"Ride on Red" Law Goes Into Effect in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's 'Ride on Red' law is now in effect. The bill was passed earlier this year and modified an existing law that allowed motorcyclists to go through an intersection even if they faced a red light if they had been waiting at the light for several minutes. Typically, the underground sensors wouldn't pick up motorcycles because they're too light.  The old law also affected broken traffic lights. Motorists could be allowed to treat lights which were actually malfunctioning as stop signs.

"What this recent provision did was to add some specific language to that provision that says if this happens in cases where there's a kind of loop sensor under the pavement or other technology, that it's not working properly," said PennDot Communications Director Rich Kirkpatrick.

Now, traffic lights don't actually have to be malfunctioning in order for a driver to go through an intersection, even if the driver is facing a red light. If a driver has been waiting two or so minutes and the light has yet to change, a driver can pass through. With caution, of course.

I can see where this type of law, although seems logical and good, could cause some problems in motorcycle accident cases and other motor vehicle and truck accident cases.  I can see drivers going through red lights without looking properly and causing collisions.  We will see if this change in the law will increase intersection accidents.

If you've been injured in a motorcycle accident or an accident involving an intersection or a malfunctioning red light, please feel free to call the lawyers at Hoffman, Sternberg & Karpf, LLC. at (215) 953-8955.

Truck Crash Fatalities Down, But Serious Injuries Way Up

A recent report from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) demonstrated that fatal truck accidents are down about 6 percent, but serious injuries caused by truck accidents are up by 21 percent.  That is a significant rise in the amount of serious injuries.

The reasons for the decrease in truck related deaths and increase in truck related serious injuries are many:

· Technology is making truck accidents more survivable than in the past. Sensors and intelligent brake systems are preventing accidents that would have definitely occurred in years past.

· Truck drivers are on the road fewer hours per week, with the onset of the 34-hour restart requirement.

· Injuries may be on the rise because the economy is on the mend, putting more trucks on the road more hours of the day.

· The economy may also play a role in the fewer fatalities statistics. Trucks going 30 mph because of sluggish traffic are less likely to kill people.

Crash statistics are complex, with so many factors feeding into results - weather, highway funding, changes in record-keeping.  Regardless, the results of truck crashes can be devastating for families.  If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a truck crash or automobile accident, please call the lawyers at Hoffman, Sternberg & Karpf, LLC. at (215) 953-8955.

Work Related Auto Accident Cases

When you are involved in a work-related car and truck crash, you have the potential to pursue both a workers' compensation claim as well as a "third party" claim against the at fault driver.  The third party claim would be a negligence claim.  What is the difference between the two?

A workers’ compensation claim is against your employer and its workers' compensation insurance company is merely for lost wages and medical bills. That's all you're entitled to get from your employer.  However, a third party claim is against a negligent party and is intended recover lost wages and medical bills, but also future lost wages, if any, and most importantly, pain and suffering and any other damages. Because the law does not allow you to sue your employer for negligence, workers compensation is your only remedy against your employer.  But if you were injured at work due to someone else's negligence, like a work-related car or truck crash, then you need to pursue a third party claim as soon as possible.

You also want to hire lawyer that can handle both types of claims and can coordinate their efforts in both cases.  Because some aspects of your case are important to workers' comp but not to the third party, and vice versa.  You wouldn't want separate lawyers working on both cases and not knowing what the other is doing.

If you have a work-related car or truck crash, please feel free to contact the lawyers at Hoffman, Sternberg & Karpf, LLC. at (215) 953-8955.