As of March 2012, Pennsylvania became the 35th state to join the ranks of other states, including California, that have banned texting while driving.  Now, police officers can pull Pennsylvania drivers over for typing, sending or reading messages via SMS, twitter, facebook, or any other social program.  They can also ticket drivers for using or looking at handheld or pad electronic devices.

Police can make a determination that a driver was texting by sight, drivers’ or passengers’ statements, or by reviewing cell phone records.  If the police does make such a determination, he may ticket the driver.  The texting while driving penalty is currently $50.

Many states also have laws that ban handheld devices.  In California, handheld devices were banned before the texting while driving ban took effect.  The overall goal is clearly to reduce distractions while driving.  Taking aim at the cell phone and its many distracting features is the way states are trying to achieve this goal.

Legislators in Pennsylvania have said that they think the ban on handheld devices is coming.  It probably is.  It is likely inevitable.  Requiring drivers to use earpieces to talk on the phone can make it easier for drivers to keep their eyes on the road and reduce the distraction of using the phone.  In addition, it is difficult to tell if a driver is holding his phone to make a call on a handheld device, or breaking the law and sending prohibited text messages.  Banning handheld devices as a whole will help remove the gray area from the laws.

Some Pennsylvanians are against the ban on handheld devices.  Some feel that cars are now equipped with features that eliminate the need to use handheld devices anyway, given the Bluetooth features that enable calls to come through the car speakers.  However, all drivers do not have new cars with these features, and even those that do are not guaranteed to use them all the time and never hold the phone up to their ear.  This is where a handheld ban could become useful.

Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of automobile accidents.  Distractions come from a wide variety of sources, but cell phone distractions have become an increasingly bigger issue.

Pennsylvania Law Banning Texting Takes Effect is a post from: Solnick & Levin

Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of auto accidents today.  Distracted driving comes in many forms including talking on the cell phone while driving, texting while driving, and eating.  It is any form of driving in which a driver’s hands, eyes, or mental attention are distracted from their duties in driving a motor vehicle.

Using a mobile device is the most common form of distracted driving, given the increased popularity of cell phone usage.  The majority of adults have cell phones, and many children get cell phones at early ages once they are old enough to talk on them. Cell phones distract drivers by taking their hand or hands off the wheel, taking their eyes off the road when reading texts, emails, or social networking messages, and by taking the driver’s attention off the road by placing the attention on the mobile device.

Distracted driving awareness month is a nationwide campaign led by the Department of Transportation to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities caused by distracted driving.  The goal is to keep drivers more alert and focused on the road.  The best way to ensure this happens is to make an effort to eliminate distractions to drivers on the road.

Lawmakers expect to see distracted driving awareness month have a positive impact on accident statistics.  In California, a state that has banned both talking on handset devices while driving and texting while driving, road fatalities have dropped by 22 percent.

In April, law enforcement is cracking down on distracted driving.  They are looking more closely for drivers on mobile devices and freely issuing citations.

California’s Office of Traffic Safety has an interesting campaign to catch driver’s attention.  The campaign states, “Don’t be a zombie behind the wheel.” In regards to the campaign, CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow said, “Every distraction affects a driver’s reaction time, and things can change without notice. Distractions change a seemingly good driver into a zombie.

This campaign is now relevant to the state of Pennsylvania.  In March, Pennsylvania enacted a ban against texting, typing, instant messaging, and emailing while driving.

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month is a post from: Solnick & Levin

Last year, federal highway safety regulators announced record lows in auto accident fatality rates across the country.  The number of such fatalities has been declining for years.  Much of the decline is due to the fact that there are fewer drunk driving-related fatalities now.

However, one fact has changed little through the years – approximately 1/3^rd of all auto accident fatalities are caused by speeding drivers.  According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, there has been no difference in the fatality rates linked to speeding, in spite of the fact that we now have safer automobiles and stricter enforcement.

Speeding is the biggest killer on American roads.  With all the attention on distracted driving these days, it’s easy to forget that more people are killed in accidents caused by speeding drivers than any other motorists, including impaired drivers.  Approximately 30% of all accident fatalities are caused by people driving at excessive speeds.

