Blog: Firm News
- Too Drowsy to Drive
Jan 31, 2018
Nearly everyone is aware of the dangers associated with driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Yet few people know that driving while drowsy can be just as dangerous. Many drivers cannot tell when they are too tired to drive, or do not realize just how much drowsy driving affects their judgment and response time. Without enough sleep, the body will eventually give in. When that happens behind the wheel, the results can be...Read More - Protecting Workers in Cold Weather
Jan 24, 2018
Winter weather comes with an added danger to workers who spend time outdoors. Even temperatures above freezing can expose workers to the risk of hypothermia, frostbite, and in extreme cases, death. Employers have a responsibility to provide their employees with a safe work environment that is free from unnecessary or known risks, including cold temperatures. The Allegheny County Workers’ Compensation lawyers at AlpernSchubert P.C. remind employers that proper safety training and equipment can save lives...Read More - Study Highlights the Dangers of Distracted Driving
Jan 15, 2018
Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Age Lab and Touchstone Evaluations, a human factors engineering firm from Michigan, have released a study in which they are attempting to describe human “attentional awareness” with a mathematical algorithm. Ultimately, they hope that with this kind of knowledge, cars of the future will be better designed to help drivers keep their attention on the road. The study used data collected from a 2012 government sponsored project in...Read More - Liability Laws in Alcohol-Related Car Accidents
Dec 20, 2017
Operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol is a recipe for disaster. Alcohol lowers a person’s inhibitions, affects their ability to react quickly to certain situations, and impairs good judgment. While it is common knowledge that drunk driving is a bad idea under any circumstances, what may come as a surprise is the fact that the liability for injuries may not always fall on the drunk driver alone. In the state of...Read More - Robots and Workplace Safety
Dec 14, 2017
Robots are already at work in many industries doing packaging, assembly, material handling, and quality testing tasks. A new alliance partnership between the Robotics Industry Association (RIA), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) ensures that worker safety will continue to advance as installation of robotic systems becomes more commonplace. There are two different kinds of robots being used in the workplace: professional service robots and...Read More - Holidays May Lead to More Truck Accidents
Dec 5, 2017
For decades, Black Friday has been known as the biggest shopping day of the calendar year. However, Cyber Monday is overtaking Black Friday as people choose the convenience of shopping online at home. There are no crowds to battle and the deals are just as good or better. Free shipping is also a big incentive, and that means more packages being delivered. The holiday delivery rush means more trucks out on the road trying to...Read More - Pennsylvania Supreme Court Ruling on Bad Faith Claims
Nov 27, 2017
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has ruled on a case concerning a bad faith insurance claim, unanimously upholding the decision of the state Superior Court in favor of the plaintiff. At issue was whether a policyholder must demonstrate ill will on the part of an insurer as well as lack of a reasonable basis in denying a claim. While malice can be used as a factor to determine whether an insurer acted in bad faith, the...Read More - CarMax Open Safety Recalls
Nov 22, 2017
A recent study by safety advocates found that more than 25 percent of vehicles sold at CarMax had unrepaired safety recalls. The study used about 1,700 cars listed for sale at eight different CarMax locations in three states. Some cars contained recalled Takata airbags, which have been linked to fatal malfunctions in accidents. The study was conducted by Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety Foundation, the Center for Auto Safety, and the MASSPIRG Education Fund. It...Read More - Thanksgiving Travel Safety Tips
Nov 16, 2017
Thanksgiving is one of the most popular American holidays with millions of people driving to meet their friends and family to celebrate. Unfortunately, this also means heavy traffic on all roads throughout our communities and more car accidents, some of which result in serious or fatal injuries to passengers. By preparing for your trip and planning ahead, you can avoid common travel mishaps. Each year, the AAA is called to rescue hundreds of thousands of...Read More - Self-Driving Vehicles Bill
Nov 10, 2017
Self-driving automobiles may seem like a futuristic fantasy, but they are already here. In fact, there is currently a U.S. Senate bill to address self-driving vehicles. The bill – The American Vision for Safer Transportation through Advancement of Revolutionary Technologies Act – was recently amended. Lobbyists from companies that are developing self-driving technology wanted to limit federal restrictions on road-testing self-driving vehicles. Consumer and safety advocacy groups were able to reduce the number of vehicles...Read More