Category Archives: General
YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT. . . ABOUT YOUR COMPUTER PASSWORD
Although our practice focuses exclusively on personal injury matters, every now and again, an important ruling in a criminal case catches our eye. On November 20, 2019, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, in a 4-3 decision authored by Justice Debra Todd, found that producing a computer password was “testimonial” in nature, and that the government’s… Read More »
PENNSYLVANIA SUPREME COURT RULES THAT AUTO INSURERS HAVE NO RIGHT TO UNILATERALLY COMPEL “INDEPENDENT” MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS
Earlier this week, in the cases of Sayles v. Allstate and Scott v. Travelers, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that such strict language in auto policies purporting to required insureds to attend medical exams conflicted with Section 1796 which is entitled “Mental or Physical Examinations of a Person”. The Supreme Court, in a 6… Read More »
Better Make Sure your Auto Insurer Knows Who Regularly Drives your Vehicles
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court recently, and unanimously, ruled that an “Unregistered Driver Exclusion” in automobile insurance policies does NOT violate the Pennsylvania Law — or public policy. In Safe Auto Insurance v. Oriental-Guillermo, authored by Supreme Court Justice Debra Todd, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court held: “In the instant case, the policy contains a clear… Read More »
Neil O’Donnell Files Complaint for Fatal Motorcycle Accident
On May 31st, Dr. Virgil Thomas was killed while crossing the street near his chiropractic clinic in Kingston, Pennsylvania. Thomas was leaving his office when he was hit by a motorcyclist identified as Hazel Resident, Michael J. Ullman. According to the complaint filed by Neil O’Donnell, the impact caused Thomas to fly five feet… Read More »
What Are Pennsylvania’s Dram Shop Laws?
Under state law, establishments that overserve intoxicated patrons are liable for damages if those patrons cause drunk driving crash injuries or deaths. Pennsylvania’s dram shop law applies to businesses and private events. State law also holds social hosts liable for drunk driving damages caused by providing minors alcohol. You should speak with a Wilkes-Barre… Read More »
How Bad Is the Distracted Driving Problem in Pennsylvania?
When was the last time you saw a distracted driving PSA? They are constantly on television, radio stations and social media, but are Pennsylvanians paying attention to them? New statistics say that the drivers in our state are not heeding these warnings, and it’s creating a massive distracted driving problem. Is the Distracted Driving… Read More »
Raising Truckers’ Allowable Working & Driving Hours Under Consideration
Are you aware measures are under consideration in Congress this week that would raise truckers’ allowable working and driving hours, risking even more crashes that would imperil drivers themselves and the motoring public. Senate and House committees are considering raising truckers’ allowable hours from the 60 currently permitted to 73 driving hours per week,… Read More »
