Is Uber cutting down on drunk driving?

In February of this year, Uber officially became available to the Scranton/Wilkes Barre area.

What is Uber? Born in San Francisco and common in large cities before making its NEPA debut, Uber is a mobile app/service that allows users to connect with professional independent contract drivers hired by the company to provide a ridesharing service, similar to a taxi service. Uber is currently available in 50 countries and 250 cities.

Uber has been in the news a lot lately, particularly for questions regarding its safety. This blog and infographic from the Michigan Auto Law Blog entitle “How Safe is Uber?” does an excellent job of breaking down the safety concerns and what Uber is doing to make its service safer for both riders and drivers.

One reason we’re interested in Uber is because of its potential to reduce the number of drunk driving accidents that happen each year. […]

Series of School Bus Crashes Prompt Safety Questions

School buses are generally considered the safest way for children to get to and from school. Crashes involving school-transportation related vehicles are rare, but when they do occur, they can be very distressing. Since January of 2015, there have been at least three school bus accidents in our area alone. Yesterday, 30 elementary and middle school students were on board an Athens Area School District bus when it crashed into a tree in Bradford County. The driver and eight students were taken to a hospital.  Earlier this year,  a car crashed into the back of a bus carrying 14 students in Northumberland County; the students were unharmed but the driver of the car suffered injuries.  This crash happened just a week after two buses collided on icy roads in Schuylkill County. Three students were hospitalized for minor injuries.

Just yesterday morning, […]

Looking at the brains of bad drivers

A recent study found that the part of the brain associated with empathy and compassion is less active in bad drivers.

Is a blatant disregard for safety the result of a cognitive malfunction? According to the Association for Psychological Science, the Czech Republic conducted a study in order to better understand why some people follow the rules of the road and others don’t.

Researchers showed participants a series of video clips showing the consequences of dangerous driving behaviors like speeding and drunk driving while monitoring their brain activity using fMRI.  About half the participants had no record of traffic violations, and the other half had at least one traffic safety violation, such as speeding or driving while intoxicated, on their records. It turns out that those viewers with a clean driving record and those with a history of at least one traffic violation reacted very differently to the videos. […]

Are Used Car Buyers Out of Luck?

The NHTSA just got a boost in federal funding for its defect office – the organization’s budget about tripled – so, as last year showed an increased attention to safety and identifying and fixing defects, we may see further progress in the coming year.

We’ve heard a lot about vehicle safety in the last several months. A recent study showed that a record number of models – nine in total – boasted a death rate of zero. Over the course of three years studied, not one person was killed in an accident in these vehicles. Alongside this list was a list of the vehicles in which the most deaths occurred. At the beginning of this year, we also covered reports announcing the 71 safest new vehicle models meeting tougher-than-ever safety standards.

So, if you’re looking to buy a 2015 model, […]

Guest Post: Texting and Driving – It Can Wait

We are pleased to share this post from guest blogger Craig Conover, a writer from Pittsburgh, PA, with an interest in all things technology.

Despite the fact that texting and driving have been banned in the state of Pennsylvania — and 43 other states, for that matter — people are still participating in the extremely dangerous activity. So much so that the city of Erie has taken part in a no-text-and-drive campaign to drive home the message that we need to put an end to distracted driving.

According to Your Erie, the campaign mostly focuses on reducing the number of teenagers using their phones while out on the road. They reported that 32 percent of teens who own phones use them to text when they’re behind the wheel. Additionally, 13 percent of drivers aged 18 to 20 who have been in a collision admitted that they were using their phone or other mobile devices when the incident occurred. […]

What you MUST know before buying car insurance

One of the most important factors in determining whether you are able to take legal action after a car accident is the tort option on your auto insurance policy. Unfortunately, many people don’t know what tort option they have.

Listen as Attorney Marion Munley explains the difference between full and limited tort, and why it makes a big difference.

Full Tort vs. Limited Tort

When buying car insurance in Pennsylvania, you have the option to choose full tort or limited tort. Full tort allows you to pursue legal action in the event of an accident, regardless of the severity of your injuries. Limited tort, on the other hand, limits your right to compensation in an auto accident. And, this limitation does not just apply to you – it may also apply to the other members of your household. […]

Advocates for Highway & Auto Safety Rank States in Annual Report

Pennsylvania still lacking in some driver safety laws

On January 22, the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety released their 12th annual “Roadmap of State Highway Safety Laws” report. The report outlines the number of people killed and injured in motor vehicle crashes in the United States in 2013 (the latest data available), and what can be done to improve safety on our nation’s roads.  Areas of focus include child passenger safety, teen drivers, impaired driving, distracted driving, seat belt and helmet laws.  The report also provides a state-by-state breakdown of where safety laws are enforced, and issues “green” “yellow” and “red” ratings based on this. See how your state compares to the rest of the country when it comes to safety laws and traffic deaths. If you want clear, reader-friendly analysis or quick facts about car accidents where you live, […]

NYC’s “mean streets” just got a little nicer: 2014 saw the fewest pedestrian deaths in a century

Pedestrian deaths in NYC were at an all-time low in 2014. That year, the city saw the fewest fatal pedestrian accidents (132) since they started keeping track one hundred years ago.

