Fault

What Is Fault?

Fault is when an entity intentionally or negligently fails to act reasonably, according to legal standards or one’s duty, resulting in harm to another person. This failure can arise from various factors such as ignorance, carelessness, negligence, or a lack of skill. If actions like not being aware, not taking proper precautions, disregarding others, or lacking necessary skills lead to injury to another person, they can all be considered as fault.

Legal scholar John C. Jeffries Jr. states, “Fault is the linchpin of tort liability.” Fault plays a crucial role in various aspects of law, including tort law (civil wrongs), contract disputes, and criminal law. Establishing fault is essential in legal proceedings to determine liability and to assess damages or penalties accordingly.

Fault forms the basis for legal liability and compensation. For example, in a car accident case, fault may be assigned based on factors like speeding, failure to yield, or distracted driving. For plaintiffs seeking damages, proving fault is essential to demonstrate that the defendant’s actions or negligence directly caused their injuries or losses. Conversely, defendants may argue mitigating circumstances or lack of fault to defend against legal claims.

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When Should I Hire a PA Trucking Accident Lawyer?

If you are involved in an accident with a heavy truck, you are likely to be experiencing a mix of emotions–shock, confusion, and generally being overwhelmed with the process of recovery. You need to figure out medical care, time off work, motor vehicle repairs, and insurance.

With all the questions swirling around the aftermath of the accident, you may also wonder about whether you should hire a lawyer to help you with legal counsel through the process, and if so when. You may be tempted to put off that decision until you deal with your insurance first. However, especially in a serious truck accident, it can often be advantageous to hire a lawyer after the accident.

If you’re interested in hiring a Pennsylvania truck accident lawyer or wondering whether you should obtain legal counsel, don’t hesitate to give us a call. At Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, […]

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Pittsburgh Workers’ Compensation FAQs

Our Pittsburgh Workers’ Compensation Lawyer will Fight for Your Rights

It is your right as an employee to file a workers’ comp claim and to have your medical expenses and wages paid while you recover from the injury or illness. The experienced Pittsburgh workers’ compensation lawyers at Munley Law can help you navigate the process, inform you of your rights, and help you work through any obstacles that come up.

A Pittsburgh workers’ compensation attorney at Munley Law can help you file your claim, prepare for and attend workers’ comp hearings, and appeal denials if necessary. If you or a loved one has been hurt at work or has become sick from workplace conditions in Pittsburgh, you need to know that you have rights.

Pittsburgh workers' compensation attorney chris munley working at his desk

What Are the Largest Industries in Pittsburgh?

Strategically located at the intersection of the Monongahela, […]

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What You Should Know About Going to Court After a Truck Accident

How to Prepare For Trial When a Truck Accident Settlement Cannot Be Reached

Not all truck settlement cases reach a settlement outside of court. When negotiations are unworkable, and a settlement agreement cannot be reached, you need an experienced personal injury lawyer with a successful track record, and who is prepared to go to trial. Alternatively, if you are satisfied with the settlement offer, and if you are not willing to withstand the delay of a trial, you may wish to refrain from going to court with your case. At the end of the day, complex truck accident cases are best dealt with when an experienced truck accident lawyer is by your side.

With over 60 years of experience, Munley Law has earned a national reputation for our significant verdicts and settlements and for our expertise in the most complex areas of personal injury law — we have all the resources and preparedness to fight for you. […]

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Pittsburgh Texting While Driving Accident Lawyer

Texting behind the wheel makes you 23 times more likely to get into a crash. According to the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, you are six times more likely to be in a motor vehicle crash while driving if you’re texting versus if you were intoxicated. Still, people all over the city of Pittsburgh use their phones while driving every day, and innocent people get hurt. If you were injured in a car accident in western Pennsylvania caused by someone who was texting and driving, a Pittsburgh texting and driving accident lawyer at Munley Law can help make things right. We represent drivers, passengers, pedestrians, motorcycle riders, and bicyclists who have been injured in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County by distracted drivers.

Contact a Pittsburgh car accident lawyer at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys today for a free consultation. We will listen to you, answer your questions, […]

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What is Road Rage?

Is Road Rage Dangerous?

Emotions get the best of all of us at times, but when driving on the road, we have a responsibility to use good judgement, composure, and respect amongst fellow drivers and pedestrians. It is tempting to get angry or upset when someone clearly cuts you off or abruptly changes lanes without signaling, and that same anger can tempt you to start raging at someone and practicing reckless driving. Giving into your emotions in the heat of the moment can intensify the danger of an already precarious situation; often termed as “road rage,” aggressive retaliation on the road can trigger a series of dangerous, and even deadly, consequences. With all of this in mind, there are safe practices to manage your frustration and to be on the alert for when sharing the road with aggressive drivers.

If you were involved in a car accident with a driver suffering from road rage, […]

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Should I Accept the First Insurance Settlement After a Scranton Car Accident?

The Insurance Company Offered a Settlement. Should I Take It?

After an automobile accident, you are likely to be experiencing a great deal of physical pain and emotional distress. You may be tempted to immediately accept the first offer from the other driver’s insurance company to put the car accident behind you as quickly as possible. However, this is almost never a good idea.