The Governors Highway Safety Association speculates that the reason why we have not made much progress in eliminating the number of accidents caused by speeding, is because we have stopped considering speeding a major highway safety threat.   The public consciousness is now bombarded by warnings of a number of other accident threats that include distracted driving, and, as a result, speeding has been neglected as a factor in causing accidents.  The threat from cell phones while driving is very real, but the fact is that speeding kills more people every year.

Philadelphia car accident lawyers also find that there is greater public acceptance of speeding. Most drivers would balk at the thought of driving a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, but have, at some point, operated a vehicle at excessive speeds.  That includes not just driving beyond posted speeds, but also driving at a speed that is not appropriate for weather and traffic conditions.

Status Quo on Speeding-Related Accident Fatalities Is Disturbing is a post from: Solnick & Levin

The Social Security Administration this year plans to start the process of expanding the federal agency’s Listing of Impairments that qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, to include musculoskeletal conditions.  In 2012, the agency plans to seek public comment on its proposals to add musculoskeletal conditions to this list.

Most musculoskeletal disorders originate in the back, neck, upper limbs and shoulders.  Many workers suffer musculoskeletal disorders as a result of repetitive stress injuries in the workplace.  These injuries are caused when one particular area of the body is used over and over again excessively, leading to a strain on the muscles and tendons in this area. Many activities in the workplace like frequent lifting, carrying, stretching, twisting and raising the arms, place certain muscles under excessive strain, and contribute to musculoskeletal disorders.

Conditions that are included in the Social Security Administration’s List of Impairments automatically make the person eligible for SSDI benefits, if he suffers from the condition. The Social Security Administration’s List of Impairments includes conditions that are deemed so severe, that any person who suffers from these conditions is believed to be unable to work, and therefore is eligible to receive Social Security Disability Insurance benefits.

Most conditions that are included in the agency’s List of Impairments automatically make the person eligible for SSDI benefits, if he suffers from the condition. However, a person must meet certain conditions in order to be eligible for SSDI benefits.  For instance, he must have been unable to work for at least 12 continuous months, or his condition must be potentially fatal in order to be eligible for benefits.

If you have been unable to maintain employment because of a serious disability or medical condition, a Philadelphia Social Security benefits lawyer can help you file a claim to recover benefits.

SSA To Invite Comments on SSDI Update for Musculoskeletal Disorders is a post from: Solnick & Levin

One person was reported injured in a scaffolding accident last week in Philadelphia.  According to police, the accident occurred when a scaffolding lift fell on a house at the 19th and Mountain Street intersection over the weekend.

Scaffolding accidents are some of the most frequent accidents on a construction site.  These accidents also typically end in severe injuries or fatalities.  Many times, these accidents involve a scaffolding collapse.  Unfortunately, such accidents are much more common than people realize.  Shoddy design and construction standards can lead to unstable and weak scaffolding that is prone to collapse.  Workers standing on the scaffolding are at risk of serious injury in such collapses.

It is not just workers who are at risk of injuries in a scaffolding collapse.  Sometimes, the scaffolding is constructed over sidewalks, which means that pedestrians are at a high risk of injuries during a collapse.  Scaffolding can also collapse on traffic, injuring motor vehicle occupants.  Additionally, workers can also fall off scaffolding because of lack of guardrails and other protective aids.

Workers who have been injured in a scaffolding accident may have more than one avenue for compensation.  The most basic of these compensation avenues is through the employer’s Workers Insurance coverage.  However, in cases where the injuries have occurred because of the negligence of a third-party, workers may have more than one option for compensation.

In such cases, a Philadelphia construction accident lawyer may file a personal injury claim against the negligent third-party.  Such third parties include the premises owners, contracting companies, construction companies as well as supervisors on the site where the accident occurred.

One Person Injured in Philadelphia Scaffolding Accident is a post from: Solnick & Levin

Police investigating an accident that killed an 11-year-old girl in Philadelphia last week, are blaming an intoxicated driver for the accident.  The accident occurred in front of a store front at the Italian Market in Philadelphia.

