The Role of Black Box Data in Car Accident Claims

The “black box,” or Event Data Recorder (EDR), is a device that captures a wealth of information about a vehicle’s status. This technology, akin to the black boxes in airplanes, has become a standard feature in most modern cars.

Uncovering the Story with Black Box Data

Data from EDRs can prove invaluable in auto accident cases. They record numerous data points, including vehicle speed, steering angle, brake usage, and airbag deployment, among others. This data, effectively uncovering the story of the crash, can provide crucial evidence when determining fault.

Challenges in Accessing and Interpreting EDR Data

While EDR data can be pivotal, accessing and interpreting this data requires specialized skills and equipment. Additionally, there is a limited window of opportunity to retrieve this data before it’s overwritten. As such, it’s vital to involve a lawyer promptly after an accident.

EDR Data in Legal Claims: Establishing Fault

Establishing fault is often the most contested issue in a car accident case. EDR data can provide factual, unbiased evidence to support your claim, offering clarity in disputed situations.

Shenderovich, Shenderovich, & Fishman, PC: Leveraging EDR Data for Your Benefit

At Shenderovich, Shenderovich, & Fishman, PC, we understand the value of black box data and have the expertise to utilize it effectively in car accident cases. Our team is committed to advocating for car accident victims in Pittsburgh. Reach out to us today for your free consultation by calling us at 412-391-7610, or message us online here, for comprehensive legal support and representation.

Why You Need a Car Accident Lawyer for Rideshare Accidents in Pittsburgh

In today’s digital age, rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have become a dominant force in urban transportation, Pittsburgh included. However, this convenience comes with a unique set of challenges when accidents occur.

The Distinct Legal Landscape of Rideshare Accidents

Traditional auto accident cases typically involve two parties – the victim and the at-fault driver. In rideshare accidents, a third player enters the scene – the rideshare company. Determining liability can become complex due to the nature of the driver’s employment status and the timing of the accident. Understanding this landscape is crucial when seeking compensation.

Rideshare Insurance Policies: A Complex Web

When a rideshare driver is involved in an accident, the applicable insurance coverage depends on the driver’s status at the time of the incident. The insurance policy of the rideshare company only kicks in under certain conditions, and when it doesn’t, victims may have to deal with the driver’s personal insurance, which may not provide adequate coverage.

The Value of Experienced Legal Representation

Given this complex scenario, victims need an advocate who understands the nuances of rideshare accident claims. A skilled lawyer can sift through the details, deal with insurance companies, and fight for fair compensation.

Shenderovich, Shenderovich, & Fishman, PC: Your Trusted Advocate

At Shenderovich, Shenderovich, & Fishman, PC, we have a comprehensive understanding of rideshare accident law and have successfully represented numerous victims. We are committed to pursuing the best possible outcome for our clients. Contact us today for your free consultation by calling us at 412-391-7610, or message us online here to secure your rights and get the compensation you deserve.

How a Personal Injury Attorney May Determine Fault in a Product Liability Case

Product liability cases can be complex and challenging, particularly when it comes to determining fault. In a product liability case, a plaintiff alleges that they were injured as a result of a defective product, and they seek to hold the manufacturer, designer, or seller/marketer of the product liable for their injuries.

If you’ve been harmed using a dangerous product because someone else was negligent, you may have grounds to seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other such losses/damages resulting from your accident. You could pursue said compensation by filing a claim with the insurance of the negligent party responsible for your injuries.

However, you must first accurately identify the liable party and gather evidence indicating their negligence caused you to be harmed. Because this can be a complex task, it’s wise to enlist the help of a Pennsylvania personal injury attorney.