Overall traffic fatalities fell from 293 to 248.

Such a drop seems incredible, particularly for a city with as much vehicle and pedestrian traffic as New York. So, how did they accomplish this? It is due in part to a mission implemented by Mayor Bill de Blasio and the NYPD called “Vision Zero,” an ambitious plan aimed at eliminating traffic fatalities in New York.  The plan involved lowering the speed limit and stepping up law enforcement. The city reduced speed limits from 30mph to 25mph, and increased the number of tickets issued for failing to yield to pedestrians by 126%.  The Taxi and Limousine Commission also issued thousands more for safety-related violations. […]

Contemplating a new car? IIHS names 71 safest

Amid a series of safety issues and recalls this year, there is good news for drivers: more vehicles meet stricter safety standards in 2015.

It’s been a rough year for the auto-safety world, with recalls from GM followed by recalls from airbag manufacturer Takata affecting vehicles from seven major automakers. Last week, Takata’s president, Stephan Stocker, stepped down from his position.  He will remain with the company as a board member; Chairman Shigehisa Takada will take his place. Both Takada and Stocker, as well as other Takata executives, will reportedly take 50% pay cuts in the coming months.

While Takata has refused to expand the recall on its airbags nationwide, automakers including Honda, Chrysler, Ford, Mazda, and BMW have issued a nationwide recall on their vehicles containing Takata airbags.

But, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety offers drivers hope as they announced last week that their list of vehicles earning the  two top safety ratings (Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+) is nearly twice as long as last year’s – and that’s with tougher criteria. […]

Unlicensed 15-yr-old kills three in crash; father who gave her the keys charged with manslaughter

A 53-year-old man from Scarsdale, New York, was charged last week  for a crash that killed three fifteen-year-old boys on August 30, 2014. Michael Ware’s unlicensed fifteen-year-old daughter was driving at the time of the accident.   Ware reportedly had given his daughter the keys to his car even though she did not have so much as a learner’s permit. This was not the first time he had done so, according to local investigators. The morning of the accident,  Ware and his daughter were visiting their Poconos vacation home in Paupack Township for Labor Day weekend. Ware’s daughter got behind the wheel of her father’s SUV and picked up some friends on her way to a nearby restaurant. There were a total of six teenagers in the vehicle at the time of the accident. The girl lost control of the SUV and it flipped over, […]

Who is most likely to be in a fatal car crash?

Are you among the nation’s most or least likely to be in a deadly car wreck? According to the Georgia Injury Law Blog and Health Day, young males in newer large vehicles are most likely to survive a head-on collision, according to a new study by Indiana University’s School of Public Health. This may sound surprising, as young people are more likely to be involved in these types of crashes than other age groups, and men are involved in more fatal crashes per year than women.  Men tend to drive more miles per year than women, on average, and are more likely to engage in risky driving behaviors, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. But, of the 1,100 serious accidents studied by Indiana University, young men driving larger vehicles had a better chance of surviving.  Drivers in cars were found to be 9 times more likely to die in a crash than drivers in SUV’s, […]

Surprising Car Accident Facts from the Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneysyers

Car accidents are a leading cause of death in the United States today. The facts below might surprise you. For instance, you may already be aware that drunk, drowsy, and distracted driving are three of the major causes of fatal car crashes in the United States. But, did you know our home state of Pennsylvania is #5  in the country when it comes to the annual cost (medical and lost wages) of auto accidents?

For  more information on car accident statistics, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website.  If you have been injured in a car accident, call the personal injury lawyers at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys at 855-866-5529 for a free consultation.

[…]

Snow storm threatens Thanksgiving travelers: 5 tips to stay safe

Holidays are hectic. Whether you’re planning on cooking or traveling, we know you already have a lot on your plate! So, below are some quick tips to staying safe this Thanksgiving.

This year, about 46 million Americans are expected to be on the road on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, as reported by NBC News. Unfortunately, a snowstorm is predicted for the same day. The snow is expected to accumulate between 1-5 inches in Pennsylvania and New York, and up to 10 inches in parts of Massachusetts.
WNEP reports that the storm is cause for concern for many college students in our area trying to get home for the upcoming holiday, and for travelers all over the country planning to visit loved ones.
Check this out: The Washington Post has composed a regionally-focused outline of when and where the snow will affect people on the road. […]

Personal injury lawyer provides safe driving tips for 40 million Americans hitting the road this Thanksgiving holiday

For many of us, Thanksgiving marks the start of the holiday season and a time to spend with family and friends. AAA Travel projects that 46.3 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home during the Thanksgiving weekend, many to visit to family.

