Munley Law Blog

What Are the Steps in a Personal Injury Lawsuit?

If you’ve been injured in an accident due to someone else’s negligence, you need an experienced personal injury attorney with a successful track record to help win your case. Knowing the detailed steps to a personal injury lawsuit will keep you be well-informed about what can make proper compensation a reality. These cases can be complex, especially if the specifics of your personal injury case involve many parties, long-term medical care, or other nuances. Proving negligence will be key to your case, and your best chance in being justifiably compensated can be met by working with a personal injury lawyer.

Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys has been helping accident victims for more than 60 years; we specialize in personal injury cases and our attorneys have tried thousands of personal injury lawsuits. Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys has the knowledge, the power, and the expertise to get you what you deserve. […]

What is Uninsured Motorist Coverage, and Do I Need it?

We drive a lot. It’s a daily act that becomes almost mundane, but being on the busy roads at any time of day brings you into close contact with literally hundreds of other drivers and vehicles.

Many of these hundreds of drivers are distracted by hundreds of things. An accident can happen in a split second. How confident are you that these drivers have sufficient or any car insurance policy?

Uninsured motorist statistics

If you’re the victim of a collision with an uninsured driver, or with a driver who has very little auto insurance coverage, you could be responsible for the entire financial burden of a car crash.

According to a 2021 study by the Malvern, Pennsylvania-based Insurance Research Council (IRC), 13 percent of motorists, or about one in eight drivers nationwide, is uninsured. Although auto insurance is mandatory in Pennsylvania, […]

When to Hire an Attorney After a Car Accident

Car accidents are traumatizing events for all involved. In the aftermath of a car accident, there are so many questions to be answered. What kind of medical care do I need? Do I have to take time off work? Will my insurance cover this? Is my car okay? Can I afford all this? How will I get to work? In the midst of all this, one question that may cross your mind is: Do I need a lawyer?

You’re not required to hire a car accident attorney, and in some cases, doing so may not be necessary. However, while working with an experienced lawyer does not guarantee a specific outcome, it does guarantee that you’ll have someone with knowledge of the legal system fighting on your behalf. For many people, working with a personal injury lawyer after a car accident is worth it because it means that can focus on things like rest and recovery, […]

How Can You Prove Who is Responsible For a Truck Accident?

How Difficult is It to Determine Fault in a Trucking Accident?

In some cases, determining fault in a car accident is fairly straightforward. There’s a clear party at fault, and a clear victim. But far more often that not, determining fault in truck accidents is a highly complex process. There are a great deal of potentially liable parties, and a huge amount of evidence that must be reviewed in order to correctly determine fault. What’s more, there is an inherent level of complication when a commercial truck is involved; this means that rather than navigating amongst passenger vehicles and their individual drivers, you must also navigate with a large company, which likely has extensive legal resources.

At Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, our truck accident lawyers believe that all truck accident victims deserve justice. We also understand that the legal system can feel overwhelming, […]

Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys Earns Regional Rankings in 2023 “Best Law Firms”

Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys is pleased to announce that it has been named to the 2023 list of Best Law Firms by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers®.

The firm earned four Tier 1 rankings in the Northeastern Pennsylvania metro area for the following practice areas:

• Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs
• Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
• Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs
• Workers’ Compensation Law – Claimants

“This is truly an honor to be recognized for our law firm’s hard work in helping injured victims throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania,” said Caroline Munley, managing partner at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys.

In August, seven of the firm attorneys – Marion Munley, Daniel Munley, Caroline Munley, J. Christopher Munley, Robert Munley III, John Mulcahey, and Katie Nealon – earned recognition in the 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. […]

Millions of Americans Admit Aggressive Driving, Road Rage

There are 160 million angry drivers out there, making the likelihood of a car accident even greater.

A recent study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that about 78% of drivers in the U.S. reported expressing aggression or road rage in the past year.

About 3 percent, or 5.7 million drivers, admitted they had bumped another vehicle on purpose due to anger. About 4 percent (7.6 million drivers) reported that they had gotten out of the car to confront another driver.

