Pennsylvania Injury Law Blog

What steps should you take after a car accident?

On behalf of McDonald At Law on Monday, March 18, 2019.

The moments following a car accident can be disorienting and frightening. You may be unsure of the exact cause of the crash and hesitant on what to do next.

After an accident, the most important thing is to prioritize the injuries of yourself and other passengers. In Pennsylvania, of the 128,188 reported crashes in 2017, the most recent year where data is available, there were 80,612 injuries. While seeking medical attention is critical, there are also other items to consider both immediately after the accident and in the days to follow.

Just compensation for injury or death from a motorcycle accident

On behalf of McDonald At Law posted in motor vehicle accidents on Friday, March 15, 2019.

According to the Federal Highway Administration, while motorcycle travel is only 0.6 percent of vehicle movement on U.S. roads, motorcycle accidents result in over 14 percent of traffic deaths. It is not hard to believe, considering the vulnerability of the exposed human body to impact with other vehicles, standing objects and roads.

At our law firm, we represent the victims of motorcycle accidents caused by the negligence or recklessness of others on the road driving vehicles of all types and sizes. Motorcyclists have just as much right to use of Pennsylvania roads as larger vehicles do and should not suffer harm because others drive while distracted or inattentive, too fast, too close, under the influence of alcohol or drugs, in violation of traffic laws or negligently in other ways.

Substantial jump in Pennsylvania pedestrian deaths

On behalf of McDonald At Law posted in motor vehicle accidents on Saturday, March 2, 2019.

The Governors Highway Safety Association has released its annual report that analyzes preliminary 2018 pedestrian accident data and the news is not positive for Pennsylvania. In fact, it is sobering and of great concern. Specifically, the number of pedestrians killed in the Keystone State increased a whopping 41 percent in the first six months of 2018 as compared with the same time period in 2017.

The national numbers are also not good. For example, pedestrian deaths across the country are the highest in three decades, according to the study. Pedestrian deaths are uniquely rising as compared with other kinds of accident fatalities.

5 things your teen should know about texting while driving

On behalf of McDonald At Law on Thursday, February 28, 2019.

If you have a teen driver in your house, you probably worry about them every time they get behind the wheel. You may worry about them for many reasons, including distracting friends, other drivers and their own inexperience. Your biggest worry, however, may be your teens use of a cell phone to text while driving. Here are five things you should talk to your teen about texting and driving.

Truck accidents could cause serious burns. Be prepared.

On behalf of McDonald At Law posted in motor vehicle accidents on Tuesday, February 19, 2019.

Burn injuries from a crash are more common than it may seem. A single spark, leak or vehicle malfunction may be all it takes to cause a major hazard. Engine fires, explosions and other dangerous reactions can happen under certain circumstances – including in truck accidents.

Large vehicles can trigger crash-related fires, many of which occur on interstate highways. Passenger vehicles can catch fire, too, but trucks carrying flammable substances have an even higher risk of starting a blaze if they hit a car or another object on the road. Oil tankers and propane trucks can create deadly explosions and hard-to-contain fires that injure other drivers and pedestrians nearby.

Is a personal injury lawsuit for an accident worth the effort?

On behalf of McDonald At Law posted in motor vehicle accidents on Friday, February 15, 2019.

A motor vehicle collision can disrupt your life. It’s natural to want to move on as quickly as possible and return to normal life. However, the temptation to put the event in the past could be a mistake – especially if the other driver was at fault.

Although results are never a guarantee when filing a personal injury lawsuit, the potential compensation might make a difference for your recovery. A successful claim can provide money to cover medical bills, lost income and other critical consequences of the crash. Unfortunately, some people have misconceptions about personal injury claims and the legal process.

After a fatal car crash, who can sue on the passenger’s behalf?

On behalf of McDonald At Law posted in motor vehicle accidents on Tuesday, February 12, 2019.

Losing a loved one in a catastrophic collision is heartbreaking. While grieving, surviving spouses, parents, children and other relatives may wonder what exactly happened in the moments before impact. They might also be searching for justice and a way to support the loved one’s family in the wake of tragedy.

After a fatal crash, many families choose to pursue a wrongful death claim in honor of their loved one. An effective case could provide the money that the family deserves for their loss – and the money that the family needs to survive.

3 surprising conditions that can make drivers dangerous

On behalf of McDonald At Law posted in motor vehicle accidents on Thursday, January 10, 2019.

Every time we get behind the wheel, we have a responsibility to drive safely and avoid accidents. But what, exactly does this mean?

It means refraining from behaviors that are known to be dangerous. This includes the more obvious hazards, like driving while drunk, drugged or distracted. However, there are other conditions that can make a driver unfit to operate a motor vehicle safely. These include:

What are the most common causes of traumatic brain injury?

On behalf of McDonald At Law on Friday, January 4, 2019.

You have likely heard of a traumatic brain injury (TBI), but you might not know how often these injuries occur. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), each day 153 Americans die from TBI injuries. Of course, not all TBI are deadly. Some brain injuries send injured people to the emergency room, and some go untreated.

A TBI happens when you suffer a blow or jolt to the head. The impact to the head disrupts normal brain function. It can be temporary or permanent. Here are four of the most common ways TBIs occur.

Just how distracted are Pennsylvania drivers?

On behalf of McDonald At Law posted in motor vehicle accidents on Wednesday, December 19, 2018.

Drivers know the rules: put the phone away and pay attention to the road. While many drivers are guilty of at least occasional inattentiveness, the risk for a crash increases with every unrelated thought. How far are local drivers willing to go with their distracted driving?

Although there are many forms of distractions that can happen while driving, phone use continues to take the lead. A recent survey of Philadelphia drivers indicates that mobile phones are a serious problem in the car – and not just for young drivers.