An insurance company is necessarily looking first and foremost to its own bottom line, and not to what would be fair compensation for you. The insurance company makes money by keeping its payouts as low as possible, and can take advantage of your desire for a speedy resolution to make you a low settlement offer that does not provide a fair settlement for your personal injury.

If you have questions about a car accident settlement, your first step is to contact an experienced car accident lawyer at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys. […]

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How Long Do I Have to Tell My Insurance I Was In a Car Accident?

What is the Statute of Limitations After a Car Accident?

Though they may be all too common, car accidents and the potential associated personal injury lawsuits in general, follow very specific statute of limitations and they vary depending on the state you live in.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a vehicle accident you have legitimate reasons to be confused, distracted and unsure about your state laws regarding time limits. What IS a reasonable time frame for you to open your claim? What can you expect from the claim process? What is the legal time limit for filing a personal injury claim?

If you were involved in a car accident, the car accident lawyers at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys can help. Contact us today for a free consultation.

When Do I Report a Car Accident to the Insurance Company? […]

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How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Car Accident?

What Are the Statute of Limitations in a Car Accident?

In the days and weeks following a car accident, you are focused on a lot of distracting and important things such as medical visits, recovering from any injuries sustained in the auto accident, worrying about finances such as trying to repair vehicle damage, replacing a vehicle that was lost, lost wages from missing work for injury or doctor visits and more. Time can move faster than it seems. So you might be wondering: What are the statute of limitations for filing a car accident claim in Pennsylvania?

You may not know this but car accidents and personal injury lawsuits in general, follow very specific statute of limitations depending on the state you live in. The car accident lawyers Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys explains how long you have to file a personal injury lawsuit after a car accident and what steps you need to take to meet those time constraints. […]

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Can a Car Accident Claim be Reopened?

Can You Reopen a Past Car Accident Claim?

The aftermath of a car accident can be an immensely stressful and overwhelming time. The financial burden of medical bills and additional damages, the mental and emotional weight of trying to get back to your regular life, the physical strain of your injuries–it’s a lot. What’s more, the process of making an insurance claim or a legal claim can feel wildly daunting. It’s very normal to feel confused by the process, and to want it to be settled and done as quickly as possible. No one wants to spend more time than they have to talking to the insurance company and navigating the claims process when they’re trying to heal.

But what happens if you do reach a settlement agreement and close your car accident claim, only to realize that, for whatever reason, you’d like to reopen it? […]

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How Long Does It Take to Receive a Offer of Compensation?

Does it Take a Long Time to Receive a Fair Settlement Agreement?

After an accident, you may have a million things running through your mind. At the top of the list might be how you are going to recover from your injuries, including who is going to pay for medical bills, take care of you, and more. And how long does it take to receive compensation.

To ensure you receive fair compensation in any kind of personal injury claim or personal injury lawsuit, you want to make sure you have an experienced injury lawyer by your side. At Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, our personal injury lawyers have been fighting on behalf of victims for more than 60 years. Our team of lawyers have received settlement funds in the millions for our clients. We will use our skills to negotiate with insurance company to ensure you receive a fair offer of compensation so you can recover from your injuries. […]

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Who Determines Fault in a Car Accident?

Parties Who Determine Fault in Car Accident

Car Damaged in Accident

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, one of the first things you might think is “That was not my fault!” Once the immediate stress of the accident wears off you might start wondering, “But how do I prove that? Can I prove that? Who actually determines the fault in a car accident?” Fault is not necessarily decided by one party. Rather, the police report, your insurance company, and sometimes the other driver play a role in determining fault in car accidents.

In order to recover compensation for damages in an auto accident, you should consult an experienced car accident lawyer. The team at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys has decades of experience helping the victims of car accidents and we’re here to offer a free consultation and free case review today. […]

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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, […]

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How Can a Truck Accident Lawyer Help?

Why Do I Need a Truck Accident Lawyer After an Accident?

Dealing with the aftermath of a truck accident in Pennsylvania can be frustrating, stressful, and devastating. Faced with medical expenses, pain and sufferings, and lost wages, the road to recovery may seem long and hard for both you and your family. What you need is an experienced truck accident lawyer to help you receive the maximum amount of compensation for your losses, in a timely manner, so you and your family can start the healing process.

But how can a truck accident lawyer help your claim and why do you need one? Let’s explain.

A Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help With Deadlines and Evidence

Attorney Chris MunleyTimeliness is critical when establishing liability and the best possible financial compensation that you are entitled to. Reputable truck accident lawyers understand that timing is crucial to ensure a fair, […]

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What is the Truck Accident Claim Process?

What Happens After a Trucking Accident?

semi truck undercarriageBeing involved in an truck accident is a traumatic experience. Like a car accident, a truck crash can cause debilitating personal injuries and emotional distress–but due to the sheer size and force of the vehicle, truck accidents often cause more severe injuries and mental agony than an accident involving passenger cars alone.

When you or a loved one is involved in a truck accident, the last thing you want to do is try and figure out the complicated truck accident claim process.

