Tag: Legal News

Tampa, FL (Law Firm Newswire) May 20, 2019 – After reaching a national low in traffic fatalities in 2010, the rising popularity of ride-hailing services has contributed to an increase in roadway accidents and deaths. Victims of accidents involving ride-hailing services have additional complications due to how personal car insurance handles claims for Uber and Lyft drivers.

The recent rise of highly popular ride-hailing services, such as Uber and Lyft, has spurred a rise in accidents in U.S. cities. In 2010, traffic fatalities in the United States reached a low of 32,885, which was the lowest fatality rate since 1949. Those numbers were low partly due to reduced travel during the Great Recession, but a new study shows the rise in popularity of Uber and Lyft has caused a corresponding rise in roadway accidents and fatalities.

Since ride-hailing services gained popularity after 2010, researchers say they have caused an about 3 percent rise in traffic fatalities. Researchers from the University of Chicago and Rice University recently announced findings in a ride-hailing study that used National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data to determine the impact of Uber and Lyft drivers on the nation’s roadways. The study shows a corresponding increase in traffic accidents and fatalities per vehicle miles traveled in U.S. cities.

Accidents involving ride-hailing services generally are more complicated than those with traditional taxi cabs. That is because the Uber and Lyft drivers use their personal vehicles. Personal car insurance, though, does not cover the costs of accidents arising from commercial activities, like those provided by Uber and Lyft drivers.

“The potential for insurers denying claims from accidents involving Uber and Lyft drivers causes more problems for innocent victims of accidents with those drivers,” said experienced car accident attorney Robert T. Joyce. “Even when insurers do pay liability, total costs often exceed coverage limits, and many drivers do not have assets to cover additional damages.”

While a taxi cab has high insurance limits and provides coverage during cab rides, a ride-hailing service is not liable for the costs arising from accidents involving its drivers. That makes Uber and Lyft immune from lawsuits when their drivers cause accidents that injure or kill others. An experienced car accident attorney is an invaluable asset when dealing with the outcome of accidents involving Uber and Lyft drivers, as well as other ride-hailing services.

Learn more at http://www.joyceandreyespa.com

Joyce and Reyes Law Firm, P.A.
307 S Hyde Park Ave
Tampa, FL 33606
Call: 813.251.2007

• What to Do After a Car Accident
  Car accidents are potentially life-changing events that can do far more the physically cripple victims. Under many circumstances, car accidents also can bankrupt victims when the medical costs greatly exceed any insurance coverage amounts. The following tips should help to ensure maximum payouts when involved in a car accident. Almost everyone has a cellphone that […]
• Uber, Lyft are driving accident fatalities
  In large cities, ride-hailing services provide an affordable alternative to taxi cabs, without the hassle of mass public transportation systems. Uber is the king of ride-hailing services, with Lyft a slightly distant second across the nation. Since their sudden rise starting in 2011, a new study suggests they have increased traffic fatalities in large cities […]
• Common signs of nursing home abuse
  Placing a loved one in a nursing home is often a very difficult decision that a family has to make. Usually, a family makes this decision because ultimately they believe their loved one will have a better life and be well taken care of. However, in some Florida nursing facilities, families learn that not only […]
• Accident involving pedestrian ends in fatality
  On September 14, 2018, a fatal accident involving a Gibsonton woman occurred on U.S. 301 in Hillsborough County, Florida. The pedestrian accident occurred near Sabal Industrial Boulevard. The Florida Highway Patrol reported that the woman was walking southbound on the side of U.S. 301 when she was struck in the head by the side mirror […]
• Serious injuries caused by dump truck accident in Hillsborough County, Florida
  On August 22, 2018, three children and one adult were seriously injured when a dump truck hit their vehicle head-on. The crash occurred on US 309 in Hillsborough County, Florida. The Florida Highway Patrol reported that the dump truck driver failed to see stopped traffic in front of him and swerved into the opposite lane […]

Southfield, MI (Law Firm Newswire) May 20, 2019 – Personal injury attorney Matthew Curtis of Sommers Schwartz appeared in an NBC News feature about the threat of carbon monoxide poisoning in public housing overseen by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Curtis, along with attorney Michael Cunningham, is representing the family of a couple who died from carbon monoxide poisoning in their Wayne, Michigan, home. Anthony and Gwendolyn Fleming were residents of Hickory Hollow Cooperative, a federally subsidized apartment complex.

