A recent snowstorm caused a United States Senator to endure a twenty-seven (27) hour commute from his home in Virginia to the U.S. Capital. He was one of hundreds of drivers trapped in freezing temperatures on a 50-mile stretch of I-95 following a multi-vehicle crash, which brought traffic to a standstill. Could you survive such an ordeal? Here are some simple tips to help you comfortably wait for traffic to start moving again or for help to arrive. Pack a Bag If you must travel during a snowstorm, it is important that you are prepared. In winter, always keep some snacks, such as granola bars, and bottled water in your car. If traveling with children or pets, be sure to keep food and supplies for them, too. Bringing essentials such as food, water, and a charged cell phone can make a huge difference if you find yourself stuck on the road. Beyond these essentials, it would also be helpful to bring survival gear such as blankets, winter garments, boots, sleeping bags, flares, medications, a first-aid kit, a shovel, an ice scraper, jumper cables, and a full tank of gas. Stay Warm If you find yourself stuck on the road during a snowstorm you should not leave your car. Your car is the safest place to be until the storm subsides. It will always be colder outside your car than the air temperature within. Don’t leave your car unless help or assistance is within a short distanced of your vehicle Focus […]
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Category: Car Accidents
Allentown Car Accident Lawyer Discusses Holiday Travel Safety
The holidays are supposed to be festive with happy children, good food, presents under the tree, annual holiday shows, college sports, and fellowship with family members and friends. Nonetheless, it can also be a dangerous time. Accidents that happen while traveling may increase if drivers are thinking about what gifts are suitable for who, what to serve for Christmas dinner, what your New Year’s Eve plans are, and other holiday-related distractions. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), an estimated 427 people may die on U.S. roads during this holiday period, and an estimated 48,700 people will suffer from injuries that will result from crashes during this time.
Be On the Look Out for Deer While Driving
With the bow season underway, together with greater activity due to mating season, we need to be reminded that deer accidents are most common from October through December. Today there are an estimated 1.5 million deer in Pennsylvania. November is the month in which you are most likely to have a deer-related collision. If you drive in Pennsylvania, you have a 1 in 70 chance of being involved in a deer-related accident. Only in West Virginia and Montana do you have a greater chance of striking a deer with your vehicle. The most common time to strike a deer is between 6 PM and 9 PM and unfortunately, deer kill approximately 120 people each year. Deer vs. vehicle collisions are the top animal-related insurance claim in the United States.
If you’ve suffered a personal injury caused by a car or truck accident, an accident caused by unsafe conditions on someone else’s property, a manufacturer’s defective product, a construction accident, an animal attack, or a pedestrian, bicycle, or motorcycle accident, you’ll likely be dealing with an insurance company that is obligated to pay for your damages.
TAKE A MINUTE. SAVE A LIFE.
As personal injury attorneys, this most recent snow storm, reminds us again of the dangers of snow and ice flying off the back of moving vehicles. The dash-cam video below shows how this dangerous this driving hazard can be.
How a Pre-Existing Condition Can Affect Your Auto Accident Claim
If you have been involved in an accident, the first thing to remember is that your insurance company is not on your side. They are in business to make money, and to do this, they will try to give you the lowest settlement possible.
What is No-Fault Insurance?
