Car Accident FAQ

Can I file a claim if I'm at fault in an accident?
Can I file a claim if I’m at fault in an accident?
What are at-fault accidents?
What are at-fault accidents?
What are the most dangerous roads in Erie, PA?
What are the most dangerous roads in Erie, PA?
How will I pay my Erie injury Lawyer?
A: There are two primary ways to pay your Pennsylvania lawyer (although one method is used more often than the other). The first method pays your lawyer solely upon the amount...
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Truck Accident FAQ

What is a Pennsylvania Commercial Driver’s License?
A: A Commercial Driver’s License, or CDL, is a license which authorizes a person to operate commercial motor vehicles and buses weighing over 26,000 pounds gross vehicle weight. For operators of freight-hauling...
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What is an ‘Upper Coupler’?
A: An Upper Coupler is the load-bearing surface on the underside of the front of a semitrailer. The Upper Coupler rests on the fifth wheel of a tractor or dolly and...
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What limits are placed upon a Pennsylvania commercial truck driver under federal regulations?
A: On January 4, 2004, the hours of service regulation for commercial truck drivers were changed. Truck drivers may now drive up to 11 hours out of 14 hours on duty and are...
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What makes a Pennsylvania commercial truck accident case different from car accident cases?
A: There are many considerations unique to commercial truck accident cases which make them different from (and often more complex than) other car accident cases. Here is a sampling of some of...
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Why do Pennsylvania tractor-trailer accidents cause more damage than car accidents?
A: Physics helps to explain why commercial truck accidents frequently cause so much more harm than a typical car accident. For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. A...
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Dog Bite FAQ

Who is responsible for injuries caused by a dog in Pennsylvania?
A: In Pennsylvania, dogs are considered the personal property of their owner. Generally, dog owners are responsible for damages caused by their dogs. But dog owners may not be the only responsible parties. Someone...
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In Pennsylvania, by what age must a dog be licensed?
A. All dogs three months of age or older must be licensed in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania dog licenses are issued by the county treasurer. A one-page application and a modest fee (between...
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Are dogs permitted to run loose in PA?
A. No. In Pennsylvania, all dogs must be under control and may not be permitted to run at large. This means that dogs must remain in the home or garage, or...
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What is Pennsylvania’s ‘Dangerous Dog Law’?
A. Act 46 of 1990 is known as Pennsylvania’s “Dangerous Dog Law.” This law was enacted to provide greater protection to people and children who are attacked by dogs. This law also...
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Insurance Claims FAQ

Do I have insurance for lost income caused by Pennsylvania car accident injuries?
Pennsylvania car accident wage loss insurance coverage is a benefit available on some Pennsylvania car insurance policies. You can recover 80% of your average monthly earnings if, when you bought your car insurance, you purchased Income...
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How does ‘stacking’ work in Pennsylvania auto insurance?
If you elect to “stack” your Pennsylvania car insurance, then your Unisured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage will be equal to the sum of the coverage that applies to all of your vehicles. In other...
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How does Pennsylvania Underinsured Motorist Coverage work?
It works this way: Imagine Jane, a young woman who is involved in a horrible car accident caused by a drunk driver and who is disfigured as a result of...
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How does Pennsylvania Uninsured Motorist Coverage work?
Uninsured Motorist Coverage works like this: Let’s say a fictional young woman named Jane is stopped in a line of traffic while waiting for the red light to change. A...
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I was convicted of drunk driving and now my Pennsylvania auto insurance company has cancelled my policy. Can they do that?
Yes. In Pennsylvania, automobile insurance companies are permitted to cancel or non-renew an insurance policy if the insured’s driver’s license has been suspended. A license suspension is one of the...
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Medical Malpractice FAQ