Men were three times more likely than women to purposely hit another car out of road rage or to get out of their cars to confront another driver.

Drivers in the Northeast were more likely than other drivers to make an angry gesture from behind the wheel.

Here’s a breakdown of some of the most common aggressive driving and road rage behaviors:

• Purposefully tailgating: 51% (104 million drivers)
• Yelling at another driver: 47%(95 million drivers)
• Honking to show annoyance or anger: 45% (91 million drivers)
• Making angry gestures: 33% (67 million drivers)
• Trying to block another vehicle from changing lanes: 24% (49 million drivers)
• Cutting off another vehicle on purpose: 12% (24 million drivers)
• Getting out of the vehicle to confront another driver: 4% (8 million drivers)
• Bumping or ramming another vehicle on purpose: 3% (6 million drivers)

AAA also differentiates between “aggressive driving,” […]

What Does it Mean When You Stack Your Auto Insurance Policies?

Understanding Stacked Car Insurance

It is estimated that 12.6 percent of motorists on the road in 2019 were driving without car insurance. That equals to approximately one in eight drivers are behind the wheel without insurance. Not only is this illegal and dangerous, but getting into an accident can be costly to all involved. 

If you get into a severe car accident in Pennsylvania with an uninsured motorist, your first concern may be how will you pay for your medical expenses. Will you be stuck with the bill? 

Fortunately, there are provisions in your insurance policy that will pay for any of the injuries you may receive. And if your underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage is stacked, then you won’t have to worry about paying for the large medical bills.

But what is stacked insurance? […]

Why Do Most Personal Injury Cases Settle?

Will my personal injury case settle?

Although popular television shows and movies give the illusion that every legal case culminates with a dramatic trial, the reality is that over 95% of all cases and almost 96% of personal injury cases settle out of court. While many personal injury plaintiffs are eager for an opportunity to have their day in court so that they can tell their story to a judge and jury, it is important to understand the benefits and drawbacks of both trials and settlements. Our Wilkes-Barre personal injury lawyer explains.

Why Do You Need a Personal Injury Lawyer From Munley Law?

It is also important that victims of catastrophic accidents choose a legal team that understands these nuances and knows how to negotiate with hospitals, businesses, and insurance companies in order to maximize their clients’ winnings. Time and time again, […]

Teenage Traffic Fatalities Increase Dramatically During Prom-Graduation Season

Prom and graduation season is here again, and although it is a time for celebration, it is also the most dangerous time for teens in regards to traffic fatalities. The biggest danger teens face on prom or graduation night is auto accidents, either because the driver has been drinking, is tired, or is simply distracted by a carload of friends.

How Likely is a Teen Driver to Get into a Fatal Car Accident?

In the United States, although teenagers drive less than their parents, the number of crash deaths involving teens is disproportionately high. According to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, in the U.S., the fatal crash rate per mile driven for 16-19-year-olds is nearly 3 times the rate for drivers ages 20 and over. The fatal crash rate per mile drove is nearly twice as high for 16-17-year-olds as it is for 18-19-year-olds. […]

What Happens If You Hit a Cyclist with Your Car?

Hit a Cyclist, or Injured in a Bicycle Accident? We Can Help.

Car accidents involving an injured cyclist can be the worst experience anyone can have. If you’re asking yourself “What happens if you hit a cyclist with your car?” an experienced bicycle accident lawyer can help.

You may feel guilty, upset, and anxious about what happens afterward. Can the cyclist sue you for the accident? What will happen to your insurance rates? What happens next?

These are all valid concerns to have before, during, and after your time on the accident scene. Even if you were injured in the bicycle accident as well, you may be stressing over what can happen. That’s why it’s important to know what your next steps should be to protect yourself and your claim.

For over 60 years, Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys has been helping bicycle accident and car accident victims alike with their personal injury claims. […]

Can I Sue After a Car Accident If I Was Not Hurt?