Investigators believe that a 28-year-old motorist who was driving under the influence, ran a red light, and crashed into the front of a fish shop.  When the SUV crashed into the store, it pinned the young girl to the wall, and she sustained fatal injuries.  Another child and the occupants of the SUV were also injured in the accident.

Police believe that the motorist was driving under the influence, and he has been charged with vehicular homicide, DUI and reckless endangerment.  Investigators are also considering the possibility that the man had been distracted by a GPS device, when he ran the red light.

Court records indicate that this will not be the intoxicated motorist’s first time in court.  In the past, he had been cited for everything from aggravated assaults to reckless endangerment.  In 2002, he had been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and had been sentenced to probation.  In 2004, and again in 2007, he was charged with possession of marijuana.

Stronger enforcement, greater awareness of the dangers of drunk driving, and lowered public tolerance for drunk driving – all of these have helped contribute to a decline in the number of fatal drunk driving accidents occurring in Philadelphia every year.  Across the country, there has been a similar decline in drunk driving accidents.  Intoxicated driving used to be the primary factor in most motor vehicle accidents that Philadelphia car accident lawyers came across three decades ago, and that’s no longer true.

While DUI accident fatality numbers have dropped to a large extent, the fact is that impaired drivers still continue to threaten motorist safety.

Fatal Philadelphia Accident Blamed on Drunk Driver is a post from: Solnick & Levin

Passengers buying a bus ticket can now determine the safety record of the company, through a touch on a screen pad.  The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has announced that its new bus safety app is now available for download from the agency’s website.  You can also download the app called Safer Bus from any Apple store.

The app allows passengers to access the records of more than 6,500 motor coach carriers across the United States.  What’s more, these records can be easily accessed on your iPhone or iPad.  The app allows passengers to have a look at a company’s safety record before they buy a bus ticket.

Very often, Philadelphia bus accident lawyers find that people travel on a bus without knowing much about the carrier.  The carrier may have been cited for violations that include everything from hiring tired and medically unfit drivers, to operating malfunctioning buses.  However, passengers earlier had few convenient options to know more about a motor coach company’s safety record.

The app allows passengers to download such information, and make comparisons based on the data available.  The app will not compare motor carriers for you because the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is not allowed to recommend one motor coach carrier over another.  The app will also allow you to file a complaint about a particular carrier.

Philadelphia bus accident lawyers would have been more impressed if the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration had made the app more user-friendly, making it easier for passengers to sift through the amount of information that is available.  However, this app is a good start to empowering passengers, and making information available at their fingertips.  Other federal agencies like the Consumer Safety Commission have also taken steps to facilitate more consumer interactions with federal agencies.

Bus Safety Records Now Available on IPhone App is a post from: Solnick & Levin

With the huge advances that have been made in workplace safety and accident prevention, it would seem to Philadelphia Workers’ compensation attorneys that employers would be able to prevent the majority of injuries to the most delicate organ in the human body – the eye.  Unfortunately, that’s not the case.

Every year, approximately 2,000 Americans suffer eye -related injuries in the workplace.  According to data by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, approximately 70% of all eye injuries are caused when the individual comes into contact with an object.  Most of the remaining injuries are caused due to exposure to harmful substances and toxic materials in the workplace.  Approximately, 26% of all injuries are the result of such exposure.  Additionally, a worker may also suffer injuries when he is working with welding torches, and other equipment.

The risk of eye injuries exists, no matter what kind of job the worker is performing.  That’s why it’s important that employers provide workers the right kind of eye goggles, face masks, welding helmets, respirators, prescription/nonprescription glasses as well as other safety equipment necessary to prevent these injuries.

This March, Prevent Blindness America marked Workplace Eye Wellness Month to raise awareness about the need for prevention of eye injuries in the workplace.  The group estimates that approximately 90% of all eye injuries are entirely preventable.

Most eye injuries can be prevented if employers educate workers about the high risk of such injuries in the workplace.  Workers may not understand that they must use eye protection when they work with chemicals, or with tools like welding torches or nail guns.

