Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyer - vehicle accidents

Yahama Rhino Among Off-Road Vehicles Investigated By CPSC

Jamie Sheller — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:32:09 GMT

The Yamaha Rhino is a popular off-road vehicle. It has reportedly been involved in many accidents, including approximately 30 deaths, including two young girls in October. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is investigating utility terrain vehicles (UTV's), including the Rhino, because of safety concerns revealed by the accidents involving the Rhino. However, the Yamaha Motor Corp., USA insists that "If you operate it carefully and use some common sense and good judgment, it's a really great product."

Due to certain design differences, UTV's are not subject to the same safety standards of either all-terrain vehicles (ATV's) or cars. In fact, UTV owners do not even have to register the vehicles, and until 2008, doors were not standard equipment on the Rhino. There currently are no regulatory standards governing UTV's, as this type of vehicle is considered and "emerging hazard area." According to Yamaha, some of the Rhino parts, such as seat belts, are in voluntary compliance with federal vehicle standards. The CPSC investigation will help determine whether UTV regulations are needed, and if so, what those regulations will look like. Some critics of the Rhino argue that certain design features of the Rhino increase the risk of tipping over, which has led to a number of accidents and injuries.

If you or someone you know has been injured in an accident involving an ATV or UTV, such as the Yamaha Rhino, contact Sheller, P.C. The lawyers at Sheller have many years of experience successfully representing people injured in vehicle accidents, including injuries caused by vehicle rollovers and design defects.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie Sheller

Texting and driving don't mix

Jamie Sheller — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 09:41:08 GMT

It seems so obvious, that texting and driving don't mix. But so many people are still not convinced that their life, as well as the lives of others are at risk each and every time they drive while distracted. Recently, more studies and articles have been written that demonstrate people are using their high tech gadgets while driving. Some drivers even admit to texting with both hands while moving through traffic. A.J. Larson, a 20 year old man, was killed when his vehicle rolled through a stop sign into the path of a truck. Investigations later revealed that he was texting just a minute before the accident and received a text at the very moment of the accident.

"Drivers who are talking on a cell phone -- hand-held or hands-free -- are as impaired as drivers who have a 0.08 blood-alcohol level, one University of Utah research study found."
"Even though you might be looking at what's in front of you, you're actually not seeing what's out there because you're focused on your cell phone conversation," said John Ulczycki, executive director of transportation safety for the National Safety Council.

Now some people are seeking tougher cell phone laws, that would ban a driver from texting while operating his vehicle. Although there may be support for these measures, it may take some time before any new law comes to pass. For now, people should use common sense and wait until they can safely send and view messages before texting in an automobile.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an automobile accident, contact Sheller, PC to discuss your legal rights. We have a team of experienced trial lawyers who can assist you with all aspects of your case.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie Sheller

New study finds teens and tweens at highest risk for Death in Car Accidents

Jamie Sheller — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 11:15:20 GMT

State Farm and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia recently released a study finding children between the ages of 12 to 16 are more likely to die in a car accident. A number of factors influence this result including young driver inexperience behind the wheel, riding on a high speed road, and not wearing a seat belt. In addition, young drivers often carry more teens in their cars, contributing to the higher number of deaths in car accidents. The researchers believe that auto accident deaths can be reduced by educating teens about the importance of wearing seat belts. If teens develop this habit at an early age, they may reduce the risk of fatal injury in motor vehicle accidents. For more information

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie Sheller

Driving Distracted

Jamie Sheller — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 15:36:46 GMT

Now more than ever, drivers have numerous gadgets to occupy their thoughts while driving. Most cars have GPS systems, DVD players, and MP3 hookups. To top it off, most drivers use PDA or cell phones while handling their car. Given the increase in portable technology, drivers need to be more cautious when driving. However, if you are injured in a car accident, it is important for your lawyer to determine if the other driver may have been distracted while operating his vehicle. Was the other driver making a phone call or sending a text message just seconds before the accident occurred? Some wireless providers place there own recommendations for appropriate wireless usage on their websites. See AT&T's "Be Sensible" campaign and Verizon Wireless. While driving safely should be each drivers main focus, sadly, too often it isn't.

If you or your family has been injured in an automobile accident, contact Sheller, PC. We have experienced trial lawyers who are eager to assist you with your legal rights.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie Sheller

Keep your teenage driver safe this year

Jamie Sheller — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 16:06:02 GMT

Tired of making resolutions that never seem to get accomplished before the end of the year? Finally, there is a resolution you can keep -- teach your teenage driver the fundamental tools to drive safely this year. Of course you already told you teenager not to drink and drive. You probably already told your teenage driver to slow down. But at the top of the list needs to be don't drive distracted. Distracted driving can prove to be deadly. Due to the increased popularity of electronic devices such as ipods, cell phones, and dvd players, keeping your eye on the road has become more difficult. With all these devices, its no wonder that the risk of having an accident increases. One way to cut down on these hazards is to establish family rules on driving. Make clear rules and consequences for disregarding them. This simple step may save your teenagers life.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Car and Motorcycle Accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie Sheller

Crash Memorials: Comforting or Depressing?

