Most drivers know it’s very irresponsible to operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. These substances impair one’s ability to control a vehicle, remain alert, make wise decisions on the road, and more.

However, we sometimes place so much emphasis on spreading the word about the dangers of drunk driving that we forget to highlight the dangers of another very risky behavior: drowsy driving.

Research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that lack of rest can impair a person’s ability to operate a motor vehicle in the same manner that alcohol can. Studies and surveys also show that many who have been involved in accidents as a result of falling asleep at the wheel did not realize they were tired enough to doze off when they made the decision to drive.

Recognizing the signs that you’re too tired to drive can play a critical role in both your safety and the safety of those with whom you share the road. Signs you need to get some rest before driving include:

Difficult Recall

This is a sign to monitor yourself for if you’re already driving. Periodically, attempt to recall the details of the past few miles you’ve traveled. Ask yourself what types of vehicles you’ve shared the road with. Try to remember any significant visual landmarks you’ve passed. If you’ve been listening to the radio, attempt to recall which songs you’ve heard. You may be too drowsy to drive safely if you’re having trouble remembering these details.

Yawning & Eye Rubbing

These are telltale physical signs indicating you need rest. If you’re yawning, rubbing your eyes, or otherwise displaying any physical/behavioral signs associated with someone who’s tired, odds are good you need more rest before operating a motor vehicle.

Poor Mood

Lack of sleep can significantly impact a person’s mood. If you’re feeling cranky, low, or otherwise less positive than you would normally feel, and you know you haven’t rested in a fairly long time, you may not be able to operate a motor vehicle without putting yourself or others in harm’s way.

Erratic Behavior

Many drivers know they need to monitor others for signs of erratic behavior that can indicate they’re intoxicated, tired, or otherwise incapable of driving safely. You must also monitor yourself for these signs. Examples include:

• Overlooking traffic signs/signals
• Missing an exit
• Failure to maintain a lane
• Swerving
• Driving either too slowly or too fast

We know that there are some things you never expect but dread to hear. One of those things is that there has been a crash involving a school bus. Today, we want to discuss a recent crash in downtown Pittsburgh. If you or a loved one have been injured and need a bus accident attorney in Pittsburgh, let us get to work now.

At Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman, our qualified and experienced team will work to ensure that you get the compensation you need for all of your crash-related expenses.

What happened in this case?

Just like you, when we hear about a crash involving a school bus, our first thoughts are – “Were there kids on board?”

When a tweet was put out by Allegheny County recently that there was a three-vehicle crash involving a school bus and that there were injuries, we held our breath.

The incident happened near Amberson Avenue and Fifth Avenue, and police say that there were three adults and one child on the school bus. Thankfully, none of them were injured in the crash. One passenger in one of the other two vehicles was injured and taken to the hospital.

Bus crashes can be detrimental

Buses weigh much more than regular passenger vehicles. When they are involved in a crash, there is a much higher likelihood of injuries happening to the people inside the bus as well as to anyone struck by the bus. Keep in mind that most bus passengers do not have to be restrained with seatbelts, including those on school buses.

• More than half of all school bus crashes in Pennsylvania’s latest reporting year were injury crashes.

It is not uncommon for us to see the following injuries in the aftermath of a crash involving any type of bus:

• Broken and dislocated bones
• Severe lacerations
• Internal organ damage
• Internal bleeding
• Spinal cord injuries
• Whiplash injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Concussions

In many cases, we find that a bus crash is caused due to the negligence of a bus driver. All bus drivers need to be properly trained and have their commercial driver’s licenses. Under no circumstances should a bus driver operate while distracted by an electronic device or while impaired by drugs or alcohol.

Bus agencies and companies should always inspect and maintain their vehicles to prevent vehicle failure.

What happens next?

If you or someone you care about has been injured in a bus crash that was caused by the negligence of another person, please seek legal assistance. These cases can become complicated, but the knowledgeable and experienced team at Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman is ready to get to work on your behalf. We will investigate your crash and work to secure coverage for:

• Your medical expenses related to the incident
• Recovery of lost wages if you are unable to work
• Pain and suffering damages
• Loss of enjoyment of life damages
• Punitive damages against the negligent party

If you need a Pittsburgh bus accident attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation by calling at 888-98-TWINS(89467).

We typically would not bring you a story so far from our coverage area, but a recent case involving a Pennsylvania bus driver highlights one of the many dangers we face on the roadways each day.

In Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, 44-year-old Lori Ann Manko’s was allegedly driving a school bus under the influence of alcohol with 26 children on board. She has been charged with child endangerment.

At Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman, we know that buses are a vital part of our transportation system, but that they can cause major injuries if they crash. If you need a Pittsburgh bus crash attorney, call us today so we can get to work on securing the compensation you need.

What Can Happen?

If you are a parent, then we realize the above story is a nightmare scenario. Thankfully, nobody was injured in this case, but the incident could have been much worse. Police say that Manko’s was seen driving erratically with those 26 students on board. If there had been a crash, the student and anyone else struck could have been seriously injured or killed.

We have plenty of buses in and around Pittsburgh and not just school buses. Aside from school buses, we have the much relied upon Port Authority bus system, long-distance transport buses, airport shuttles, and more.

Each of these vehicles usually weights tens of thousands of pounds. If they get into a crash, they can cause serious injuries to everyone involved. This includes the passengers (usually unrestrained) as well as victims inside of vehicles that are struck or unwitting pedestrians nearby. It is not uncommon for us to see the following injuries as a result of a bus crash:

• Broken and dislocated bones
• Severe lacerations
• Internal organ damage
• Internal bleeding
• Spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries

Each of these injuries requires immediate medical attention and can lead to costly medical bills.

During the latest reporting year in Pennsylvania, we know there were:

• There were 567 commercial bus crashes
• There were 292 school bus crashes

In the context of the total crashes, this may not seem like a large number, but consider how many people each crash can affect.

Some of the main causes of bus crash revolve around bus driver error (distracted driving, intoxicated driving, inattention) and vehicle failure due to companies and agencies not performing regular inspections and maintenance on their vehicles.

Moving Forward From Here

If you or a loved one have been injured in a bus crash that was caused due to another person’s negligence, please seek legal assistance as soon as you can. At Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman, we understand these cases and are ready to help you secure the compensation you need. This can include:

• Your medical expenses related to the incident
• Lost wages and benefits if you cannot work
• Pain and suffering damages
• Loss of enjoyment of life damages
• Punitive damages against those responsible

If you need a Pittsburgh bus accident attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation by calling at 888-98-TWINS(89467).

A recent crash with a Port Authority of Allegheny County bus in Pittsburgh left three people with minor injuries. While we are grateful that nobody sustained major injuries, we know that there will still be an investigation to figure out what happened and which party was negligent.

The bus was traveling along Penn Avenue when the crash with a private car occurred. Two people from the bus and one person from the car were taken to the hospital.

When there is a “bus vs. auto accident”, the results are often much worse. While you may not think of buses as being a major concern, have you stopped lately to think about how many of them there are around our area? In and around the city, there are thousands of buses moving about daily. At Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman, we are here if you need a Pittsburgh bus accident attorney. Our knowledgeable and experienced attorneys will get to work on securing the compensation you deserve.

The Official Statistics

The numbers for Pennsylvania’s latest reporting year may not look alarming, but we need to dig deeper:

• There were 567 commercial bus crashes
• There were 292 school bus crashes.

Think about how much of an impact a single bus crash can have. First, consider how many people are typically on a bus. They are almost always never using any kind of seat belt. In an accident, bus passengers can be thrown around, especially if there is a rollover.

A bus also has the potential to affect dozens of vehicles around it due to its size and weight. There is no way for a regular passenger vehicle to stand up to the force of a bus crashing into it.

In the aftermath of a bus accident, we typically see the following types of injuries:

• Spinal cord trauma
• Head and brain injuries
• Broken and dislocated bones
• Crush injuries
• And more

How These Accidents Happen

Bus companies and agencies must regularly inspect and maintain their vehicles to ensure that nothing goes wrong. Vehicle failure can be disastrous if the bus is moving at a high rate of speed and the driver loses control. We often see problems with the following systems on a bus:

• Steering
• Brakes
• Suspension
• Powertrain
• Tires or wheels

All bus drivers should be properly licensed and trained to operate the vehicles. They should also never be impaired by drugs or alcohol or distracted by phones or other devices.

Your Next Steps

We know that any accident is scary, but bus accidents can be particularly devastating. If you or a loved one have been injured in a bus accident, seek legal assistance immediately. At Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman, we will work to secure compensation for:

• Any medical expenses related to the crash
• Lost income if you cannot work
• Loss of enjoyment of life damages
• Possible punitive damages

When you need a Pittsburgh bus accident attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling 888-98-TWINS(89467).

