Like many others, you may believe that in order for authorities to allege that a crash resulted from impairment, the driver deemed responsible must have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or above since that is the legal limit. However, that may not always be the case. Police take the totality of the situation into account when making a determination of fault.
How the body processes alcohol
Research shows that the liver can only metabolize, or process, one standard alcoholic drink each hour. It doesn’t matter how much you consume — that remains constant. The factors below affect how quickly you may feel the effects of alcohol as you consume it:
For most people, the effects peak between 30 and 45 minutes after consumption. Obviously, the more alcohol consumed within a certain time frame, the more prevalent the effects will be on you. No matter how much you drink, your BAC will only drop approximately 0.015% per hour, which is why it takes so much longer to “sober up” than it does to become impaired.
How your body reacts at 0.02% to 0.03% BAC
Your body will easily and quickly reach this BAC level with just one or two drinks. By this time, you may feel relaxed, more outgoing, and a little lightheaded or euphoric. You may still feel as though you have control of your faculties, but your decision-making may suffer.
How your body reacts at 0.04% to 0.06% BAC
By the time your BAC reaches this level, you will most likely experience the following changes:
As you can see, by this time, you become a danger to yourself and others if you drive, yet the law does not yet consider you legally intoxicated. However, you are certainly impaired, and the situation only gets worse as your BAC rises.
How this affects an alcohol-related crash
If you have the misfortune of encountering a driver with any alcohol in his or her system, the chances are good that it will play a factor in the accident. This fact could provide evidence of negligence or recklessness as you pursue the compensation you deserve for the damages you incurred as a result, such as your medical expenses, the time you took off from work during your recovery and more.
This blog entry was posted on behalf of Hof & Reid, LLC, and does not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the firm or its attorneys. The information presented in this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be legal advice.
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Motorcycle helmet laws in Pennsylvania can be tricky to understand. Current law states that a helmet must be worn unless a rider is at least 21 years old and one of two subsequent conditions applies. A driver 21 or older can decide not to use a helmet if he or she has at least two years of riding experience or has completed a PennDot-approved safety course. This law also applies to passengers.
The state offers motorcycle safety courses for free to Pennsylvania residents or those on active duty military. To take advantage of this offer, a rider must show a valid drivers license and a motorcycle permit. These courses offer information that can be life-saving even for an experienced rider.
Anyone that suffers serious injury in a Pennsylvania motorcycle accident could face a long road to recovery after a crash. Matters like permanent physical injury, medical bills and/or damage to a motorcycle or other personal property can be difficult to handle. Motorcycle accidents that are caused by the negligence of another can be particularly frustrating. In many circumstances, legal action can be taken against the party or parties deemed responsible for a victim’s pain, suffering and related monetary losses.
]]>On the morning the accident occurred, snow was falling on the Pennsylvania highway. Authorities say that the speed limit is usually 70 mph, but signs along the highway advised drivers to travel at a lower speed. Though it remains unclear exactly how fast the bus was traveling when the driver lost control and veered off the road, it has been confirmed that the driver and at least two passengers died in the crash.
Almost every passenger on board suffered serious injury. The bus was meant to carry 57 passengers, but it is now obvious the number of passengers exceeded this number. Authorities are now investigating the company that chartered the bus to find out if there is sufficient evidence of negligent operation.
A person injured in a Pennsylvania bus accident may feel overwhelmed and helpless. A victim may struggle to deal with the sudden onslaught of medical bills, loss of wages due to inability to work, lasting pain and suffering, emotional trauma and loss or damage to personal property that may have been on the bus. A victim that is considering a lawsuit against the party or parties believed responsible can consult an attorney regarding the options for legal recourse.
]]>The Pennsylvania State Police recently reported a serious truck accident on Interstate 90. Press releases to date have not provided many clues as to the details of the crash, but several facts are known. A small passenger car was involved with a big tractor-trailer, and the driver of the car was trapped inside the damaged vehicle.
First responders had to remove the trapped victim, who was unable to escape the wreckage on his own. There is no word yet about the severity of injuries either driver may have suffered. It has yet to be determined which driver was at fault for the crash, but can be expected that the passenger vehicle was damaged far worse than the much larger truck.
A person that unfortunately becomes the victim of a truck accident in Pennsylvania may be curious about what legal action can be taken. If a victim is seriously injured, he or she may have a difficult time covering hospital bills, medications, damages to personal property such as a car and other expenses. If the evidence suggests that a truck driver was at fault for a crash, a victim may have grounds to file a civil lawsuit. A victim interested in doing so may want to consider contacting an attorney to help with the legal necessities, so that he or she can take time to heal and deal with the aftermath of a serious crash.
]]>You trust in the experience of a professional truck driver, but what if that is an overloaded vehicle? A big rig carrying too much cargo is a danger to motorists on Pennsylvania roads.
Overloading an 18-wheeler
The practice of overloading large commercial trucks continues despite the necessity for trucks to adhere to various state and federal laws. The reason is simple: Increased cargo translates to increased profits. However, the practice is unsafe and poses a danger not only to the driver, but also to other motorists traveling in the big rig’s vicinity.
Looking at the immediate problems
Overloading accelerates wear and tear on the truck’s components. For example, overloaded axles can cause tires to run hotter and wear out faster. The heavy, often off-balance cargo affects vehicle performance. The truck will travel faster than normal when going down an incline and will require a greater stopping distance. The driver will find the truck hard to control and may not be able to avoid a rollover or a disastrous collision.
