Edward P. Shaughnessy Law Blog | Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania

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.

Do you know these 5 facts about distracted driving?

On behalf of Law Offices of Edward P. Shaughnessy posted in Car Accidents on Friday, January 25, 2019.

Everyone knows that distracted driving is dangerous and should be avoided at all costs. But fewer realize that distracted driving is far more than texting behind the wheel.

How much do you know about distracted driving? You might find out some additional information about this deadly habit.

Watch out for snow and ice on trucks

On behalf of Law Offices of Edward P. Shaughnessy posted in trucking accidents on Friday, January 11, 2019.

Truckers are supposed to clear the snow and ice off of their vehicles before they get on the highway. It doesn't always happen.

You must be careful if you see a truck covered in snow. Keep your distance and be wary. There have been cases where the snow and ice lets loose at highway speeds and strikes the cars behind. This can cause serious damage and injuries at the moment of impact, and it can also create whiteout conditions that make it impossible to see, leading to secondary accidents.

7 car accident facts you should know for 2019

On behalf of Law Offices of Edward P. Shaughnessy posted in Car Accidents on Friday, December 28, 2018.

Hoping to improve your safety on the road in 2019? The best place to start is by looking into some key car accident facts and statistics. The more you know about how and why accidents happen, the easier they are to avoid.

Below are seven key facts to get you started:

Men are responsible for double the amount of car accidents that are caused by women.
Overall, when looking at fatal wrecks, alcohol use can be linked to about 40 percent of them. This skyrockets to 75 percent from 12 a.m. to 3 a.m.
While many people think that long trips increase the risks, the reality is that most accidents happen no more than three miles from home.
Having a conversation on the phone while you drive makes it 400 percent more likely that you will get involved in an accident.
Hatchbacks and sports cars show higher odds of getting in accidents than other vehicle types.
Fourteen teenagers pass away from car-accident related injuries daily in the United States.
Some studies have found that rollover accidents show the greatest odds of leading to a fatality. This was found after looking at rollovers, side impacts, rear-end accidents and head-on collisions.

Cellphones, addictive behavior and car accidents

On behalf of Law Offices of Edward P. Shaughnessy posted in Car Accidents on Friday, December 14, 2018.

We know well that addictive behavior can cause people to drive even when they know it isn't safe. For decades, drunk driving has taken thousands of lives and put many people in the hospital. Often, the root of the problem is addiction.

Alcohol is not the only addiction today's drivers have to contend with, however. Experts warn that cellphones can also be addictive.

Are deadly commercial accidents getting more common?

On behalf of Law Offices of Edward P. Shaughnessy posted in commercial vehicle accidents on Friday, November 30, 2018.

We have more exposure to news and information than ever before, and it can often make it feel like negative events are happening far more often. You're flooded with stories about wildfires and car accidents and other tragic events.

But are they really getting more common? Or is it just easier to find out about them? Let's take a look at commercial accident statistics to see if incidents involving buses and trucks are more or less common in recent years.