Product Liability Law Basics

There are three main types of defects that can lead to a product liability claim in Pennsylvania:

Determining Fault in a Product Liability Case

When determining fault in a product liability case, a personal injury attorney will typically take the following steps:

Conduct an investigation: The attorney will investigate the product, the circumstances of the injury, and any other relevant factors. This may include reviewing product manuals and warnings, interviewing witnesses, and consulting with experts in the field.
Determine the type of defect: The attorney will determine whether the defect was a design defect, a manufacturing defect, or a marketing defect. This is key to determining who may be at fault.
Identify the responsible party: The attorney will determine which party is responsible for the defect. This may include the manufacturer, the distributor, or the seller of the product.
Prove causation: The attorney will need to prove that the defect in the product was the direct cause of the plaintiff’s injury.
Prove damages: The attorney will need to prove the extent of the plaintiff’s damages, including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Expert Witnesses in Product Liability Cases

Expert witnesses can play a crucial role in determining fault in a product liability case. An expert witness is someone who has specialized knowledge or experience in a particular field, and they can provide testimony to help explain complex issues to a jury. In a product liability case, an expert witness might be a product engineer, a safety expert, or a medical expert. Expert witnesses can help to establish causation and prove damages, which are critical elements in a product liability case.

Contact a Pennsylvania Product Liability Attorney

Product liability cases can be complex and challenging, particularly when it comes to determining fault. A personal injury attorney will typically conduct a thorough investigation, determine the type of defect, identify the responsible party, prove causation, and strive to prove damages in an effort to help a client secure the compensation for which they may be eligible.

Have you been injured as a result of using a dangerous product in Pennsylvania? If so, our team of Pittsburgh product liability attorneys at Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman is on hand to offer the representation you deserve. Learn more about how we can help by contacting us online.

Factors Influencing the Severity of Dog Bite Injuries

Dog attacks can be a frightening experience, and the severity of the resulting injuries depend on several different factors. According to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 4.5 million dog-bite related injuries occur each year, with 800,000 requiring medical assistance. Knowing how these factors influence the severity of one’s injuries can help people prepare and protect themselves before they suffer an attack.

What Factors Play a Role in Dog Bite Injury Severity?

The first factor that influences bite severity is breed type. Larger dogs with powerful bodies are more capable of inflicting severe damage than smaller breeds due to their size and strength. However, even small breeds like Chihuahuas can inflict serious injury if provoked or scared enough to act aggressively towards someone. It’s important to remember that any dog, regardless of size or breed, has the potential to be dangerous.

The second factor that influences bite severity is the strength of a dog’s jaw muscles and teeth. Dogs with strong jaws and sharp teeth can cause serious injury as they are designed for tearing and gripping. A forceful bite can cause deep lacerations, broken bones, nerve damage, and even disfigurement in some cases.

The third factor influencing bite severity is the size of the dog’s body part that bites. For example, if a person is bitten on their arm by a small dog, it may not cause as much damage as if the same person were bitten by a large dog on the same area. Additionally, depending on the size of the dog’s body parts, the victim may suffer more injuries if the bite is on a more fragile area (i.e. their throat or face).

The fourth factor influencing bite severity is whether the attack was provoked or unprovoked. Unprovoked attacks are typically considered much more severe than provoked ones because they indicate that no warning signs were given by either party before the attack occurred, making it impossible for the victim to prepare and protect themselves.

One more factor that can play a role in dog bite severity is how long the attack lasts and how many bites occur during this time period. The longer an attack lasts, and the greater number of bites inflicted in a single incident can greatly increase injury severity due to increased trauma to the affected area(s).

Another factor that may influence the severity of a victim’s injuries when a dog bites them is a victim’s age. Children and elderly people are more likely to suffer greater injuries due to their lack of strength, agility, and overall health.

Finally, the severity of a bite can be affected by a victim’s access to medical treatment. Prompt medical attention can greatly reduce the impact of a bite, while delayed or inadequate treatment may lead to more serious complications such as infection or further damage to the affected area(s).

Contact a Pittsburgh Dog Bite Attorney

In Pennsylvania, dog owners have a legal responsibility to restrain their pets and prevent them from injuring others. If you’ve been harmed because a dog’s owner was negligent, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your medical bills and related losses.

Review your case with a Pittsburgh dog bite attorney for more information. A member of our team at Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman will gladly discuss your legal options in these circumstances. Get started today by contacting us online or calling us at 888-98-TWINS(89467).

