Who is Responsible When You Are Hurt in a Truck Accident?

Determining who may be responsible for damages when you have been injured in a truck accident is challenging. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a crash, finding a personal injury lawyer who is well-versed in handling these types of claims is critical to ensuring all liable parties are held accountable.

Truck Accident Cases Are Complex

Truck accident cases are very different from auto injury claims. Because of their large size and weight, semis and other commercial vehicles are more prone to causing life-altering injuries and fatalities when involved in an accident. Crashes involving passenger vehicles can be deadly as well, but the claims process for recovering damages typically involves only two insurers. In truck accident cases, multiple parties may be liable, which means you need experienced accident injury lawyers who know how to track down all possible sources of compensation and prove liability.

Multiple Parties May Be Liable For Damages

Identifying the persons or entities responsible for damages after a truck accident comes down to the circumstances surrounding the crash, and whether a driver is a company employee, independent contractor, or owner-operator of a truck. This can get tricky, as a trucking company may try to deny a driver’s status as an employee or contractor in order to avoid liability. Not only that, the negligence of multiple parties may play a part in why an accident occurred. Depending on the circumstances, liability may lie with multiple parties, including the:

● Truck driver

● Trucking company

● Cargo loader

● Parts and/or vehicle manufacturer

● Maintenance company or repair shop

● Other motorists

Truck accident cases are very complicated when more than one party is potentially liable for damages. Filing claims with multiple insurers is stressful and overwhelming, and it is the last thing you want to deal with when you have been hurt and are trying to heal.

Why You Need a Truck Accident Lawyer to Determine Liability

There are countless scenarios in which a truck accident can occur. For example, if a crash was caused by faulty brakes but the trucking company failed to do required checks and maintenance so the problem was not detected, both the brake parts manufacturer and trucking company could be liable for damages.

An insurer may claim that you or another party is fully or partially at fault a crash. If you do share liability for the accident, this makes sorting out who is responsible for damages even more challenging. A truck accident attorney can take the weight off your shoulders by thoroughly investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash, handling communications and negotiations with insurers, and fighting to help you recover the full amount of compensation you need and deserve.

It is also important to hire knowledgeable Pennsylvania personal injury lawyers who are familiar with the rules set forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which regulates the motor carrier industry in the United States.

A Truck Injury Attorney Provides Compassionate Legal Support

It can be easy to underestimate the physical, emotional, and financial costs of being injured in a truck accident. Many trucking companies have powerful insurance companies on their side and will do everything they can to minimize or deny your claim. Your lawyer will ensure that the severity and scope of your injuries and losses are accurately calculated, and provide the aggressive legal representation you need to protect your health and financial security.

Our personal injury lawyers in Chester County, PA are dedicated to helping make things right for injured victims and their families.

This blog was originally posted on https://pa4law.com/who-is-responsible-when-you-are-hurt-in-a-truck-accident/

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What is a Probate Litigation Attorney and Why Would You Need One?

Probate is the process by which a will is validated and an estate is administered after someone dies. Although many probate proceedings go off without a hitch, if a will is contested or other disputes arise, probate litigation may be necessary. Whether you are an executor of a will or need to address problems with the administration of an estate, an experienced probate litigation attorney can help you understand the law and protect your interests.

Types of Probate Litigation

Will or Trust Contests

To challenge the validity of a will or trust, you must show that there is a legitimate reason and that you have the standing to do so as an heir or potential beneficiary.

Common reasons for contesting a will include:

Diminished or lack of testamentary capacity – For a will to be valid, the testator (person who signed the will) must be 18 years of age and be of sound mind. This means that they have sufficient mental capacity to understand what property they own and how they want their possessions to be distributed, even if their memory has been impaired by age or disease.

Undue influence –If someone inappropriately influences a testator to draft or amend their will in a way that benefits that person, there may be cause to contest a will for undue influence.

Fraud – When a will or trust is signed by someone who believed they were signing another document with different provisions, it may be considered fraud.

Forgery – Tampering with or the unauthorized signing of a will or trust is a forgery, which is grounds to contest the document.

Errors – Each state has laws dictating how a will or trust must be drafted and signed to be legally valid. For example, if a will is signed without witnesses, signatures are missing, or important text is omitted, it could be considered invalid.

Other Probate and Estate Administration Issues

Some other matters that can lead to probate litigation include estate administrator appointments, executor fee disputes, trustee removals, guardianship disputes, spousal share claims, and requesting a formal accounting of an estate. One way to help your loved ones avoid a lot of these problems is to work with a knowledgeable estate planning attorney when creating a will and estate plan.

How a Probate Litigation Attorney Can Help

Unfortunately, sometimes issues with an estate cannot be avoided. Family disputes can escalate quickly, which is an added stress when you are already grieving the loss of a loved one. A probate litigation attorney can help you keep a cool head, navigate the probate court system, and ensure that all procedural requirements and deadlines are met.

Having a knowledgeable lawyer who understands both beneficiaries’ and estate administrators’ viewpoints is critical. Your probate litigation attorney can help you negotiate disputes and hopefully come to an agreement without going to trial. However, if a reasonable agreement cannot be reached, probate litigation attorneys are experienced trial lawyers who can represent your interests in the courtroom and provide the compassionate legal support you need to get through tough times.

Whether you need to draft a will or are facing probate litigation, our experienced Chester County estate planning attorneys and probate lawyers can help.

