Liens and Subrogation in Auto Accident Cases
Medical liens and subrogation. These obscure misunderstood words can have a dramatic impact on the victim of automobile negligence. These concepts come into play when the victim’s auto insurance is insufficient to pay all of the medical expenses arising from an accident. After the auto coverage has been exhausted, the victim’s health plan will step Read More
The Consumption of Alcohol Is Not Always Admissible at Trial
It is perfectly legal for a driver over the age of 21 years to drink and drive in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania! That may come as a surprise to people, given the popular admonishment, “Don’t Drink and Drive!” In reality, there is a prohibition only against driving while under the influence of alcohol to such Read More
THE DOWN-SIDE OF AN EMPLOYER PROVIDED VEHICLE
You have just landed a new job, or received a promotion, which has the added benefit of a company car. You even get to take it home and use it as your personal car. What could possibly be wrong with that set up? A lot. You get in an accident while driving your shiny new Read More
The Phantom Insurance Company
We all know that one must have insurance to drive the car. However, when you get in an accident, the other guy might only have minimal insurance. Therefore, Pennsylvania residents have the option of purchasing under-insured motorist coverage (UIM coverage). This coverage is designed to permit you to recover more than the limit of the other guy’s insurance. Read More
THE REGULARLY USED BUT NON-OWNED VEHICLE EXCLUSION!!!
The title to this article is not an attention grabber. Indeed, it could cause one’s eyes to glaze over, and quickly move on without reading the article. However, the Regularly Used, Non- Owned (RUNO) Vehicle Exclusion, which is found in virtually all automobile insurance policies in Pennsylvania, is critically and practically important in this era of employer-provided vehicles, multiple Read More
The Power of the Civil Justice System
Michael Smerconish of CNN comments on the importance of our modern day Civil Justice System. Though often maligned, it is often to only way to protect the public from future harm as seen in the recent problems with General Motors ignition switches. Companies are not going to jump and say they did something wrong. Often, Read More
What are Punitive Damages?
In some circumstances, a jury is permitted to send a message in addition to making the victim of another’s wrongdoing whole. Sometimes, the conduct of an individual which results in harm to another is so extreme and outrageous that the law permits a jury to award damages intended to notify that particular defendant and others Read More