Tag: crash

The horrific fatal crash of yet another modified stretch limousine this past weekend has us again talking about the lack of safety regulations for these vehicles. 20 were killed in the New York limousine crash, making it the deadliest transportation accident in the U.S. in nearly a decade. According to news reports, a Ford Excursion limousine went through a stop sign and hit a parked vehicle before crashing into a ditch. Two pedestrians and all 18 people in the limo died. Among those killed in the limousine accident were four sisters. Others included couples just starting their lives together and friends who came together to celebrate a 30th birthday. This limousine crash is an unspeakable tragedy that may have been prevented.

The dangers of modified stretch limousines

Why did not one passenger survive the limousine crash? It’s a question that investigators hope to answer. The concerning lack of safety regulations for these vehicles will certainly come into play. Modified stretch limousines are largely untested and unregulated. They often don’t have the strict safety measures that factory-built vehicles are required to have. This includes things such as side-impact airbags, reinforced rollover protection bars and accessible emergency exits. When limousines are first built, they must meet these strict safety regulations. After a vehicle leaves the factory, the oversight stops. When vehicles, such as this Ford Excursion are stretched and converted into a limo, the safety features are sometimes weakened or removed completely. This can result in serious danger in the event of a crash.

Although some automakers do produce stretch limos that are safer than many we see on the roads, there are many more out there that have been converted and are simply not safe. Some limos have been radically altered after factory and have not been properly safety tested. To modify a vehicle into a stretch limo, an ordinary car or SUV is cut apart and then lengthened with metal plates to create a much longer body. This often weakens the structural integrity of the vehicle. The modification may weaken the frame and reduce its ability to withstand the impact of a crash. Because of the way the seats are configured, most limo passengers are without the protection of seat belts and side airbags. Exits may have been blocked or removed during modification. This makes it extremely difficult to get out of the vehicle quickly and safely in the event of a crash. In addition, these long vehicles are extremely difficult for drivers to maneuver. Modifications may have created blind spots that prevent the driver from seeing properly. Limo drivers should also be properly screened, licensed and trained to drive this particular type and length vehicle. As seen in the New York tragedy, not all drivers are properly licensed.

More regulations needed for modified stretch limousines

Tragically, although they carry large groups of people, there is far less regulation and oversight of these modified vehicles than newly manufactured vehicles. Modified limos are often not engineered properly from the beginning and they often receive no testing and no quality control. Without adequate testing, dangerous structural deficiencies can be missed. Additionally, modified stretch limousines are exempt from federal seatbelt laws, because of their banquette seating. The lack of seat belts can prove deadly in the event of a limousine crash.

Many people who choose to hire a stretch limo are doing so because they are celebrating and want to be sure to be transported safely. They are doing what they believe is the responsible thing to do when celebrating, having a designated driver. Modified limos are carrying wedding parties, birthday celebrants and young prom-goers. They have no idea they may be putting themselves in harms way in a potentially dangerous vehicle. Without the protection of seat belts, airbags and other safety measures, even the slightest accident can cause serious injuries. Strong federal regulations must be put in place for modified stretch limousines to keep passengers safe. They need to be held to higher safety standards, so horrific tragedies like this don’t happen again.

The lack of regulations is concerning, so what can you do to protect yourself and your loved ones?

  • Do your research before hiring a limousine company.
  • Be sure the company is registered with the state and that all drivers are properly licensed. Ask if the limo has been modified or if it is a factory-built stretch limo, which is required to meet strict safety regulations.
  • Call the Better Business Bureau to check on the company and to check for any complaints or red flags.
  • Finally, the limo that crashed this past weekend had recently failed an inspection and the driver lacked the proper license for driving that vehicle. If you have a bad feeling about a company you’reD dealing with or the situation just doesn’t feel safe, don’t take any chances; look for another means of transportation.

Distasio & Kowalski is a Wilkes-Barre personal injury firm that specializes in representing the victims of auto accidents. Our clients are our top priority. Our hearts go out to the families of the victims of this fatal limousine crash.

 

 

May is Motorcycle Safety Month and PennDOT is encouraging riders to register for a free motorcycle safety course through the Pennsylvania Motorcycle Safety Program. There are programs for new motorcycle riders, as well as returning and experienced riders. Spring can be one of the best times for motorcyclists, but sadly it can also be one of the most dangerous. As a personal injury firm, the attorneys at Distasio, Kowalski & Yelen have seen the damages of motorcycle crashes firsthand. We’ve just come off a cold snowy winter in NEPA and the weather has finally warmed up. Motorcycle riders can’t wait to get out on the open road and feel the wind in their face. It’s important to keep safety top of mind when riding. Motorcyclists are much more likely than passenger car occupants to die or become injured in a serious crash. The NHTSA reported that in 2016, we saw the largest number of motorcyclist fatalities since 2008. The number took a 5.1 percent jump to 5,286 fatalities.

