Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Personal Injury Blog

During the rainy season in Pennsylvania, drivers will want to be more cautious. The first 10 minutes of rainfall are especially dangerous because that is when the water combines with the oily residue on the road to form a slippery surface. Even after the water washes away most of that residue, drivers are at a high risk for hydroplaning.

Hydroplaning happens when cars slide or skid uncontrollably over the thin layer of water that separates their tires from the road. This layer is created when the pressure in the front of the tire pushes the rainwater underneath. The thicker it becomes, the more the tires lose traction. Most of the time, drivers can avoid hydroplaning by slowing down in rainy weather and avoiding large puddles.

If you travel on the roadways in and around Pittsburgh, you know that there is no way to avoid commercial trucks. From I-79 to the parkway, there are motor vehicles everywhere, with some drivers not paying any attention to what's happening around them.

Knowing the most common causes of truck accidents can help keep you safe. Here are some things to remember:

• Reckless driving: When a trucker is driving in a reckless manner, such as changing lanes without signaling, it increases the risk of an accident.
• Speeding: There is a speed limit for a reason, and every driver should follow it.
• Inadequate training: Driving a commercial truck is a challenge, so proper training is a must. Every driver should receive training on defensive driving, safety concerns and driving techniques.
• Drowsy driving: Truckers don't always take as many breaks as they should. This can result in falling asleep at the wheel, thus putting everyone on the road in harm's way.
• Drunk driving: It's a big no-no for all drivers, but that doesn't mean truckers are never under the influence when they're behind the wheel. Both drugs and alcohol impair a person's ability to drive.

For residents in Pittsburgh that have suffered the loss of a loved one in a motor vehicle accident, the anger and the pain that accompanies it will be compounded if it is a hit-and-run. Drivers who are in an accident are obligated to remain at the scene to exchange insurance information, check for injuries and call for help if it is needed. Leaving the scene is a criminal act, and the family of a deceased victim will want answers and justice.

Researchers examine hit-and-run fatalities and found that the number of fatal hit-and-run crashes occurring each year is increasing. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety conducted the study. In it, it was discovered that there were 2,049 deaths in hit-and-run accidents in 2016. This is the most ever recorded. In addition, there was a rise of 60 percent since 2009. An estimated 65 percent of those who died were on a bicycle or were pedestrians. Also at risk were those who were working on highways. The number of hit-and-run fatalities across the nation rose by more than 7 percent for every year from 2009 onward.

Pennsylvanians expect that when they place a loved one in a nursing home, the proper amount of care will be provided. This includes ensuring that the residents receive the medication they are supposed to, monitoring them to make certain they are safe and addressing any issues immediately. Unfortunately, not all facilities adhere to this standard of care and engage in abusive behaviors, flout rules, and commit other acts that place the residents in danger. Nursing home neglect can happen to anyone. Having legal help is key to determining what happened and receiving compensation for it.

The father of the former U.S. National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster died in a Pennsylvania nursing home in April. Mr. McMaster had entered the facility on April 9 to receive rehabilitation after suffering a stroke. On April 12, Mr. McMaster was found on the floor in his room by a nursing assistant. He had open wounds on his shoulder and his head. He was placed in his wheelchair and the nursing assistants informed their superiors. He was found dead the next morning.