It is essential, however, that you act fast–while evidence is fresh and before the statute of limitations runs out–in order to ensure you receive the full and fair compensation you deserve. Thankfully, an experienced truck accident lawyer can handle most steps of the truck accident claim process for you, and at no charge to you unless you win a truck accident settlement or jury award. […]

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Should I Accept the Insurance Company’s Offer After a Truck Accident?

Should I Take the Insurance Company’s Settlement?

Truck accidents are complex, multi-faceted, traumatic, and emotionally draining events for all parties involved — especially truck accident victims. If you or your loved one has fallen victim to such a devastating occurrence, there is evidence to scrutinize, truck logs to detail, mechanical efficacies to validate, and liability to determine.

Big trucking companies have built-in insurance company representatives who are trained to empathize and to negotiate an early settlement offer with you. You are likely to endure more injuries and expenses than you originally thought, and once you formally agree and accept an insurance settlement offer, you cannot later act on second thoughts; further negotiations are considered off the table.

This all leads to why you should never be hasty to accept an initial offer that an insurance company makes — the best way to protect your rights after a truck accident is to make sure you don’t speak with the insurance company until you first speak with an experienced truck accident lawyer at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys who will defend your rights and ensure that you are fairly compensated. […]

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What Can I Sue for After a Truck Accident?

Damaged cars after a car accident crash involving a big rig semi truck with semi trailer at a city street crossroad intersection in wilkes-barreA truck accident can happen at any time. When you are in a passenger vehicle, on a bike or motorcycle, you are particularly vulnerable to serious injuries. Trucks are heavy vehicles with a lot of force and the potential to cause serious damage just by their sheer size and weight.

Pennsylvania has many interstates, routes and highways which see a lot of truck traffic. If you have ever been traveling on route 81 for instance, you know how intimidating and scary it can swiftly become to be surrounded by large trucks going at a high rate of speed.

After a truck accident you might be facing a lot of frustrating and confusing hardships. You can have minor or very serious injuries, you might have lost your vehicle which was your primary transportation to work, you might be angry and scared looking forward to a future with physical therapy, […]

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What Percentage of Truck Accidents are Caused by Cars?

What Happens When a Car Driver is Responsible for a Truck Accident?

Truck drivers are the heart of America’s infrastructure. In 2020, 10.23 billion tons of freight was transported by trucks in the United States. Food, construction materials, raw materials for U.S. manufacturers, and every vital retail goods sold and shipped in the U.S. relies on big rigs. More than 72 percent of transported items in this country are moved by trucks. The U.S. economy is driven by large trucks. But what happens if you are a truck driver involved in a large truck crash and you are not at fault?

At Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, we know picking up the pieces after a truck accident can feel like an insurmountable task. If you or a loved one becomes a victim of a truck accident caused by a passenger vehicle or other motorist, our highly experienced and dedicated truck accident lawyers are ready to help you. […]

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Pittsburgh Fatal Truck Accident Lawyer

If You Lost a Loved One in a Truck Accident in Pittsburgh, Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys is Here For Your Family.

Accidents are a devastating reality of the road. But when a truck is involved in an accident, the likelihood of fatalities and severe consequences is substantially higher. If you lost a loved one in a truck accident, our Pittsburgh fatal truck accident lawyers are deeply and immeasurably sorry for your loss. We know you must be experiencing unfathomable pain, and that you want to achieve justice for this terrible wrong.

At Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, our goal is to take on the legal challenges that come with fighting for justice, so that you and your family can focus on emotional recovery. Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys’ truck accident lawyers in Pittsburgh who have been recognized as the best in the country in truck accident litigation. […]

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Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer

Have you or a loved one been injured in a commercial vehicle accident? The truck accident lawyers at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys are here to help.

FedEx truck accidentBeing involved in any type of accident can be catastrophic to the victim and their family. However, when a commercial vehicle crash leaves you injured and unable to work, resulting in piling medical bills, you need a law firm that can help you recoup your losses and hold the at-fault party accountable.

At Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, our personal injury lawyers work with you to recover lost wages, medical bills, property damage, and more. To set up a consultation with our legal team, contact the commercial vehicle accident lawyers at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys by calling844-686-5397 or connecting with us online.

What Is a Commercial Vehicle Accident?

Commercial vehicle accidents are those collisions that involve commercial transport. […]

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How Much Can Someone Sue for a Car Accident?

Car AccidentIn general, there is no limit to how much you can sue someone for a car accident. However, there are factors that may limit how much compensation you will recover in a lawsuit. Things like the severity of the injuries, the extent of the other party’s negligence, and the coverage of insurance policies will all limit what you can recover.

How Much Can a Car Accident Victim Sue For?

Car accident victims can sue for economic and non-economic damages depending on the severity of the wreck. The only way to really maximize the total compensation a victim may be awarded is by utilizing the legal representation of a car accident lawyer

Potential compensation a car accident victim may be awarded includes:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Diminished earning capacity
  • Property damage
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of consortium
  • Wrongful death

The award will also depend on the severity of the crash. […]

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