Edward P. Shaughnessy Law Blog | Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania

What is the weight of a semitruck?

On behalf of Law Offices of Edward P. Shaughnessy posted in trucking accidents on Thursday, November 1, 2018.

That semitruck crawling up the hill in front of you or approaching at what seems to be a dangerous speed behind you at a red light looks huge and imposing. You normally feel rather safe in your SUV, as high as it is off the ground, but you feel nervous every time you're around a semi. The size difference is daunting. But how much does a semi usually weigh?

Every truck is different, depending on the make, model and what type of cargo it is hauling. However, the maximum weight for a truck in the United States clocks in at a stunning 80,000 pounds.

The symptoms of a collapsed lung

On behalf of Law Offices of Edward P. Shaughnessy posted in Car Accidents on Thursday, October 18, 2018.

If you get into a severe car accident, you could suffer from a collapsed lung. This is a very serious condition that could indicate that you have multiple internal injuries. It can be fatal.

As such, it is imperative that you know what symptoms to watch out for. Even if you think you were not severely injured initially, if you suffer from these symptoms, it is time to go see a medical professional to get checked out. A few examples include:

The sudden onset of serious chest pain
A tight feeling in your chest, as if it is very constricted
A sharp pain that perhaps gets worse when you try to breathe
Difficulty catching your breath or drawing deep breaths
Very quick, rapid breathing to make up for this lack of oxygen
An increased heart rate
Feelings of intense and unexplained fatigue
A cough, especially one that is painful and will not go away
A slight blue tint to your skin, which is called cyanosis and happens when your blood does not carry as much oxygen as it should.

Lessons you can learn after a devastating car accident

On behalf of Law Offices of Edward P. Shaughnessy posted in Car Accidents on Friday, October 5, 2018.

Getting into a serious car accident isn't something anyone hopes for but it still happens to thousands of people every single year. Accidents can leave you with life-long injuries. You may have a near-death experience. The impact it has on your life is tremendous.

However, that impact does not have to be all negative. You can learn some positive things from a difficult situation. These may include the following:

Don't wait to fulfill your dreams. Live your life to the fullest extent. People who have been through near-death experiences often say they felt like they put off the things they wanted to do. After the experience, they went out and did them, understanding that they may not have as much time as they hoped.
You matter to far more people than you realize. Many people care about you. They may not take the time to say it during a boring regular day, but those sentiments come out when life gets tough. You will find out just how much you matter and who cares about you the most.
There is a certain element of unavoidable fate in the world. You cannot always protect yourself from every danger. Even careful planning doesn't always help. Risk always exists. This isn't to make you fearful, but to help you live your life in a way that embraces this and allows you to enjoy the time you have.

Motorcycle safety as the season comes to a close

On behalf of Law Offices of Edward P. Shaughnessy posted in Motorcycle Accidents on Friday, September 21, 2018.

Every day in the fall, we're getting closer and closer to the end of motorcycle season. Before you know it, ice and snow will mean it's time to put the bike away for the winter.

However, even the fall can bring about new dangers. You must know how to ride safely.

Establishing liability after a taxicab accident

On behalf of Law Offices of Edward P. Shaughnessy posted in commercial vehicle accidents on Friday, September 7, 2018.

Taxi drivers are typically known for their hours on the road and traditionally for their good knowledge of routes. However, they also have a reputation for driving in a hurried style, focusing on getting you where you need to be but also potentially compromising safety at the same time.

If you have been involved in a taxicab accident in the state of Pennsylvania, it is likely that you suffered injuries and needed to seek medical attention as a result. Being involved in a taxicab accident can be especially upsetting because you did not know the driver and yet they put you in a fearful and dangerous position. It is important that you understand how it is possible to take legal action after a taxicab accident and know what party can be held liable.

Post-accident nerves: 3 tips to conquer your fear

On behalf of Law Offices of Edward P. Shaughnessy posted in Car Accidents on Friday, August 24, 2018.

Car accidents can leave you on edge for months or even years. Some people actually wind up with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Others find it impossible to get back behind the wheel again.

If this is something you have been dealing with, here are three tips that may help:

Don't be afraid of medication. Some medications can have a drastic impact on anxiety and depression. Think of it the same way you would think about any other type of illness. Talk to your doctor.
Work with a therapist. You may need to work through some of your feelings and emotions with a professional. This is especially true if someone died in the accident. Don't think that you just have to tough it out and get through all of this on your own.
Take care of yourself. Be patient. Remember that getting over these types of things take time. Get exercise. Eat healthy foods. Do not fall into destructive patterns, like eating too much or turning to alcohol. Take up new hobbies to get your mind off of it. Spend time with people you love. You will be pleasantly surprised to find out how focusing on yourself and improving your life can actually help you feel better in time.

6 common factors in car accidents

On behalf of Law Offices of Edward P. Shaughnessy on Tuesday, August 14, 2018.

When a serious car accident occurs, many people have the same question: What happened? You may even ask yourself that question after having been involved in a crash, as it likely seemed to have occurred without any warning, especially if another driver caused it. Of course, each car accident is different, and the causes vary from incident to incident.

Though many common contributing factors to car accidents exist, many people do not take the time to watch out for those causes and adjust their driving. As a result, crashes take place at an alarmingly high rate, and many people suffer serious or fatal injuries, possibly yourself included. As you assess your situation, you may wonder what factors played a role in your situation.

Sidecars turn far differently than traditional motorcycles

On behalf of Law Offices of Edward P. Shaughnessy posted in Motorcycle Accidents on Thursday, August 9, 2018.

Are you thinking of getting a motorcycle with a sidecar? Perhaps you like the stability of the vehicle, which has a wider stance and does not tip over as easily as a motorcycle. You see it as a safer alternative, while still giving you the sense of open freedom that you're after.

If you do get one, experts warn that sidecars and motorcycles react very differently on the road. Make sure you have plenty of experience before driving around other traffic. Do not assume, as many people do, that the sidecar is automatically safer and easier to use.

4 driving myths that lead to dangerous behavior

On behalf of Law Offices of Edward P. Shaughnessy posted in Car Accidents on Thursday, July 26, 2018.

Rather than talking to professionals, young drivers often turn to friends or family members for advice. This advice is not always accurate. When myths get repeated over and over again, it can lead to dangerous behavior when people mistakenly believe that what they are doing is safe. Here are four myths to keep in mind:

It is fine to drive too slow

Why do truck drivers suffer from fatigue?

On behalf of Law Offices of Edward P. Shaughnessy posted in trucking accidents on Wednesday, July 11, 2018.

Truck driver fatigue is a serious issue that can cause catastrophic accidents. All it takes is a split second of nodding off for a wreck to occur. Even drivers who do not completely fall asleep could cause accidents if they do not react quickly enough to changes and hazards on the road.

So why do truck drivers get so tired behind the wheel? There are many reasons, some of which include the following:

Working too late at night. Your body naturally gets tired after midnight and before six o'clock in the morning. This can also happen from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., so even a standard afternoon drive can be dangerous.
Mental and physical exertion. Driving for long hours is mentally taxing, and helping with loading and unloading is a physical challenge.
Not getting enough sleep. Many drivers have to sleep in their trucks, on the road, and they may not get as much sleep as they would at home in bed.
Working long hours. Extended hours and delays can make for very long work days. Even responsible drivers wear down.
Strenuous activities outside of work. For instance, truck drivers may take up jogging or running to try to stay in shape and combat having a relatively sedentary job. These hobbies, while healthy, can make them more tired when they settle into the truck.