Pennsylvania Workers' Compensation Lawyers Blog

Last week, we blogged about Philadelphia's ban on the use of hand-held cell phones while driving. Now Pennsylvania will follow suit as local Schuylkill County legistators support a bill before the state House that would ban texting by all drivers.

In an article in the Nov. 11 edition of the Republican & HERALD, state Rep. Neal Goodman, D-123, said, "According to transportation experts, there is nothing more distractive and dangerous than texting while driving. They say that cell phone use is a close second."

The bill, known as House Bill 2070, was approved by the House Transportation Committee on Nov. 10. Violations would be punishable with a $50 fine. Fines would double to $100 for offenses that take place in a school zone, active work zone, highway safety corridor, or emergency response area. Only motorists contacting 911, drivers in stopped traffic, or drivers with their vehicles in neutral or park would be exempt.

Goodman and state Rep. Jerry Knowles, R-124, both support the bill. State Sen. David Argall, R-29, said he voted in favor of a similar senate bill in July, and that he would support the passage of the bill through both chambers.

Just like litter laws, police may not catch everyone. But distracted drivers can be dangerous drivers, so the hope is that this new bill will make motorists think twice before texting while driving.

Continue reading "Pennsylvania Legislators Support Ban on Texting While Driving" »

We've all seen it in the news: an accident involving a tractor trailer that brings traffic to a halt. Perhaps you've even been held captive in your own car when a truck overturned on a Pennsylvania interstate. It can be an inconvenience; but for those involved, it can mean life or death.

Tractor trailer accidents can happen for a variety of reasons, including:

Speeding: Trucking companies get paid to deliver their cargo on time and they bid against each other based on who can ship the freight the fastest and cheapest. To deliver their cargo on time, drivers must drive fast and aggressively, making for very dangerous conditions on the highway.

Overloaded trucks: When a truck is overloaded, it puts stress on every component of the truck, which can lead to catastrophic failure. Overloaded trucks cannot maneuver effectively, which can cause accidents when turning, stopping, or starting. Overloaded trucks can also degrade roadways and bridges.

Driver fatigue: Unrealistic schedules can force drivers to be on the road as much as 77 hours a week, legally. They may drive above and beyond that by forging travel entries in their log books to appear in compliance with all rules and regulations.

Improper maintenance: Maintaining a large truck can be expensive. Trucking companies try to cut maintenance costs, but less maintenance can raise the possibility of accidents from equipment failure.

A large volume of tractor trailers travel through Pennsylvania because it is home to a number of major transportation corridors, including Interstate 76 (the Pennsylvania Turnpike), 78, 80, and 81. These highways are convenient because they connect the eastern part of the country with the southern and western areas. Transporting materials and products over the nation's highways has become a regular way of doing business. But if proper safety measures are not followed, there can be deadly consequences.

An accident with a tractor trailer can be devastating physically, emotionally, and financially. If the accident occurred while you were away from home and traveling through unfamiliar territory, the situation can become even more complicated. Not only can it be difficult to find a local law firm, you need to find a firm that can handle the legal intricacies of a tractor trailer accident. Many of the offices of Michael J. O'Connor & Associates are in direct proximity to Interstate 81, near Frackville, Hazleton, Wilkes-Barre, and Scranton; and Interstate 80, near Lock Haven, Williamsport, Bloomsburg, and Stroudsburg.

Continue reading "Pennsylvania Law Firm Offers Services to Victims of Tractor Trailer Accidents" »

The next time you find yourself driving within the Philadelphia city limits, be sure to put down your cell phone. Beginning Nov. 1, Philadelphia police started enforcing a new ordinance which bans the use of hand-held cell phones while driving.

To educate citizens about the new ordinance, police will issue warnings through the month of November. But those warnings will turn into a $75 fine on Dec. 1 for those caught using hand-held phones while driving. That leaves Bluetooth users and those who use other hands-free devices in the clear.

"As long as you're not holding a phone up to your ear, you're OK," said police spokesman Lt. Frank Vanore in an article in the Oct. 28 edition of the Philadelphia Daily News.

The bill was sponsored by city Councilmen Bill Green, William Greenlee, and Frank Rizzo.

"I've lived in places where there were cell bans and places where there were not, and in my personal experience there are far fewer close calls when everybody has to keep their eyes on the road," said Councilman Green.

According to a December 2002 report by the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis, cell phone use was the cause of 6 percent of the auto accidents in the United States each year. Cell phone usage has become an increasing factor in lawsuits; even employers are being held responsible if a worker causes an accident while talking on the phone. It's becoming clear that the distractions that a cell phone can cause while driving aren't worth the risk to pedestrians, others on the road, as well as yourself.

Continue reading "Philadelphia Bans the Use of Hand-Held Cell Phones While Driving" »