Every year, more than 15,000 fatalities occur due to drunk driving accidents in the United States. More often than not, the individuals responsible for these accidents became intoxicated at a restaurant or bar in the area near the crash site.

Bartenders at these establishments take on the responsibility of making sure customers are in a decent state to leave unattended at the end of their stay. Bartender liability revolves around the refusal to continue serving a heavily intoxicated individual for the safety of themselves and others.

There are times when extremely drunk people are able to walk freely from these places, and cause these fatal accidents. The people who are responsible for mixing the drinks that these individuals ingest also have a responsibility to determine when a limit has been reached.

If your life has been affected by a drunk driving accident, please contact the car accident lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. by calling 215-238-1130 to discuss your case today.

Yesterday, 4 people were injured in a car accident in North Philadelphia that involved a school bus and sedan. The accident occurred at about 3:40 p.m. on Monday near the intersection of Fontain Street and 19th Street.

According to Philadelphia police, both vehicles were traveling northbound on Fontain St. when the school bus collided with a Chrysler Sebring. Reports indicate that the driver of the Sebring did not have the right of way. Investigators are looking into the accident before charging the driver.

2 teenage students on the school bus were injured in the accident and taken to Hahnemann University Hospital for treatment. The 17-year-olds were later reported to be in stable condition. The bus driver was also injured and treated at the same hospital. A 22-year-old passenger in the Sebring suffered minor injuries and was treated at Temple University Hospital.

Contact the Philadelphia driver error lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. at 215-238-1130, if you or someone you know has been injured in an accident caused by another driver’s error or negligence.

Last week, a jury in Bucks County awarded the victim of a bus accident $14 million.  The jury gave $11.1 million for the young woman’s pain, suffering, and disfigurement, and $3 million for her past and future medical expenses.

The plaintiff was injured when a Pennsbury school bus ran over her in January 2007.  Several other high school students were also hit by the bus when its driver pushed down on the accelerator, instead of the brake.

Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board and the Falls Police Department found the cause of the accident to be driver error.  The Pennsbury School District accepted liability in the accident before the case went to trial.

The then-17-year old girl was in a medically induced coma for a month after the accident.  Her leg and hip were crushed when she was dragged underneath the school bus, and her left leg was amputated above the knee.

In May, the Philadelphia police launched the “Give Respect, Get Respect” campaign which targets drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians engaged in distracting behaviors like talking on the phone and texting.

So far, officers have mostly handed out warnings to offenders but intend to issue more citations and $120 fines in the future.  The program is being funded with grant money and was planned to last through summer.  However, authorities are working out plants to extend the program for another 40 weeks.

Almost 600 bicyclists have already received warnings since the program started.  The majority of bicyclist citations involved riding on sidewalks and running red lights.  Furthermore, police officers are on the lookout for pedestrians not paying attention to where they are walking and drivers who do not respect bike lanes.

Contact the Philadelphia driver error lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. at 215-238-1130 today, if you or someone you love has been injured in an accident caused by a distracted driver.