Work Zone Crash Kills 6 in NY: What We Can Learn From Such Tragedies
By Dean I Weitzman, Esq. on July 20th, 2012
A tractor-trailer barreling down a work-congested highway in upstate New York failed to slow down and smashed into several vehicles July 19, killing six people and leaving lots of questions about what happened. The tractor-trailer caused a chain-reaction collision that prompted an SUV to burst into flames and at least two other vehicles to be struck, according to a story from The Associated Press (AP). Five people died in the SU, including the driver, Laurie...
Penalties Now Higher in N.J. for Distracted Drivers Involved in Crashes While Using Hand-Held Cell Phones
By Dean I Weitzman, Esq. on July 18th, 2012
Drivers in New Jersey should be forewarned – a new rule just signed into law adds operating a motor vehicle while using a hand-held cell phone to the list of contributing factors that can lead to criminal charges of reckless driving if you are involved in a vehicle accident. The new legislation "toughens penalties against drivers who kill or injure someone while the driver is using a hand-held cell phone," according to a story in...
Deaths of Three Children on Capsized Long Island Yacht a Grim Reminder for Vigilant Boating Safety
By Dean I Weitzman, Esq. on July 13th, 2012
The July 4 holiday was tragically marred on Long Island's Oyster Bay in New York when a 34-foot-long private yacht capsized following a holiday fireworks show, trapping and killing three children who were inside the boat's cabin. Since the disaster, investigators have pored over the wreckage of the yacht, which had to be pulled from a depth of about 60 feet after it sank in the bay, according to an Associated Press story in the...
Emergency Room Treatment Delay Leads to $55 Million Verdict in Birth Defect Case
By Dean I Weitzman, Esq. on June 28th, 2012
With the birth of her son imminent after several hours of labor at her home, a Waverly, Maryland, woman was rushed to a Baltimore hospital by ambulance for an emergency Caesarean section in March of 2010. But instead of being instantly taken into an emergency room for immediate surgery, she had to wait for more than two hours until the procedure was started. That delay, according to a lawsuit she filed against Johns Hopkins Hospital,...
Some New Jersey Red Light Cameras May Be Inaccurate: What Drivers Need to Know
By Dean I Weitzman, Esq. on June 21st, 2012
As questions mount over the accuracy of a majority of red-light cameras used throughout intersections across New Jersey, the state has suspended the use of those devices that are under investigation, according to a story in The (Newark) Star-Ledger newspaper. The red-light cameras "have frustrated motorists while generating millions of dollars for towns," the paper reported. "Officials from the state Department of Transportation said 63 of the 85 red-light cameras in New Jersey — including...
Court Radio: Talking About Father’s Rights on Father’s Day, 7 a.m. Sunday
By Dean I Weitzman, Esq. on June 16th, 2012
Helping men become better fathers to their children is the goal of Philadelphia's Daddy UniverseCity program, which also aims to help dads know their legal rights when it comes to their offspring. Joel Austin, the president and founder of the six-year-old non-profit organization, will be the featured guest on “Court Radio” at 7 a.m. this Sunday with MyPhillyLawyer managing partner Dean Weitzman and his co-host David Rapoport. The trio will talk about father's rights and...
Keeping Your Teens Safe During The “100 Deadliest Days” for Teen Drivers This Summer
By Dean I Weitzman, Esq. on June 6th, 2012
This is one of the happiest times of the year for many teenagers as high school graduations, graduation celebrations and summer vacations fill their calendars and they begin to prepare for college and the rest of their lives. Sadly, though, the time between the Memorial Day and Labor Day holidays is also considered "The 100 Deadliest Days" for teen drivers, according to the group, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). "According to AAA, an average of...
Unsafe Idea: Legislator Proposes Raising PA Turnpike Speed Limit to 70 mph
By Dean I Weitzman, Esq. on May 31st, 2012
A proposal to raise the speed limit on the Pennsylvania Turnpike from 65 mph to 70 mph has been introduced by a legislator who argues that it makes sense because cars and roads today are safer than ever. The problem is that's ridiculous, based on all of the statistics that are available about vehicle crashes, injuries and fatalities when it comes to higher vehicle speeds. The bill was introduced in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives...
Court Radio Alert this Sunday 7 A.M: Memorial Day Weekend Holiday Safety Tips for Your Family
By Dean I Weitzman, Esq. on May 26th, 2012
The Memorial Day holiday weekend is symbolically the official start of the summer season as Americans take time to honor our nation's heroes of wars past and take time to relax with family and friends. We here at MyPhillyLawyer wish you a wonderful weekend, but we also want to remind you to be careful as you travel and enjoy your time off. On “Court Radio” at 7 a.m. on Sunday, MyPhillyLawyer managing partner Dean Weitzman...