Their daughter called the police after her parents failed to open the door when she visited them on February 1. Emergency responders pronounced Gwendolyn, 65, dead at the scene. Anthony, 64, was airlifted to an Ohio hospital in an unresponsive state but could not be saved. Fire officials also evacuated families in 26 units throughout the complex after identifying high carbon monoxide levels.

The couple’s family is pursuing a wrongful death personal injury lawsuit against Hickory Hollow Cooperative and Huntington Management, which runs the property. Curtis spoke to NBC News about the case as part of their digital doc “Silent Killer: The Rising Toll of Carbon Monoxide in Public Housing” released on May 3.

In the video, Curtis can be seen examining various pieces of evidence such as incident reports and photographs of the Fleming home, including their blackened, soot-covered boiler. He alleged that “poor maintenance, poor ventilation, and a poorly functioning old boiler unit” resulted in deadly carbon monoxide levels in the apartment. Emergency responders were also alerted to accumulation of ice around the complex’s chimneys, a “possible contributing factor to the carbon monoxide levels.”

Authorities are still investigating the origins of the deadly gas buildup. However, HUD’s failure to enforce the mandatory installation of carbon monoxide detectors in federally subsidized housing is a significant factor in allowing landlords to slack off in their responsibility to provide this inexpensive, life-saving device. “You would think in order to have a decent, safe place to live in, free from hazards, that you would have a carbon monoxide detector,” Curtis said in the NBC News feature while commenting on various violations of resident rights in the case.

Carbon monoxide detectors are the only reliable way to identify the presence of the colorless, odorless gas inside a home. Carbon monoxide exposure in enclosed spaces can cause serious injuries and even be fatal. Huntington claimed to have installed the devices in the Fleming’s apartment. However, fire department officials said no alarms were sounding when they arrived.

Despite the known risks of the gas, HUD currently does not require carbon monoxide detectors to be installed in the 4.6 million affordable housing units it oversees. According to NBC News, at least 13 HUD housing residents have died from carbon monoxide poisoning since 2003.

The agency acted only after the NBC News investigation revealed the dangers faced by millions of low-income families who rely on subsidized housing. HUD announced in April that it is starting the lengthy process of creating a federal rule that requires carbon monoxide detectors in public housing.

Following the NBC News report, Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., and two House Democrats are pushing Congress to pass legislation for the mandatory installation and maintenance of the life-saving devices in federally subsidized housing across the country. They wrote a letter to congressional leaders on May 6 urging them to expedite passage of the proposal, which includes $10 million in funding.

To learn more about the dangers of carbon monoxide and to view the NBC News digital doc, visit here.

Contact:
Sommers Schwartz Law Offices
1 Towne Square, #1700
Southfield, MI 48076
Toll-free: (866) 430-5556
Phone: (248) 595-7825

Monticello, NY (Law Firm Newswire) April 23, 2019 – On February 28, 2019, Sobo & Sobo continued its growth and expansion throughout the Hudson Valley Region by opening the law firm’s eighth regional office at 553 West Broadway, Monticello, NY. Although Sobo & Sobo Monticello attorneys will focus on the firm’s core area of law, personal injury litigation, the firm’s full legal services will also be available through this office.

The Monticello office is in the renovated former home of prominent judge Lawrence H. Cooke. Judge Cooke was one of the most celebrated politicians and judges in Sullivan County history. He served on New York’s highest court and rendered several judicial opinions that helped shape New York law.

In Beach v. Shanley, Judge Cooke wrote the court’s opinion that the Shield Law permits a reporter who has been called before a grand jury to withhold the name of confidential sources without being subject to any sanction for criminal contempt. Judge Cooke lived in his home at 553 West Broadway until he passed away there on August 17, 2000 at the age of 86. Today, several landmarks in Sullivan County have been named after Judge Cooke, including the Lawrence H. Cooke Supreme Courthouse and a local cemetery.

Managing Partner Gregory M. Sobo announced the completion of the renovation project and the opening of the Monticello office. “Sobo & Sobo is extremely proud to open an office in Monticello to serve the people of Sullivan County with an even more convenient location where they can receive our brand of exceptional legal representation,” said Mr. Sobo. “We are honored to continue the tradition of legal excellence exemplified by Judge Cooke’s career and achievements,” he said.

