Pittsburgh Law Blog

Avoid a spring dog bite with these tips

On behalf of DelVecchio & Miller, LLC posted in dog bites on Wednesday, March 11, 2020.

Spring is slowly arriving, and that means that more dog walkers are going to be out and about with their pets on the sidewalks in residential neighborhoods just about everywhere. Unfortunately, not every dog walker is considerate enough of their neighbors to make sure their pooch is on a leash.

Most dog owners who let their dogs off the leash when they walk will insist that their girl or boy is well-trained and harmless, but you simply never know when an animal will interpret your actions as threatening -- especially when you're with your own pup. Here are some tips for protecting yourself when you see a unleashed dog heading your way:

Stay calm. Your dog is going to look to you for guidance on how to handle the situation. If you react with fear, your dog may jump to your protection and that could unnecessarily antagonize the other animal.
Look at the other dog's physical cues. Is the other dog's posture friendly or threatening? Relaxed ears and a full-body wag of the tail indicate that that other dog is merely excited, not attacking.
Steer away. If you see someone with an unleashed dog ahead of you and there's time, steer your dog in another direction. That's the easiest way to avoid an encounter that could turn violent.
Stop and block. If you can't evade the other dog entirely, stop your dog and put him or her behind you. Then, order the other dog back in a firm voice by saying "No!" or "Stop!" or something similar.
Ask the owner to take control. If the owner or other person walking the dog is paying attention and you feel safe, ask them to re-clip the animal's leash until you and your pet are gone.

Handling a car wreck when a young child is with you

On behalf of DelVecchio & Miller, LLC posted in car accidents on Friday, March 6, 2020.

There's no question about it: Car wrecks are terrifying -- but it's even worse if your baby or toddler is in the car with you at the time.

Here's how to handle the situation:

How long do personal injury claims take?

On behalf of DelVecchio & Miller, LLC posted in personal injury on Thursday, February 27, 2020.

You were injured through no real fault of your own and you spent several weeks laid up and unable to work. The insurance company doesn't want to play fair so they offered you less than it takes to even cover your medical bills. You're thinking of hiring an attorney, but it seems to you that personal injury claims take forever to settle, so you aren't sure.

Well, it can take a while to get some results from a personal injury claim. However, there's a good reason for that. Once you understand what's happening, you may not mind the wait so much.

How do you handle aggressive drivers?

On behalf of DelVecchio & Miller, LLC posted in car accidents on Friday, February 21, 2020.

There's something about getting behind the wheel of a car or truck that turns some people into monsters. Their antics can involve tailgating other drivers, rushing red lights, swerving around any vehicle they perceive as "too slow" and angrily swearing and gesturing at other motorists or honking their horns.

Aggressive drivers aren't just scary, however. They're also dangerous. It's estimated that guns are involved in 37% of aggressive driving encounters and in 66% of all traffic fatalities. Somewhat unsurprisingly, their anger and aggression tend to provoke more anger. About half of all drivers who have been on the receiving end of aggressive tactics admit that they have "fired back" with angry gestures and rude behavior of their own.

Pick the right attorney with these tips

On behalf of DelVecchio & Miller, LLC posted in personal injury on Thursday, February 13, 2020.

How do you know if the attorney you're thinking of hiring is the right person to handle your injury claim?

You start with the consultation. The consultation helps the attorney understand your problem and determine your options. It also gives you an opportunity to see if the attorney is a good "fit" for you.

What's the 'hills and ridges doctrine' in Pennsylvania?

On behalf of DelVecchio & Miller, LLC posted in slip-and-fall accidents on Friday, February 7, 2020.

If you live in Pennsylvania, you know that ice and snow are common hazards for a good chunk of the year. You may also know that property owners generally have a duty to keep their property well-maintained and safe of obvious hazards that could put someone in danger.

But, there is also a "hills and ridges" rule that comes into play. Under state law, property owners can't be held accountable for slips and falls due to snowy weather or icy conditions in uneven elevations unless they allowed the snow and ice and to accumulate in a way that is unreasonably dangerous. The property owner also has to be aware that the snow and ice is there, and have a reasonable time to clear the hazard when it does exist.

Safety tips for driving in the rain

On behalf of DelVecchio & Miller, LLC posted in car accidents on Monday, January 27, 2020.

During the early months of the year, rain can be even more problematic than snow on the roads. Ideally, if you can avoid being out and about in bad weather, that's probably for the best.

If you're like most people, however, you can't pick and choose the times you're on the road (especially during your weekday commute). Here are some tips for driving in the rain that could save your life:

Good documentation helps prove fault in slip-and-fall accidents

On behalf of DelVecchio & Miller, LLC posted in slip-and-fall accidents on Wednesday, January 22, 2020.

The nation's system of justice seeks to be fair to all involved parties. As such, it may be challenging to prove fault when slip-and-fall accidents occur. While the victim is all too familiar with the events leading up to an accident, the court system must be as certain as possible about liability before it makes a decision.

Our attorneys understand how injured Pennsylvania victims can start to feel like criminals when trying to prove fault in slip-and-fall accidents. However, there are methods to help victims strengthen their case. After all, building a strong case improves the odds of success.

Crashes are common: Get help when you need it

On behalf of DelVecchio & Miller, LLC posted in car accidents on Wednesday, January 22, 2020.

Car crashes are something you always hear about, but if you've never been involved in one, you may think that it will never happen to you or someone you love. At the moment you find yourself facing a crash, you may realize that there is no way to avoid it or make emergency maneuvers to try to avoid getting hit directly. However, the reality is still the same: There is a risk of serious injuries or death.

When drivers don't consider the lives of others and cause a collision, then it's fair to seek compensation from them for the injuries that you've suffered. There is no reason that you should have to cover your own financial losses or struggle as you try to recover from serious injuries.

The statistical risk of a motor vehicle crash in Pennsylvania

On behalf of DelVecchio & Miller, LLC on Wednesday, January 22, 2020.

It is sometimes possible to use the analysis of collected statistics to reduce your risk. Policymakers often use statistics to determine the best options in a situation, such as how to allocate government resources or how to change laws to reduce the risk to certain populations. People can do the same thing by avoiding particularly dangerous times of day or sections of the road.

The overall statistics for motor vehicle crashes in Pennsylvania are somewhat positive, with fatal crashes seeming to be on a downward trend, despite an increase in 2018. However, just because the statistics indicate a slightly reduced chance for deadly crashes doesn't mean that you can ignore the risk for a collision on the roads near Pittsburgh.