What does ‘prenatal’ mean?
Prenatal is a reference to the period of time in a pregnancy between conception and birth.
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What is a ‘Breech Birth’?
A breech birth is a birth that occurs with the baby entering the birth canal feet first or buttocks first instead of the normal head-first presentation. Breech births often occur...
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What is a ‘Central Line’?
A central line is a catheter (tube) that is passed through a vein (usually below the neck) and into either the main vein returning blood to the heart or the...
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What is a Caesarean Section or C-Section?
A Caesarean section is the delivery of a child via incisions in the mother’s abdomen (laparotomy) and uterus (hysterotomy).
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What is a Colonoscopy?
A colonoscopy uses a flexible tube and tiny camera lens passed through the anus to provide an image of the full colon, four or five feet in length. Virtual colonoscopy,...
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What is a Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT)?
This is a non-invasive test for the presence of non-visible blood in the stool (or feces). The test is so simple that it is sometimes taken at home. A positive...
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Criminal Law FAQ

How do I choose the right lawyer for my criminal case?
A: Many people who face criminal allegations have never been in trouble before. For this reason, they have not needed a criminal defense lawyer until now and do not know how to choose...
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How do I decide whether the lawyer is right for me?
A: In addition to making sure that your lawyer is knowledgeable about the issues likely to appear in your case, you will want to assess whether you can work with him...
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How does a preliminary hearing protect me from an unlawful arrest and detention?
A: The Commonwealth must show that your arrest meets the minimum requirements established by law. At this preliminary hearing, the Commonwealth must make at least a prima facie case – that...
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How long will it take to resolve my case?
A: It depends upon the unique nature of your case. Some cases are resolved at the preliminary hearing. Others are resolved after pre-trial motions. Others are resolved either before or after...
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I hear that many people waive their preliminary hearing. Should I waive my preliminary hearing?
A: It depends. A preliminary hearing is important because it helps you and your lawyer learn more about the circumstances surrounding the allegations. More information is always better than less information....
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DUI DWI FAQ

Do I have the constitutional right to speak to a lawyer before I agree to take a field sobriety test?
In Pennsylvania, you are not required to perform field sobriety tests. Still, whether you have the right to consult with a lawyer before deciding if you will submit to field...
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Do I have to appear in person for a preliminary hearing?
Yes. You must appear in Court on the date and time set for your preliminary hearing. If you fail to appear, a warrant for your arrest will be issued. (This...
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Do I have to submit to field sobriety tests, like the one-leg stand, walk and turn, etc.?
You are not legally required to take a field sobriety test in Pennsylvania, and you can respectfully and politely decline to take it. However, you are required to take chemical...
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Do I qualify for an Occupational Limited License (OLL)?
Maybe. It will depend on the particular charges you face, your driving record, and whether you have had an OLL in the past. In Pennsylvania, a number of offenses preclude...
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Does a previous ARD count as a previous DUI ‘conviction’ when determining the penalties for a new DUI conviction?
Yes. In Pennsylvania, this is so even though, by definition, someone who enters the diversion program known as ARD does not admit any wrongdoing, does not enter a plea of...
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General Topics FAQ

Can I File a Claim if I’m at Fault in an Accident?
Can I File a Claim if I’m at Fault in an Accident?
How long will my Pennsylvania injury case take?
The amount of time necessary to resolve a car accident case or truck accident case in Pennsylvania varies greatly from case to case, literally ranging from a few weeks to a few years. The...
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How many spinal cord injuries occur in the United States every year?
There are no comprehensive national studies on the rate of spinal cord injuries in the United States, but statewide studies suggest that there are approximately 12,000 accidents every year in which someone...
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Should I keep using Facebook during my Pennsylvania personal injury case?
In a word: no. We’d really prefer it if you would stop using social media while your personal injury case is pending. Social media is literally an engine for recording remarks, photos, and...
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What are the judge’s ‘chambers’?
A judge’s “chambers” are his or her office within the Courthouse.
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What do Erie Injury Lawyers mean when they refer to ‘case law’?
“Case law” (also known as common law) is the law created by judges when deciding individual disputes.
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