Munley Law Blog

Is Lane Splitting Legal in Pennsylvania?

Have you ever been driving through a congested area and noticed a motorcyclist weaving in and out of traffic? While many motorcyclists think lane splitting should be common practice, it is currently illegal under Pennsylvania law.

If you are involved in a motorcycle accident and have been lane splitting, or hit a motorcyclist due to lane splitting, it can impact your personal injury claim.

What Is Lane Splitting?

Lane splitting, also known as white lining, occurs when a motorcyclist drives between two rows or lanes of traffic. Most commonly, riders split lanes when traffic is moving slowly or at a standstill. Lane splitting can occur on any type of road, including highways or rural roads.

Lane splitting is not the only traffic maneuver you may see a biker make. Other practices include:

• Lane filtering: The rider moves between stopped traffic or slow-moving traffic
• Lane sharing: Multiple motorcyclists share the same lane and ride beside each other in a close formation
• Shoulder surfing: When a rider drives on the shoulder of the road

A University of California, […]

How Long Can Truck Drivers Drive Without Resting?

Studies suggest that 30 to 40 percent of all truck accidents result from driver fatigue. According to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drowsy driving contributes to more than 50,000 accidents per year, resulting in serious injury and death.

Knowing how unsafe drowsy driving can be, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has created regulations commercial truck drivers must follow for how many consecutive hours they can be behind the wheel before needing a break.

Hours of Service Rules for Truck Drivers

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has created hours of service regulations (HOS) for both property-carrying and passenger-carrying drivers. These rules are meant to protect truck drivers from overwork while also limiting adverse driving conditions for other motor vehicles.

It’s important to understand that drivers do not have set hours like we may have in a 9-to-5 job setting. […]

Why Do Semi-Trucks Have Spikes on Their Wheels?

While driving down the highway, you may notice the semi-trucks beside you have what looks like spikes coming off their tire rims. But what purpose do those spike studs hold, and what happens if you get into an accident with a truck driver and those spikes cause damage?

Munley Law explains the purpose of these lug nut covers and your rights in semi-truck accidents.

What Are Wheel Spikes on Semi Trucks?

Spikes on the wheels of semi-trucks are lug nut covers. They are meant to protect lug nuts from debris and corrosion over time but also have aesthetic appeal.

While wheel spikes look intimidating, they are often made of weaker metals like aluminum alloys and even sometimes plastic. So, if your vehicle came into contact with one, the worst that would happen is a few scratches on your car. […]

What to Do if Your Brakes Fail on the Highway

Many of us get into our vehicles daily or multiple times a day and shift into a sort of auto-pilot when we get behind the steering wheel. Our daily commutes are mundane, making falling into a hypnotic state easy. But what happens when the lull is broken, and you realize that the usually slow push of your brake pedal isn’t doing anything, and before you know it, you’re in a car accident?

If you experience brake failure on the highway, you should keep a few things in mind to keep yourself and other drivers safe.

What to Do if Your Brakes Fail While Driving

Nothing is scarier than realizing that your brake pedals are not working. Instead of slowing down, you are moving closer and closer to another vehicle, pedestrian, or highway guard rails.

Crash Statistics from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) suggest that about 22% of vehicle-related crashes were due to brake issues. […]

Can I Sue TikTok For My Child’s Injury After a TikTok Challenge?

In recent years, social media platforms like TikTok have become breeding grounds for viral challenges, some of which can be dangerous or even life-threatening. The platform’s rapid-fire content delivery, addictive nature, and algorithm-driven recommendations have created an environment where trends can spread like wildfire, often outpacing parental awareness and platform moderation efforts. As a parent, you may be increasingly concerned about the content your child is exposed to and potentially participating in. If the unthinkable happens and your child is injured while participating in a TikTok challenge, you may wonder about your legal options.

The Rise of Dangerous Social Media Challenges

Social media challenges have dramatically evolved from harmless fun to potentially deadly stunts. This transformation reflects the broader shifts in social media culture, where the quest for viral fame and digital approval can override common sense and safety concerns. Recent examples that have caused alarm among parents, […]