Posted on December 09, 2020 in Car Accidents

Connecticut’s work zones often create unfamiliar traffic patterns and other potential hazards, making them dangerous for you and other Connecticut motorists to navigate. While they are a necessary part of the state’s infrastructure, these construction zones are also common sites for car crashes. Many of those wrecks result in at least one injury or fatality.

According to the Connecticut Department of Transportation, there were a total of 1,128 car crashes that took place in state work zones in 2017, the latest year of data. Of those 1,128 crashes, three fatalities resulted. Many of them also caused injuries to motorists, passengers, construction workers, cyclists or pedestrians.

Common factors in work zone car wrecks

Rear-end crashes are common in work zones, and they are more likely to occur when individuals speed through these areas. In some cases, work zone maintenance vehicles and construction equipment create crash hazards. Of the 1,128 wrecks that occurred in Connecticut’s work zones in 2017, 44 of them involved vehicles slamming into work zone maintenance vehicles or equipment. Another 41 of those crashes involved motorists striking vehicles parked within the construction zones.

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 Posted on December 02, 2020 in Car Accidents

2020 has sido muy difícil. Nuestras vidas diarias han cambiado por completo de muchas maneras que pueden incluir la escuela virtual, cuidar a un padre mayor o no poder ver a parientes y amigos cercanos. En Tremont Sheldon P.C., entendemos por lo que estás pasando porque también lo estamos pasando.

Nuestro bufete sabe que la vida es agitada y llena de desafíos en este momento. Es por eso que mantenemos comprometidos con nuestros clientes sin importar lo que está sucediendo en Connecticut. Nuestro objetivo es eliminar el estrés después de un accidente para que puedas concentrarte en lo que importa: tu familia.

Estamos disponibles para hablar con usted a su conveniencia. Ofrecemos citas nocturnas y de fin de semana y traducción en español siempre está disponible. Llame al 203-212-9075 para una consulta inicial gratuita.

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 Posted on December 02, 2020 in Car Accidents

2020 has been a difficult. Our daily lives have completely changed in many ways that may include virtual school, caring for an older parent or not being able to see relatives and close friends. At Tremont Sheldon P.C., we understand what you are going through because we are going through it, too.

Our firm knows life is hectic and full of challenges right now. That is why we maintain committed to our clients no matter what is happening in Connecticut. Our goal is to take away the stress after an accident.

We are adaptable on how we can meet with you, including virtually or in-person following proper safety measures. Our entire staff is dedicated to helping our clients find the best path forward after an accident. One thing we urge is that after an accident, do not wait to learn about your options. We will help you explore all options to protect your future.

We are available to speak with you at your convenience. Please call 203-212-9075 for a free initial consultation.

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 Posted on November 17, 2020 in Car Accidents

If you mostly use your car for short trips, you should know about the findings of a recent survey. In that survey, 39% of car accidents occurred in just the first 10 minutes of driving time. Consequently, even on short trips, you have a significant chance of sustaining a serious injury in a collision.

Following an automobile accident, it may be tempting to accept a low settlement offer from the insurance company. Doing so, though, may not be in your personal, legal or financial interests. By working with an attorney, you likely boost your odds of receiving fair compensation.

Foster meaningful negotiations

Before filing a lawsuit, most injured individuals negotiate with insurance companies. Not all settlement negotiations are the same. That is, a meaningful negotiation requires some experience.

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 Posted on November 09, 2020 in Premises Liability

Winter is just around the corner. Pretty soon, ice and snow will sometimes cover outdoor walkways and stairs. With slippery surfaces comes the increased risk of falling. What many people don’t realize is just how dangerous falls can be.

Injuries from falls

According to the CDC, one out of every five falls causes a serious injury. Some of these injuries include:

• Broken bones (such as a broken wrist, arm, leg, ankle or hip fracture)
• Head injuries (such as concussions, traumatic brain injuries or internal brain bleeds)
• Soft tissue injuries (such as an aching back, strained muscles or damage to ligaments or tendons)

If you suffer a serious fall, you can become afraid of falling again. That fear can lead you to become less active, which actually increases the risks you’ll fall again.

When falls are more likely

You will be more likely to fall if:

• You are older.
• You have foot pain or wear poor footwear.

