Pittsburgh Personal Injury Blog

Some in Pittsburgh may view the task of motorcyclists and motorists sharing the road together as being a contentious battle between both sides. In reality, very few (if any) drivers harbor any ill will towards motorcyclists. Yet it is not the ill will of drivers that motorcyclists may fear; rather, it may be simple carelessness. Motorists may not fully appreciate how their actions behind the wheel can affect those traveling in nontraditional vehicles, instead only viewing what they do in the context of drivers like themselves. While a simple sudden turn or maneuver may not endanger other cars, trucks or SUVs on the road, it can be hazardous to motorcyclists whose presence they are not aware of. 

Unfortunately, when motorcycles and vehicles collide, it may not be difficult to imagine who gets the worst of the collision. This notion was on full display in a recent accident in Nockamixon Township. Two people traveling on motorcycles were hit head-on when a teenager driving a large truck lost control of the vehicle and entered into oncoming traffic. Both motorcyclists were killed in the collision, while the driver and her passenger were hospitalized with undisclosed injuries. Authorities are still looking into what caused the teen to lose control of the truck. 

Whenever someone gets behind the wheel while they are drunk, the consequences can be terrible. For some drivers, however, drunk driving can be especially dangerous, such as those who are under the age of 21. Underage drunk drivers may be especially likely to cause a crash because they are inexperienced with alcohol, or they have not spent very much time on the road and are inexperienced drivers. In some instances, they may be inexperienced in both regards. If you are ever hit by someone who was driving drunk, it is pivotal to stand up for yourself regardless of their age.

Sadly, people who have not reached the age of 21 drive drunk for all sorts of reasons. Some are pressured by their peers, such as friends and classmates who attend the same high school or college. Some young people may not be very familiar with alcohol or its effects on the body, and they may not realize that they are too intoxicated to drive even though some time has passed after drinking. Moreover, young drivers are also subject to zero tolerance laws which prohibit them from operating a motor vehicle with any level of alcohol in their system.

Every single day, reckless drivers show no regard for the safety of others by getting behind the wheel when they are intoxicated. Some people may exhibit this behavior while carrying out their job duties, such as those who struggle with an alcohol addiction. Moreover, a responsible driver may be struck by someone else who is under the influence while they are trying to drive for work-related purposes. Workplace accidents happen for many reasons, but those which involve an intoxicated driver can be especially devastating.

Someone who is involved in a job-related drunk driving crash may have many different issues to work through. They could be injured, which can result in many different challenges (pain, hospital bills and even the inability to keep working). Some pass away, and even those who are able to walk away from the crash unharmed may have mental trauma and face other challenges related to their job.

Although people have known about the dangers of asbestos for decades now, it is still prevalent in many structures. You can still find it in insulation, car parts and construction materials. This means that overexposure can happen even today.

Excessive exposure to asbestos can result in a person developing mesothelioma. This is a form of cancer that manifests as a tumor in the lining of the heart, stomach, lungs or another organ. Treatments are available, but it is vital for people to seek it out as soon as possible. Here are some common signs you may have developed mesothelioma: