Edward P. Shaughnessy Law Blog | Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania

Tips for improving your time in the hospital after an accident

On behalf of Law Offices of Edward P. Shaughnessy posted in Car Accidents on Friday, May 17, 2019.

A red-light-runner slams into your car and puts you in the hospital. You have extensive injuries, and you know you have to stay for more than a week. It's a daunting amount of time. You've never really liked hospitals, and you worry about staying in that room for so long. What can you do to make it better?

First of all, don't stay in the room at all if you don't have to. If you are able to move around, even with aid -- like a walker or a wheelchair -- take the time to get out and about. You will be surprised by how much a simple walk down the hall can do to break up the routine and make you feel better.

Would you know if you were bleeding internally after an accident?

On behalf of Law Offices of Edward P. Shaughnessy on Thursday, May 9, 2019.

The sounds of crunching metal, the smells of vehicle fluids and the violent motions of your vehicle may be the first indications you get that you are involved in an accident. When your vehicle finally comes to rest, it will most likely take you a few minutes to digest what just happened.

At that point, you may begin thinking about your safety. You try to get out of your vehicle and assess the situation. If you are able to move around, you could inadvertently believe that you did not suffer any serious injuries. In fact, you may decide not to accept an ambulance ride to a hospital. However, that could prove a potentially life-threatening mistake.

Motorcycle helmet myths

On behalf of Law Offices of Edward P. Shaughnessy posted in Motorcycle Accidents on Friday, May 3, 2019.

While experts agree that motorcycle helmets save lives, there are still a number of common myths making the rounds. These sometimes influence riders to forgo helmets when they would otherwise wear them. A few of these myths include:

1. You cannot hear with a helmet on.

Pennsylvania has 3 of the country's most dangerous highways

On behalf of Law Offices of Edward P. Shaughnessy posted in Car Accidents on Thursday, April 18, 2019.

Can you stay safe in your car simply by avoiding the most dangerous highways in the nation? While an accident can happen anywhere, it is worth considering that some roads have a lower level of inherent risk than others. Knowing where you face the greatest dangers can help you pick the safest possible route. This may not prevent a crash, but it can lower the odds.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration used crash fatality data to pick out the top 10 interstates that pose the greatest risk of a fatal accident. As it turns out, three of them run through Pennsylvania. They are:

Interstate 70, at No. 9 overall
Interstate 80, at No. 7 overall
Interstate 95, at No. 2 overall

Reasons why you should choose a motorcycle

On behalf of Law Offices of Edward P. Shaughnessy posted in Motorcycle Accidents on Thursday, April 4, 2019.

Do you get tired of hearing people talk about how dangerous a motorcycle can be? Maybe it just feels like too much negativity. To help balance things out, let's look at some of the reasons you should choose a motorcycle.

First and foremost, it's fun. The feeling of the open road is something you don't get in a car the same way you get on a motorcycle. It opens you up to exploring the world and enjoying yourself. It can relieve stress. As far as hobbies and entertainment, you can do a lot worse than riding a motorcycle.

Can driving classes help with post-accident anxiety?

On behalf of Law Offices of Edward P. Shaughnessy posted in Car Accidents on Thursday, March 21, 2019.

You get into a car accident when another driver merges into your lane without seeing you and without using their blinker. The sudden impact knocks you into oncoming traffic, where your car gets hit by a pickup truck.

You're lucky in some senses. Your physical injuries heal. However, even after they do, you still can't bring yourself to get back behind the wheel. You have extreme anxiety, and you fear it may even be post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). You're afraid that if you drive, you'll have a panic attack. You fear that you'll get into another accident.

The surprising place where most car accidents happen

On behalf of Law Offices of Edward P. Shaughnessy posted in Car Accidents on Wednesday, March 6, 2019.

If you're thinking about where most car accidents happen, what comes to mind first? Do you think about the interstate with its higher speeds? Do you think about the roads in the city during rush hour traffic? Do you think about country roads where people speed more often and see the police less often?

There are dangers everywhere, and it's important to be aware of them. That said, you may be surprised to learn that more crashes simply happen in parking lots.

Key reasons why tractor-trailers crash

On behalf of Law Offices of Edward P. Shaughnessy posted in trucking accidents on Thursday, February 21, 2019.

Naturally, accidents involving tractor-trailers happen for a seemingly endless list of reasons, some of which are very specific to that individual crash. A driver can't see a foggy road, for instance, or a driver looks away while trying to eat a late-night snack.

However, statistics and reports paint a clear picture of some of the most common reasons for these accidents, and they are absolutely worth considering. Knowing how crashes happen and why can both help to prevent future incidents and show you why you may have a right to compensation. A few common reasons include:

The driver gets too tired behind the wheel
The cargo in the back of the truck moves or shifts
The driver breaks the speed limit or fails to slow down when conditions warrant it.
The truck breaks down or suffers a serious defect on the road
A tire blows out unexpectedly, and the driver loses control
The driver drifts from one lane to the other without properly signaling
The truck leaves the highway and hits the shoulder, either causing an accident right away or causing the driver to overcorrect and crash
Something gets in the truck's path, such as a car that stopped on the side of the road or an object that fell onto the pavement
The driver makes a mistake during a standard maneuver, like turning or backing up

8 ways to stay safe in the car this year

On behalf of Law Offices of Edward P. Shaughnessy posted in Car Accidents on Friday, February 8, 2019.

It's winter in Pennsylvania, which means most people have a bit of a heightened awareness of the danger on the roads. Winter storms can make these issues seem a bit more obvious than they are during the summer; drivers really understand that an accident is only one mistake away.

So, how can you stay safe in the car this year? Here are eight things that you should do:

Stay off of your phone. Do not make calls, go online or send text messages.
Put on your seat belt. Even for those short, safe drives, you always want to wear your belt.
Never drink and drive. If there is any question about whether you've had too much, find another ride.
Pay attention to the speed limit zones. A lot of accidents happen because of the difference in speed between two vehicles. Make sure you know exactly how fast you can safely travel.
Slow down in dangerous weather. This is especially true while going around curves.
Do not drive if you're taking any types of drugs and medications that impair your ability. Remember that many perfectly legal drugs, like sleep aids, can be dangerous.
Leave room between you and the car ahead of you. That cushion helps you react in time to anything that happens on the road ahead of you.
Get enough sleep before you drive. People often do not realize just how dangerous it is to drive when you're too tired, but it can absolutely cause accidents.

Parking lots pose a significant danger to your child

On behalf of Law Offices of Edward P. Shaughnessy on Friday, February 8, 2019.

Like other Pennsylvania parents, you probably take your child to the store with you, at least occasionally. You may even make it a parent/child field trip that involves some lunch and perhaps a special treat from the store.

As you walk through the parking lot toward the store, you have a close call with a vehicle. After your heart stops pounding through your chest, you probably take a moment to let relief wash over you because your child, and you, escaped a potential tragedy.