T’is the season NOT to be driving drunk
By Dean I Weitzman, Esq. on December 15th, 2009
With the December holidays in full swing, from Hanukkah to Kwanzaa to Christmas to New Year's Eve, it's a perfect time for us all to remember and carefully consider the dangers of drinking and driving as we celebrate family, friends and festive events. According to the activist group Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), last year there were 11,773 fatalities nationally involving a driver with an illegal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or greater. That's...
What to Do Following a Motor Vehicle Accident
By Dean I Weitzman, Esq. on November 23rd, 2009
Have you recently been in a motor vehicle accident? If so, then you are probably wondering "What now?" Many people involved in car accidents or motorcycle crashes do not know what steps to take following a serious accident. They may fail to do something, or do the wrong things (like to talk to an insurance representative), which could compromise their case. The law firm of Silvers, Langsam & Weitzman—better known as MyPhillyLawyer.com—provides some action steps...
Life sentences and juvenile offenders — what is fair and right?
By Dean I Weitzman, Esq. on November 12th, 2009
A 13-year-old boy is not an adult. Yet when a 13-year-old boy commits a heinous crime, our court system in the U.S. can treat him like an adult and lock him up for life. That was the case for Joe Harris Sullivan, who was convicted 20 years ago in a Florida court of beating and raping an elderly woman after an in-home robbery -- all when he was 13 years old. He'd been in trouble...
Pennsylvania Taking Baby Steps On The Cell Phone Front…
By Dean I. Weitzman, Esq. on July 10th, 2009
Driving while texting: proposed Pa. law would levy $100 fine Tired of seeing drivers texting from cellphones and PDAs while they’re behind the wheel of their cars, minivans and trucks? So are we, as is every other rational person who doesn’t want to get hurt in a vehicle accident due to someone else’s carelessness. Well, some good news came out of the Pennsylvania State Senate yesterday – a bill passed the Senate by a 44...
Medical Amnesty Legislation in New Jersey
By Dean I Weitzman, Esq. on June 9th, 2009
The recent tragic deaths of two young people from excessive drinking at New Jersey colleges have prompted action in the New Jersey Legislature. Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini introduced a bill known as the 911 Legislation or Lifeline Legislation, which provides amnesty for minors who seek medical attention for themselves or friends who have become dangerously intoxicated. Statistics from the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence - New Jersey (NCADD-NJ) reveal the dangerous risks that...
The Effects of Automaker Bankruptcy on Injured People
By Dean I Weitzman, Esq. on June 5th, 2009
Earlier this week, President Obama announced news that has been expected for months — General Motors has filed for bankruptcy, with plans to emerge as a stronger, more viable “new” corporation. This announcement came just one day after Judge Arthur J. Gonzalez approved the sale of most of Chrysler’s assets to a new company, run by Fiat. Neither event came as a great surprise; the financial troubles of both companies are well-known. However, in both...
Philly Steps Into The Cell Phone Void
By Dean I. Weitzman, Esq. on May 21st, 2009
A person talking (and especially texting) on his cell phone is as impaired as one who drives while intoxicated. Both impairments are equally dangerous for others on the road and can, and often do, result in catastrophic injuries. We have handled many cases where subpoenaed cell phone records demonstrate that the at-fault drivers were using their phones during the accident. In one such case, we even proved that a local clergy person was using his...