In Pennsylvania, for various evidentiary reasons, whether a vehicle occupant was wearing a seatbelt or not is inadmissible. Pennsylvania’s seatbelt law is codified at 75 Pa.C.S.A. Section 4581. While the law makes seatbelt use in the Commonwealth mandatory, it also precludes evidence of a violation of this requirement in any civil action. In Gaudio v. Ford Motor Company, 976 A.2d …
WHO LIKES ME LEAST?
This is not a popularity question because that line is too long. Nope. Where is your average personal injury lawyer least well received? I have found large property managers or landlords are probably those who like me the least. I have been to cocktail parties or chamber of commerce where I introduce myself and my professional work and the conversation …
THE LAW OF WAR
There is a law of war? Who knew. In college, I read an interesting book called Just and Unjust Wars by Michael Walzer, who is a history professor. The book addressed the somewhat unwritten rules of war that unfortunately has persistent relevance to this day in light of Ukraine’s situation. Russia seems to persist in targeting civilians. Walzer is …
Recent Case Results for Neuwirth Law (Oct. 2022)
Neuwirth Law Offices delivers favorable awards for personal injury victims and their survivors in Philadelphia and surrounding Counties. If you or a loved one have been injured in an accident, contact us today to receive just compensation. 2022 – $500,000 – Pedestrian hit by truck pelvic fracture with surgery. – Montgomery County. 2022 – $300,000 – Car crash with car-carrier trailer fractured ribs, knee and back pain – …
Know When To Hold ‘em, Know When To Fold ‘em
I field a lot of calls from members of the public who believe that they have a case worth pursuing. After a brief listen, I can tell that they do not, because I have been doing this for a while. Nevertheless, the callers will often persist that there was a violation of the standard of care, or that laws were …
I Know I Am Winning At A Deposition When Defense Counsel Starts Barking Nonsense At Me
We have thick skins as lawyers. I operate every day in a professional world where someone on the other side is paid to try to make me look bad or prove I am wrong or argue that I am lying to them. So, I am used to pushing my view loudly and forcefully. Sometimes, when faced with lawyers on the …
Patience Young Grasshopper: Cases Take a While to Resolve
I like to know the ending of things before they get going. In Kung Fu, the old master is always reminding the student to be patient above all things along the path of life. I am not patient. I have been waiting for tomatoes in my garden to turn red for a month now and am tired of waiting. Nevertheless, …
HEAVEN CAN WAIT: WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DIE WITHOUT A WILL AND YOU HAVE A CASE ONGOING?
First, it is fairly routine for regular practitioners to pursue claims for dead clients. Lots of things go into dealing with the deceased client who was a plaintiff or had a claim. So, what happens? First, for ethics reasons, I have to notify the other side that the client died. You cannot negotiate saying the client is damn sure coming …
I HAVE NEVER SUED SOMEONE BEFORE
When I hear that from a new client or caller, that is generally a positive thing. It means that the person is hurt enough and pissed off enough to go find a lawyer to get some justice for themselves? About 80% of my clients have never filed a personal injury lawsuit before. Whether they actually have a case worth pursuing …
DEPOSITIONS
Depositions are really the best way to get information in a civil case. There are interrogatories and other written responses that begin to tell me about a case, but they need to be explained by a live person. Further, most of my cases are not document dependent. Below is a link to a routine deposition I took in a motorcycle …