Jamie Sheller — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 10:23:26 GMT

Memorials for loved one who suffered an untimely loss are now commonplace throughout highways, and city streets. While some may find comfort in these markers of a life remembered, others may find it morbid and depressing. What are some of options for balancing these competing interests. Should lawmakers place restrictions on the memorials such as the length of the display, what can be displayed, and who should maintain the site? Should the interests of the grieving families be placed above the interests of the citizens who have to view the sometimes disintegrating and unkempt memorials on a daily basis? These are some of the questions that face lawmakers. A recent article in the Philadelphia article highlighted community concerns about roadside memorials. To view this article click here.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Car and Motorcycle Accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie Sheller

Don't Lose Your Right to Sue if You are in An Auto Accident!

Jamie Sheller — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 11:24:47 GMT

In Pennsylvania, you and your family need full insurance protection. What an insurance company may call "full coverage" is not always full protection. Only full tort and uninsured/underinsured motorist equals full protection. Full Tort gives you the unlimited right to sue for pain and suffering. Limited tort can restrict this right. You must insist on uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance. This protects you even if you are in an accident with a driver who isn't insured or is poorly insured. If you don't have full insurance protection:

1) you can't collect when uninsured drivers hit you;
2) you lose the right to collect for certain personal injuries;
3) you and your family are at risk in your car; and
4) you and your family are at risk in someone else's car.

If you have been injured in an automobile accident recently and would like to speak with an attorney about your rights, please contact Sheller, P.C. We have an experienced team of trial attorneys that focus on the representation of plaintiffs injured in accidents.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Car and Motorcycle Accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie Sheller

Pennsylvania Promotes Safe Teen Driving

Jamie Sheller — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 14:14:59 GMT

October 15-20, 2007 is National Teen Driver Safety Week. Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and State Farm Insurance Company intend to use this week to increase dialogues in communities across the United States to help prevent teen deaths from automobile accidents. Parents should get involved and encourage their teens to drive safely by reminding teens to avoid distraction such as, cell phones and talking with other teen passengers while driving. For more information about National Teen Driver Safety Week

If you or someone you know has been injured in an automobile accident in Pennsylvania or New Jersey, please contact Sheller, P.C.

Sheller, P.C. is a law firm dedicated to the protection of individual rights. Our sole focus is on helping individuals and families. We have an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus exclusively on the representation of plaintiffs injured in automobile accidents.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Car and Motorcycle Accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie Sheller

Car Accidents and Injuries to Children

Jamie Sheller — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 09:53:39 GMT

Children involved in car accidents should be carefully checked for injuries, particularly those related to seat belts. Such injuries could be easy to miss in children and doctors must be especially vigilant in examining a child involved in a car accident. A review of 10 years of medical literature showed an increased risk of "seat belt syndrome" in children who were inappropriately belted during a car accident. This study was done by Dr. Harsh Grewal, of the Temple University School of Medicine and Hospital in Philadelphia, along with colleagues. "Seat belt syndrome" involves injuries to the spine and abdomen. It is recommended that any child or adolescent involved in a car accident should be evaluated for vertebral, spinal cord and intra-abdominal injuries.

For more information on this subject matter, please refer to our section on Car and Motorcycle Accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie Sheller

Pennsylvania First Lady Involved In Car Accident

Jamie Sheller — Sun, 22 Jul 2007 18:47:54 GMT

Marjorie O. Rendell, the first lady of Pennsylvania was involved in a car accident in Center City Philadelphia. A car ran a red light and struck the Chevrolet Suburban in which the first lady was being driven by a state trooper. The accident was not as serious as it could have been, since the state trooper was able to minimize the impact by swerving the vehicle, after noticing the oncoming car. The Pennsylvania first lady, who is also a federal judge on the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, was not hurt during the car accident. She was wearing a seatbelt. The use of seatbelts is important in preventing or minimizing injury during a car accident. Though the driver and passenger of the car which struck Judge Rendell declined medical treatment at the scene of the accident, they were later treated for minor injuries at a local hospital. Someone involved in an accident should be medically checked even if there is no immediately apparent injury. No citation has been issued to the driver of the car which struck Judge Rendell, but there is an ongoing investigation.

For more information on this subject, please refer to our section on Car and Motorcycle Accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie Sheller