Archive for June, 2011

Bucks County Motorcyclist Killed in Crash With Illegal Alien

Posted on: June 27th, 2011       Attorney Thomas Newell

On June 20, 2011, a 22 year-old biker from Bucks County PA was killed in a crash at the intersection of Route 130 and Burlington Road in Bordentown, New Jersey. According to The Trentonian, the motorcycle collided with a landscaping truck that was being driven by an illegal alien who fled the scene of the fatal crash.

The Bucks County PA motorcycle accident victim was taken to a hospital in Trenton where emergency surgery was unable to save his life. Witnesses helped police track down the truck and the driver was apprehended. The driver had no license and was charged with multiple crimes.

Attorney Thomas Newell represents individuals seriously injured in motorcycle crashes. Your case deserves to be handled by an experienced Pennsylvania motorcycle accident attorney. Attorney Newell has been representing PA motor vehicle accident victims since 1981. Call 800-980-4842 for a free home consultation. More information can be found at his website: NewellLaw.com.

University of Pennsylvania Study on Dangerous Dogs

Posted on: June 25th, 2011       Attorney Thomas Newell

A June 6, 2011 article on abc2news.com reviewed a University of Pennsylvania report on America’s most dangerous dog breeds. Criteria included analysis of aggression to its owners, strangers & other dogs. Researchers cautioned that not all dogs in each breed will have the same personality of aggressive tendencies.

The following breeds were viewed as being the most dangerous: pit bull, chow, Akita, Giant Schnauzer, Papillon, Rottweiler, German Shepherd, Llasa Apso, Miniature Pinscher, Chihuahua, Dachshund and Jack Russell Terrier. People are advised to avoid dogs that are chained, abandoned or are new mothers with puppies.

Seriously injured dog bite victims throughout PA have been represented by Attorney Thomas Newell. Call today at 800-980-4842 to speak with an experienced Pennsylvania dog bite lawyer. Attorney Newell provides free home consultations. Visit his website of PADogAttackLawyer.com to review is 30 year legal career.

Lehigh County Judge Strikes Down Allentown Cell Phone Ban

Posted on: June 22nd, 2011       Attorney Thomas Newell

On May 4, 2011, a Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas Judge declared invalid an Allentown PA ordinance banning the use of hand held phones while driving. Judge Anthony’s ruling noted that the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Code requires motor vehicle regulations be the same throughout the Commonwealth. Motorists should not be subject to inconsistent driving laws from county to county.

The Allentown City Council passed the ordinance in question on March 3, 2010. Two months later, a driver was charged with a citation after being observed using a cell phone while driving. After an appeal was taken from a District Justice’s decision, the driver’s attorney filed a Motion to Dismiss which was granted by the Lehigh County Trial Judge.

Attorney Thomas J. Newell has been representing Pennsylvania car crash victims for 30 years. Please call 800-980-4842 to schedule your free home consultation. Your case deserves to be analyzed by an experienced PA car crash attorney. More information on the PA Motor Vehicle Code can be found at NewellLaw.com.

Governor Replaces Head of Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement

Posted on: June 17th, 2011       Attorney Thomas Newell

On June 15, 2011, Governor Tom Corbett re-assigned the Special Deputy Secretary of the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement to a new position with the Office of Chief Counsel. Pennsylvania’s Governor restructured this governmental agency. He appointed Lynn Diehl from Harrisburg to the new position of Executive Director of the Dog Law Enforcement Office.

Some members of Pennsylvania’s Dog Law Advisory Board expressed concern that this will signal a retreat from recent legislation designed to reduce puppy mills in the state. On July 1, 2011 new rules are to become law which will set standards for temperature, ammonia and ventilation levels in kennels.

Attorney Thomas J. Newell has represented dog bite victims throughout Pennsylvania. Doesn’t your dog attack claim deserve the 30 year legal expertise of an experienced PA dog bite attorney? Call 800-980-4842 for a free home consult or visit PADogAttackLawyer.com today.

