Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Legal Blog

A few weeks ago on the blog we discussed the dangers of drowsy driving. Unfortunately, far too many motorists on the road today are fatigued, which can seriously impact their driving abilities. Their reaction time can be slowed, their decision-making impaired and when they fall asleep behind the wheel they can swerve into oncoming traffic, drive up onto a curb or fail to stop for a pedestrian or halted traffic. When these drivers cause a car accident, they can leave innocent and unsuspecting individuals with severe injuries and associated damages.

The harm suffered in the aftermath of one of these wrecks can be quite severe. Physical pain is the most obvious, but victims can also be emotionally harmed on account of having to deal with their injuries. Also, having to obtain medical care and rehabilitation for one's injuries can be quite expensive, threatening to eat into an individual's financial well-being. This can be especially problematic when one's injuries disallow him or her from working for a significant period of time.

There's no denying the fact that car accidents continue to impose extensive physical, emotional and financial devastation of Pittsburgh residents. Although there are a number of reasons for these wrecks, including wrongdoing on a victim's part, it oftentimes results in a driver facing criminal charges. Sometimes such charges are relatively minor, such as a traffic violation, but sometimes, the charges are much more serious.

This is the case for one 20-year-old Pittsburgh-area man. According to reports, the man was riding a motorcycle with a passenger when he struck a pedestrian. The pedestrian and the passenger were taken to the hospital with injuries. Reports indicate that the pedestrian had just picked up beer at a local business after finishing his shift as an Uber driver. One witness indicated that the motorcyclist was seen trying to leave the scene, but was later stopped by an undercover officer. He was subsequently taken to the hospital, where authorities claim his BAC was measured at .163 percent.

Thanks to public service initiatives, laws and tragic stories, Pennsylvanians are well aware of the dangers posed by drunk driving. These motorists can see their driving skills severely diminished as reaction time slows, the ability to multitask is impaired and maintaining a lane becomes extremely difficult. As dangerous as drunk driving is, though, it is not the only form of dangers driving. In fact, drowsy driving can post just as significant of a risk.

Being tired or fatigued while behind the wheel can seriously impair one's ability to drive safely. It can diminish one's ability to pay attention to the road, his or her reaction time can slow and decision-making skills can be negatively affected. In short, those who drive drowsy can suffer from many of the impairments felt by drunk drivers.

Criminal prosecutions are often based on evidence that is collected during the execution of a search warrant. Although the police certainly have the right to request a search warrant, certain requirements must be met before it can be determined that a search warrant can be legally issued. After all, the U.S. Constitution protects citizens' rights to unreasonable searches and seizures. When issues arise related to search warrants, accused individuals need to do everything they can to protect their legal rights. If they don't, they may put their freedom in jeopardy.

One way to challenge evidence collected by the police is to utilize the exclusionary rule, if possible. This legal rule essentially allows a court to suppress evidence that is gathered subsequent to an illegal search. For example, a police officer, without a valid search warrant, enters the home of a suspected burglar. Upon entering the home, the officer finds not only stolen items related to the burglaries he is investigating, but also drugs and drug paraphernalia. The man is subsequently charged with burglary and drug crimes.