PA motorcycle helmet laws

Motorcyclists who ride without helmets run a significantly greater risk of death or permanent injury. The U.S. General Accounting Office found that helmeted riders have a 73% lower fatality rate than unhelmeted riders and an 85% reduced incidence of severe and critical injuries. Motorcycle helmet laws vary from state to state. Currently only 18 states and the District of Columbia have universal helmet laws. PA Law requires that any person who operates or rides a motorcycle (including an autocycle) must wear protective headgear unless he or she is over 21 years of age and has either two years of riding experience or has completed a motorcycle safety course approved by PennDOT or the Motorcycle Safety foundation.

Ten dangers to watch for when riding a motorcycle

  1. Potholes – We live in northeast Pennsylvania, so we all know the dangers of potholes. Ever experience that horrible bump when you’re
    motorbike accident

    driving down a Wilkes-Barre road and your vehicle hits what seems like a large crater? Imagine if you’re riding a motorcycle what that impact can feel like and the real danger it can pose. Potholes seem to be everywhere right now, on city streets, in rural areas and on our highways, including I80, I81 and the PA turnpike.

  2. Gravel & Road Debris – Small rocks, leftover leaves, branches and twigs and any other road debris can cause a serious motorcycle accident. Debris on the road is something you definitely need to be on the lookout for. Even the smallest amount of gravel can cause a cycle to skid and crash when traveling at a high rate of speed.
  3. Unsafe Lane Changes – When the driver of a passenger vehicle or a motorcycle fail to check carefully before changing lanes, especially their blind spot, it can lead to a dangerous motorcycle collision. This is another common cause of crashes.
  4. Car Doors Opening – The opening of car doors into the path of an oncoming motorcyclist is a leading cause of motorcycle accidents in cities. As the driver of a passenger vehicle, you need to be extremely careful when opening your car door on a busy street. A motorcyclist also needs to be on the lookout for opening doors.
  5. Sudden Stops – Tailgating can result in a rear end motorcycle collision that can result in serious injury to a motorcyclist.
  6. Distracted Drivers – Distraction on the part of other drivers can pose a danger to a motorcyclist who lacks the protection of a car and is very vulnerable in the event of an accident. Consult with a motorcycle accident lawyer at Distasio, Kowalski & Yelen if you’ve been injured by a distracted driver.
  7. Motorcycle Defects – Just like vehicles that we see recalled every day, motorcycles can be defective as well. They can have a dangerous design or a defect in manufacturing that may lead to a crash.
  8. Impaired Driving – Alcohol use plays a huge factor in motorcycle accidents. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, 25% of motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes in 2016 were alcohol impaired. That’s higher than the drivers of any other vehicles involved in fatal accidents.
  9. Dangerous Driving – This can include speeding weaving in and out of traffic, making unsafe turns, lane splitting and driving too closely to the vehicle in front of you. Lane splitting occurs when a motorcycle drives between two lanes of stopped or slow moving traffic. It’s a common cause of collisions and a dangerous practice for motorcyclists. Oftentimes motorcycle accidents are caused by another vehicle turning left in front of the motorcycle. The driver of the other vehicle may be distracted or just misjudged the speed of the motorcycle. All drivers need to pay attention on to their surroundings.
  10. Lack of Proper Riding Gear – Most noteworthy, statistics show that motorcycle helmets do save lives. Many riders opt not to wear them, and it can mean very dangerous injuries in the event of a motorcycle crash. In addition to a helmet, motorcyclists should also wear protective face and eyewear, boots, gloves and a jacket.

Motorcycle accidents in Pennsylvania

A motorcycle accident in Pennsylvania can cause very serious and possibly fatal injuries. Traumatic brain injuries are not uncommon in motorcycle collisions, especially when a helmet is not worn. Other serious injuries can include head, neck and spinal cord injuries, paralysis, fractures, loss of limb, internal injuries and serious road rash. Be sure to always wear safety gear when riding, be visible to other motorists, be sure you are well trained on your bike and be on the alert for roadway dangers. In addition to the training courses available through the PA Motorcycle Training Program, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation also offers courses for riders and provides important motorcycle safety information and training.

If you have been in a motorcycle accident as a result of the negligence of another party, the motorcycle injury lawyers at Distasio, Kowalski & Yelen in Wilkes-Barre can help. Call 570-970-5400 or contact us online.

Freezing temperatures have brought snow, sleet and icy road conditions to Pennsylvania and other areas of the country. This has caused many winter weather related crashes. Just this month, a crash involving more than 75 vehicles occurred on the Interstate 90 at the Pennsylvania Ohio border. On that same road, a 13-vehicle pileup occurred. Snowy driving conditions were said to have played a part in the crashes, according to CBS News. Another pileup involving 40 vehicles occurred in Michigan last week as well. This past weekend, a multi vehicle wreck also closed part of Interstate I 80 near Luzerne County.

Many motorists are killed and injured in winter weather related crashes every year. With the snowy weather just starting, hazardous road conditions and crashes will be all too common in months ahead.