PA Senate Bans Texting and Driving

Posted on: June 14th, 2011       Attorney Thomas Newell

On June 8, 2011, the Pennsylvania Senate passed a bill that would, if passed by the House and signed by Governor Corbett, ban texting while driving. It would be a primary offense. Police could stop and cite the driver for that offense independent of any other PA Motor Vehicle Law charge. Talking with a hand held cell phone would be a secondary offense.

Experienced drivers could talk using a hands-free device but drivers with learner’s permits or junior licenses would be banned from using any phone even if hands free. The proposed law also prohibits mailing, browsing the internet or instant messaging while driving.

If you or a family member have been involved in a serious motor vehicle crash, I suggest that you immediately speak to a Pennsylvania car crash lawyer. Thomas Newell, Esq. has been aggressively representing car accident victims in PA since 1981. Call 800-980-4842 to set up your free home visit. Please see NewellLaw.com for more information about his 30 years of experience.

2010 U.S. Dog Attacks Cost Insurance Companies $413 Million

Posted on: June 10th, 2011       Attorney Thomas Newell

In May of 2011, The Insurance Information Institute estimated that U.S. insurance companies paid $413,000,000.00 to settle dog bite claims. About 1 in 3 homeowner liability claims paid are due to dog attacks. It is estimated that approximately 4.7 million Americans are bitten each year. News reports allege that there were 33 deaths in 2010 from dog bite attacks.

To minimize the chances of being bitten, experts recommend that you never run past an unrestrained dog that you are not familiar with. A dog’s natural instinct is to chase. Avoid eye contact with an aggressive dog. Dogs that are tethered outside on their property can be even more dangerous than dogs that are unrestrained.

If you or a loved one were seriously injured in a dog bite attack, you should consider contacting an experienced PA dog bite attack lawyer. Attorney Thomas J. Newell has been representing personal injury victims since 1981. Call 800-980-4842 for your free home consultation. PADogAttackLawyer.com provides readers with the latest news regarding Pennsylvania dog bite attacks.

Pennsylvania 2010 Car Accident Fatalities Rise

Posted on: June 7th, 2011       Attorney Thomas Newell

A recent article from The Morning Call highlighted PennDOT’s report of PA motor vehicle accidents in 2010. There were 1,324 deaths on Pennsylvania’s highways – 68 more than in 2009. This 54% increase in traffic fatalities was blamed on a number of factors.

524 people died who were not wearing their seat belts – up 16% from the previous year. Car crashes caused by speeding increased 23%, from 231 to 284. Fatal accidents involving 16 & 17 year old drivers jumped 42%, from 40 to 57. Alcohol related accidents increased by 2 to 444.

If you or a loved one have been seriously injured in an auto crash, shouldn’t you contact an experienced Pennsylvania car accident attorney? Thomas Newell, Esquire has represented PA car crash victims for 30 years. Call 800-980-4842 for your free home consultation. Please visit Attorney Newell’s website for more information: NewellLaw.com.

State Farm Releases 2010 Dog Bite Claim Info

Posted on: June 3rd, 2011       Attorney Thomas Newell

In May of 2011, State Farm released a report that they paid approximately $90,000,000.00 to nearly 3,500 USA dog bite victims in 2010. This average $25,714.28 per dog attack victim. Pennsylvania was the 6th highest state with 155 dog bite claims paid. PA dog bite payments totaled $3,900,000.00 or $25,161.29 on average per claim.

Unlike Ohio, Pennsylvania’s Dog Law prohibits State Farm from denying insurance coverage to homeowners with a particular breed. State Farm can not charge a PA homeowner a higher insurance rate because they own a pit bull. State Farm estimated that approximately 60% of the dog bite victims they made payments to were under the age of 12.

If you or a family member have sustained a serious dog bite injury, you should consult with an experienced Pennsylvania dog attack attorney. Attorney Thomas Newell can put his 30 years of experience to work for you. Please call 800-980-4842 for a free home consultation. Attorney Newell’s website: PADogAttackLawyer.com provides vital information for PA dog attack victims.