Pittsburgh Personal Injury Blog

Ensuring safety of motorcyclists on shared roadways

On behalf of Ainsman Levine, LLC on Monday, August 13, 2018.

Motor vehicle accidents involving motorcycles can cause some of the most catastrophic injuries due to the extra vulnerability of two-wheeled drivers and passengers. To ensure motorcyclists in Pennsylvania stay safe on the roads, consider taking the extra initiative to be more mindful of these vehicles while you’re driving.

Taking the extra time and care to accommodate motorcyclists can save lives and make the roads that much safer for drivers and passengers using any vehicles. Here are a few safety tips to consider when sharing a roadway with motorcyclists.

What should you do after a concussion?

On behalf of Ainsman Levine, LLC posted in brain injuries on Thursday, August 9, 2018.

If you have any reason to believe that you suffered a concussion, such as after a motor vehicle accident or slip and fall, you should immediately seek medical attention. Assuming that you can recover on your own is a mistake, especially since you don't know the extent of your injury.

The primary treatment for a concussion is rest. However, your doctor may have a variety of additional suggestions for you.

Car accidents and catastrophic injuries

On behalf of Ainsman Levine, LLC on Thursday, August 9, 2018.

Catastrophic injuries are just that, injuries that are devastating to the affected individual. Most catastrophic injuries occur after a serious car or truck accident and have a lasting effect on the injured. If a driver hit you or a loved one and caused a catastrophic injury, the driver should take responsibility for their actions. You may be entitled to compensation.

Tips for caregivers of individuals with spinal cord injuries

On behalf of Ainsman Levine, LLC on Tuesday, August 7, 2018.

If your loved one recently got into an accident that resulted in a spinal cord injury (SCI), you may find yourself in the new and daunting role of a caregiver. Because this is a brand-new situation for both you and your loved one, there will likely be a steep learning curve. Take it slow and remember that while caregiving can be frustrating, patience is key.

New guidelines dictate opioid prescriptions for injured workers

On behalf of Ainsman Levine, LLC on Wednesday, July 25, 2018.

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf just rolled out new guidelines for how opioids will be prescribed to employees injured on the job. The guidelines are meant to ensure workers receive safe, quality healthcare, while reducing the risk of addiction.

The state ranks third in country with the number of workers that become addicted to opioids. ABC27 News states that in Pennsylvania, there were 17,000 workers’ compensation claims filed in 2017.

Top tips for driving through standing water

On behalf of Ainsman Levine, LLC posted in motor vehicle accidents on Monday, July 23, 2018.

As a resident of Pittsburgh, you know that the local roadways tend to flood when heavy rains move through the area.

If you're stuck in your car when this happens, there are two basic things you need to do:

Adjust your driving style to match the weather
Watch for drivers who are not following safe practices

Are you following these key rush hour safety tips?

On behalf of Ainsman Levine, LLC posted in motor vehicle accidents on Thursday, July 12, 2018.

Although Pittsburgh may not have the worst traffic in the country, if you live in the Steel City, you know that it can take quite a bit of time to reach your destination during rush hour.

You need to take extreme caution when navigating rush hour traffic, as any mistake can increase the likelihood of an accident. Here are some rush hour safety tips to keep in mind:

Give yourself more time: Rather than leave your home on time, head out a few minutes early. This will take a lot of stress off of you when sitting in traffic.
Consider an alternate route: Don't sit in traffic, day after day, assuming that things will get better. Take a different route with the idea of saving time.
Choose a lane and stay with it: There is no point in jumping back and forth from lane to lane, as it's not going to get you to your destination sooner. All it will do is increase the risk of an accident.
Follow with caution: Leave more space between vehicles, as this gives you additional time to stop. Even if traffic is crawling, one to two car lengths is a good amount of space.

Are geckos the key to spinal cord regeneration?

On behalf of Ainsman Levine, LLC posted in catastrophic injuries on Friday, June 29, 2018.

Consider the gecko. These small lizards, have an ingenious way of escaping their predators — they break off their tails. But that's not even the coolest thing these reptiles do, as they possess the ability to regenerate their severed appendages in only a month's time.

As researchers at Canada's University of Guelph learned, gecko tails and spinal cords have special stem cells that produce the proteins needed to regenerate the missing portions of the geckos spinal cords.

Fighting sun glare behind the wheel

On behalf of Ainsman Levine, LLC on Friday, June 29, 2018.

As much as we enjoy a clear and sunny day in the summer, it also creates another hazard for drivers to deal with. Whether you see the reflection in the skyscrapers or it is beaming down right in front of you, having the sun in your eye can be both uncomfortable and dangerous.

Thankfully, there are many ways you can handle this problem to prevent car accidents from happening.

Safe cycling with the right helmet

On behalf of Ainsman Levine, LLC on Tuesday, June 26, 2018.

If you are a cyclist, you know how dangerous it can be on the roads. Nearly every one of us has had a close encounter with serious injury from a motorist. Sadly, far too many cars don’t pay enough attention to cyclists and give us enough room to ride safely. This is especially critical for children, whom often rely on their bikes as the primary way to get around in the summer.

That’s why a helmet is so critical for all cyclists. But which ones really protect? Which do the job? A new study can answer some of these questions with real-life tests done by and for cyclists. The results can help you and your family to stay safe this summer and enjoy your ride with confidence.