What Options Are Available After A Car Accident With No Injuries?

Everyone knows that if you are injured in a car accident, you have the option to file a lawsuit against the other driver. But what happens if you only suffer damage to your vehicle? Can you sue the other driver?

Even if you suffered no physical injuries during an accident caused by the negligence of another driver, you could still recover property damage costs. If your insurance company refuses to repair or replace a car you suffer heavy damage you might need to seek court action to have them repaired or replaced.

Understanding your legal rights after a car accident is paramount. Please note that Munley Law handles personal injury cases only.

Filing Car Accident Claim with Insurance Company

The best way to ensure you recover compensation and financial losses from insurance companies or liable parties in your car accident property damage settlement is to hire an experienced car accident property damage lawyer. […]

Is it Better to Settle or Go to Trial?

Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help Determine Next Steps in Your Case

During the course of your lawsuit, your personal injury lawyer will discuss your options for settling your case or going to trial. A well-negotiated settlement can leave you financially secure while ending your lawsuit quickly but runs the risk of undervaluing your claim. On the other hand, a winning verdict at trial can bring you the compensation you deserve for your injuries, but at the cost of a lengthy and overwhelming court battle.

Your personal injury lawyer for your accident lawsuit is unique. That is why you need an experienced personal injury lawyer with negotiation skills, a track record of winning verdicts, and a history of reaching bold settlement agreements to help you decide on the best path forward. There are pros and cons to both settling a personal injury case and going to trial. […]

What You Need to Know About Bicycle Accidents and Car insurance in PA

What if you were involved in a bicycle accident in Pennsylvania and suffered a serious injury? If your bicycle was hit by a motorized vehicle, whose insurance company is responsible – yours or the motor vehicle drivers? What if no one was at fault? Can you file an insurance claim or a lawsuit requesting reimbursement for pain and suffering resulting from a bicycle accident? Auto insurance in Pennsylvania offers both full tort and limited tort policy choices. What does that mean? How does it apply to bicycle accident coverage?

Accidents involving bicycles happen all too frequently. It pays to be aware of the details of how insurance coverage works. But the issue can become complex in many cases. Hiring a Pennsylvania bicycle accident lawyer can help you receive the benefits you deserve if you are a victim of an injury caused by an accident that happened while riding your bicycle. […]

What is Malingering?

What is “malingering” and how can it affect your workers’ comp case?

Malingering comes up often in the context of workers’ compensation. Malingering is a term used to describe the action of exaggerating or falsifying one’s illness or injury to gain some benefit (such as workers’ comp payments).

Workers’ compensation program administrators and officials of the employing company often accuse employees who receive workers’ comp payments of “malingering” as a way to extend benefits. These accusations, which happen on a fairly regular basis, are unfair to dedicated employees who continue to suffer effects from injuries or illness contracted on the job. Such workers are rightfully owed benefits.

A Medical Definition of Malingering:

WebMD defines malingering as:

“‌. . . pretending to have an illness in order to get a benefit. The feigned illness can be mental or physical. […]

Your Guide to Filing a Lawsuit

Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys Personal Injury Lawyers’ Guide to Filing a Lawsuit

If a company or person has acted in negligence and caused you serious injury, you may file a lawsuit in order to obtain financial compensation from the at-fault party. But filing a lawsuit can be a challenging task. Any slight mistake can cost you the compensation that you deserve or cause further damages. That’s why you need the proper guidance and an experienced team of attorneys. 

Below, we will explain what it means to file a personal injury lawsuit and how to increase your chances of winning.

What does it mean to file a lawsuit?

A lawsuit is a formal legal case that you or your lawyer files with the court. Filing a lawsuit involves telling the court that the defendant acted negligently and hurt you (the plaintiff). […]

Pennsylvania Bicycle Safety Laws

Pennsylvania Bicycle Laws: Everything You Should Know

Over the years, one of the biggest threats to public safety is road accidents. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) secretary, one life lost is one too many, and the organization is working towards zero deaths.

