Distracted Driving Bill Passes

Early this week, a bill passed in the Pennsylvania State Senate that banned the practice of texting on a cell phone while driving. Texting while driving will now be considered a primary offense that comes with a fine of $100. Additionally, talking on your cell phone and driving is also banned; however, this will not be considered a primary offense. The use of hands-free devices, such as Bluetooth, is allowed for experienced drivers, but not those who hold a learner’s permit or a junior driver’s license.

Distracted driving is one of the major causes of motor vehicle accidents, especially with young and inexperienced drivers. Distracted drivers may also swerve off the road, hitting stop signs, telephone poles, and most seriously, other people walking or biking. If you feel that you have been wrongly injured due to an accident with a distracted driver, please contact our law office for a consultation at no cost to you.

Pennsylvania Ranks #6 In Dog Attacks

A recent press release by State Farm Insurance ranks Pennsylvania number 6 in the country for the number of dog attack claims in 2010, with 155 claims. The press released also stated that roughly 60% of the claims were against children under the age of 12; children also accounted for 20 of 33 total fatalities handled by State Farm. In 2009, it was estimated that insurers paid $412 million as a result of dog bite claims.

This law office has handled several dog bite claims in the Altoona area, mostly for child victims. Unfortunately, children are more susceptible to dog attacks because they are more likely to approach a dog that adults may deem unsafe. They are also smaller, so the same size dog does significantly more damage on a child that cannot protect him or herself than they might do to an average adult. In addition to significant physical damage, dog attacks can lead to lasting and pervasive psychological stress, especially in very young children. Children may become scared by other animals in the future, including their previously loved household pets. They may also have difficulty sleeping, working in school, interacting with friends and family, and may become withdrawn and anxious.

Some cities and housing developments have banned certain breeds of dogs from residing on their premises, including pit bulls and rottweilers, or make the owners of the pets put up higher fences, purchase additional liability insurance, or muzzle the dog in public. Currently, the city of Altoona has no law against having certain dog breeds as pets.

If you feel that you or a family member have been wrongly hurt as a result of a dog attack, please contact our office for a consultation at no cost to you. We will be happy to review your claim.

Changes Affecting Teenage Drivers in PA

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives recently passed a bill that would result in changes to how Pennsylvania teenagers use their learning permits and would increase the requirements to receive a junior license. Currently, a PA driving permit requires 50 practice hours; this bill increased that number to 65 hours, with 10 hours of nighttime driving and 5 hours of driving in inclement weather. In addition to an increase in driving hours, this bill would also make not wearing your seatbelt a primary offense. This means that junior drivers can be pulled over for not wearing their seatbelt, even if no other offense has occurred (such as running a red light, speeding, or running a stop sign). This is also likely helping to promote Pennsylvania’s “Click it or Ticket” campaign, encouraging drivers to wear their seatbelts on the road or face additional fines if pulled over for another offense while not wearing their seatbelt. This bill has passed and will now move on to the state senate for consideration.

Inexperienced driving is a major component in many motor vehicle accidents. Teenage drivers are arguably the most likely group to cause a car accident, due to a lack of experience, a tendency to talk on their cell phones and text while driving, and distractibility by other friends in their vehicle. Our law office hopes that the additional practice hours for permit holders will lead to a decrease in accidents and will result in more responsible and experienced teenage drivers.

If you feel that you have been wrongly hurt in a motor vehicle accident, please contact our office for a consultation at no cost to you. We will be happy to review your claim.

Beware Fatigued Drivers!

Fatigued drivers are becoming an increasingly common problem on major highways and interstates. A recent article by the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review highlighted a problem with Pennsylvania charter bus companies shuttling passengers on day or overnight trips. The article stated that many drivers are driving over the legal cap of 10 hours, and are not taking 8 hours off between driving sessions. Unfortunately, these drivers become fatigued and can cause fatal accidents, injuring or killing themselves and their passengers. This is also a common problem among semi-truck drivers. According to the Washington, DC-based Advocates for Highway Safety, semi-truck drivers are involved in multi-vehicle crashes at almost two times the rate of passenger vehicles. Many times, truck drivers feel pressured to make deadlines and rack up as many miles as possible to increase their paycheck, and their focus on the road suffers as a result.