A college student in Oakland (Pittsburgh) was struck by a Port Authority bus the other day as she was crossing the street. The area where she was struck is a busy intersection according to other students. The University of Pittsburgh student was taken to the hospital along with a passenger on the bus and the bus driver.

Port Authority Police say that the bus driver will undergo drug and alcohol testing as per protocol. While we await the results of those tests, we do know that it is up to everyone, pedestrians, and drivers, to be cautious around high traffic areas. Professional drivers, like all Port Authority drivers, have a responsibility to the public and to their passengers to be safe each time they are out on the job. At Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman, we know that there are times when the negligence of bus drivers and operators causes harm to pedestrians and other vehicle passengers.

If you need a Pittsburgh bus accident attorney, you can count on us to secure the compensation you need for all of your accident-related expenses.

Bus Accident Injuries

There is no doubt that bus accidents can be some of the most devastating events that happen in or around the roadways. They can be fatal for both passengers and people around the bus.

Buses are large and weight tens of thousands of pounds. This means that when they are involved in an accident, another vehicle or person is absorbing a massive impact. This can lead to severe injuries that are often worse than regular vehicle accident injuries. To make things worse, bus passengers are rarely required to use any kind of restraints.

How They Happen

While we do not know the exact cause of the accident discussed at the beginning of this article, we do know that most bus accidents happen due to one of two things: a problem with the bus itself or driver negligence.

All bus operators should obtain the proper licenses needed for the type of bus they drive and should be thoroughly trained. Under no circumstances should they drive while impaired by drugs or alcohol or while distracted by phones or other devices.

Bus companies and agencies must always inspect and maintain their fleets to ensure that the buses are in proper working order. If they do not, it could result in some kind of failure of the vehicle while moving at high speeds.

What You Can Do Now

If you or a loved one have been injured in a bus accident, whether as a bus passenger, a passenger in another vehicle, or a pedestrian, seek legal assistance immediately. At Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman, our team will work tirelessly to secure the compensation you need for all of your expenses. This includes both medical costs as well as other hidden costs associated with an accident. When you need a Pittsburgh bus accident attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling 888-98-TWINS(89467).

Last week, a Port Authority bus was in a head-on collision with a pickup truck in nearby Coraopolis. Authorities say that it happened at around 2:30 p.m. near Island Avenue and Ewing Road.

Four passengers on the bus, the bus driver, as well as the truck driver were all taken to the hospital due to their injuries. We do know that none of the injuries are life-threatening.

We bring you this story because it highlights something we have spoken about in the past. Bus accidents have the potential to become mass casualty incidents. While we are grateful that nobody was seriously injured or killed in this accident, we know it could have been much worse.

At Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman, we are here to help if you or a loved one have been injured in a bus accident. Whether you were a passenger or a victim in another vehicle, we want to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.

When you need a Pittsburgh bus accident attorney, you can count on our team to be by your side.

The Incidents

You may not pay attention to the many buses that help keep the city operating smoothly throughout the day, but there are plenty of them. We have public transportation buses, long-distance buses, school buses, and more that crisscross our area all day long.

Did you know that there were hundreds of bus crashes in Pennsylvania during the latest reporting year?

• 567 commercial bus crashes
• 292 school bus crashes

Bus crashes pose different dangers than other types of vehicle accidents due to their size and weight. For passengers, most of which are unrestrained, they can be thrown from their seats and seriously injured, especially if a bus overturns.

For passengers in other vehicles, the weight of a bus slamming into them can result in major injuries.

Why They Happen

Many bus accidents are the result of vehicle failure. If bus companies do not regularly inspect and maintain their vehicles and something goes wrong, a driver can lose control of the bus while at a high rate of speed.

Other times, accidents occur due to driver error. Under no circumstances should a bus driver operate while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. They should also not be distracted by their phones or other devices when they should be watching the roadway.

What You Can Do

We know that the last thing you expect when you head out for the day is to get involved in a bus crash, but we will be here to help if that has happened to you or a loved one. At Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman, we recognize that there are more than just medical expenses after an accident. Our knowledgeable and experienced team will work to help make sure you are not in financial jeopardy because of someone else’s mistakes.

When you need a Pittsburgh bus accident attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling 888-98-TWINS(89467).