Pittsburgh Personal Injury Blog

Pedestrian-auto accident injures elderly school crossing guard

On behalf of John A. Caputo & Associates, P.C. posted in car accidents on Thursday, April 19, 2018.

For some residents of Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas in Pennsylvania, being on the road as a pedestrian goes beyond getting from one place to another and is part of their job. This holds true for people who do a variety of jobs. They must be constantly vigilant of drivers who might not be paying attention, are speeding, are under the influence, or are simply negligent. When there is an accident between a vehicle and a pedestrian, there can be serious injuries and death. A lawsuit can help to recover compensation after these car accidents.

A 70-year-old woman working as a school crossing guard was hit by a car and injured. The accident happened when a vehicle sped around a corner as a child was crossing the street. The guard pushed the child to safety before she was hit. The guard's family said that the driver did not see her and apologized after the accident. She was taken to the hospital where she was found to have suffered from a broken leg, a broken arm, and a concussion. It is not known yet if the driver will be charged.

Driving distractions high in Allegheny County

On behalf of John A. Caputo & Associates, P.C. posted in car accidents on Friday, April 6, 2018.

Since distracted driving is such a dangerous behavior in Pennsylvania and can cause accidents with injuries and death, it is important to keep track of various statistics regarding the practice. Understanding the numbers can yield information that might be beneficial to reducing the number of people who are distracted behind the wheel. Some areas in Pennsylvania are worse than others in terms of the number of people who are texting and driving, using their smartphone to surf the web, check emails, use social media and other activities.

The latest numbers show that Allegheny County ranks second for the most distracted drivers in Pennsylvania. The statistics were based on the number of citations issued for distracted driving. The highest percentage was in Montgomery County, where 11 percent of the citations in the state occurred. Allegheny County accounted for 8 percent of the number of citations. The number of citations given rose by 52 percent in 2017.

Car accidents might be linked to time change and drowsy driving

On behalf of John A. Caputo & Associates, P.C. posted in car accidents on Thursday, March 22, 2018.

The roads in Pittsburgh and throughout Pennsylvania can be a dangerous place. What can make the roads even more treacherous are outside influences, some of which people have little control over. One that is often overlooked is daylight saving time. While this is a normal part of the year and moving the clocks forward is generally viewed as a positive because it means winter is nearly over, studies have shown that it can place people on the road at risk.

In the immediate aftermath of the time change, the effects of losing one hour of sleep can lead to drowsy drivers. Another issue that is worrisome is the possibility that people heading out on the road in the morning will be in darkness - something they were not accustomed to before the clocks were moved forward. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has conducted research into drowsy driving and it found that an estimated 10 percent of accidents were caused by drowsy driving - eight times what federal agencies estimated it to be.

Car accident injures 3 as vehicle crashes into car dealership

On behalf of John A. Caputo & Associates, P.C. posted in car accidents on Thursday, March 8, 2018.

While people in Pittsburgh do not expect to be involved in a car accident when out on the road, there is a certain understanding that it can happen at any time. When they are in a building, the last thing they expect is to have a vehicle crash through the wall or window. Unfortunately, these kinds of car accidents do happen. People who are inside can be injured or killed because they are not expecting it. After this kind of accident, it is essential to understand the steps to pursuing compensation through a lawsuit.

A vehicle crashed into the window of an auto dealership and injured three people, including the driver. According to the regional operations director of the dealership, the driver was a customer at the facility. She accidentally accelerated and hit the showroom window. A man who works at the dealership was hurt, along with another customer. The extent of their injuries is not yet known.

Fatal car crash statistics surpass 40,000 for 2nd straight year

On behalf of John A. Caputo & Associates, P.C. posted in wrongful death on Thursday, February 22, 2018.

In Pittsburgh and across the nation, law enforcement, government entities and auto manufacturers are seeking to improve safety in a variety of ways. Making certain drivers are obeying the laws, implementing safety protocols and installing new safety devices are all steps that are being taken. Unfortunately, there are still a significant number of fatal accidents on U.S. roadways. The latest research from the National Safety Council indicates that the number of deaths on the road decreased from 2016 to 2017, but the amount reduced was minuscule. Given the frequency of fatal car accidents, it is vital for those who have suffered the loss of a loved one to be aware of these statistics and how they can affect a legal filing.

