A head-on collision with a vehicle going the wrong direction on the highway is one of the scariest and most dangerous types of car accidents that happen in Pittsburgh. The sheer force of two (or more) vehicles crashing directly into each other at highway speeds can easily cause fatal injury or permanent disability. Tragically, two people died in a recent crash involving a wrong-way driver on I-376 in Churchill. Around 2:30 a.m. on July 9, a pickup truck somehow ended up going west in the eastbound lanes. It crashed into an SUV and a third vehicle. The SUV flipped over, killing a passenger. Ano ..read more

A car crash can lead to a variety of injuries. Many of these injuries — like cuts  —are immediately noticeable. Unfortunately, other injuries may hide deep in the body, and symptoms may not appear for some time after a collision. Internal bleeding is one injury that may not be immediately known after an accident. What can cause internal bleeding? In an accident, a variety of injuries can cause internal bleeding. If a foreign object penetrates the body, it can cut the blood vessels in the effected area. If the body collides with something in an accident, that pressure can also damage blood ..read more

Dangerous road conditions can lead to devastating motor vehicle collisions. Motorists often share the road with impaired drivers, distracted drivers and inexperienced drivers. Additionally, environmental factors often play a part in hazardous city streets and troublesome highways. While drivers must often navigate snow, rain, fog and wind, twice a year they also must deal with an abrupt time change that directly impacts fatigue and visibility. Why is DST more dangerous? University of Colorado, Boulder researchers looked at more than a decade’s worth of accumulated crash data and reached a star ..read more

In the past, you may not have intended to drive while you were sleepy. Whether intended, driving without sleep is a leading factor behind motor vehicle accidents. In Pennsylvania, your lack of sleep is a hazard that puts you and others on the road at risk of harm. Some people choose to drive without sleep, however, because they’re unaware of the risks. Drowsiness is like intoxication Driving without sleep can increase your potential of an accident by up to four times. Studies are proving that driving with little sleep results in a risk exposure that’s much like what you find with intoxication ..read more

A lot of car accidents in Pennsylvania involve mistakes made around blind spots, or those “no zones” near vehicles where the drivers can’t see. The blind spots on large trucks are especially dangerous because they are larger than most other vehicles. However, awareness of blind spots is critical for every driver. Be aware of your own blind spots Motor vehicle collisions involving blind spots happen frequently while drivers are changing lanes on busy highways. If a driver checks their mirrors and doesn’t see any cars, they may think that it’s safe to move over. However, a quick check with the e ..read more

While most urban communities in Pennsylvania are designed by city planners, many of the rural roads are actually renovated farming trails that have historically been used as commercial transportation routes. The result is a combination of designed highways and traditional roadways that can create some difficult transportation issues. Rural road perils One of the primary issues with rural roads in Pennsylvania is that motorists driving standard passenger vehicles must share the roadway with flatbeds hauling timber and other commercial products. Shifted loads are more common than people realize ..read more

Most residents of Pennsylvania know that using cellphones behind the wheel is dangerous, but they may not understand that phones are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to understanding risk and driving. Recent research has shown that cellphones alone aren’t the only concern among dangerous drivers. However, cellphone use can act as a warning sign. Connected behaviors Researchers surveyed hundreds of drivers between the ages of 18 and 24. They asked them about their behavior while driving, measured behavior in other contexts and asked about general personality traits. What the team found ..read more

Engaging in road rage in Pennsylvania could put you and other motorists and passengers in danger. It might seem safe to assume that if you get in an accident, your insurance company will cover the damages. However, many insurance companies don’t cover accidents caused by road rage, leaving you to foot the bill. How could road rage affect your coverage? Pennsylvania is a “no fault” state, meaning that most drivers are eligible for compensation regardless of who caused the motor vehicle accident. Even if you hit the other vehicle, your insurance company might still give you a payout. However, yo ..read more

Getting into a car accident can have devastating effects on your health or could even end your life. It’s important that you stay safe while driving to reduce the risk of a collision. Here are some of the most dangerous driving habits in Pennsylvania that you should avoid. Using your phone Almost everyone has a cellphone, and many people don’t think twice about using it behind the wheel. However, when you are driving, you should avoid using your phone so that you don’t get distracted. This includes texting and driving, talking on the phone, checking social media or spending too much time looki ..read more

One of the most common reasons for motor vehicle accidents involving motorcycles in the state of Pennsylvania is the inability of the automobile driver to see the motorcyclist. All too often, automobile drivers do not see motorcycle drivers on the roadway when they’re traveling. In 2017 alone, motorcycle accidents accounted for 14% of all traffic fatalities throughout the country. Roadway safety is a two-way street When it comes to reducing the number of motor vehicle accidents involving motorcyclists, it’s a two-way street between automobile drivers and motorcycle drivers. Both need to work t ..read more