Our law firm has seen several serious accidents involving truck drivers colliding with cars as a result of driver fatigue, leading to severe injuries. While you may be responsible, safe, and focused on the road, this does not mean that everyone you are sharing the road with is as well. Defensive driving is especially important on truck-heavy roads and highways. If you have been in a truck accident caused by a semi-truck or charter bus driver and have suffered significant personal injuries, please contact our office for a free consultation.

June is Elder Abuse Awareness Month

Elder abuse is a topic that should be addressed throughout the year, but June is an especially important month to remember and work to prevent elder abuse. Many people do not fully understand what elder abuse is, and limit it to physical abuse or neglect, but elder abuse can actually take many different forms. This type of abuse can include physical harm, such as striking another person, neglecting to feed or give proper medication, or not aiding in mobility to prevent injury, such as bedsores. It can also include emotional abuse, such as threatening, taunting, belittling, or humiliating, and sexual abuse. Another common form of elder abuse is financial exploitation. The elderly are one of the most susceptible groups to be financially taken advantage of, such as by use of their personal checks, credit cards, and bank accounts without knowledge, forging their signature, or by identity theft. Common signs of elder abuse include unexplained bruising or injury, bedsores, unusual bank transactions, unsanitary living conditions, and noticeable tension between the caregiver and the patient. For more information on elder abuse, please contact our law office or visit the National Center for Elder Abuse.

Attorney Stoehr deals with elder abuse in both nursing homes and hospitals. If you suspect that your loved one has been mistreated or neglected by caregivers in a hospital or a nursing home, please contact our law office for a consultation to discuss possible action on your claim.

Sharing the Road: Hazards for Summertime Recreation

Recently, two bicyclists in downtown Pittsburgh were struck by an SUV that hit the two men and continued driving. The two Children’s Hospital doctors suffered serious injuries, including a concussion, facial fractures, and a broken leg, hip, shoulder, and arm. This accident is an example of what can happen when bicyclists and vehicles do not share the road in a responsible and safe manner.

As the summer begins and the weather improves, many people will gravitate outside to run, bike, walk, and spend time with their families. Although this can provide an excellent outlet for fun and recreation, it can also lead to potential bicycle and pedestrian accidents. When driving this summer, be alert for pedestrians and bicyclists on the road, especially small children that may not be easily seen. By being alert and considerate and sharing the road, you will avoid serious injuries and complications to those around you. If you plan to bike or run this summer, wear bright colors and make sure that you give appropriate and clear turning signals with your arms so that drivers know when and where you intend to turn.

Attorney Douglas V. Stoehr works with clients who have been injured in pedestrian and bicycle accidents. If you would like a consultation regarding your personal injury, please contact our law office.

Helmet Laws May Change in Coming Months

A new piece of legislation by State Representative Dan Frankel (D) is working to reverse a 2003 law that allows motorcycle riders over 21 to ride without a helmet, given that they completed an official motorcycle safety course sanctioned by the state. This new piece of legislation would require that all riders, regardless of age, be required to wear a helmet while riding their motorcycle. In addition to this bill, two other bills relating to motorcycle use were also addressed—one proposing that motorcyclists who do not wear a helmet will have to purchase additional insurance, and another that would require different license plates for motorcycle riders under 21 years old. The Pennsylvania State House of Representatives will be reconvening in June to discuss new legislation, and this piece will most likely be discussed among the other bills.

Wearing a helmet is a common safety procedure that this law office feels should be followed at all times to protect yourself, whether you are on a bicycle or a motorcycle. However, we recognize that, at this time, mandatory helmet laws for those over 21 are not yet in effect. We also strongly feel that motorcyclists, cars, and bicyclists should share the road in a responsible and respectful manner. If you are a motorcyclist who has been wrongfully injured in a motor vehicle accident and may suffer from a spinal cord, brain, or other serious injury, please contact our law office for a consultation at no cost to you.