wrongful death
Greg Prosmushkin
Apr 06, 2019

In November of 2017, Emily Fredericks was riding her bicycle in a designated bike lane on Spruce Street when she was struck by a sanitation truck owned by Gold Medal Environmental as it turned onto 11th Street.

The 24-year-old died from her injuries. Now, more than a year later, the 28-year-old driver of the truck is being charged with homicide by vehicles, involuntary manslaughter, and reckless endangerment of another person.

At the Law Offices of Greg Prosmushkin, P.C., we want to help if you have lost a loved one due to the negligence of another person. We will investigate your case so we can secure the compensation you deserve. When you need a wrongful death attorney in philadelphia, call us today.

How Did The Accident In Philadelphia Occur?

This tragic case in Center City highlights the dangers that bicyclists face when they go out each day.

“We live in a society that increasingly gets around by bicycle,” says Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner. “And we have these things called bike lanes. They are like any other lane. They are to protect people who travel within those lanes, and they have to be respected.”

The truck owner, Gold Medal, reached a settlement last year with the family for $6 million, but the DA felt that this was serious enough to warrant charges.

A camera inside the truck showed the driver wearing earbuds (a violation of Pennsylvania law) and looking at paperwork in the center console instead of paying attention to the roadway.

DA Krasner said that drivers need to be held accountable when they do things that are not merely accidental. He said this was a case of criminal negligence.

Fredricks’ death has pushed the city to step up its commitment to meeting the Vision Zero safety goals that are being implemented in major cities around the country.

For the latest reporting year in Pennsylvania, we know that there were more than 1,100 bicycle accidents. Out of those, there were:

  • 1,127 injuries
  • 21 fatalities

Nearly every bicycle crash resulted in an Injury or a fatality. Even when wearing a helmet, a cyclist is susceptible to sustaining major injuries. It is not uncommon for us to see spinal cord injuries, Traumatic Brain Injuries, broken and dislocated bones, internal organ damage, and more.

The medical costs of treating even minor bicycle crash injuries can be enormous. For these major injuries, families can devolve into financial ruin if they do not get proper coverage.

Consider a Philly Car Accident Lawyer

If you have lost a loved one due to the negligence of another person, company, or agency, please consider seeking legal assistance. At the Law Offices of Greg Prosmushkin, P.C., our knowledgeable and experienced team will get to work on securing the compensation you deserve. This can include:

  • Funeral and burial costs
  • Loss of future income of the deceased
  • Pain and suffering damages
  • Loss of companionship damages
  • Punitive damages

When you need a Car Accident lawyer in Philadelphia, you can contact us for a free consultation by calling (215)-799-9990

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