News And Reflections On Legal Issues In Western Pennsylvania And West Virginia

Summer is well underway and Pennsylvania residents are celebrating, especially those who are on break from school. While the summer months can be a time of relaxation and fun under the hot sun, you and others should understand that the months of June through August are also considered to be the most dangerous months of the year for drivers and their passengers.

According to We Save Lives, the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day is known as the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer, for good reason. These two key holidays, plus Independence Day, can increase the incidents of drunk and distracted driving on the roads. There are also more drivers, whether they are embarking on road trips or driving down to local beaches and parks for summer-related activities. You may find it interesting to learn that approximately 26% more teenagers are killed in motor vehicle accidents during the summer than other times of the year, but the top cause may surprise you. Instead of drunk driving and texting while driving - which are also serious and common accident causes - other passengers in the car are the main factor involving accidents among teenagers.

When you purchase a home in Pennsylvania, chances are you are filled with mixed emotions including excitement that you have just made a worthwhile investment, and maybe a bit of anxiety about putting your money toward something so big and important. At Gesk Moritz LLC Attorneys at Law, we understand the hesitations that people make when they are considering various real estate transactions. 

When you initially sign on your home and sign the paperwork for the loan you have agreed to pay back, your financial situation may have been a bit different than it is now. After spending some time in your home and acknowledging that your situation has progressed, you could be desiring to make the payment of your mortgage more efficient. One option you may consider is refinancing your home loan. If done correctly and at the right time, this strategic move can make a considerable difference in how quickly and effectively you are able to pay back your lender. 

During the summer months, many Pennsylvania families take advantage of better weather and longer days to spend as much time as possible out of doors. Sometimes, however, accidents happen on your property involving recreational equipment. You may be wondering whether there are ways to prevent premises liability from happening. 

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, despite the fact that the industry keeps making playground equipment safer and safer, treatment in emergency rooms for traumatic brain injuries from these accidents increased greatly between 2005 and 2013. With that in mind, certain steps should be taken to keep your own children and others safe on any swing sets or jungle gym equipment on your grounds. 

For most people in Pennsylvania, a cell phone is all but an essential part of everyday life. It goes everywhere a person goes and has even replaced landlines in many homes and businesses. However, it also has exposed drivers to yet another way to focus on something other than the act of driving safely. Simply put, distracted driving has today become a serious problem throughout the country.

According to a report made recently by USA Today, the vehicle insurance quoting website called The Zebra conducted a survey this spring that took a look at the views of drivers around the country as they pertain to distractions and technology when driving. For drivers who are 16 or 17 years old or over the age of 34 years old, an average of one in every four people said they felt compelled to look at their phones when a new message was received while they were driving.