Sadly, however, the number of traffic accident fatalities remains startling. Though there was a record low of 1,059 deaths in 2019, the number rose to 1,129. Among the most vulnerable to such crashes are cyclists.

Though there was a decrease in bicyclist injuries from 1,003 in 2019 to 799 in 2020, the number of fatalities rose from 16 to 22. For the lucky ones, they walk away from such incidents with minor injuries. But for some, it’s not the case.

Due to the evident disadvantage cyclists have, a bicycle crash with a vehicle can result in severe injuries. […]

Amazon workers’ attempt at unionization

The workers’ comp lawyers at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys examine the attempt at unionization made by Amazon workers

From the summer of 2020, Amazon has been in the middle of a spirited unionization effort from some of the workers at its Bessemer, Alabama warehouse. Through the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) the employees staged protests that have been largely online and through the phone because of the pandemic. 

The organizers were hoping these protests would yield the same results that pushed for the unionization of employees in high-profile companies in the U.S. and were hoping for similar results for Amazon’s Alabama warehouse.

As Amazon, Chewy, and other warehouses continue to crop up across the Lehigh Valley and throughout our region, it is worth understanding how unionization efforts unfold for Amazon workers.

The push for unionization: how it all began 

The push for unionization started after a small group of workers at the company’s Bessemer Alabama warehouse went to the local branch of the retail workers’ […]

RV Accidents in Pennsylvania

Summer Travel: RV Accidents in Pennsylvania

RVing is a culture popular with residents of Pennsylvania. Some people acquire RVs for occasional use, such as summer holidays or weekend trips, while others prefer cruising with these vehicles all year long. Sadly, accidents involving RVs often lead to catastrophic injuries, thanks to the vehicles’ enormous sizes and mass. If you are involved in an RV accident in Pennsylvania, an experienced auto accident lawyer can help you determine what to do next.

Although many RV operators are usually careful when cruising with these big machines, some just lack the skills and attention needed to enhance safety. This poses a significant danger to motorists, bystanders, and pedestrians who may end up with serious injuries, permanent damage, or in worst-case scenarios, loss of life.

Our RV accident attorneys are committed to helping residents of Pennsylvania who have been victimized by the poor decision of others obtain fair compensation. […]

Expert Witnesses in Medical Malpractice Cases

What Does an Expert Witness Do in a Medical Malpractice Case?

While each medical injury is different, all medical malpractice lawsuits require expert witnesses. Experienced medical malpractice lawyers, like our award-winning team at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, know when and how to use a good expert witness.  If you are planning on filing a claim in a Pennsylvania court, then make sure you understand these points about experts.

Why Do I Need an Expert Witness in My Medical Malpractice Claim?

There are several reasons why medical malpractice plaintiffs need expert witnesses.

The Certificate of Merit

First, in Pennsylvania, all med mal plaintiffs must file a “Certificate of Merit.” The purpose of this document is to protect doctors and other medical practitioners from frivolous lawsuits. An expert witness must sign the Certificate of Merit to verify that the expert:

• Reviewed the case
• Believes there is a basis to conclude that the doctor’s care, […]

Proving Negligence in a Premises Liability Case

How You Can Prove Negligence and Win Your Premises Liability Case

If you suffered serious injuries at another’s business or property, then you deserve compensation for your pain and expenses. However, to do so, you will need to demonstrate the business or property owner’s responsibility for your injuries. As a result, Munley Law, the nation’s leading personal injury law firm, is here to explain what you will need to show and how you can show it. If you are ready to win big, then follow these tips for proving negligence in a premises liability case. When you’re ready to find out how much compensation you could get, discuss your case with an award-winning premises liability lawyer from Munley Law . Call, text, message, or chat us. Today and every day, the consultation is always free.

Tips for Proving Negligence in Your Premises Liability Injury Case

Tip #1 – Understand what a premises liability case is

In order to negotiate a favorable settlement or win at trial, […]