Pennsylvania Injury Attorneys Blog

A Myerstown, PA man was behind the wheel of a tractor-trailer when it rear-ended a vehicle in a work zone in New York, killing 6 people and injuring another.

The accident happened Thursday morning, as traffic was slowed due to road work. According to an article on CBSNews.com, there were plenty of signs warning motorists approaching the area that crews were working.

The tractor-trailer slammed into a vehicle, which hit a state Department of Transportation truck as well as an SUV that burst into flames upon impact. Five of those who were killed were in the SUV.

A Harrisburg taxi driver plead guilty in court this week to causing an accident that killed five people in Penn Township in 2010 when he drove into a pack of motorcycles.

Witnesses say the man was speeding and swerving in his taxi van just prior to the accident. According to an article on LancasterOnline.com, he is a diabetic and had not eaten enough that day to keep his blood sugar under control. The passenger that had been riding in the vehicle before the crash described the taxi driver as driving “crazy” and the passenger asked to be let out of the van.

By pleading guilty, he faces a maximum of 37 years in prison. The judge explained to the taxi driver that it was key that he admitted to “conscious disregard of substantial risk” by not eating before driving. That day, the driver did not eat lunch, although he was aware that he must eat regularly to keep his blood-sugar level at a satisfactory level. He remains free on bail until sentencing.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 8,266 of its 2013 Escape compact SUVs because of a problem that could affect the brake pedal.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Ford said that carpet padding on the center console trim panel may be pushed outward and interfere with the pedals. A driver’s foot could brush the side of the brake pedal when going from the accelerator to the brake, increasing not only stopping distance but also the risk of a crash.

The recall affects Escapes made between March 8 and June 7, 2012. Ford dealers will remove the carpet padding and replace the left-side console trim panel free of charge. Ford will notify owners of the fix, or you can contact the NHTSA’s vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or go to www.safercar.com.

As the majority of the country continues to bake in this summer’s high temperatures, the folks at CNN.com have provided some tips for staying healthy in the heat.

Keep Cool: Drink plenty of water and avoid prime heat hours by only going outside early or late in the day. Dress for the heat by wearing lightweight and light-colored clothing. Many people end up in the emergency room because they haven’t had enough fluids, or they haven’t taken many breaks from being out in the sun. In addition, many people with chronic illnesses should be aware that their bodies may not regulate temperature properly in the heat. It’s important for the elderly to avoid the heat since their bodies have more trouble keeping them cool.

Managing Medications: Most prescription drugs will be fine in the heat, but insultin and some liquid medications may require cooling. Use a lunch bag with a cool pack to keep those types of meds cool. For those facing evacuation due to power loss, it’s important to keep a record of prescription drugs, either on a piece of paper or a computer accessible file. Experts suggest keeping an emergency one-month supply of prescription medications so you are not caught short. For those with breathing problems, excessive heat can be cause for concern. Patients who use oxygen may need to use more in extreme heat.

In this economy, nearly everyone is doing their best to make ends meet. So it was interesting to see an article on Money.CNN.com that said 43% of Americans go without cash for an entire week, by using debit cards, credit cards, and even mobile phones to make purchases.

But while using plastic for purchases may be more convenient than cash, a 2011 study found that people who pay with cash think more about a purchase. Those who pay with credit are often OK with paying more.

If you find yourself in this situation, there are two tips the experts suggest to help you become more thrifty. First, ask if there is a discount for paying in cash. Changes to Visa and Mastercard rules in 2010 allow merchants to cut prices for customers who are paying with cash. Smaller shops may knock off 2% to 3% of your bill

Chevy’s best-selling car model last year, the Chevy Cruze, has been recalled according to an article on CNN.com.

General Motors has recalled 413,418 Cruzes due to an engine shield that could cause a fire hazard.

A large plastic engine shield under the front of the car that protects the engine could trap oil that is accidentally spilled or dripped during oil changes. Also, in Cruzes with manual transmissions, a worn clutch can cause burning hydraulic fluid to squirt from the clutch housing. The flaming fluid can ignite the engine shield leading to a fire in the engine compartment.

It was 8 years ago when two sisters died in a car accident on their way home from visiting their mom in California. Their car suddenly crossed the median and hit a tractor trailer head on. What they did not know was that the rental car they were driving had been recalled, but the rental car company never had it repaired.

An article on CNN.com has brought this issue to light as well as the fight that their mother is pursuing now, to improve rental car safety. In the case of her daughters, the PT Cruiser that they rented had been recalled because power steering fluid could leak and catch fire under the hood. But the rental company did not have this issue fixed. In fact, the car had been rented out 3 other times since the recall was issued and before the fatal crash that killed the 2 sisters.

According to the article, the mother is hoping to get rental car companies to pledge in writing that effective immediately, they will make a permanent commitment not to rent out or sell any vehicles under safety recall until any defects have been remedied.

On Friday, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a recall of a Kolcraft stroller due to reports of fingertip amputations and smashed fingers.

According to an article on CNN.com, the Kolcraft Contours Options three- and four-wheeled strollers with model numbers starting with ZL002, ZL005, ZL008, ZL015 and ZL018. On the ZL002 model, the number and date of manufacture is printed on a sticker above the left wheel. On the ZL005, ZL008, ZL015 and ZL018 models, the model number and date of manufacture is printed on a label sewn into the edge of back of the stroller seat pad.

Approximately 36,000 defective Kolcraft strollers were sold in the U.S. and Canada between January 2006 and June 2012.

The summer months can bring some unwelcomed visitors to our homes, according to an article by the Pennsylvania State Police. On their website, they warn the public about transient, or travelling criminals, who prey on unsuspecting residents, particularly older Pennsylvanians.

There are 2 common schemes that a transient criminal uses to access someone’s home: home-repair scams and diversion thefts/imposter frauds. In home-repair scams, an individual may come to the door offering services such as sealing a driveway, fixing a roof, or other repairs done at a very low price. They may say that they were “working in the area” or have “extra material left over.” They may offer a discount for cash payment. But when the job is finished, the final price may be much higher than the original estimate and the materials used may be of lower quality.

In diversion thefts/imposter frauds, an individual may try to distract a homeowner by pretending to be ill, asking for a drink of water, or saying that they are looking for a lost dog. To access a home, the person may pose as a repairman from a local utilities company. They may wear what appears to be a uniform and may present an identification badge. The purpose is to distract the homeowner while unseen accomplices enter the residence to steal valuables and cash.

At a time when the young people of our county should be celebrating the end of the school year and graduation, we’ve instead seen too many tragic headlines about teenagers who have died in car accidents where they were not wearing seatbelts. But Schuylkill County’s coroner is determined to bring the need for seatbelt use to light.

In an article on the RepublicanHerald.com, Dr. David J. Moylan addressed this issue with the Schuylkill County commissioners at their monthly meeting this week. So far, Moylan said his office has examined 10 people who have died in car accidents this year. He is in the process of collecting data for a report on seat belts and car accidents. Moylan hopes to involve schools, community members, and the board of commissioners in a campaign to promote seat belt use.

Moylan suggested that school students be shown pictures from virtual autopsies conducted on accident victims. A virtual autopsy can be less upsetting to view than actual accident photos because a virtual autopsy is a 3D image done by a CAT scan. In the article, Moylan said, “I think it could have a very dramatic effect.”