Bensalem Wrongful Death Attorneys

Experienced Bensalem Attorneys Help Families Seek Compensation After a Fatal Accident or Injury

Over 62,000 people call Bensalem Township home. Thousands more travel to and from the area each day to work, study, play, run errands, or commute. As Bucks County’s most populated area, Bensalem Township and its included communities are a hub of vibrant human activity – and a site of valuable historical and cultural information as well. 

Most accidents are preventable. People and businesses can prevent many accidents by carefully spotting and avoiding risks. When a person or company fails to take due care to avoid harm, however, serious injuries can occur. In some cases, these injuries are fatal. 

If you’ve lost a loved one to a fatal accident, speak to an experienced Bensalem wrongful death attorney today. The team at MyPhillyLawyer can help.

Fatal Accident Statistics in Bensalem Township and Pennsylvania

Several state and federal agencies track fatality statistics in Bensalem Township, Bucks County, and throughout Pennsylvania each year. These agencies can provide insight on the most common causes of preventable death in the state. 

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), for example, Pennsylvania saw 1,179 motor vehicle accident deaths in 2022. Roadway deaths occurred at a rate of 9.1 deaths per 100,000 people – a rate lower than many US states, although the total number of roadway deaths was higher. 

Similarly, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recorded 5,283 work-related deaths nationwide in 2023, approximately 170 of which occurred in Pennsylvania.

Common Types of Fatal Accidents in Bensalem

Any accident that can cause injuries can cause fatal injuries. However, some accident types are more likely to claim lives than others. Roadway accidents, workplace accidents, and premises liability injuries are among the most common causes of preventable death. 

Car Accidents

In 2023, 1,209 people died in Pennsylvania car accidents – an increase over the 2022 total of 1,179 deaths. The 2023 total is the second-highest total reported in Pennsylvania in the last ten years, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. 

On average, about 302 traffic crashes occur in Pennsylvania each day. Three people per day die on average in a Pennsylvania car accident. 

The total number of crashes dropped by over 5,500 between 2022 and 2023, but the death rate increased. This change indicates that Pennsylvania car accidents are becoming deadlier.

Bensalem is home to one of Pennsylvania’s most dangerous streets. A study of traffic accidents and death rates found that State Route 132 Street Road from High Ave. to Central Ave. is one of Pennsylvania’s deadliest roadways. Fatal accidents here or elsewhere in Bensalem can have devastating impacts.

Bicyclist, Pedestrian, and Motorcycle Accidents

Vehicle drivers and passengers die in Pennsylvania crashes each year. So do bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorcyclists. Statistics indicate that these roadway users are more likely to suffer fatal injuries in a crash than those in motor vehicles. 

In 2023: 

• 186 pedestrians died in roadway accidents, 
• 238 motorcyclists died in roadway collisions, and
• 27 bicyclists were killed on Pennsylvania roads. 

Drivers’ failure to watch the roads and control their speed is a common cause of fatal crashes involving a pedestrian, bicyclist, or motorcyclist. 

Workplace Accidents

In 2023, 169 people died from work-related injuries in Pennsylvania, according to the BLS. Of these, 143 were employed workers, while 26 were self-employed. 

The most common causes of work-related fatal accidents in Pennsylvania in 2023 included: 

• Transportation accidents. These accidents claimed 30 lives in Pennsylvania workplaces in 2023.
• Slips, trips, and falls. These accidents accounted for 25 Pennsylvania workplace deaths in 2023.
• Contact incidents. Being struck by machinery or equipment, becoming pinned or trapped in machinery, and similar incidents caused 14 Pennsylvania workplace deaths in 2023.
• Violent acts. Violence from co-workers, customers, and others caused 14 on-the-job deaths in Pennsylvania in 2023. 

Construction and manufacturing continue to post higher rates of workplace deaths than other jobs. However, any worker can experience fatal injuries. Workers’ compensation can help families after a workplace death. In some cases, a wrongful death lawsuit can provide needed compensation as well. 

Slip and Fall and Premises Liability 

Slips, trips, and falls are among the most common causes of workplace deaths. These accidents, and other premises liability injuries, can claim lives as well.

