Philadelphia Metro Area Accident & Legal News Report - November 8th, 2017

The weekly Philadelphia metro accident and legal news report for November 8th looks at two negligence lawsuits and two motor vehicle accidents which have made headlines in the Philadelphia metro area this week. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident caused by negligence, our Philadelphia personal injury lawyers can help you seek financial compensation.

Harrah's Philadelphia Casino Sued For Dangerous Track Conditions

This week, a trial began in a negligence lawsuit filed by the family of a South Jersey harness driver who was severely injured in a 2013 crash on the Harrah's Philadelphia racetrack. Anthony Coletta was left permanently paralyzed and brain damaged following the accident. He was thrown from a two-wheeled vehicle harnessed to a horse, and then trampled by a horse in the horrific accident. His lawyer has cited poor track conditions as the cause of the accident.

According to the man's lawyer, Harrah's had received several complaints of dangerous track conditions prior to this accident - including from horse trainers, harness drivers, and the president of the Pennsylvania Horsemen's Association. He says that these complaints were documented through emails and letters. Ten months before this accident, harness drivers had warned Harrah's management that the track had severely deteriorated and posed a serious hazard to customers.

The 35-year-old victim was engaged to be married at the time of the crash. Today, he's incapacitated, lives with his parents, and will likely require round-the-clock care for the rest of his life.

School Bus Crashes On I-95 In Delaware County

A school bus crashed into a wooded area off the side of the road on Interstate 95 near Philadelphia International Airport last Wednesday, November 1. The vehicle was carrying four students from Delaware County Technical High School-Folcroft when it crashed on the ramp from Route 420 to I-95 southbound in Tinicum Township, Delaware County.

No other vehicles were involved in the crash, and fortunately, no one was seriously injured.

Philadelphia Man Receives $142k Settlement For Sidewalk Slip And Fall

A Philadelphia man recently settled with the owners of a bar and the city in a premises liability slip and fall lawsuit.

In December 2015, 54-year-old Robert Davis was walking towards Neets bar at 51st and Market Streets in West Philadelphia. As a friend approached him from behind, his foot got stuck in a depression in the sidewalk. He turned around to talk to his friend and as he turned, his ankle remained stuck. He heard a snap as the bone in his ankle broke.

Davis sued the couple who owned the bar and the City of Philadelphia, claiming that they were negligent for allowing the hazardous sidewalk condition to go untreated. The city and the bar owners attempted to place blame on each other, but both parties eventually agreed to a settlement. The city paid out $137,500, while the bar owners paid an additional $5,000 - for a total of $142,500.

3 West Chester Students Struck By Driver On Campus

Police say a woman intentionally jumped a curb and struck three West Chester students on Monday, November 6th. The first two students were struck while waiting for a bus. The third was struck by the car after the vehicle fled the scene of the first crash.

One victim was taken to the hospital in critical condition, but is now listed as stable. The second suffered an ankle injury and has been released. The third victim declined medical attention.

The driver was taken into police custody and was given a full physical and mental health evaluation.