Personal injury protection (PIP), also known as “no-fault insurance” may help pay for medical bills, hospital bills, and costs not covered by your health insurance company If you’ve been injured in an auto accident. PIP covers medical expenses no matter who is at fault. It can often include lost wages as well. Depending on the state where you live, PIP may be available as insurance coverage or as a required policy add-on. This coverage could help even if you’re not in your car. So, for example, if you’re injured by a car while walking down the sidewalk or riding your bike, or even riding in someone else’s car, PIP may have you covered up to the limits you choose, depending on the state. PIP coverage is considered a first-party benefit; i.e., you receive compensation directly from your own insurance company if you are involved in a car accident. In contrast, third-party benefits are those that are paid to injured parties by the other driver’s insurance company. If you have suffered a personal injury in an accident, contact an Easton accident attorney at Drake, Hileman & Davis to see what kind of compensation you are entitled to. Which States Are PIP/No-Fault Insurance States? States come in three varieties: those states where PIP is required, those states where PIP is offered but not required, and those states where PIP is not available. The states where PIP is required include: Arkansas Delaware Florida Hawaii Kansas Kentucky Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota New Jersey New […]
If you have recently visited a campus town, you already know how difficult parking can be. It is not uncommon for students to pay hefty fees for designated parking spaces that are thousands of feet, and maybe even one or more miles, away from campus. With such limited parking and an increasing interest in sustainability, many campus administrators and student leaders are encouraging the use of alternative transportation, with electric scooters as one of the most, if not the most, popular modes of alternative transportation. In fact, Penn State is ranked as the 10th most scooter-friendly campus in the country by College Magazine. The school provides 16-plus designated parking areas for scooters. Penn State students pay only $62 for an annual parking permit, a relative bargain. Unfortunately, as with any new type of personal transportation, accidents are far too common. If you have been involved in a scooter accident, either as an automobile driver or a scooter rider, a Bethlehem accident attorney can help. Avoiding Scooter Injuries in Pennsylvania Many states and campuses are just beginning to develop safety measures for electric scooters, which typically travel between 10 and 18 m.p.h., although some can reach speeds up to 30 m.p.h. While the road rules and regulations are being rolled out, there are a few simple safety measures that scooter drivers can take, including: Wear a helmet to avoid head injuries. Also, keep in mind there is a difference between owning a helmet and wearing a helmet. If you’re not going […]
Choosing a Safe Vehicle
Our Stroudsburg personal injury lawyer knows all too well that car accidents are the most common way in which the average person may suffer a personal injury. With that in mind, it makes sense to take precautions and do as much as we can to protect ourselves and our loved ones. One precaution we can take is to buy a safe vehicle to drive. But how do we know which vehicles are safe? What to Consider When Shopping for a Car in Stroudsburg or Elsewhere In researching which cars are safe, there are four factors you should consider: How the vehicle performs in crash rate tests The vehicle’s weight The vehicle’s center of gravity The vehicle’s safety features Crash-test ratings There are two entities that conduct crash tests and rate new vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (the “NHTSA”) – a federal agency – conducts crash tests on vehicles, rates them using a 5-star rating system, and provides the results to consumers. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (the “IIHS”) – a non-profit organization funded by automobile insurance companies – also conducts crash tests. It has tougher crash protection standards than the NHTSA, regularly updates them, and gives the safest vehicles its “Top Safety Pick” rating. Before buying a car, you should make sure it gets good crashworthiness ratings from the NHTSA and is an IIHS “Top Safety Pick.” Vehicle Weight It almost goes without saying that the heavier your vehicle is, the better it will protect you and […]
Tips for Avoiding Road Rage When Driving in Pennsylvania
A mother driving with her two young sons in the car accidentally cuts off a driver. When she pulls into a mall parking lot, he pins her in, exits his car, screams at her, and then punches her in the face when she rolls down the window to apologize to him. Another Pennsylvania driver becomes so enraged with a teen who tried to merge into his lane that he shoots and kills her and gets sentenced to 20+ years for his crime. These are not hypothetical stories. They’re real road rage incidents that took place in Pennsylvania. What is road rage? Road rage is defined as “violent anger caused by the stress and frustration involved in driving a motor vehicle in difficult conditions.” Road ragers make rude gestures at other drivers, sling insults, drive unsafely on purpose, make threats, and inflict physical harm upon other drivers in a confrontation. What causes road rage? Some believe that congested traffic, long commutes, stress, and aggressive drivers contribute to road rage. In fact, road rage is closely related to aggressive driving. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, road rage is often the result of aggressive driving behavior that escalates into an assault with a vehicle or other dangerous weapon. Are you an aggressive driver? Although road rage and aggressive driving are among the biggest causes of fatal car accidents in Pennsylvania, a lot of drivers don’t even realize that they’re aggressive drivers. You might be an aggressive driver if you regularly engage […]
