Family Wins $2.85 Million in Auto Wrongful Death Lawsuit

A Dauphin County jury has awarded $2.85 million to the family of a Hummelstown man killed in a 2006 wreck.

Fifty-seven-year-old William H. Smith was killed when a backhoe fell off a hauling trailer on I-83 and struck the vehicle he was driving. The backhoe had been negligently placed on the trailer.

In Pennsylvania, the family of someone killed in an automobile accident caused by the negligence of another person or company can file a wrongful death lawsuit against the responsible parties.

Here is a report in The Patriot-News about the Dauphin County verdict:

Smith, a father of two, died on Jan. 3, 2006 when a backhoe was jolted from a tractor trailer on Interstate 83 and its bucket slammed into his sport utility vehicle.

Smith’s wife, Linda, […]

Teen Killed In Bucks County Car Crash

A teenager was killed and another critically injured in a single-car collision in Bucks County on December 9.

Three other teens riding in the back seat climbed from the wreckage dazed and bleeding. All three were taken to the hospital.

The teen who died was in the front passenger seat. He was not wearing a seatbelt.

By law, individuals who are injured in a Pennsylvania motor vehicle crash, or the families of people killed through no fault of their own, have a right to compensation for their losses.

Here is a news report on the tragic Bucks County accident:

Cameron Smithwick, 19, was killed and LJ Tanner, 18, was left in critical condition. Three other teens in the car also had to go to the hospital.

Cameron’s family says the silver Monte Carlo hit a bump and flipped several times before crashing into a utility pole. […]

PA Pedestrian Accidents Rise At Christmas

Shorter days and extended holiday hours can be a deadly mix for Pennsylvania shoppers.

Far more pedestrians are struck and killed by vehicles at night – almost 71 percent – than during daylight hours, according to crash statistics from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

And most of these deaths occur in areas other than intersections, such as mid-block crossings, driveways, and parking lots.

The danger is especially great in the Christmas season when excited shoppers are rushing to and from malls and downtown business districts with armloads of packages and children in tow.

A total of 1,539 pedestrians were injured when hit by a vehicle in non-daylight hours, according to the 2011 Pennsylvania DOT Crash Facts and Statistics – and 106 pedestrians were killed.

If you or a loved one is hurt in a pedestrian accident in Pennsylvania, […]

7 Tips for Safe Winter Driving in PA

Winter driving safety relies on Department of Transportation as well as drivers

In the coming months, state highway workers will be dumping nearly a half-million tons of salt to keep icy Pennsylvania roads safe.

And drivers are being urged to do their part as well.

This is the season of dangerous travel. In 2011, there were 1,994 vehicle crashes and 19 fatalities during the Christmas and New Year travel periods in Pennsylvania.

The state Department of Transportation – with 5,400 operators and 2,250 trucks on standby – has issued a winter travel safety alert:

“PennDOT’s primary goal during winter weather is keeping our nearly 40,000 miles of roadway passable, which means they won’t necessarily be free of ice and snow during storms,” [PennDOT Secretary Barry] Schoch said. “Getting through winter safely is a shared responsibility between us and our customers.”

Following are some safe winter motoring tips:

• Know the danger areas. […]

Text & Wreck Targets Young PA Drivers

Young drivers in Pennsylvania will soon be noticing a “Text and Wreck” button popping up on social media sites.

The logo is the winning entry in a national Distracted Driving Design Challenge sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Its creator was 14-year-old high school student Hah’mari Watson, who said the artwork was inspired after she and her family were in a car crash caused by a texting driver.

View or download her winning “Text & Wreck” icon here.

The Distracted Driving Design Challenge was held to create awareness among young motorists about the dangers of texting and cell phone use behind the wheel. The “Text & Wreck” image will be used on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites.

“The Department of Transportation is committed to helping young drivers get the message that texting and driving don’t mix,” said U.S. […]