Covering medical costs
Cases developing from truck-car collisions are complex and require a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash. If you are the injured victim of such a collision, you have a right to expect full and fair compensation to cover your medical expenses, lost wages and more. Fault for your injuries may extend to multiple parties, such as the driver, the company that owns the truck and even the company or individual responsible for loading the vehicle.
This blog entry was posted on behalf of Hof & Reid, LLC, and does not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the firm or its attorneys. The information presented in this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be legal advice.
]]>Recently, a motorist made a serious mistake that resulted in a multi-vehicle crash. According to Pennsylvania law enforcement, the driver entered Route 30 in Lancaster County by using an exit ramp. The SUV driver hit at least two vehicles before coming to a stop, causing a chain reaction crash.
When the dust settled, almost a dozen vehicles were entangled in the wreckage. Multiple serious injuries to the occupants of several vehicles were reported, and victims were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. There were heavy traffic delays as rescue crews and investigators worked on the scene for several hours. There is no word on whether the driver of the SUV was injured.
When SUV accidents cause serious injury to innocent victims, legal recourse may be appropriate. Victims may be facing significant medical bills, damage to vehicles and other personal property, pain and suffering, and possibly the inability to work. Victims in these circumstances typically choose to consult an experienced attorney. An attorney can help navigate court proceedings, working toward recovery of all documented monetary damages.
]]>Recently, a Pennsylvania man was charged with serious crimes stemming from an accident that police say he caused. The man, who is now 22, was under 21 at the time of the crash. According to court findings, the man was driving under the influence of alcohol and driving unsafely when he wrecked, killing his friend in the passenger seat.
On the criminal side, the driver pleaded guilty to driving under the influence as a minor and vehicular homicide. He was given a sentence that included jail time and years of probation. The sentence reflects the fact that he was doing almost 100 mph in a 45 mph zone before he lost control of th vehicle and killed his friend.
In a case like this, the victim’s family might also consider filing a civil suit on behalf of the deceased victim. Upon appropriate proof of driver negligence, a court may award a monetary judgment to the estate of the deceased. Any financial award may help a family pay for things like funeral expenses and medical bills that resulted from a fatal auto accident, among other documented damages. Obviously no amount of money can replace the life of a loved one, but it is a measure that can help a family move forward after such a devastating loss.
]]>The man states that he was relaxing in his home after a long shift at work. Before he knew what had happened, his home was all but destroyed. A vehicle had torn through his yard, uprooted some of his plants, ruined the pipe that carried heat to the pellet stove he relied on to warm his house, and damaged his home.
A pickup truck had crashed into his house, and when police arrived, it was determined that the driver at fault was also a member of law enforcement. The man says he is now having trouble getting details about the investigation, like if the driver was given a field sobriety test or if there was excess speed or any other contributing factor suspected. Law enforcement assures him that an investigation is underway, but for now, the victim says he is mostly in the dark.
In a car accident situation like this, a victim is left with expensive damages to personal property, emotional trauma and complicated insurance matters. Even if it turns out that criminal law is not applicable, the victim may still have a case in civil court. Pennsylvania victims in a similar scenario might do well to contact an experienced attorney. An attorney can help a victim decide what course of action may be best to hold the at-fault driver accountable for the damages he caused and collect any damages or compensation that may be awarded as part of a favorable judgement to a plaintiff.
]]>Some roadways usually have heavier traffic than others. Police say more traffic can equate to less room between vehicles, which decreases the amount of time drivers have to brake, change lanes or otherwise maneuver to avoid a collision. There may also be more large trucks on certain highways. These large vehicles need more time to stop, and this fact is supported by several crashes already this year, including a pileup that had at least 15 of these trucks involved.
Weather can also play a role in increased car accidents. Especially in the winter, inclement weather can strike suddenly. Drivers may not realize there is ice on the road surface, and snow, sleet and fog can cause decreased visibility. Wind can blow snow onto the road surface and even push against vehicles, causing them to swerve unexpectedly.
When a person becomes the victim of a car accident in Pennsylvania, he or she may want to learn about what legal recourse may be available against the driver deemed to be at fault for the crash. Taking legal action does not have to be painstaking, and a knowledgeable attorney can help a victim bring a case to civil court. A victim may be able to recoup financial losses that resulted from a crash and ensure that justice is served against the responsible party.
]]>Police responded to a head-on collision on January 7, 2019. A woman crossed over into oncoming traffic, striking a vehicle with three people inside. As these people were taken to the hospital for treatment of injuries suffered, investigators soon realized this crash was not really an accident at all.
The woman explained to investigators, and later a judge, that she had been driving around waiting for God to give her a sign. Apparently, she decided to test her faith by intentionally driving into oncoming traffic. She believed that God would allow her to emerge unscathed from the daredevil maneuver. The judge became concerned that the woman was such a danger to herself and others that she should be denied bail. She remains incarcerated and is facing charges including, but not limited to, aggravated assault and harassment.
The victims in this case were innocent of any wrongdoing and must now contend with physical injuries, medical bills, insurance matters and other headaches that follow a serious car accident. An experienced Pennsylvania attorney could help bring a case against the admittedly at-fault driver in civil court. If the victims take such action, they may be able to collect a monetary judgement that could help ease the financial burdens caused by the woman’s irrational choice.
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