Knafo Law Offices

Distracted drivers Are a Risk to All

klolaw — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:47:00 +0000

Distracted driving creates a serious safety risk to motorists and pedestrians of all ages, and particularly to relatively inexperienced drivers. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, there were 14,294 crashes statewide involving drivers who were distracted or were using a hand-held cell phone in 2010. Approximately 37 percent of those crashes involved a driver who was 16 to 25 years old. In order to avoid an accident in Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton or throughout the state, young adults and all drivers should refrain from using a cell phone, texting or other use of a handheld device while driving.

Knafo Law Offices 4201 Tilghman St. Allentown, PA 18104 (610) 432-2221

New Teenager Driving Laws

klolaw — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 02:36:33 +0000

Pennsylvania has passed a new junior driving law that brings important changes to the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code. The junior driver law, which was signed by Gov. Tom Corbett in October, 2011, increases the number of hours teenagers must practice driving, limits the number of friends they can transport and requires that they wear seat belts.

A study conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that giving teens more practice behind the wheel and reducing the number of passengers in a vehicle were some of the best ways to prevent teen crashes in the Lehigh Valley and around the state.

Lacey’s Law, named after a Philadelphia teenager, Lacey Gallagher, who was killed in a crash on the night of her senior prom in 2007, became effective on December 24, 2011. The new law hopes to prevent what happened to Lacey when she was a passenger in a vehicle with six other teens, all of whom were injured. No one was wearing seat belts in that auto accident.

The changes to the law were initiated to help junior drivers receive more comprehensive training, ease young driver distractions through limiting the number of passengers they may carry and improve general highway safety through improvements to passenger restarint laws.

Teenager drivers will need 65 hours of behind-the-wheel training, including 10 hours at night and five hours in inclement weather, before they can get their junior license. The old law required that teens have 50 hours behind the wheel and there were no requirements for driving at night or in bad weather.

While current law limits junior drivers to transporting no more passengers than the number of seat belts in the vehicle, the new law increases restrictions on the number and age of passengers a junior license holder may transport. For the first six months after receiving their junior driver’s license, a driver is not permitted to have more than one passenger under age 18 who is not an immediate family member (brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister of the junior driver and adopted or foster children living in the samew household as the junior driver) in their vehicle unless they are accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. After the expiration of the first six months, if they have not been convicted of a driving violation or been partially or totally responsible for a reportable crash, they may have up to three passengers under age 18 who are not immediate family members without a parent or legal guardian.

We are hopeful that the new law will reduce the number of Allentown PA car accidents, Bethlehem PA car accidents, Easton PA car accidents and Pennsylvania car accidents involving teenage drivers.

Knafo Law Offices 4201 Tilghman St. Allentown, PA 18104 (610) 432-2221

What to do if you have been involved in an Allentown PA Car Accident

klolaw — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 18:51:16 +0000

If you have been involved in an Allentown, PA auto accident, Allentown PA motorcycle accident, or Allentown PA truck accident, there are certain steps that you can follow to protect your rights. Here are ten suggestions:

1. Report the Accident to the Allentown Police Department.

Immediately contact the Allentown Police to come to the scene to investigate the accident. No matter how small the accident, you should have the Allentown police come to record a report of the Allentown accident.

2. Obtain Insurance Information.

Make sure to exchange insurance information with the other parties to the Allentown PA accident.

3. Get Witness Help.

Obtain the names, addresses and phone numbers of any witnesses to the Allentown PA accident.

4. Take photos.

Have someone take photos of the scene of the accident, both vehicles and of any visible injuries.

5. Report the Allentown PA accident to your insurance company.

Contact your insurance company to report the Allentown PA accident.

6. Seek Medical Attention.

If you are hurt, seek medical attention. Explain your injuries in full to your health care professional.

7. Sharing Information.

Do not discuss the accident with anyone other than the investigating officer, your doctor or your own insurance company representative. Before giving any statement, you should seek the advice of a Allentown PA injury lawyer.

8. Alcohol Involved?

If you suspect the responsible party may be under the influence of alcohol, report it to the Allentown police investigating the accident.

9. Take Notes about your Allentown PA accident.

Make notes of any statements made by the responsible party after the accident.

10. DON’T SIGN ANYTHING!
DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING UNTIL YOU HAVE CONSULTED WITH AN ALLENTOWN PA ACCIDENT AND INJURY LAWYER WHO HAS EXPERIENCE HANDLING ALLENTOWN ACCIDENT CASES.

If you need to speak with an Allentown PA car accident lawyer, Allentown PA truck accident lawyer, Allentown PA motorcycle accident lawyer, feel free to call Knafo Law Offices at (610) 432-2221. The call is free and the advice can help you protect your legal rights.

Knafo Law Offices
4201 Tilghman St.
Allentown, PA 18104
(610) 432-2221

Dog Bites Increase

klolaw — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 21:08:53 +0000

New data published by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality suggests that dog bites are on the rise. The number of people admitted to emergency rooms has increased by 86 percent over a 15 year period. Approximately 5,100 dog bites were recorded in 1993. That number increased to 9,500 in 2008.

According to 2008 data, an average of 866 people go to the emergency room daily of which 26 are admitted to the hospital for more serious dog bites. The age groups most likely to be seriously attacked by dogs are the elderly and young children.

Approximately 58 percent of those injured required some surgical procedure to treat the wounds. The average cost for a dog-bite hospitalization is $18,200.

If you have been injured as a result of a Allentown, PA dog bite or dog attack, Bethlehem, PA dog bite or Easton, PA dog bite, you should learn your legal rights. Contact an Allentown PA dog bite lawyer, Bethlehem PA dog bite lawyer and Easton, PA dog bite lawyer at Knafo Law Offices at (610) 432-2221 for a free consulation.

DePuy ASR Hip Recall

klolaw — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 05:24:10 +0000

DePuy ASR Hip Claims

Hip Replacement Hardware

On August 26, 2010, DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc., a division of Johnson and Johnson, recalled two devices used for hip replacements since 2005. The Depuy Hip Recall Lawyers at Knafo Law Offices are available to answer any questions patients may have about their rights. An estimated 93,000 devices have been recalled. The DePuy ASR hip replacements subject to the Depuy Hip recall are:

1. ASR XL Acetabular System and the
2. ASR Hip Resurfacing System.

These DePuy ASR hips have been implanted since 2005 in the United States and since 2001 internationally. Depuy ASR recall patients may require surgery to remove and replace the defective hip implant. DePuy Orthopaedics estimates that approximately 10,000 replacement surgeries may be needed. The reason for the recall is due to high levels of metal ions being released from the Depuy ASR hip. The release of metal ionscan result in damaged tissue, pseudotumours, and osteolysis. This could happen shortly after the DePuy ASR hip replacement is implanted or complications may occur years later. The DePuy devices were removed from the Australian market in December 2009. On May 25, 2010 a Medical Device Alert was issued in the UK for the DePuy Hip. Depuy ASR hip replacement patients may be eligible for compensation due to the injuries they have suffered as a result of being implanted with the defective DePuy ASR hip replacement. Past and future pain, suffering, medical bills, lost earnings, and disfigurement are among the damages that the patients may be entitled to recover.

Too Many Car and Truck Accidents with death and serious injuries on Interstate 78 (I-78) in Pennsylvania

klolaw — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 04:13:18 +0000

Interstate 78 (I-78)

Interstate 78 is an east-west highway stretching from Lebanon County, Pennsylvania to New York City. It covers about 77 miles in Pennsylvania and has been the site of some of the most horrific car accidents and truck accidents in the Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton, Pennsylvania region. The roadway represents a major thoroughfare for traffic heading into New Jersey and New York from Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton and Harrisburg. Over 4 million trucks travel the roadway each year with trucks representing approximately a quarter of the traffic on the road.

Accident History on Route 78 in the Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton PA area:

February 14, 2007: Interstate 78 (I-78) was closed from Pennsylvania State Route 100 in Fogelsville to the US Route 22 split in Lebanon County because of a winter storm that brought the road to a standstill. Two tractor trailers were unable to proceed on the roadway due to the road conditions resulting in motorists having to remain in their vehicles for up to 20 hours in blistery cold conditions. Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell issued an apology to the hundreds of stranded drivers calling the road conditions “unacceptable”.