In 2017, there were more than 40,000 fatalities on U.S. roads. This is the second consecutive year that the total has surpassed 40,000. The NSC estimates that there were 40,100 fatalities, down 1 percent from 2016 when there were 40,327 fatalities. This comes on the heels of the largest two-year rise in five decades. The total in 2017 was still 6 percent higher than the total for 2015. The NSC is seeking to encourage drivers to take extra caution and to make certain that they wear their seatbelts, whether it is required by state law or not.

Why do truckers continue to cause accidents?

On behalf of John A. Caputo & Associates, P.C. posted in blog on Tuesday, February 20, 2018.

As one of our Pittsburgh readers, you know that sharing the roads with commercial trucks is a way of life as a driver.

It doesn't matter if you're making your way down I-79 from Pittsburgh to Washington or cruising on the outskirts of the city on the parkway, you're sure to be in close proximity to trucks.

Fatal workplace accident involving crane kills 2, injures 3

On behalf of John A. Caputo & Associates, P.C. posted in wrongful death on Thursday, February 8, 2018.

There is an inherent danger for Pennsylvania workers employed in jobs and at locations where there is heavy equipment and lots of activity. Many people work in these kinds of jobs. Family members are aware of the prospect that they will never see their loved one again because of a work accident. Unfortunately, the loss of a loved one can happen in a fatal workplace accident and can happen without warning. After it has happened, the family must be cognizant of the process to seek compensation in a wrongful death lawsuit.

An accident at a crane company killed two workers and injured three others. The men who died suffered blunt force trauma and were killed instantly. The men who died were 49 and 66 years old. The other three men who were injured were 38, 27 and 66. The 38-year-old was flown to the hospital and was said to be in critical condition. The other two were treated and released. State law enforcement and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are investigating the accident. The employer manufactures cranes and other heavy equipment for industrial use.

Surgical tool left in patient sparks medical malpractice lawsuit

On behalf of John A. Caputo & Associates, P.C. posted in medical malpractice on Thursday, January 25, 2018.

When a Pennsylvania resident goes for medical treatment, there is an expectation that the care will be aboveboard, the medical staff will be vigilant, and careless mistakes will not happen. Unfortunately, they happen across the nation and, frequently, are done to those who have sacrificed for their country - U.S. military veterans. Given the turmoil at facilities operated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, it is becoming all-too common to hear of allegations of medical malpractice. When this occurs, it could be the basis for a lawsuit.

A veteran of the U.S. Army was suffering from abdominal pain and dizziness and went for an examination. When he was given an X-ray, a scalpel was found in his body from a surgery that was conducted in 2013. The man was receiving an MRI when the pain he had been feeling grew drastically worse. When he was removed from the machine and given an X-ray, the scalpel was clearly seen in his abdomen. It has been removed, but he has filed a lawsuit against the VA due to his pain, the rehabilitation he needed, medical costs, and lost time at work.

Fatal workplace accident statistics rise for transport workers

On behalf of John A. Caputo & Associates, P.C. posted in wrongful death on Thursday, January 11, 2018.

In Pennsylvania and across the U.S., many people think that workplace accidents only happen in jobs that are considered dangerous. For example, one might expect law enforcement officers and first responders to encounter dangers because of the constant risks they face. The jobs of truck drivers and delivery workers can also be considered dangerous because of the amount of travel they must do.

The latest statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show a troubling trend for truckers and delivery workers. In 2016, the highest number of fatal workplace accidents involved truckers and delivery workers. In 2016, there were 5,190 fatal work injuries across the nation. This was an increase of 7 percent from 2015. Of those, 918 involved truck drivers and sales workers. This was significantly higher than the next category - farmers and agricultural managers - which had 260 fatalities.

Police may have suspect in fatal hit-and-run

On behalf of John A. Caputo & Associates, P.C. posted in wrongful death on Wednesday, December 27, 2017.

When there is a car accident in Pittsburgh or anywhere in Pennsylvania, it is imperative that those involved stop their vehicle. This is to check on the condition of others who were in the crash, to call for emergency assistance if it is needed, and to adhere to the law and exchange insurance information. Unfortunately, some people do not follow this law and decide to flee the scene.

This is made substantially worse when it is a vehicle-pedestrian crash. Because people are so inherently vulnerable when hit by a car, there is a good chance that there will be catastrophic injuries or fatalities. If it was a hit-and-run crash, the family of the victim must make certain to protect themselves by taking the necessary steps to file a wrongful death lawsuit.