What is the liability of the driver who goes out driving in terrible weather conditions?
What is the liability in bad weather conditions? Is he liable just for going out, if he causes injury to other motorists and their passengers? The short answer is, No, or not if he is driving in an extremely prudent way and he had a necessitous reason for venturing out. This assumes non essential travel […]
What Level of Death Is Acceptable for the Pennsylvania Fracking Industry?
What happens next if your close friend or relative has been killed in a fracking accident? It’s a very real possibility. Last year was a peak year for fatal accidents in the energy industry. Numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that the death rate for oil and gas workers is more than seven […]
Who’s liable if I cause an accident on the way home from a holiday party?
Question: I am going to my company’s holiday party. Who is liable if I were to cause an accident there or on the way home? What if I had a passenger in my car? The answer is not simple. Let’s take the easier part of the question first. If you consumed alcohol to the […]
Personal Liability From Holiday Decorations
“Are you creating an unsafe environment and exposing yourself to personal liability in connection with your holiday decorations? For example, is there a danger of liability associated with yard decorations, extension cords, lights, garland, etc.” Answer: Yes, potentially. Negligence law can be applied to virtually any activity. In other words, anything you do […]
What happens if I am in an accident and the vehicle whose driver was at fault is either uninsured or left the scene of the accident?
What happens if I am in an accident and the vehicle whose driver was at fault is either uninsured or left the scene of the accident? Answer: This is a great question. Unfortunately, it happens—more commonly that the person who hurt you has no liability insurance than that he or she left the scene of […]
Are you liable if someone falls on your property?
What can you do to protect yourself if someone falls on your property? As we have discussed in other articles, your duty as the “landowner” depends on why the visitor was on your property. If you invite a friend over to watch the Eagles, Pirates or Steelers game, that friend is deemed a “licensee,” not an invitee. […]
Are homeowners liable for injuries caused by snow and ice on their property?
Let’s talk about snow and ice on your property. This is a tricky subject. We will keep it brief and basic for now. First, every township or city has an ordinance that says how long you have until after snowfall to clear snow and ice from your sidewalk. That is NOT what we are talking […]