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 Posted on November 04, 2020 in Car Accidents

Whether you regularly drive through a chaotic intersection or you find yourself in the middle of a dangeorus situation due to a busy crossing, you need to think about the unique hazards associated with these locations. Sometimes, dangerous intersections involve different highways where drivers travel at a high rate of speed or they are located in very busy areas, such as an urban center. Moreover, intersections are often particularly dangerous when many pedestrians and bicyclists cross as well.

If you are involved in a wreck at an intersection, it is often very hard to respond to the accident due to angry drivers and many vehicles. Make sure you protect yourself and gather relevant information and evidence to support your case if you decide to file suit (such as finding support from those who witnessed the collision).

Reviewing the risks associated with intersections

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 61 people died in accidents at intersections in Connecticut during 2018. Sometimes, accidents occur at intersections because drivers run red lights, drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or drivers use their phones behind the wheel. Even when all drivers care about traffic safety guidelines and do their best to obey laws at intersections, there is still the risk of an accident (especially in certain areas). For example, some intersections are very complex and drivers who are inexperienced or unfamiliar with a particular intersection sometimes cause crashes.

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 Posted on October 28, 2020 in Car Accidents

The dangerous myth circulating throughout the country assures you that you can safely use your cellphone to talk or text while driving as long as you use hands-free technology to do so. Unfortunately, if you believe this myth, you put yourself, your passengers and all other motorists around you at high risk for an accident and resulting injuries.

The National Safety Council explains that distracted driving represents the number one cause of accidents, and cellphone usage while behind the wheel represents the number one type of distracted driving today.

Cellphones and distracted driving

You can become distracted while driving in the following three ways:

• Physically
• Visually
• Cognitively

While hands-free cellphone usage theoretically allows you to keep your hands on the wheel and therefore not become physically distracted, such is seldom the case. Why? Because, whether you realize it or not, you talk with your hands as much as with your voice when you engage in a cellphone conversation or verbal text exchange.

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 Posted on October 13, 2020 in Firm News

A crash between an 18-wheeler and a passenger vehicle often results in catastrophic injuries for the victim.

If you find yourself in this position, you may face prolonged treatment and great medical expense. Multiple parties may share liability for your injuries.

The overloading issue

Large commercial trucks must observe various federal and state laws, but this does not prevent trucking companies from pursuing more profit, regardless. Although the majority of truckers and their employers follow the rules, some engage in the overloading of cargo, a primary cause of truck-related crashes.

Safety concerns

Overloaded cargo can shift causing performance problems for the truck driver. A big rig carrying cargo that exceeds capacity limits and is unevenly distributed will be off-balance and difficult to control. The truck might tend to drift out of its lane, for example, and the driver may not make allowances for the longer stopping distances the extra weight requires. Overloading also creates more wear and tear on tires, brakes and other components, which can fail while the truck is in transit endangering nearby vehicles.

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 Posted on September 29, 2020 in Dog Bites

You may be delivering mail or a package as part of your job. Or you could be heading to visit a neighbor to catch up. Or even you and your child could be outside playing and suddenly the unthinkable happens: a dog viciously attacks you – or your kid.

In the attack, you suffer a serious dog bite, requiring 12 stitches and breaking one of the bones in your hand. Is anyone liable for helping to pay your injury costs?

Connecticut dog bite laws

Connecticut law holds a dog’s owner liable for injuries their dog causes. In fact, the victim doesn’t need to prove that the owner knew the dog was vicious or the owner was negligent in preventing the dog bite attack to receive compensation for their injuries.

The only way a dog’s owner isn’t responsible for covering bite injuries or damaged property from a dog attack is if:

• The victim was tormenting, teasing or abusing the dog.

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 Posted on September 10, 2020 in Personal Injury

A serious injury can turn your life upside-down, especially if you become disabled and lose your income. When another driver caused the accident, you may have legal recourse to cover medical bills, lost wages and other associated costs of your injury.

These are some of the reasons you may want to consider consulting an attorney if you or a family suffered a debilitating injury in a car accident.

Negotiate with the insurance provider

Often, the first step to recoup your costs after a car accident injury is a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. However, the insurance adjuster’s priority is to settle your case quickly at the lowest possible cost to the company. For this reason, he or she may offer a settlement that does not cover the full costs associated with the accident. In this case, your attorney will negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf, giving you the benefit of his or her industry knowledge and experience.

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