Posts by Michael Phelan
These 6 Factors Cause Most Truck Accidents
Truck accidents happen for many reasons, but no matter how they occur, they frequently lead to catastrophic results for the victims. The statistics are terrifying: between 2009 and 2015, the nationwide number of injuries from truck accidents increased by 62%. And data from the U.S. Department of Labor shows that truck driving is the most dangerous job in the United States, largely due to the frequency of wrecks. So why do these…
Read MoreBad E-Cigarette Batteries Are Causing Explosions and Injuries
Defective e-cigarettes can cause burns and other serious injuries when their batteries explode or light on fire. Unfortunately, e-cigarette manufacturers and retailers try to avoid liability for these incidents, often by blaming consumers. At Phelan Petty, we know from experience that battery and design defects are usually to blame when e-cigarette explosions happen. In this article, we’ll discuss how you can protect yourself from faulty e-cigarettes and what you…
Read MoreDoes a Disclaimer Mean I Can’t File a Product Liability Lawsuit?
A disclaimer is a statement that tries to deny legal responsibility. When a retailer sells something “as is” or warns that “results may vary” when you use a product, they’re issuing a disclaimer. Manufacturers and retailers sometimes try and use disclaimers to defend themselves against defective product lawsuits. While these arguments are generally ineffective, it’s important to understand…
Read MoreThe Basics of Virginia Auto Insurance: What You Need to Know
After a serious car crash, it’s important to understand all the sources of insurance coverage available to pay your claim. Without help from an experienced personal injury lawyer, you might lose valuable compensation. To help make things simpler for you, this article explains the basics of Virginia auto insurance law. Michael PhelanMichael Phelan is a Virginia trial attorney who practices with a…
Read MoreE-cigarette Recall
NBC Nightly News reported that there have been hundreds of incidents of e-cigarettes exploding and catching fire. This figure does not include numerous incidents of loose e-cigarette lithium-ion batteries exploding in consumer’s pockets or purses. It should be no surprise to consumers that big tobacco is behind many of the companies that are selling e-cigarette…
Read MoreAre You Ready for Dangerous “Monster” Trucks on I-81?
I-81 is notorious for its fatal truck crashes. Its death rate is 70% higher than any other Virginia interstate. Now, Virginia lawmakers are interested in adding ultra-heavy, “monster trucks” to the mix on I-81. Learn more about their plans and how it might impact your safety. Michael PhelanMichael Phelan is a Virginia trial attorney who practices with a special focus…
Read MoreWhy an Attorney Investigation Matters for Your Truck Accident Case
After a catastrophic truck crash, your first concern probably isn’t preserving evidence for your personal injury claims. But if you don’t act quickly, the trucking company might destroy valuable information that supports your case. Below, the truck accident lawyers at Phelan Petty explain the importance of an attorney-directed investigation in the aftermath of a tractor-trailer crash. Michael PhelanMichael Phelan…
Read MoreVirginia Tractor Trailer Truck Wrecks: Freight Broker Liability
Being in a five star crash rated car means very little when you are hit by a tractor trailer truck. Tractor trailer truck wrecks almost always involve catastrophic injuries or death. If the trucking company happens to be a “mom and pop” operation, the minimum mandatory insurance coverage by the truck company, which can be…
Read MoreTruck Litigation: Freight Broker Liability
Working as co-counsel with other national truck litigation firms, our firm won an important federal court ruling from the United States District Court in the Western District of Virginia, Roanoke Division, in the area of freight broker liability. The lawsuit was filed by three plaintiffs against the freight broker, C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. We alleged…
Read MoreE-Cigarette Battery Explosion Lawsuit
A married Illinois couple filed an e-cigarette battery explosion lawsuit against two vape shops in Joliet, Illinois, claiming that e-cigarette batteries purchased at the shops caught fire in the husband’s pants pockets, causing second and third degree burns to his legs and genitals and damaging the couple’s love life. E-cigarettes are battery powered devices that…
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