What is Insurance?
Insurance is, “a contract whereby, for a stipulated consideration, one party undertakes to compensate the other for loss on a specified subject by specified perils. The party agreeing to make the compensation is usually called the “insurer” or “underwriter;” the other, the “insured” or “assured;” the agreed consideration, the “premium;” the written contract, a “policy;” the events insured against, “risks” or “perils;” and the subject, right, or interest to be protected, the “insurable interest.” (Black’s Law Dictionary 946. 4th Ed. Rev. 1968)
An insurance policy is a contract in which an individual or entity (the policyholder) pays an insurance company (the insurer) in regular payments in exchange for financial protection over specific risks or losses. For example, medical insurance helps to cover medical costs, such as hospital visits, hospital stays, and medications. Similarly, auto insurance helps to cover damages incurred from car accidents. Insurance payments are known as premiums. Insurance contracts typically limit the amount of costs that an insurance provider may be required to pay.
The McCarran-Ferguson Act (15 U.S.C. § 1011) grants many aspects of insurance regulation to individual state governments. However, federal laws like federal taxes do apply to insurance, and must be acknowledged. Insurance is important to the legal system, as it helps protect individuals, those who cause harm to individuals through negligence, and any third party that is faced with the burden of compensating for an injury.
More information about Insurance
What Are the DOT Requirements for Reflective Tape on a Truck?
Have you noticed red and white reflective tape on the trailers of large trucks? Commercial trailers must install reflective tape that conforms to Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations. Trucking companies can guard against rear-end collisions and other accidents by doing so.
Be aware that these requirements may be relevant to you even if you’re not a trucker or otherwise involved in the trucking industry. For example, perhaps you were injured in a truck accident. If the truck didn’t have the proper reflective tape installed, you could potentially highlight this fact when pursuing compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other such losses. Discuss your case with our truck accident team at Munley Law for more information.
DOT Reflective Tape Regulations
DOT reflective tape consists of an alternate red-white pattern. You’ve likely noticed this red and white tape on the trailers of large trucks. […]
More information about Insurance
What Is the Consumer Product Safety Commission?
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is a federal regulatory agency that protects consumers by establishing safety standards and taking corrective action when products pose an unreasonable risk to the public.
The CPSC’s rules help protect consumers, but accidents can still happen. If a product injured you, the company may have violated safety regulations.
Compensation may be available in these circumstances. Learn more by contacting our product liability team at Munley Law for a free consultation.
What Is the Consumer Product Safety Commission?
The CPSC was established on October 24, 1972. Its umbrella statute is the Consumer Product Safety Act.
The overall purpose of the CPSC is to minimize injuries and illnesses to consumers resulting from the use of a dangerous consumer product. The CPSC achieves this goal in various ways. […]
Read MoreMore information about Insurance
Lehigh County, PA – Woman Ejected in I-78 Crash, Causing Another Accident With Tractor Trailer
LEHIGH COUNTY (January 5, 2025) – A female driver was ejected from her vehicle after crashing into the median along Interstate 78 in Lower Macungie Township on January 5.
According to news reports, the accident occurred just before 12:15 a.m. at mile marker 54.1 in Lower Macungie. The woman was driving south along Route 309 and had attempted to merge onto I-78 east. She then struck the center median, causing her to be ejected from the car. The vehicle came to rest on the west side of the highway when a tractor-trailer driver struck the vehicle, causing a secondary crash.
The woman was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest for treatment. The truck driver was not injured.
Vehicle Ejection Accidents
Being ejected from a vehicle is a very serious and potentially life-threatening situation. […]
Read MoreMore information about Insurance
Understanding the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of a Truck
Understanding the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of a truck is critical to ensuring that the vehicle operates safely and legally. Vehicle manufacturers determine the GVWR, and this number reflects the maximum weight that the vehicle can safely handle. When a truck is overloaded, and the weight exceeds the GVWR, this puts the truck driver and other drivers on the road in danger and can lead to accidents. 
What Is Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)?
The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is set by the vehicle’s manufacturer and indicates the maximum allowable weight capacity for the vehicle. The GVWR considers the weight of the vehicle, its passengers, cargo, and the fuel tank. Although sometimes used interchangeably, the GVWR differs from other weight measurements, such as the Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR), which is the maximum total combined weight of a truck and its trailer. […]
Read MoreMore information about Insurance
Man Hit By Plow While Leaving Doctor’s Appointment in Hempfield Twp., PA
A man had been hit by a plow truck after leaving a doctor’s appointment in Hempfield Township on January 6. According to news reports, a wintry mix had fallen throughout the area in the morning. Around 8 a.m., Pennsylvania State Police were called to the parking lot of an orthopedic office on Clark Ellis Road for reports of a man being hit by a plow truck.
According to police, the 74-year-old man was leaving the office when the backside of the plow truck hit him. Police believe he was not run over, but he was either pushed or dragged by the truck.
The victim suffered serious injuries and was taken to a local hospital before being transferred to Pittsburgh.
Police are investigating what caused the accident.
Winter Weather Accidents in Pennsylvania
As winter blankets Pennsylvania’s highways and backroads with snow and ice, […]
Read More