Eye protection gear must be well fitting to prevent eye injuries.  It’s not only important to wear safety gear, but also to maintain it properly.  Philadelphia employers must also establish and develop a comprehensive eye protection program in the workplace.

Philadelphia Employers Must Take Steps to Prevent Workplace Injuries is a post from: Solnick & Levin

Police investigating an accident involving an SUV and a SEPTA bus in Philadelphia, are blaming the driver of the SUV.  According to witnesses, the bus driver had the right-of-way at the time of the accident which occurred last week.

According to witnesses, the SUV ran a red light just before the accident.  Upon impact, the bus veered out of control, causing it to crash into a tree and several other cars.  Five people were injured in the accident, and fortunately, none of their injuries are believed to be life-threatening.  The accident also resulted in property damage to several cars.

Thousands of people use buses operated by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority every day.  These people rely on the buses to take them to work, and bring them back home safely.  Approximately 4.5 million people in the metro Philadelphia area use SEPTA buses.  The number of people using SEPTA buses has increased during the recession, because of an increase in the number of people looking for cheaper transportation options.

Most of the accidents that Philadelphia SEPTA bus accident lawyers come across occur as a result of bus driver errors, unskilled or untrained drivers or malfunctioning buses.  However, these accidents also sometimes occur because of the negligence of motorists.

If you have been injured in a bus accident, your first step should be to get yourself medical treatment as quickly as possible.  Obtain the contact information of witnesses present at the scene, and note down details of the accident if you’re able to.

Filing a bus accident claim can be a complex procedure, because transportation companies in Philadelphia have some amount of immunity from civil lawsuits.  Your Philadelphia bus accident lawyer should be able to identify the parties that are responsible for your injuries, and name these entities in a claim.

Five People Injured in Philadelphia SEPTA Accident is a post from: Solnick & Levin

Traffic accidents are one of the leading causes of death in the country, particularly among those under 34.  In particular, highway crashes are particularly dangerous, and often fatal.  With all of the vehicles on the road daily, there is often a risk of serious injury or even death.

Traffic accidents cause a tremendous loss to society.  In addition, there is an unavoidable emotional cost to all parties involved, and also to bystanders on the road.

Accidents can be caused by various factors, including unsafe vehicles.  As a result, The National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act gives the Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) the authority to create vehicle safety standards.  The NHTSA is also permitted to require manufacturers to recall vehicles that have defects that may cause the vehicle to be unsafe or fail to meet Federal safety standards.

Vehicle manufacturers institute recalls voluntarily at times, and other times, the NHTSA requires the company to issue a recall to protect everyone on the road.  If a vehicle defect is discovered, the manufacturer must contact the NHTSA immediately, and must remedy the problem without charging the owner of the vehicle.

If you think your vehicle may have a safety defect, it is important to report it to the NHTSA immediately.  If you are correct, the NHTSA could force the manufacturer to recall the vehicle, which could ultimately lead to a resolution of the problem and save many lives.  If several people report the same incident, the NHTSA will force the manufacturer to recall the vehicle.  To file a report online, go to www.safercar.gov.

Not every malfunction in a vehicle is a safety-related concern reportable to the NHTSA.  An air conditioner or radio that does not work, paint chipping, dents in the door, and ordinary wear and tear of a vehicle are not safety-related issues and the NHTSA will not make the manufacturer issue a recall.

However, if you are experiencing a faulty steering wheel that causes swerving or complete loss of control, windshield wiper assemblies that fail to operate properly, seats that do not operate properly unexpectedly, air bags that deploy without any impact, or anything similar, you should contact the NHTSA immediately.

If you have been in an accident and you feel like a safety related defect was the cause, contact an attorney immediately who can investigate the status of the vehicle and assess where the fault lies.  If you are having difficulty getting your repairs made after a vehicle repair, an attorney can also assist you in making sure your issue is attended to in the lawful and appropriate manner and time.

The Importance of Vehicle Recalls is a post from: Solnick & Levin