Comments Off on Is My Injury Covered by My “Full Coverage” Automobile Insurance Policy?
Each year, many Americans find themselves injured as a result of someone else’s negligence. A recurring question is whether the innocent party’s injury or claims are covered under their “full coverage” automobile policy. …
Comments Off on Why are District of Columbia drivers the worst in the nation, again?
According to latest GMAC report, which measures knowledge of driving rules, Washington, D.C. drivers ranked last in the nation. Maryland drivers weren’t too far behind, ranking 49th in the nation, while Virginia ranked in the middle of the pack at 25th. The 2011 GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test results revealed that 1 in 5 drivers on the road today cannot meet the requirements to get a driver’s license. Questions from the test include: under most conditions, what is a safe following distance?; and a solid yellow line on your side of the center line means…? (Answers: 3 seconds; and Do not pass) Unfortunately, 34 percent of drivers in Washington, D.C. failed the test.
District of Columbia drivers did just as poorly in a survey last year by Allstate that measured the likelihood of being in a collision. For the second straight year, District motorists were most likely to have an accident among those in the nation’s 193 largest cities.
Washington Post columnist, Robert McCartney, suggests that the District’s wealth and influence, and above all else our self-importance is the blame for the worst drivers in the nation.
The report suggests that “[w]ithout critical driving comprehension, many drivers run the risk of increased accidents or near accidents, where they often come to the realization of their lack of knowledge on the rules of the road.” Brush up on your knowledge of the rules and we challenge you to take the test to see how you score.
The United States Department of Transportation (“DOT”) may adopt a rule, which was proposed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”) that would require automakers to equip new cars with event data recorders …
Comments Off on New Insurance Laws for Vehicle Accidents in Maryland Effective October 1, 2011
Several important laws concerning accidents involving self-insured vehicles (House Bill 125) and disclosure of insurance coverage in claims involving vehicle accidents (Senate Bill 599) became effective on October 1, 2011. …
Comments Off on Maryland Highest Court Upholds Contributory Negligence Law
In July 2013, Maryland’s Court of Appeals once again had the opportunity to review the state’s contributory negligence standard. The underlying case was brought by an accomplished soccer player, James Coleman, who had volunteered …
Comments Off on Patel & Williams, PLLC, Successfully defends against a motion to dismiss its Client's Pregnancy Discrimination Claim
Pregnancy discrimination” involves treating an applicant or employee unfavorably because of pregnancy, childbirth, or a medical condition related to pregnancy or childbirth. Federal and Maryland law forbid discrimination …
Comments Off on Patel & Williams wins custody case in circuit court for Prince George's County, Maryland
The attorneys at Patel & Williams, PLLC, recently won, on behalf of their client, the plaintiff mother, sole legal and physical custody of her elementary school-aged child and back child support from the filing of the action in December 2009. …
Comments Off on Diabetes and Other Endocrine Disorders Removed from Social Security Disability List
On June 7, 2011, the Social Security Administration (“SSA”) revised its criteria for evaluating whether people with medical impairments set out in Medical Listing 9 are eligible for Social Security disability on a stand-alone basis. …
Comments Off on The District of Columbia's Battle Over Accurate Breathalyzer Tests
Last February, an outside consultant working for the Metropolitan Police Department discovered that the breathalyzers then in use had been programmed erroneously and had not been checked for accuracy. …
