Walking on busy streets in Allentown can feel risky. Just ask any pedestrian: Between texting while driving, turning without signaling, disobeying traffic signals and numerous other bad driving habits, many drivers seem to disregard pedestrians completely.
Pedestrian deaths have increased for over a decade, and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is calling for a new safety approach. The board has suggested a three-pronged strategy for tackling the dangers that pedestrians face.
It makes sense that vehicles colliding at high speeds can cause catastrophic injuries. Did you know, though, that slow-speed crashes can still result in serious injuries? A seemingly minor car accident like a fender-bender or red light rear-end collision – even without major property damage – can easily cause harm to vehicle occupants.
Even if you initially think you aren’t hurt, it’s always a good idea to see a doctor after an accident. There are many different types of car accident injuries, and some of them might not be immediately apparent following a crash. If you do end up bringing a claim for compensation following an accident, medical documentation is critical.
A recent survey from insurance giant State Farm shows that Pennsylvania has the dubious distinction of being the state most likely to see drivers involved in a deer-versus-vehicle accident based on accident projections. Though the state is ranked third overall in projected animal strikes (including deer, moose, elk and other large mammals), the estimated 141,777 expected deer and vehicle collisions this year is the highest in the nation.
Given these projections, an estimated one out of every 63 drivers in our state might collide with a deer at some point in the year. We discussed the hazards of fall driving in an earlier post, particularly how the rate of car-versus-animal accidents spikes in October and November.
Halloween is just around the corner. This means a lot of fun: Candy, costumes and trick-or-treating. The holiday is a beloved favorite, but you must remain on the lookout for more than just impressive costumes. When enjoying the Halloween season, you should also be aware of the numerous opportunities for injuries.
The National Safety Council (NSC) reports that vehicles are more than twice as likely to strike children on Halloween than on any other days of the year. The NSC also states that October is the second most deadly month for motor vehicle accidents, with approximately 3,700. Before you step out to celebrate Halloween, you should consider a few crucial safety tips.
Even seemingly docile and domesticated dogs can still attack. The American Veterinary Medicine Association (AVMA) reports that there are around 4.5 million documented dog bites each year. Of those, 20 percent (almost a million) are serious enough to require medical attention. Children are the most commonly bitten, and their bites tend to be more serious than those afflicting adults, likely because children make easier targets and are often not strong enough to fight the animal off during an attack.
There are some obvious - and not so obvious - consequences of dog bites. The more obvious ones have to do with the physical impact of an animal attack, and the injuries inflicted by a bite. Dogs have very strong jaws with extremely sharp teeth, and when those meet flesh, the damage can be catastrophic.
The arrival of autumn is a sight to behold. The leaves are changing colors, apples and pumpkins wait to be picked, and cooler temperatures make for great “sleeping weather.” With fall’s benefits, though, comes something more sinister: risk factors for injuries and property damage from car accidents.
The changing leaves
Nobody begins the day expecting to sustain a life-changing injury before the day is over. If you suffer head trauma, though, this may be exactly what happens, so it is important to respond appropriately and prioritize your health, wellness and recovery. A traumatic brain injury can occur in almost any kind of accident that involves sudden, jarring movement of your body including a motor vehicle crash or a slip-and-fall accident.
To prioritize your well-being, you should avoid making any of the following costly mistakes. How you handle a traumatic brain injury is important, and sidestepping these errors can ensure that you can recover comfortably.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) - the agency best known for investigating mass casualty accidents involving buses, trains and airplanes - recently voted to have anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control included as standard features on motorcycles. These features are common on other vehicles, and have been for years, but haven't yet made their way onto motorcycles.
The unanimous NTSB vote, held on September 11 as part of a public hearing, doesn't actually mean that these features will be on motorcycles in the near future, however. The NTSB doesn't have the authority to pass regulations on the topic, so the vote is the equivalent of a recommendation to the governing body, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The NHTSA will need to take the NTSB's vote on anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control under advisement, and may undertake rulemaking procedures based on the NTSB recommendation.
Summer is trying to hang on in Pennsylvania, but fall is right around the corner. The calendar will turn to autumn in just a few weeks, and it's worth a reminder of just how different driving is in each of the four seasons.
Fall brings about a number of changes, from the start of the school year to a drop in temperature to, finally, the end of daylight saving time.
A teenager on her way to visit a dying woman in Pennsylvania was killed in a tragic Allentown-area accident recently.
The victim was a 19-year-old woman from Clark, Missouri. She was riding in a van with her boyfriend and another young woman when their vehicle and a tractor-trailer collided at 4:36 a.m., on southbound Route 309 at West Saucon Valley Road, according to the Lehigh County coroner's office.
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Scherline & Associates
512 W. Walnut Street
Allentown,
PA
18101
Toll Free:
888-514-1100
Phone:
484-268-1175
Fax:
610-437-1572
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