Michael J. Kowalski, a partner in the personal injury firm of Distasio & Kowalski, LLC, was recently selected among America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators® for 2020. Kowalski was selected for excellence in medical malpractice litigation and personal injury litigation.

Selection to America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators® is by invitation only. It is limited to the Top 100 professionals from each state in each category of practice who best exhibit excellence and the highest ethical standards in their respective professions. This honor is meant to identify and highlight the accomplishments of the nation’s most esteemed and skilled litigators in high stakes legal matters. Less than 1% of professionals in the United States are selected for America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators®.

To be considered, an attorney must have litigated a matter with at least $2,000,000 in alleged damages at stake or with the fate of a business worth at least $2,000,000 at stake. A multi-phase selection process includes third-party research and statistical analysis of a candidate’s professional experience, achievements, significant results, community impact, peer reputation, consumer satisfaction, and other factors specific to the profession. The selection process ensures that attorneys selected for this honor reflect the highest ideals and ethical standards of the legal profession.

Located in Wilkes-Barre, PA, Distasio & Kowalski LLC, specializes in cases involving Medical Malpractice, Birth Injury, Auto & Truck Accidents, Personal Injury, and Wrongful Death.

For more information on Distasio & Kowalski LLC, please visit www.dklawllc.com or call 570-970-5400.

Michael J. Kowalski, a partner in the Wilkes-Barre personal injury law firm of Distasio & Kowalski, LLC, has been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© for 2020. This is Attorney Kowalski’s second year for inclusion in the publication. Attorney Kowalski was recognized for his work in the areas of medical malpractice law and personal injury litigation.

Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers® has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence.  The Best Lawyers in America rankings are based solely on peer-review surveys in which tens of thousands of attorneys confidentially evaluate their colleagues. It is widely regarded as the preeminent referral guide that identifies outstanding counsel for a wide range of legal matters. Corporate Counsel magazine has called Best Lawyers “the most respected referral list of attorneys in practice.” Attorneys named to The Best Lawyers in America were recognized by their peers in the legal industry for their professional excellence in 145 practice areas. Lawyers are not required or allowed to pay a fee to be listed; therefore, inclusion in Best Lawyers is considered a singular honor.

The Distasio & Kowalski LLC personal injury law firm is located in Wilkes-Barre. The firm specializes in birth injury, medical malpractice, auto & truck accidents, personal injury, and wrongful death.

For more information on Distasio & Kowalski LLC personal injury law firm please visit www.dklawllc or call 570-970-5400.

WILKES-BARRE, PA – August 8, 2019 – Daniel Distasio, a partner in the Wilkes-Barre personal injury law firm of Distasio & Kowalski, LLC, was selected to be recognized as a “Member of the Nation’s Top One Percent” by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel (NADC).

The NACD is dedicated to promoting the highest standards of legal excellence. Less than 1% of practicing attorneys in the United States are members of the “Nation’s Top Attorneys.” Members are assessed by a research team, a blue-ribbon panel of attorneys and a judicial review board. Recipients of this prestigious award have demonstrated the highest ideals of the legal profession.

Attorney Daniel Distasio was also recognized as one of America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators®. Selection is by invitation only.  The Top 100 is comprised of the nation’s most exceptional trial lawyers for high stakes legal matters in each state. Less than one-half percent (0.5%) of active attorneys in the U.S. will receive this honor.

Distasio & Kowalski LLC is located in Wilkes-Barre, PA. The firm specializes in Auto & Truck Accidents, Medical Malpractice, Birth Injury, Product Liability, Personal Injury, and Wrongful Death.

For more information on Distasio & Kowalski LLC, please visit www.dklawllc or call 570-970-5400.

A motor vehicle crash kills someone every fifteen minutes. The U.S. Department of Transportation released 2016 crash fatality statistics earlier this month. 37,461 people were killed in traffic accidents. This was an increase of 5.6% over 2015 crash fatalities. Motorcyclist fatalities and pedestrian deaths accounted for more than a third of the increase. The 9% increase in pedestrian fatalities was the highest number since 1990. Motorcycle accident deaths rose by 5.1%. Another notable increase was an 8.6 % increase in large truck crash fatalities.

Passengers of cars and light trucks accounted for 36% of those killed in auto accidents. Together, they totaled 54% of the overall increase in fatalities. Pedestrians, bicyclists and other non-occupants account for 18% of the crash fatalities.

Risky behaviors behind the wheel cause crashes

The NHTSA reported that human choices are linked to 94% of serious crashes. This is evidenced in motor vehicle crash fatality increases in areas including speeding-related crash fatalities, drunk driving deaths and unbelted crash deaths. B up when driving is one of the safest choices both drivers and passengers can make. Seat belt use is the single most effective thing you can do to protect yourself in the event of a crash. Yet, more than 27 million people in the U.S. still don’t wear seat belts.

A National Security Council survey offered a look at risky driver behaviors.

  • 64% of those surveyed said they were comfortable speeding
  • 47% responded that they believe it is safe to text, either manually or by voice, while driving
  • 71 % believe they can have up to three drinks before they are not safe or too impaired to drive.

A deadly motor vehicle crash trend

Motor vehicle deaths increased from 2014 to 2015 and then again from 2015 to 2016. The last time there was increase in motor vehicle crash fatalities of this magnitude was more than 50 years ago from 1963 to 1965.

Motor vehicle crashes are killing our youth at an alarming rate. Auto crashes were the leading cause of death for age 10 and every age 16 through 23 in 2015.

Alcohol-related driving was responsible for 10,497 motor vehicle crash deaths or 28% of the total fatalities in 2017. An average of one alcohol-impaired driving fatality occurred every 50 minutes in 2016. Drivers age 25 to 34 years of age had the highest percentage (27%) of alcohol-impaired driving fatal crashes. Tragically, children accounted for 17% of those who died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes.

Injured in a crash? Speak to an accident attorney

If you’ve been injured or a family member killed in a car or truck accident, contact the Distasio, Kowalski & Yelen personal injury law firm. We may be able to help you seek compensation for your injuries. This can include lost wages, medical expenses and pain and suffering. Be sure to seek the legal advice of an auto accident lawyer before you settle with an insurance company. Call a Wilkes-Barre car accident lawyer today at 570-970-5400