Drivers are often familiar with road safety, but may neglect to provide that same care and awareness to their tires. When a vehicle doesn’t have the correct tires or aren’t properly cared for, there’s an increased chance that the tires could cause an accident on the road. A tire failure while driving often causes severe injuries because it’s difficult to maintain control of the vehicle.

There are a number of factors that play into why an automobile crash happens. While we most often think of driver negligence, there are instances where road conditions or ambiguous traffic signs can contribute to an accident. Whether you mostly drive around town or have a long, daily highway commute to work, it’s important to be aware of where the most dangerous spots are for travel. This awareness may help you avoid situations that could result in a wreck.

Distracted driving has become one of America’s leading causes of preventable car accidents, injuries, and deaths. While this can include any form of risky multi-tasking – from personal grooming and eating or drinking to conversing with passengers or reading maps – it most notably includes text messaging and the use of handheld smart phones. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has cited distracted driving as a national epidemic that killed nearly 4,000 victims in 2016 alone, and which is a leading factor behind recent surges in fatal traffic accidents nationwide.

With such alarming data on distracted driving collected in recent years, many states across the country have taken steps to regulate the use of cell phones behind the wheel. This includes Pennsylvania, which enforces the following laws:

• State law prohibits all drivers from texting while driving.
• Motorists are prohibited from wearing headphones and earbuds while driving.
• Talking on a handheld cell phone is illegal only for commercial drivers.

While there is a texting ban in place in Pennsylvania, it has not been very effective, nor has it been successfully enforced, according to newly released data from the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts. Additionally, unlike other states, Pennsylvania does not have a law regulating handheld cell phone use for non-commercial drivers, meaning cell phone use that isn’t considered texting, such as using apps, e-mail, or placing calls.

Apologies can be a polite way to express concern when you make a mistake or when something accidental happens. While it may be a natural reaction for many people after knocking something over or bumping into another person, even if it wasn’t necessarily their fault, apologizing should be something you avoid after a car accident, as it can create complications in any personal injury case you choose to pursue.

At Shrager & Sachs, our Philadelphia personal injury lawyers have extensive experience advocating on behalf of victims injured in all types of car accidents. Throughout the years our firm has been serving residents of Pennsylvania and beyond, we have seen victims make various mistakes that jeopardize their rights simply as a result of their unfamiliarity with the personal injury claim process, as well as their lack of knowledge regarding the unsavory tactics of insurance companies. Apologies are among the most common.

Our attorney, Robert L. Sachs, Jr. recently joined the Rideshare Law Group project. The Rideshare Law Group is made up of personal injury lawyers who have a passion for providing legal assistance to people who have been injured in rideshare accidents and are not sure how to handle the complications that often comes with these types of cases.

When rideshare companies are involved in an accident case for one of their drivers, insurance settlements and injury claims become even more complicated than your standard accident case. Not only do these cases become more complex when rideshare companies are at the table, but the accident victim tends to get offered an unfair settlement amount that won’t even cover their injury expenses.

The attorneys at the Rideshare Law Group take on cases all over the country and have familiarized themselves with rideshare insurance policies and the practices that are commonly used by these companies when they offer an accident victim an unfair settlement award.

Motorcycles are considered motor vehicles by law, and riders have the same rights and responsibilities as any driver. However, due to their smaller size and the lack of protection they provide riders, motorcyclists are among the most vulnerable motorists on our roads. As such, riders have greater needs to remain vigilant and defensive when sharing public roads and highways with other vehicles.

Unfortunately, as we have seen throughout the years representing victims of auto accidents across Philadelphia and the state on Pennsylvania, even the most vigilant riders can suffer harm when others around them are negligent – often with devastating consequences. When preventable injuries occur, including catastrophic injuries, riders have every right to pursue legal action against the at-fault party, hold them accountable for their failures, and recover financial compensation for their damages.

If you are involved in a car accident, you may think you are unharmed just because you don’t feel any pain. However, sometimes your injuries may not present themselves until days after the crash. Such injuries include soft tissue damage to muscles, ligaments, and tendons, as well as concussions and whiplash. If you wait to see a doctor, insurance companies will try to prove that the injuries did not result from the crash. With this in mind, you can still pursue compensation for injuries that are not immediately apparent.