This blog was originally posted on https://pa4law.com/what-is-a-probate-litigation-attorney-and-why-would-you-need-one/

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Why You Should Update Your Estate Plan After Having a New Child or Grandchild

Wanting the best for the children in your family is an essential aspect of being a parent or grandparent. Welcoming a new family member is exciting, but it’s important not to overlook the need to update your estate plan. Asking your lawyer to draw up a will or amend an existing one can give you peace of mind and ensure your children and grandchildren are well taken care of after you’re gone.

Update Your Will

If you’re a parent, your child should be added as a beneficiary in your will. If you fail to do this, the child may be excluded from receiving the inheritance you intended.  It’s especially important if you are divorced or have a blended family, as things can get tricky when there is no will or a will is not specific about how assets should be distributed.

Not only that, it’s vital to appoint a legal guardian for your minor children to ensure they are cared for by someone you trust if something unfortunate were to happen. If you’re a grandparent who wants to make sure your new grandchild is included as a beneficiary of your estate, you should update your will to reflect this as well.

Consider a Revocable Trust

It’s also a good idea to talk to your family estate planning attorney about whether a trust may be a beneficial option for the child. A revocable living trust is a legal arrangement in which you can name someone to manage assets on your beneficiary’s behalf. You can add or take out funds or property or terminate the trust while you are alive. However, when you die, the trustee will manage the assets for your child. Because trusts typically don’t have to pass through probate, this means beneficiaries will be able to have access to the funds immediately after your passing. Trusts can also provide some tax benefits and are useful tools for ensuring that money or property intended for beneficiaries isn’t mismanaged and is used according to your intentions.

Review Powers of Attorney

Both healthcare power of attorney and financial power of attorney are critical estate planning documents that protect your rights and interests while you are still alive. Although no one likes to think about what could happen if they become ill or incapacitated, having someone you trust to make medical and financial decisions when you are unable to do so not only protects you – it safeguards your children’s future.

When you have a new child, make sure your powers of attorney are up to date and that you still want the people you’ve chosen to make these decisions for you. This can save your loved ones a lot of grief and have a direct financial and emotional impact on your children or grandchildren, regardless of age. A Pennsylvania estate planning attorney can take a comprehensive look at your estate plan and advise you of the best way to protect your assets and your family’s well-being.

Do you need assistance with updating your estate plan or creating a new one? Our wills lawyers in Chester County can help.

This blog was originally posted on https://pa4law.com/why-you-should-update-your-estate-plan-after-having-a-new-child-or-grandchild/

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What You Need to Know About Prescription Drug Laws in PA

Drug crimes are usually associated with illegal substances such as heroin or cocaine. However, prescription drug abuse has also become a serious problem in the United States. A conviction for illegal possession, sale, or distribution of prescription can have a devastating impact on all aspects of your life. If you’ve been charged with a crime, a drug defense lawyer can help you understand prescription drug laws in PA and any potential penalties you may face.

Drugs That Are Illegal Without a Prescription in PA

With the exception of steroids, most prescription drugs that are illegally sold or possessed are used for conditions such as anxiety, pain, sleep disorders, and behavioral disorders like ADHD.

Both federal and state laws prohibit the unauthorized possession of certain prescription drugs, including:

● Benzodiazepines such as Valium, Xanax, Klonopin, and Ativan

● Narcotics such as Oxycontin, Percocet, Vicodin, Demerol, Morphine, Codeine, and Tramadol

● Amphetamines such as Adderall and Ritalin

● Sleeping pills such as Ambien and Lunesta

● Anabolic steroids such as Winstrol and Equipoise

Prescription Drug Crimes in Pennsylvania

Prescription drug crime charges vary depending on the type of drug, the amount in your possession, whether you intended to distribute it, and prior criminal history. This includes obtaining drugs through fraudulent means such as altering a prescription, stealing a physician’s prescription pad or forging his or her signature, and using someone else’s prescription.

Some examples of prescription drug crimes and their penalties under Pennsylvania laws include:

Simple Possession

If you purchase or obtain prescription drugs from another person illegally, you may be charged with simple possession, which is usually a misdemeanor. Penalties can include prison time, driver’s license suspension, and up to $25,000 in fines depending on whether you have previous drug crime convictions.

Possession with Intent to Deliver

Although many people think that anyone charged with intent to deliver must possess and sell a large quantity of drugs, this is not always the case. In Pennsylvania, even if you simply give a friend a pill you were prescribed, you may be charged with a felony prescription drug crime that could result in up to 15 years in prison and $250,000 in fines. If you are charged with possession with intent to deliver or distribute within a school zone, penalties may be harsher.

Other Prescription Drug Crimes

Doctors, pharmacists, and other health care professionals may face criminal charges for illegally selling or distributing prescription drugs. Other felony charges include unlawful manufacturing of prescription drugs and prescription drug trafficking which are very serious crimes that come with severe penalties.

It’s also possible to be charged with a DUI if you have any amount of certain prescription drugs in your system, even if you have a valid prescription. In this case, it’s critical to find an experienced drug DUI defense attorney who understands how to defend this type of charge.

If you’re facing prescription drug charges in Pennsylvania, our criminal justice lawyers can safeguard your rights and ensure you receive the best defense possible.

This blog was originally posted on https://pa4law.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-prescription-drug-laws-in-pa/

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