Five winter driving safety trips

  1. Slow down. Adjust your driving speed according to conditions. Give yourself extra time to get to your destination.
  2. Increase the distance between you and the car in front of you. It takes longer to stop in snowy conditions.
  3. Brake and accelerate slower than normal to avoid sliding.
  4. Winterize your vehicle. Have tires, brakes, heater/defroster, wipers, battery and other items checked on your vehicle before driving this winter.
  5. Keep on the lookout for slippery spots and black ice on the road.

Winter storms will continue to cause unsafe driving conditions in the northeast and throughout Pennsylvania. It is imperative that drivers prepare and stay alert. Snowy conditions can result in winter weather related crashes from minor fender benders to fatal multi-vehicle collisions. Be aware of the possibility of black ice when driving, especially when driving on bridges, on and off ramps, and at intersections. Be particularly carefully when driving near snowplows and tractor-trailers. Visibility may be low and trucks have blind spots.

The car accident lawyers at Distasio, Kowalski & Yelen encourage drivers to keep a winter emergency kit in their vehicles at all times when driving. The kit should include items such as jumper cables, a flashlight, blankets, flares and water.

Winter accident statistics

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, 445,303 people were injured and 5,897 people killed in weather vehicle related crashes in a 10-year period from 2005-2014. Following safety precautions and being alert when driving in winter conditions can help reduce your chance of a car accident. Winter crash studies have found that a high percent of winter season crashes involve driving too fast for conditions. This can definitely be a factor when looking at cases of multi-vehicle pileup crashes.

If you have been injured in winter car accident or truck accident, call the car accident lawyers at Distasio Kowaslski in Wilkes-Barre today. Call 570-970-5400 if you need an attorney who is experienced in vehicle accidents to fight for your rights.

 

truck-accidentsTwo safety regulators, the NHTSA and the FMCSA, have proposed a joint rule to help reduce large truck crashes. The rule would require large trucks and buses to be equipped with speed limiting devices. The proposal would affect all newly manufactured trucks, school buses and multipurpose vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of 26,000 pounds or more. Each vehicle would be required to have its device set to a specified speed.

Safety administrations feel that this truck speed limiting safety measures could affect force of impact in the event of a crash and could save lives. The proposal addresses the benefits of setting maximum speeds of 60, 65 and 68 miles per hour. According to the Wall Street Journal, the government agencies said that capping the speeds on new large vehicles would reduce the 1,115 fatal crashes involving large trucks that occur each year. The speed limiting devices could also save $1 billion in fuel costs.

Studies in the proposal examined the relationship between travel speed and crash severity. It was concluded that the severity of a crash increases with increased travel speed. Furthermore, research found that the effect of this kinetic energy in a crash is particularly relevant for combination trucks, such as tractor-trailers, due to their large mass. Higher speeds also affect the brake time of trucks,  significantly increasing the distance it takes to come to a stop.

Researchers studied truck crashes that occurred between 2004 and 2013 where speed likely contributed to the severity of the crash. During that time period, safety administrations estimated that truck crashes resulted in 10,440 speed-related fatalities.

Large Truck Crash Statistics

The NHTSA Truck Safety Facts 2014 Data released earlier this year found that in 2014, there were 3,903 people killed in crashes involving large trucks. An estimated 111,000 people were injured in large truck crashes. This was an increase of 17 percent over the previous year. 73 percent of those people killed in large truck crashes were the occupants of other vehicles. With these facts, any measure that safety administrators can implement and enforce to reduce truck accidents and protect lives should be taken.

As truck and car accident lawyers who see the devastation and traumatic injuries caused by large truck accidents, we feel it’s important that this be addressed. Read the entire proposed trucking rule.

If you or a loved one have been injured in a truck accident, call the truck accident attorneys at Distasio Kowaslski in Wilkes-Barre today at 570-970-5400. You need an attorney who is experienced at litigating truck accident cases and fighting for the injured.

 

 

Starting this week, Pennsylvania motorists must be aware of a new PA child safety seat law. Drivers must be sure that rear facing car seats are used for all children under the age of two. The measure officially becomes a new PA law on Friday, August 12. Parents are cautioned to follow the manufacturers height and weight requirements on their seats. Sometimes children will still be within the ranges, even if they are 2 or older.

Rear facing seats are said to lower the risk of death or serious injury in the event of a crash. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), child safety seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71% in infants and by 54% for toddlers. On average, three children were killed and 470 children injured every day in traffic crashes in 2013.

Pennsylvania is the fourth state to enact a rear-facing child safety seat law for young children. Similar laws have been passed in New Jersey, California and Oklahoma. Under the existing law, all children under 4 years of age must be restrained in an approved child passenger restraint system, and children between 4 and 8 years of age must be restrained in a booster seat. The new law requires children under age 2 to ride rear facing. The new regulations are based on 2011 recommendation by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Using an approved child safety seat correctly and according to the law is the best protection you can give your child. Be sure to use the correct type of car seat for your child’s age, height and weight. Child safety seats do save lives.

At Distasio & Kowalski, safety is our top concern.

Please take note of this new PA child safety seat law. If you or your child have been seriously injured in a car or truck accident, contact the injury lawyers at Distasio & Kowalski in Wilkes-Barre today at 570-970-5400 for a free consultation.