March 28, 2008
Posted by: Attorney Edgar Snyder
Who out there knows what a "berm drop-off" is? When you're driving on a Pennsylvania road and you encounter a shoulder with a steep downward slope, you're looking at a berm drop-off. Berm drop-offs are just one of many ways that bad road conditions can increase the risk of getting in a car crash. A one-car accident is any type of crash that doesn't involve another vehicle. Most often, these one-car accidents are caused by poorly maintained roads, nasty weather, and other roadway hazards unrelated to traffic. The way certain roads are constructed, they can cause water to pool. This amplifies the danger of hydroplaning, which is when a car slips out of the driver's control and slides through water. If your car begins to hydroplane or slip on an ice patch, a steep berm drop-off could send your out-of-control vehicle into a severe collision with a tree, rock, or any manner of hazard on the side of the road. With a law firm that handles car accident cases, I’ve seen first-hand the type of serious injuries that result from bad Pennsylvania roads. Please stay safe and avoid one-car accidents by driving cautiously on any roads in poor or questionable condition.
March 27, 2008
Posted by: Attorney Edgar Snyder
If you’re driving in Western Pennsylvania, there's new information that may change the way you view your locals roads. I was disappointed – but not shocked – to learn that 28 percent of Pittsburgh-area streets have been rated “poor” in a recent research study. Even the efforts to fix up bad roads can be risky as well. There are dangerous construction zones popping up everywhere causing traffic nightmares and safety hazards. The irony is that these work zones are there to fix poor road conditions, but sometimes the work sites are just as dangerous as the bad streets. One-car accidents – crashes due to a loss of vehicle control caused by bad roads, weather conditions, car defects, and much more – can be just as dangerous as traffic collisions. With over a quarter of Pittsburgh roads rated in poor condition, it’s no wonder that people continue to get injured in one-car accidents.
March 12, 2008
Posted by: Attorney Edgar Snyder
Lawmakers in Pennsylvania are part of a growing debate about the safety risks of cell phone use behind the wheel. No laws have been passed yet, but some bills under consideration would ban text messaging and enforce the use of hands-free cell phone devices. Although statistics are still fairly new, it seems that texting while driving has its dangers. This is especially true for younger drivers who are less experienced on the roads but more comfortable sending texts than making phone calls. Nearly half of all drivers under 18 admit to text messaging behind the wheel. Pennsylvania is one of 21 states in America that have no legal restrictions on cell phone use while driving. Regardless of whether PA does decide to pass cell phone driving laws, one thing is clear – driver distraction is a major cause of car accidents. If you’re talking on the cell or having a conversation with a passenger, drive safely and pay attention to the road.
February 25, 2008
Posted by: Attorney Edgar Snyder
Winter weather conditions do more than just ice up the roadways – they can erode the streets and lead to potholes. These gaping holes in the pavement can cause serious accidents for car owners who are already trying to avoid the other dangers of winter driving. Let’s say that you’ve been in a car accident in Pennsylvania caused by a pothole. Who’s responsible for the damages to your vehicle and any injuries you may have suffered? The answer depends on the type of road where you crashed. You can’t recover property damages on PA state roads, but you may be able to receive compensation from PennDOT for your injuries. For roads in local municipalities, you may be able to collect both property damages and compensation for personal injuries from local governments. To find out more about pothole accidents in Pennsylvania, check out my hazardous roads pothole Q&A on my law firm’s website. Not only will you find more information about car accidents caused by bad roads – you’ll also find the phone number to report a pothole in Pennsylvania and potentially prevent a dangerous car crash.
August 23, 2007
Posted by: Attorney Edgar Snyder
 This weekend a criminal action on Pittsburgh’s Parkway West claimed another victim. The accident had nothing to do with reckless driving or bad roads. It had everything to do with rock throwing.
It almost sounds like a joke to hear about rock tossing endangering lives on Pennsylvania’s highways. But there’s nothing funny about the injuries the 18-year-old woman received to her skull when a rock flew threw her windshield. This is the 25th reported incident of rock throwing on the Parkway West this year. People have been hurt by previous rock tossings, but this is the most serious injury to date. It's the first time that a Pittsburgh highway rock throwing has been life threatening. The young lady survived, but she may have a serious brain injury that could create complications for the rest of her life. I want all Pennsylvania drivers to know about this threat. If you must drive on Pittsburgh’s Parkway West late at night, please do so with caution and care. I hope the individual that caused these horrible rock tossing accidents is found and held responsible for their actions.
August 03, 2007
Posted by: Attorney Edgar Snyder
Getting around Pittsburgh and the rest of the nation this summer is fraught with lots of challenges. Road construction zones are popping up everywhere. The cones, barrels and confusing signs are causing traffic jams, and unfortunately car accidents. It couldn’t come at a much worse time. I know that many people will be traveling to the beach in August. That means heavier traffic, more congestion, and more gridlock. For those taking long road trips, recent RV recalls have made it even more difficult.
Not only is it tough during the day, but trying to avoid road construction and traffic at night has its own perils. On the Pennsylvania Turnpike alone, 80 percent of July roadwork had projects scheduled for nighttime hours. And driving at night is hard enough as it is.
It’s the responsibility of state municipalities to maintain all roads. That means construction zones, by law, must be safe and drivable at all times of the day and night. Driving hazards can be anywhere this summer, so please be safe and keep your eyes on the road.
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