Category: News

Each year as school ends for the summer, we hear tragic stories of teen lives cut short by car crashes. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens according to the CDC. In fact, they were the leading cause of death for every age 16 through 24 in 2014. Two startling facts from the NHTSA Teen Crash Statistics 2014 are: 1,727 drivers ages 15 to 20 died in motor vehicle crashes and 170,000 young drivers were injured in motor vehicle crashes.

100 Deadliest Days for Car Crashes Teen Drivers

According to a study by the AAA Foundation, over the past five years, more than 5,000 people have died in car crashes involving teen drivers during the 100 day summer driving period between Memorial Day and Labor Day. This is a period of time when more teens are on the road. The study found that distracted driving is a major cause of teen car crashes, accounting for nearly 60 percent of the teen crashes. Top causes of driving distractions for teens include interacting with one or more passengers, talking, texting or operating a cell phone, and looking at something inside of the vehicle. Nearly 50 percent of those teens surveyed by AAA admitted to reading a text message or emailing while driving. A study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute reported that texting while driving increases a risk of crash by 23 times.


Six Teen Car Crash Prevention Tipscar crash

The car accident attorneys at Distasio & Kowalski in Wilkes-Barre, Pa encourage you to talk to your teen about safe driving habits and high-risk behaviors. Be a good role model for your teen and you may be able to help prevent a tragic accident.

  1. Limit the amount of passengers in your teen’s vehicle. The more passengers, the higher the risk for a car crash.
  2. Stay free from distractions. Set rules for your teen regarding distractions while driving – including no cell phone or electronic device use. Encourage them to pull over into a safe spot if they need to make a call or text someone.
  3. Tell your teen the importance of following all of the rules of the road. This includes all posted speed limit signs, safe passing, keeping a safe distance behind the vehicle in front, etc.
  4. Be sure your teen understands the importance of seat belt use for both a driver and all passengers. Seat belts can help save lives.
  5. Limit night driving. Be sure to practice nighttime driving with your teen, it’s sometimes tricky even for experienced drivers.
  6. Prohibit all alcohol and drug use. Also be sure your teen knows never to get into a vehicle as a passenger with a driver who is under the influence. Let them know if they need a ride, they can call you.

The car crash attorneys at Distasio, Kowalski & Yelen have represented the victims of motor vehicle accidents throughout the state of Pennsylvania. Because we’ve seen the horrific results of teen crashes, we want to be sure that all teens understand the danger of distracted driving, in addition to other risky driving behaviors. We are highly experienced in all types of auto accident cases. If you need a car accident lawyer, call Distasio, Kowalski & Yelen in Wilkes-Barre today for a free consultation. Call 570-970-5400.

Super LawyersPersonal Injury Attorneys Daniel J. Distasio and Michael J. Kowalski have been named 2016 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers. They are partners in the law firm of Distasio & Kowalski, LLC, which is located in Wilkes-Barre. The personal injury firm specializes in Auto and Truck Accidents, Medical Malpractice, Product Liability, Personal Injury and Wrongful Death cases.

            Each year, no more than 5 percent of the lawyers in the state receive this honor bestowed by Super Lawyers magazine. This is the eighth consecutive year that Daniel Distasio and Michael Kowalski were named Super Lawyers. Super Lawyers is a rating of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Each year, the research team at Super Lawyers undertakes a rigorous multi-phased selection process. The process includes a statewide survey of layers, independent evaluation of candidates by the attorney-led research staff, a peer review of candidates by practice area, and a good-standing disciplinary check.

            Attorneys Distasio and Kowalski bring over 50 years of legal expertise to the clients they serve. Both earned their Juris Doctorate from the Dickinson School of Law. The knowledgeable personal injury attorneys at Distasio & Kowalski have a history of successfully representing the victims of car and truck accidents, as well as medical malpractice cases. The firm also handles serious workplace and construction accidents and wrongful death cases.

Contact the Super Lawyers at Distasio & Kowalski

            Dan Distasio and Mike Kowalski will work aggressively on your behalf to insure your legal rights are protected. For more information on Distasio & Kowalski LLC, please call 570-970-5400.

Tragedy struck in Michigan earlier this week when five bikers were killed in a fatal bike truck crash. The five bikers were killed and four others seriously injured when a pickup truck ran into the riding group. Each year, over two percent of motor vehicle crash deaths in the U.S. are bicyclists, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The NHTSA reported 726 bicyclist motor vehicle crash deaths in 2014.

In Pennsylvania in 2014, there were 19 bicycle crash deaths, up from 11 in the previous year, and nearly 1,300 injuries. 95% of the deaths occurred on state highways, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. This is the time of year when bicyclists are most active in northeast Pennsylvania and seen often on roadways throughout the state. All motor vehicle drivers should be cautious around, and on the lookout for bikers when driving, especially on higher speed limit roads. One of the most frequent causes of serious injury to a bicyclist is getting hit by a car, and one of the most common causes of a car bike collision or a bike truck crash is a motor vehicle driver who does not yield.bike

A collision with a vehicle, such as a bike truck crash, is one of the greatest dangers faced by a cyclist. A passenger vehicle weighs a few thousand pounds and a truck even more, while a bike only weighs about 20 pounds. This leaves bikers very unprotected and in risk of serious injury when involved in a collision with a vehicle.

Ten Traffic Safety Tips for Bikers

  1. Always wear a helmet
  2. Wear bright or reflective clothing and always stay visible. If drivers can see you, they are less likely to hit you.
  3. Always ride in the same direction as traffic
  4. Stay alert and pay attention to the road and traffic around you. Slow down and stay alert when passing driveways, alleys and other crossing roadways. Do not get distracted.
  5. Follow the law and all traffic signs and signals.
  6. Use proper hand signals to alert drivers as to what you are doing.
  7. Be predictable to vehicles around you. Do not weave in and out of traffic.
  8. Be sure your bike is in proper working order.
  9. Be sure to look both ways before crossing any street, and never assume a vehicle is going to stop for you.
  10. Be sure to have a headlight and adequate reflective materials when riding at night.

If you’ve been seriously injured in a bicycle traffic accident, contact the injury lawyers at Distasio & Kowalski in Wilkes-Barre today at 570-970-5400 for a free consultation. Your safety is our top priority.