Munley Law Blog

DOT to relax trucker drive-time regulations

The Department of Transportation is poised to loosen federal regulations that govern how many hours at a time truck drivers can legally stay behind the wheel.

The current hours of service regulations limit driving to 11 hours in a 14 hour on-duty period, followed by at least 10 hours of rest off-duty before a new shift can begin. Additionally, regulations require that drivers take a 30-minute break before hitting the 8-hour mark. Violating these rules can come at a steep cost, even putting drivers “out of service” for a day or more. When you’re paid by the mile, that time can make a big difference.

To enforce these rules, the previous administration mandated the use of electronic logging devices or ELDs. While paper log books could be easily falsified (something we often found in truck accident investigations), it’s harder to fool an ELD, […]

Boating Rules of the Road

Crackdown on Boating Under the Influence this 4th of July

This Fourth of July, Pennsylvania boaters will head to the lake to celebrate the holiday. The Pennsylvania State Police and the Fish and Boat Commission have stated that they will be on the lookout for boaters who may be under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

Independence Day is among the holidays notorious for car accidents, many of which involve alcohol or drugs. But police are stressing that it’s not just drivers who need to be sober behind the wheel. Last year, dozens of citations were issued for people who were boating under the influence.

Still, the myth is perpetuated that driving a boat is less serious than driving a car.

Unlike roads, lakes don’t have stoplights or designated lanes to direct traffic.  Most boaters don’t go through the same practice and testing that drivers do. […]

What is “PIP” coverage on my auto insurance policy?

One of the questions we hear most frequently as personal injury lawyers is “Who is responsible for my medical bills if I’m hurt in a car accident?” In Pennsylvania, you would first go through your Personal Injury Protection or “PIP” coverage. Once you’ve exhausted your PIP, you would then turn to your own health insurance for the remaining medical costs.

What is PIP coverage?

Personal injury protection or “PIP” pays for your own medical costs when you’ve been hurt in an accident. This is true no matter who is at fault for the crash. This is why PIP is sometimes referred to as “no fault” insurance. Your PIP also covers you when you’re a passenger hurt in someone else’s vehicle, or if you’re hit as a pedestrian or on a bicycle.

Do I have PIP coverage on my policy? […]

Do I need to purchase rental car insurance?

If you’re traveling this summer, you may decide to rent a car for a road trip, or just to explore your vacation destination. When you rent a car, you have the option to purchase rental car insurance at the counter. Is this a good idea, or a waste of money? The answer is that it most likely depends on what kind of insurance you already have, if any. Some drivers absolutely need to buy rental insurance, but others don’t. And chances are you probably don’t need all of the coverages they offer.

Let us explain…

The different rental car insurance options

Liability coverage – Also known as “supplemental liability coverage.” Liability coverage is required in all states. This is the coverage that applies if you hurt someone or damage their property in an auto accident. If you have sufficient liability coverage on your personal auto policy, […]

E-Commerce means more truck traffic in NEPA

In the past decade, Northeastern Pennsylvania (NEPA) has rapidly become a hub for e-commerce distribution.  E-commerce, or the ability to buy and sell items online, is quickly becoming one of the most popular and easiest ways for people to shop.  As a result, more tractor trailers carrying online purchases are on the road than ever before.  For this area especially, tractor trailer traffic has increased exponentially.  Distribution and fulfillment centers continue to pop up throughout the region—across Lackawanna, Luzerne Monroe, Wayne and Schuylkill Counties, there are over 30 industrial centers, each with their own small community of businesses.  Twenty-two industrial centers are located in Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties alone.

                Companies
with distribution and fulfillment centers located in this area include Walmart,
Amazon, Gatorade, PepsiCo, ABF Freight, Quaker Oats, and Hershey.  Currently, Chewy.com, Patagonia, and Adidas
are working on building their own fulfillment and distribution centers in the
area.  […]