Pennsylvania Injury Attorneys Blog

U.S. Department of Transportation Orders Trucking Company Off the Road

Published on: February 15, 2014 | O'Connor Law

According to a press release from the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has ordered a Tennessee truck driver and his trucking company to cease operations, following an accident in Pennsylvania in November of 2013.

In November, the truck driver was travelling along Interstate 81 in Franklin County when veered onto the shoulder of the road, hitting a car and 2 pedestrians. He then hit a dump truck and his tractor-trailer overturned. The truck driver fled the scene and was later apprehended. He was charged with driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, failure to stop at an accident involving death or personal injury, as well as other charges.

In 2009, the driver was convicted of driving under the influence in Utah, where he also attempted to flee the scene.

Graco Recalls Over 3 Million Car Seats

Published on: February 13, 2014 | O'Connor Law

On Tuesday, Graco voluntarily recalled 3.7 million car seats due to a buckling issue.

According to an article on WNEP.com, the red release button that is found at the center of the harness may become difficult to unlatch, or may get stuck. This can make it difficult to remove a child from the car seat quickly in the event of an emergency. In the article, Graco is quoted as saying “that food and dried liquids can make some harness buckles progressively more difficult to open over time or become stuck in the latched position.”

Models affected include harness buckles on toddler car seats and harnessed booster seats produced from 2009 to July 2013.

Despite the Lingering Cold, Drivers Are Advised to Clean Snow and Ice from Their Cars

Published on: February 9, 2014 | O'Connor Law

With temperatures here in Pennsylvania refusing to move above the teens and 20’s, it’s easy for drivers to want to hop into their cars once they are warmed up and simply take off. But according to PA law, all drivers must clear any remaining snow and ice from their vehicles before taking to the road, or else face penalties.

According to an article on the RepublicanHerald.com, if snow or ice dislodges from your vehicle and strikes a pedestrian or another vehicle, causing death or serious bodily injury, you could face fines of $200 to $1,000 for each offense. Also, police can issue citations of $25 for each offense plus costs if you don’t clear your vehicles of snow or ice.

Troopers encourage motorists to clean all windows so you can see out of them clearly, rather than clearing off just a portion of a window.

PennDOT Shuts Downs Part of Scranton Expressway Due to Subsidence

Published on: February 5, 2014 | O'Connor Law

This morning, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) shut both directions of the Scranton Expressway down to one lane after a subsidence was discovered.

According to WNEP.com, the subsidence was found when a plow truck hit it this morning. The hole is in the passing lane of the North Scranton Expressway . It is about 4 feet wide and goes down several feet, according to the article.

Officials are calling the hole a subsidence although they have not confirmed if it was caused by a mine. The hole has been filled in before but the fill has washed away. A subsidence was discovered in the same area of the expressway in 2007.

Toyota Stops Selling Some Models Due to Issue with Heated Seats

Published on: February 4, 2014 | O'Connor Law

It’s not an official recall, but Toyota has announced that it’s stopped selling nearly 36,000 cars at Toyota dealerships after finding that some heated seats were not flame resistant.

According to an article on CNN.com, some of the material used on seats with seat warming devices didn’t meet regulatory standards for flammability. Toyota has stopped the same of certain models of Camrys and Corollas with seat warmers. Avalon, Sienna, Tacoma, and Tundra are models that are also affected.

Because this is not a motor vehicle safety issue, Toyota is hoping to avoid an official recall. The National Traffic Highway Safety Administration is considering the issue.

$2.1 Million Awarded to Widow of Man Killed in Tractor-Trailer Accident in Lebanon County

Published on: January 27, 2014 | O'Connor Law

Earlier this month, a bench trial that took place in a federal court in Harrisburg awarded over $2.1 million to the widow of a man who was killed in a tractor-trailer accident in Lebanon County.

According to an article on PennRecord.com, the accident took place on Interstate 78 in November of 2009. The driver of a Freightliner semi-tractor had been idling on the side of the road and began to pull back onto the interstate at a slow rate of speed. Two men who were travelling in a pickup truck in the right lane collided with the slow moving commercial truck. The pickup truck caught fire and the driver and passenger died from fire and asphyxiation. The widow of the driver who was killed sued the driver of the commercial truck for negligence and wrongful death.

According to the article, the plaintiff argued that the driver of the commercial truck was not familiar with the route he was driving, was unfamiliar with the truck’s radio equipment, and had not received on-the-job training. In addition, it was argued that the commercial truck driver only had his commercial driving license for about a month before the accident, and that he had failed both the written test and on-the-road driving test twice.

FDA Issues Warning about Acetaminophen in Combination Drugs

Published on: January 26, 2014 | O'Connor Law

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning this month to health care professionals asking them to discontinue prescribing prescription combinations drugs that contain more than 325 milligrams of acetaminophen as more than that amount can cause liver damage.

According to an article on CNN.com, acetaminophen is often used in prescription medications such as oxycodone (also known as Percocet), hydrocodone (also known as Vicodin), and codeine (such as Tylenol with Codeine). But consumers may not be aware that these prescription products, considered combination drugs, can contain acetaminophen. A patient who may need more relief from pain could take an additional dose of over-the-counter (OTC) acetaminophen. The FDA explained, “Many consumers are often unaware that many products (both prescription and OTC) contain acetaminophen, making it easy to accidentally take too much.”

The FDA asked manufacturers to limit the amount of acetaminophen in prescription combination drugs to 325 mg per capsule or tablet by January 2014. According to the article, more than half agreed, but some combination drugs with higher amounts remain on the market. As a result, the FDA will begin the process of withdrawing approval of prescription combination drugs from manufacturers that have not complied.

Truck Driver Admits to Sleeping at the Wheel before Accident

Published on: January 24, 2014 | O'Connor Law

Last week we blogged about a fatal accident at the toll plaza on Interstate 78 in Williams Township where a driver was killed, the toll both was damaged, and the highway was shut down for nearly 6 hours. An update on LehighValleyLive.com is now reporting that the driver of the tractor trailer that started the accident has admitted to nodding off while driving, according to court papers.

The accident happened on Jan. 13 when the truck slammed into the barrier at the toll plaza, and came down on a car and driver that was paying his toll. The truck and car caught fire and the driver of the car later died from his injuries.

According to the article, the truck driver was trying to fight fatigue while driving by rolling down his window and turning up the volume on the radio. There are reports from witnesses that saw the truck swerving before it hit the car.

Winter Driving Awareness Week

Published on: January 21, 2014 | O'Connor Law

Last week, PennDOT highlighted safe winter driving skills with its week-long Winter Driving Awareness Week.

According to a press release, PennDOT Secretary Barry J. Schoch said, “During Winter Driving Awareness Week, I’m asking all motorists to do their part to help increase safety for all drivers this winter season.”

Vehicles should be checked to make sure they are properly equipped and mechanically ready for any winter driving challenges. Check all fluid levels, lights, and wiper blades. Tires should be checked for adequate tire-tread depth and for the correct level of air pressure.

Fatal Accident in Williams Township When Tractor Trailer Hits Car at Tollbooth

Published on: January 18, 2014 | O'Connor Law

A New Jersey man was killed earlier this week when his car was rear-ended by a tractor trailer as he was stopped to pay a toll at westbound interstate 78 in Northampton County.

According to an article on NBCPhiladelphia.com, the rig slammed into the back of the man’s car, and both the car and truck were carried through the tollbooth. The wreckage crossed several lanes before coming to a stop at an embankment and bursting into flames. The driver of the rig was able to get out of the truck. But the driver of the car was trapped inside the wreckage.

The crash shut down the highway for several hours on Monday.