Since 1978, Shrager & Sachs has represented hundreds of clients in personal injury cases. Our compassionate attorneys work hard to provide effective solutions to legal problems. We can represent you in court as you seek a favorable outcome.

Here is one story of how we helped a truck driver obtain a settlement after an accident.

The Incident

Horris Wilson is an over-the-road tractor-trailer driver. One day, he was driving a “bobtail” run (driving only the tractor without the trailer) when an auto carrier tractor-trailer hit him from behind. After the accident, the driver who rear-ended Wilson admitted to police that he was traveling nearly 45 miles per hour. Wilson’s truck sustained extensive damage, and he was also injured as a result of the crash.

Legal Challenges

Mr. Wilson’s case presented certain difficulties because of his inconsistent medical treatment. He received some treatment from the local hospital in Lancaster County, PA after the accident. However, he didn’t receive more treatment until arriving back home in Michigan several days later. An independent medical examiner diagnosed post-concussive syndrome, cervical and lumbosacral strain and sprain, and a torn rotator cuff.

With the end of summer quickly approaching, many of us will be taking to the roads for Labor Day weekend, vacations, or to take college students back to school. As you head out on the highways, you need to be especially alert of the dangers posed by sharing the road with tractor trailers and other commercial vehicles. As a Philadelphia lawyer who regularly handles truck and commercial vehicle injury cases throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Shrager & Sachs Managing Partner Rob Sachs, Jr. is especially aware of the dangers each of us face when we head out on the roads and highways.

When you follow, approach, pass or are ahead of trucks on the road, keep these tips in mind:

• They can’t see you very easily– professional truck drivers have to rely on their mirrors to see what is behind them. Make sure they can see you as you approach them. This is a useful diagram to understand what truck drivers can and can’t see: y ou have to pay attention to when you are in the driver’s blind spot; and d on’t linger when passing a truck, and always have a safe “out” in mind if the truck swerves or comes into your lane while you are passing the truck.
• Trucks are much heavier than cars and they don’t maneuver nearly as easily– Most tractor-trailers can weigh up to 80,000 pounds (even more for “tandem” trailers), it takes longer to stop. Don’t cut in front of a truck, leave plenty of room and signal before changing lanes in front of a truck. Truck drivers will often flash their lights as a signal that they see you and it’s clear for you to change lanes. Consider doing the same when a truck is trying to move in front of you – you’ll be surprised how often the truck will blink its running lights to say “thanks for being courteous to a truck.”
• Truckers are allowed to drive up to 11 hours/day– How alert are you after doing anything for 11 hours? You’ll never know if the truck you are approaching is at the beginning or end of his or her shift…why take a chance? Always assume that the truck driver near you might not be as alert as at other times of the day.

When you sit for 11 hours every day and eat on the road, it is hard to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The incidence of obesity among truck drivers is very high. One of the biggest complications of obesity is sleep apnea…you’ll never know if the driver of the truck ahead of you got a horrible night’s sleep due to sleep apnea. This risk just compounds the potential danger of over-tired drivers on America’s roads

• Truckers come from across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico– The driver might not know the directions and that could cause sudden or unexpected changes. Expect the unexpected – especially when you’re near a truck. Even worse, the driver may not speak English. Every driver in the U.S. is supposed to be able to read and speak English. Sadly, in our practice we have seen examples where this simply isn’t true. A driver who can’t read signs and follow directional instructions is a danger to you and your family.

The vast majority of American truckers drive very safely. However, a small percentage of drivers don’t follow the rules and endanger all of us. You can make a difference in your family’s safety on the roads by following these simple safety tips.

If you or a member of your family is injured by a truck or commercial vehicle, call the experienced Pennsylvania and New Jersey truck accident lawyers atShrager & Sachs at (888) 899-0652 for a free initial consultation.

If you or a loved one has recently been involved in an accident, such as a truck accident or car accident, it is important that you seek a medical evaluation as soon as you can. Whether you were treated at an emergency room or not, it is always recommended that you get a full evaluation from a medical professional, or a follow up evaluation.

Visiting a doctor is important to your health, as there can be a lot of things you don’t notice in the chaos and frenzy immediately following an accident. Some injuries or pain may also not present themselves until some time has passed. A doctor can conduct tests and exams, help identify any underlying injury, condition, or medical issue, refer you to specialists, or begin the treatment you need. Seeking a timely medical evaluation can also prove beneficial should you choose to file a personal injury claim.