90% of those travelers, or 41.3 million people will travel by automobile. This is a 4.2% increase over last year, and the highest volume of holiday travelers since 2007. This is due in part to the lowest gas prices we’ve seen in years. According to AAA, the national price of gas has fallen below $3.00 per gallon for the first time since December 2010.

With this increase in traffic, we could also see an increase in accidents. According to an article in the Ohio Journal News, Thanksgiving is usually one of the deadliest holidays of the year. […]

Highway Construction Causes More Than Just Headaches

Finally! Drivers rejoice as construction projects come to a close.

Pennsylvania drivers are no strangers to road construction.  Lately, it seems there are orange cones and flashing signs indicating single-lane traffic on every major roadway.  In our home region of Northeast PA, a $32 million project that’s been three years in the works is finally coming to a close, according to WNEP.   The news comes as music to the ears of the thousands of drivers who use this route daily and have battled maddening traffic jams, lane closures, ramp closures, and a labyrinth of cones and barrels for the last three years. The project, aimed at repairing bridges, widening lanes, and improving safety, is finally winding down, and the major impact on drivers is said to be over.

On the other side of the state, Pittsburgh drivers are enjoying the end of a five-year, […]

Distracted driving is a growing and fatal problem

Nearly everyone agrees that texting and driving is dangerous, yet an overwhelming number of drivers continue to do it. Each time you take your focus off of the road, even for a second, you are putting your life and the lives of others in danger.

Police in Linden, New Jersey, issued 110 summonses to drivers they say weren’t paying attention to the road during two distracted driving enforcement operations this past week, according to the Jersey Tribune. Police data indicates that driver inattention was cited as a factor in more than 30% of the fatal car crashes in New Jersey last year.

Earlier this month, the New York Daily News reported that stricter laws against texting while driving would take effect in New York. Under the new law, newly licensed motorists convicted of texting while driving will have their license suspended for 120 days on the first offense. […]

Personal injury lawyer warns icy roads can cause fatal crashes

It’s that time of year again in Northeastern Pennsylvania, and across the country, when icy and snowy road conditions contribute to many accidents, some fatal.

A fatal tractor-trailer crash occurred this past weekend on I-80 in Luzerne County. Pennsylvania state police blamed icy roads for the one-vehicle crash that killed a 43-year-old New York man. There were many more fatalities caused by icy road conditions across the country this weekend. In Minnesota, NBC station KARE reported that six people died in crashes on icy highways. Minnesota state police reported that in just about every accident, it started with a vehicle losing control on the icy roads.

According to the Avalanche Journal, in Texas, the Lubbock police department reported they responded to 103 accidents in a 12-hour period on Sunday, four of them fatal. Heavy snow and sleet contributed to the crashes. […]

Nov. 16 is World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims

At Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, we know as well as anyone that car accidents, and the tragedies they can leave behind, are all too common. Each year, over 30,000 people are killed in motor vehicle accidents in the United States alone. Hundreds of thousands more are injured. We hear about these incidents every day, but there is nothing routine about the pain and trauma that they can cause. That is why, on November 16, we will pause to remember the victims of traffic accidents and their families.

According to the World Health Organization, The World Day of Remembrance for road traffic victims was first observed in 1993. In 2005, the United Nations endorsed it as a day of remembrance to be observed annually on the third Sunday in November.

All across the United States and the world, there will be parades, […]

Daylight savings time leads to more accidents

Last weekend, Americans gained an hour of sleep as daylight savings time (DST) ended and the clocks were set back one hour. For most people, the time change means a slight adjustment to our sleep schedules and to the evenings becoming darker earlier. However, the overnight time change can also lead to an increase in car and pedestrian accidents.

Not surprisingly, traffic and pedestrian accidents are more likely to occur in darkness. Loss of daylight means lower visibility, which is especially dangerous for pedestrians. Darkness is also more conducive to drowsy driving, a leading cause of car and trucking accidents.

According to CBS New York, the Monday after clocks are set forward when DST begins in the spring is “one of the deadliest days on the road,” as drivers are more likely to be tired, having “lost” an hour of sleep, […]

St. Louis Cardinals player killed in car crash

Oscar Taveras, the 22-year-old outfielder for the St. Louis Cardinals, was killed in a car crash on Sunday in the Dominican Republic. Taveras, who was from the Dominican Republic, was driving a 2014 Chevrolet Camaro near his hometown of Sosua at the time of the crash. ESPN reported that Taveras lost control of the vehicle and went off the road. His 18-year-old girlfriend was also killed in the crash.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Taveras was the second active Cardinals player to die in a car crash in the past seven years. In 2007, pitcher Josh Hancock died in a crash in St. Louis.

Many other professional athletes have lost their lives in car crashes as well. In 2009, Los Angeles Angels pitcher, Nick Adenhart was killed in car accident. And several NFL players have also been killed in crashes, […]