Edward P. Shaughnessy Law Blog | Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania

In a car accident? You're not alone

On behalf of Law Offices of Edward P. Shaughnessy posted in Car Accidents on Tuesday, October 15, 2019.

Getting into a car accident often makes you feel alone. You wonder how it could have happened to you. You blame your bad luck and misfortune. You feel like you're the only one who has to deal with injuries, medical bills, car repairs, police reports and a lot more.

Here's one important thing to remember: You are absolutely not alone. Almost everyone goes through this at one point or another. In fact, many people you know have probably gotten into accidents that you know nothing about. Just because they don't talk about it doesn't mean it didn't happen. This is a very common occurrence in the United States, and you should not let "feeling alone" stress you out any more than necessary.

The dangers of truck drivers who don't get enough sleep

On behalf of Law Offices of Edward P. Shaughnessy posted in trucking accidents on Wednesday, October 2, 2019.

When someone has a medical emergency behind the wheel, it's very dangerous for themselves and others on the road. When that emergency happens while they're driving a semitruck, the danger to others increases tremendously. A semi can weigh 80,000 pounds. When a vehicle like that goes out of control, it can do a considerable amount of harm before it finally stops.

You have likely heard that truck driver fatigue is among the biggest issues facing modern semi drivers. It can lead to poor decision-making, slow reaction times and drivers falling asleep behind the wheel.

UPS trucks haven't turned left since 2004

On behalf of Law Offices of Edward P. Shaughnessy posted in commercial vehicle accidents on Friday, September 20, 2019.

Fifteen years ago, in 2004, UPS made a striking change to their driver policies. Drivers would no longer make left turns. This policy is still in place today.

While there are some rare cases in which drivers have no other options, they are told to always seek a route that avoids left turns. They even do this if it means making three right turns to get to the proper destination.

Go to the doctor after an accident, even when you feel fine

On behalf of Law Offices of Edward P. Shaughnessy posted in Car Accidents on Monday, September 2, 2019.

The car accident leaves you shaken and scared, but you do not think you got injured. There is no blood. There are no broken bones. You get out of the car on your own and walk to the side of the road, where you wait for the emergency crews.

It's tempting to assume you got lucky and opt not to seek medical treatment. Why talk to the doctor when you feel fine? You just want to go home and rest or start sorting out the insurance process for your wrecked vehicle.

Shock is normal after a car accident

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

Car accidents do not always impact people the way that they expect. These are traumatic events. If you get into a crash, it's normal to go through a period of shock after the crash.

Shock hits different people in different ways. It's often the result of all of that adrenaline in your system. It can make you feel shaky or weak. You may have wide eyes and find yourself staring at nothing. It may be difficult or even impossible for you to talk to people, even medical responders.

Phone addicts are normalizing distracted driving

On behalf of Law Offices of Edward P. Shaughnessy on Thursday, August 8, 2019.

Having a cell phone is no longer a luxury. Whether your smartphone replaced your home phone, or you use it for browsing the internet more than your computer, it is hard to get by in today's world without one. Unfortunately, for some people, smartphones have crossed the line between necessity and obsession. People who cannot put their phones down for extended periods of time are more than just annoying; they are also dangerous and a leading cause of distracted driving.

Distracted driving behaviors are anything that takes a driver's attention away from the road. This means that, every day, you probably encounter a significant number of distracted drivers. Even changing the radio and talking with a passenger can be distracting. These behaviors are problematic, but they are still not as serious as cell phone use behind the wheel.

What to do when riding a motorcycle at night into high beams

On behalf of Law Offices of Edward P. Shaughnessy posted in Motorcycle Accidents on Thursday, August 8, 2019.

For a motorcyclist, one of the most unnerving experiences is when you're riding at night and facing oncoming traffic. A vehicle coming toward you keeps the high beams on. It's nearly blinding.

It's made even worse if you're outside of the city, riding on a dark road without a streetlight or a home to be seen. On top of that, many cars and trucks are higher than motorcycles, putting their lights right at eye level and making them appear even brighter than they would if you were in a similar vehicle.

Motorcyclists should never assume other drivers see them

On behalf of Law Offices of Edward P. Shaughnessy posted in Motorcycle Accidents on Wednesday, July 24, 2019.

You come around a corner, heading toward an intersection. You don't have a stop sign, but the other street does. A car pulls up to the sign and stops. You think the driver saw you, and you take your eyes off of that car.

Suddenly, it's right in front of you. The driver pulled out into the street, even though you had the right of way. You can't avoid the crash. You slam into the car, blackout, and wake up on the way to the hospital.

Should drivers wear helmets?

On behalf of Law Offices of Edward P. Shaughnessy posted in Car Accidents on Wednesday, July 10, 2019.

We know that helmets save lives. If you talk to safety experts about motorcyclists and traditional cyclists, they'll tell you that every single one should have a helmet on. They'll tell you that it doesn't matter what the law says -- many states do not require helmets -- because the evidence shows that helmets increase safety, decrease death rates and a lower brain injury rate.

With all of that in mind, some have argued that drivers and passengers inside cars should also wear helmets. Wouldn't the same basic principle hold true? A helmet could reduce the odds of a serious injury or a fatality. There's a reason that professional race car drivers wear helmets -- but far, far more people crash in everyday traffic than in races.

What can a nearly fatal car accident teach you about life?

On behalf of Law Offices of Edward P. Shaughnessy posted in Car Accidents on Thursday, June 27, 2019.

Getting into a nearly fatal car accident has a lot of negative ramifications. Your car is totaled. You have high medical bills. You end up dealing with a lot of pain and suffering. Your injuries take a long time to heal. This is the type of event that can change your life forever.

That said, not all of those changes are bad. Many people who go through near-death experiences actually say that they learn a lot of positive things from the experience. What could it teach you about life? How could it change the way that you live?