Pittsburgh Personal Injury Blog

Drunk driving is a very serious offense that is capable of destroying numerous lives in one fell swoop. While it's ultimately up to law enforcement to identify and apprehend drunk drivers, it also helps for ordinary citizens to be alert and aware when on the road. In this case, MADD offers the following advice on how you can spot a drunk driver and what you should do about it.

First and foremost, never pursue a drunk driver on your own. If you notice any of the following signs, the best thing you can do is to take note of the vehicle and contact law enforcement right away from a safe area. Drunk drivers often exhibit risky driving behaviors, including swerving in and out of lanes. The person may also appear to accelerate or decelerate at an abnormal pace or even stop for no reason. Other signs include driving with headlights off, driving too slowly, making illegal turns, driving on the wrong side of the road, or signaling incorrectly.

Big rigs are a familiar sight on Pennsylvania roadways. They are a crucial part of a thriving economy. However, with more traffic on the highways than ever before and the fact that they weigh 20 to 30 times more than your car or light duty truck, accidents involving 18-wheelers are often devastating. At Caroselli, Beachler & Coleman, L.L.C, our team of attorneys has experience representing clients whose injuries result in limb amputation.

John Hopkins Medicine reports that a permanent disability takes a toll on patient self-esteem. A rehabilitation program that maximizes patient capabilities is essential for promoting independence which can improve self-care and encourage rejoining your community.

If you're a new motorcyclist in Pittsburgh, you're probably excited to get on the road. Along with the fun and excitement, it's important for new riders to take the appropriate safety measures. Motorcyclists are at risk on the road when drivers fail to notice their presence, which is an all too common occurrence. That's why Esurance offers the following tips on finding a suitable helmet to protect you in the event of a crash. 

Look for the DOT sticker

Many in Pittsburgh may believe that their chances of encountering a drunk driver on the road are rare. This may come from an assumption that those who actually choose to drive while intoxicated are relatively few. They may think that reports of drunk driving arrests are not representative of the total population. Yet while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that while just over 1 million drivers were arrested for driving under the influence in 2016, they also share data that suggests that number represents a mere one percent of the total number of American adults who admit to getting behind the wheel after drinking every year. 

One might wonder if those who assist people in getting drunk might share in their liability of the same people later cause accidents while driving. Pennsylvania does indeed have what is commonly known as a "dram shop" law (the term dram shop is a holdover from colonial times when establishments served alcohol by the dram). Basically, a dram shop law assigns liability to a restaurant, bar or any other establishment that serves alcohol if one of its patron's drinks and then drives drunk.