • Two-lane roads without medians, increasing head-on collision risk

Distracted driving deserves special focus. According to 75 Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes § 3316, drivers may not use an interactive mobile device to send, read, or write a text-based communication while the vehicle is in motion. This rule often becomes a key part of liability when phone records or app data show active use before impact.

How Evidence Ties Cause to Fault

Evidence demonstrates what happened to cause the wreck and how that cause led to your injuries. Photos of vehicle rest positions, crush patterns, and debris fields help reconstruction experts show angles and speed. Traffic-camera or dashcam video could confirm signal phase and lane use. Event Data Recorder downloads may reveal braking, speed, and steering inputs in the final seconds. For distracted driving cases, phone records and app logs could establish activity near the time of impact. Medical records connect the crash forces to diagnoses and treatment plans. When the collision involves a commercial vehicle, maintenance files and inspection records may show worn components that lengthen the stopping distance of the vehicle.

A Philadelphia attorney who is familiar with the common reasons car crashes happen could issue preservation letters, request traffic signal timing data, subpoena relevant records when necessary, and coordinate expert review. These actions build a timeline grounded in documents and digital sources rather than memory alone.

Insurance and Liability Concerns To Watch Out For

Insurance adjusters usually focus on cause and contribution in Philadelphia auto accident claims. They may argue that weather, a sudden stop ahead, or a partial lane encroachment was partially to blame. Pennsylvania allows arguments about comparative fault, which makes clarity in the record important. Consistent treatment notes, wage documentation, and third-party statements help counter speculation. When insurance policy limits are low, uninsured or underinsured motorist provisions may offer another option, depending on your policy language and the facts surrounding the collision.

If disputes persist, litigation opens formal discovery tools. Depositions, subpoenas, and court orders could secure data that informal requests did not obtain. The stronger the evidence, the more leverage you will have in settlement talks and, if necessary, at trial.

Contact a Philadelphia Attorney To Learn More About Common Reasons for Car Wrecks

If you were hurt in a crash, understanding the common causes of car accidents in Philadelphia and taking swift action to gather evidence and organize your records may help your case. Our lawyers could explain the legal process, secure important data, and help you progress with your claim while you focus on your treatment. Call Soloff & Zervanos, P.C. today for a free consultation.

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