About Sobo & Sobo, LLP

The Law Offices of Sobo & Sobo, one of the largest plaintiff’s personal injury firms in the country, is driven by a commitment to superior service and world-class representation. It all begins with listening to the victim’s story during a free consultation. Sobo & Sobo has offices conveniently located throughout New York in Middletown, Newburgh, Spring Valley, Warwick and Poughkeepsie as well as New York City. To explore information about their decades of Winning Together, visit www.sobolaw.com or call 1-855-GOT-SOBO.

Charleston, SC (Law Firm Newswire) April 11, 2019 – The Million Dollar Advocates Forum is pleased to announce that attorney Catherine D. Meehan of Charleston, South Carolina has been certified as a life member of both the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.

The Million Dollar Advocates Forum is recognized as one of the most prestigious groups of trial lawyers in the United States. Membership is limited to attorneys who have won million and multi-million dollar verdicts, awards and settlements.

Catherine “Catie” Meehan’s dual passions for law and medicine led her to the Steinberg Law Firm, where attorneys work with individuals who have been injured at work or in their daily lives.

Catie graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Charleston School of Law in May of 2013, having already distinguished herself in the medical field. She earned numerous CALI Awards (signifying the highest grade earned in a class) for her academic performance. She also received the Founder’s Award for Professionalism in Advocacy.

Catie serves on the Charleston School of Law Alumni Association Board of Directors, and the Strategic Volunteer Engagement Committee for Reading Partners South Carolina. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Kids Chance of South Carolina. Catie is a member of the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce, Junior League, the South Carolina Bar Association and its Young Lawyers Division.

Steinberg Law Firm
http://www.steinberglawfirm.com/

61 Broad St
Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: (843) 720-2800

118 S Goose Creek Blvd
Goose Creek, SC 29445
Phone: (843) 572-0700

103 Grandview Drive Suite A
Summerville, SC 29483
Phone: (843) 871-6522

Steinberg Law Firm Blog

Harrisburg, PA (Law Firm Newswire) March 26, 2019 – Hazen Law Group will host a free informational session at the Cumberland Crossings Alzheimer’s Support Group on September 17, 2019.

Marielle F. Hazen, Esq., will lead an advice-packed discussion on Elder Law & Estate Planning for Alzheimer’s patients, their families, and anyone wishing to know more about elder law, asset protection and effective estate planning.

Marielle is a Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA) and founder of Hazen Law Group, a firm dedicated to the practice of elder and special needs planning law, estate planning, tax planning and estate administration.

The support group will meet from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Cumberland Crossings retirement and assisted living facility at 1 Longsdorf Way, Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

The Cumberland Crossings Alzheimer’s Support Group meets on the third Tuesday of each month. For more information on the support group, contact Jill Lindenberger at (717) 243-0113.

Marielle Hazen is a past president and founding member of the Pennsylvania Association of Elder Law Attorneys (PAELA) and a past president of the Special Needs Alliance.

Hazen Law Group provides expert legal representation in elder law, special needs law and estate planning in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and surrounding communities. For more information or to schedule a consultation, call Hazen Law Group at (717) 540-4332.

Learn more at http://www.hazenlawgroup.com.

Hazen Law Group
2000 Linglestown Road
Suite 202
Harrisburg, PA 17110
Phone: (717) 540-4332

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Waxahachie, TX (Law Firm Newswire) February 28, 2019 – The Hale Law Firm is pleased to announce that its founder, Attorney John D. Hale, has been named to Super Lawyers 2019.

Hale started The Hale Law Firm, in his hometown of Waxahachie, Texas in 2006. There he practices elder law, business law, and wills and trusts. He is a member of the Texas Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) and serves on the Litigation Committee.

Super Lawyers is a rating service of exceptional attorneys across more than 70 practice areas. To be selected for this prestigious designation attorneys are first nominated by their peers. Then, the process of independent research and peer evaluation begins, which results in only the best attorneys being named Super Lawyers. The selected attorneys are featured in Super Lawyers Magazine and other regional publications.

Hale represents the high professional standard that embodies a Super Lawyers rating. In addition to being licensed to practice law Hale is also a registered investment advisor and insurance agent. His knowledge in these areas make him uniquely qualified to handle estate, retirement and asset protection plans.

Hale is the published author of a textbook used by thousands of business students. He is also an in-demand speaker, frequently lecturing about long-term care and Medicaid planning. He is heavily involved in community outreach programs and uses his professional talents to serve others as often as possible.

The entire The Hale Law Firm team congratulates John D. Hale on his achievement and is proud to work alongside him.