January, 2008: The North Jersey Transportation Authority performed an I-78 Corridor Transit Study in January, 2008 to address the problems with I-78. That report concluded that “congestion on I-78 and US Route 22 is extensive and frequent, and affects a lengthy stretch of the corridor, typically from milepost 13 in Union Township, Hunterdon County, to milepost 30 in Bedminster, Somerset County.” The report further concluded that “congestion is expected to worsen over the coming years without intervention, resulting in more severe over-capacity conditions as well as longer peak periods… The quality of life in the Corridor will be adversely affected in general.” The study concluded that other means of transportation, such as expanding the passenger rail system, express bus lines, park and ride systems, and car pools would help to relieve the congestion problem on I-78. See New Jersey Transportation Authority Handout.

June 22, 2009: A driver was killed in an apparent road rage incident on I-78 east in Allentown, PA when his vehicle flipped while chasing after another motorist.

July 1, 2009: Traffic remains backed up after an accident involving a tractor trailer and a sedan shut down two eastbound lanes on Interstate 78 police said. State police at the Perryville barracks said the morning accident occurred at mile marker 28.3 about a mile west of Interstate 287 and forced ..

Sep 8, 2009: The right lane of I-78 West was closed west of Exit 29 due to a dump truck accident which left debris on the road.

July 19, 2010: A two car accident occurred on I-78 with one motorist left unconscious and four trapped occupants.

September 2, 2010: A Bethlehem motorcyclist was killed when his motorcycle was struck by a tractor trailer on Interstate 78 near Route 412.

September 4, 2010: A fiery truck accident involving two tractor trailers resulted in a fatality in Lower Saucon Township just west of the Hellertown exit.

October 25, 2010: A man speeding on Interstate 78 in Berks County early Tuesday was killed when his car smashed into the rear of a tractor-trailer, which then dragged the car for nearly a quarter-mile. The crash closed the right lane of I-78 east from 2:30 to 6 a.m. between Exit 19 for Strausstown (Route 183) and Exit 17 for Rehrersburg (Route 419). The accident happened between mile markers 18.4 and 18.6 in Tulpehocken Township.

The conclusions submitted by the North Jersey Transportation Authority confirm that Interstate 78 is a congested roadway and that the conditions on the roadway are expected to get worse. The numerous high speed accidents that have resulted in serious injuries and death confirms the need for all motorists to exercise extreme caution while driving on Interstate 78 (I-78).

Some suggestions to avoid an accident on Interstate 78:

1. Reduce speed during inclement weather conditions.
2. Always be aware of driver’s behind you.
3. Be on the lookout for traffic stoppage ahead.
4. Be on the lookout for construction zones on the highway.
5. Stay in the right lane allowing speeders to pass.
6. Remain alert at all times.
7. Be aware of trucks and tractor trailers traveling too closely behind you.
8. Try to avoid traveling on I-78 during snow storms and adverse weather conditions.
9. Maintain a sufficient distance between your vehicle and those traveling ahead of you.
10. Travel within the posted speed limit.

If you have been the victim of an Easton, PA accident on Route 78, an Allentown, PA accident on Route 78 or a Bethlehem, PA accident on Route 78 you should call an Allentown PA accident injury lawyer, Bethlehem PA accident injury lawyer or Easton PA accident injury lawyer. Knafo Law Offices limits its cases to accident and personal injury matters. We can be contacted at (610) 432-2221.

Knafo Law Offices Announces New Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton PA Accident and Injury Blog

klolaw — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 20:03:21 +0000

Knafo Law Offices is excited to announce the creation of a blog to serve the Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton, PA (The Lehigh Valley) area with information regarding personal injury law and accident law. Some of the areas we would like to address in our blogs will include Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton, Pennsylvania car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, road conditions, traffic laws, drinking and driving laws (DUI) and violations, and other accident related cases that come about in the Lehigh, Northampton, Berks, Monroe and Bucks counties. Our hope is that through blogging we can draw attention to safety concerns in our Lehigh Valley community to make it a safer place to live. Feel free to write to us to discuss any accident or injury case facts and/or laws.