Brain Injury Awareness: Understanding Brain Injuries

With March being Brain Injury Awareness Month the brain injury attorneys at the Pittsburgh office of Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman, want to share information about brain injuries to help our community better understand how brain injuries occur and what those injuries can mean to the people who experience them and then have to find the means to get on with their lives.

Frequency and Types of Brain Injuries

According to the Brain Injury Association of America (BIA), about 3.6 million people suffer some type of acquired brain injury every year. An acquired brain injury is one that occurs after birth and is not something you were born with. There are two types of acquired brain injuries.

  1. Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) – the brain is damaged due to an external force impacting the head
  2. Non-Traumatic Brain Injuries – the brain is damaged due to something going on inside the body

Common Causes of Traumatic and Non-Traumatic Brain Injuries

Certain activities and medical conditions are more likely to cause brain injuries. Traumatic brain injuries are by far the most common kind of brain injury acquired. Almost 78% of the brain injuries that occur each year are traumatic brain injuries.

Causes of TBI

Causes of Non-TBI

Traumatic Brain Injury Severity

The severity of a traumatic brain injury is classified based on the response of the individual receiving the injury. Traumatic brain injuries are classified as mild, moderate, or severe. A concussion is a common form of mild TBI. Whether or not someone loses consciousness and for how long is indicative of the severity of the injury.

Recovery after a Traumatic Brain Injury

The more severe the brain injury, the worse are the chances for a full recovery. Persons who experience mild TBIs may have symptoms that linger but they do tend to improve over time and most recover. Of those who suffer moderate TBIs and survive, about 30% will have some form of permanent disability. Over 30% of those with severe TBIs do not survive and of those who do survive over half are left with moderate to severe disabilities.

When you experience a traumatic brain injury, it can be a long road back just to relearn some of the basic activities of daily living. At Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman, we have seen the struggles that our clients have endured as a result of their traumatic brain injuries. If you or a loved one received a traumatic brain injury as a result of the wrongful acts of another, our Pittsburgh brain injury lawyers are prepared to go after every possible resource to assist in your healing and recovery. Contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling 888-988-9467.Share : 

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A Brain Injury Can Change Everything

Chances are, if you or a loved one have never experienced a brain injury, then you probably have not put much thought into what happens when they occur. The simple answer is – everything changes.

Not all traumatic brain injuries are alike. Our brains are what make us who we are, yet they are not as well understood as the rest of our bodies. We can suffer a brain injury and keep living, but the person who remains after an injury may not act, think, or respond the same way anymore.

If you are here today because you or a loved one have sustained a brain injury due to another person’s negligence, we want to help when you need a Pittsburgh brain injury attorney. At Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman, we will work diligently to secure the compensation you need.

What Are They?

We came across the story of a man who suffered a severe brain injury and subsequently had to deal with aphasia, which is “is a communication disorder that results from damage or injury to language parts of the brain.”

He had to learn how to use his arms and legs after the injury. He could no longer speak, write, or read. His battle has been an uphill one for a long time.

Traumatic brain injuries” is an umbrella term that covers a wide range of things that can happen to our brain. They are common injuries and there are more than 5.3 million people living with disabilities caused by TBIs in the US. They happen commonly due to:

Major traumatic brain injuries can affect a person’s cognitive ability, alter the way their bodies move, and change a person’s ability to lead a normal life.

More mild forms of traumatic brain injuries, also known as concussions, must also be taken seriously. They usually occur in children and teens, commonly as a result of a sport’s incident. It is estimated that there are 1.6 to 3.8 million sports-related concussions in the United States each year. This number is likely lower than the reality because as much as 50% of concussions go unreported. It needs to be said that concussions can become major TBIs if left untreated or another one is sustained before a person has a chance to heal completely.

Traumatic brain injury treatment can become incredibly costly, even beyond the initial emergency care. If a person needs long-term rehabilitation or is permanently disabled, the costs can become lifelong.

Moving Forward From Here

Whether it is you so someone you love dealing with a traumatic brain injury, the team at Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman is ready to step in. We will work to secure compensation for all of your incident-related expenses. When you need a Pittsburgh brain injury attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation by 888-98-TWINS(89467).