Pennsylvania businesses must make their premises reasonably safe for visitors. If the business can’t immediately fix a problem, it must warn visitors about the risk. Businesses that fail to do these things put visitors at risk of injuries, which can be fatal. 

Common causes of fatal premises liability accidents include:

• Inadequate security leading to violent altercations,
• Slips, trips, and falls on broken flooring, debris, spills, or slippery areas,
• Broken or missing railings, banisters, and stair treads,
• Broken or malfunctioning elevators and escalators,
• Defective or broken furniture, counters, and similar fixtures,
• Inadequate lighting, which prevents visitors from spotting otherwise obvious dangers.

A knowledgeable Bensalem wrongful death attorney can help you protect your legal rights after a premises liability accident claims the life of a loved one.

How Wrongful Death Claims Are Handled in Bensalem

Fatal accidents and injuries are expensive. For example, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation estimates that traffic crashes cost an average of $2,390 for each person in Pennsylvania each year.

These costs are not evenly distributed, however. Many Bensalem residents will experience no direct costs from a motor vehicle accident or other fatal injury in any given year. Some, however, will face catastrophic medical bills, loss of income, and other expenses from the consequences of a fatal crash. 

Surviving family members who find themselves facing the costs of a loss may file a wrongful death claim to seek compensation. 

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim?

A wrongful death claim seeks compensation for fatal injuries. A wrongful death claim is available in any case where the injured person could have filed a personal injury claim if they had lived. Because the injured person cannot file their own claim, however, the surviving family members or personal representative of the estate may file instead.

Pennsylvania allows the “spouse, children, or parents of the deceased” to file a wrongful death claim. If the deceased person has no living spouse, children, or parents, the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate may bring a wrongful death claim. 

Time Limits on Bensalem Wrongful Death Claims

Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations requires a wrongful death claim to be filed within two years of the date of death. A claim that isn’t filed within this two-year window cannot be heard in court. 

Some exceptions exist to the two-year limit, but they are narrow. Speak to a lawyer as soon as possible to calculate the exact deadline in your case. 

It is also important to distinguish between a wrongful death claim and a “survival action.” A survival action seeks damages for losses the deceased suffered before dying, such as pain and suffering. The time limit in a survival action can differ from a wrongful death claim.  

Compensation in a Wrongful Death Case

In a wrongful death case, surviving family members can seek two broad types of compensation. They may seek compensation for their loved one’s losses, and they may also seek compensation for their own losses. 

Seeking compensation for a loved one’s losses may include:

• Medical bills for their final injury and care,
• Compensation for conscious pain and suffering, 
• Funeral and burial expenses paid by their estate,
• Costs to repair or replace damaged property.

In addition, surviving family members may seek compensation for the loss of their loved one’s care, companionship, and support. 

Wrongful Death Claims and Criminal Cases

Some deaths result in criminal charges filed against a person or company. For example, if a drunk driver causes a fatal accident, the driver may face criminal charges stemming from the crash. 

A deceased person’s spouse, child, parents, or personal representative can file a wrongful death claim even if a criminal case is also proceeding. These two case types follow different rules and seek different outcomes. 

If a criminal case has been filed or you expect one to be filed, talk to an attorney about your wrongful death claim. A lawyer can ensure that neither case undermines the other, protecting your right to seek compensation as a criminal case proceeds. 

Speak To an Experienced Bensalem Wrongful Death Attorney Today

The loss of a loved one in a fatal accident is devastating. Your world turns upside-down. You’re forced to deal with the devastating practical matters of funerals, burials, and bills, while also carrying the weight of your grief. 

You want to help your loved ones, but you may wonder where to begin. You may worry about how you’ll support the family without your loved one’s income. You may wonder if life will ever feel “normal” again. You may want to hold a negligent party accountable for their actions but be unsure where to begin.

If this sounds familiar, there is hope. Speak to a dedicated Bensalem wrongful death attorney today. The team at MyPhillyLawyer can help you understand your legal options. Reach out to us today to schedule a free, confidential case consultation.