Posted on July 24, 2023 in Dog Bites

The old jokes about dogs biting mail carriers are, unfortunately, true. Connecticut is second in mail carriers bitten by dogs out of the New England states. Although Connecticut sits in the middle of all 50 states, it still has a high number of dog attacks.

The Connecticut city that saw the highest number of dog bite incidents was Waterbury, followed closely by Bridgeport.

It is not just that mail carriers bear the brunt of these attacks. There is a higher rate of dog bites among most people who deliver products, letters and even food to your home.

Why do dogs attack mail carriers and delivery people?

First, this is not an aggression issue exactly, nor is it a breed issue. There are a few reasons why delivery people bear the brunt of the attack.

• Territory – Dogs are territorial and defend what they view as theirs.
• Recurring encounters – Since delivery people have similar routes, they return. If a dog barks or bites and the delivery person leaves, then comes back, it reinforces the behavior.

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 Posted on June 05, 2023 in Car Accidents

For your kids, summertime may be the best season of the year. Long, sunny days give way to free non-school nights and make for months of fun.

However, summer is also one of the most dangerous times of year to drive, so much so that researchers have coined the term "100 deadliest days of summer."

When are the 100 deadliest days of summer?

Based on a AAA study, the 100 deadliest days of summer occur between Memorial Day and Labor Day. From 2010 to 2019, over 7,000 people died in teen-related summer crashes in the United States. Data from USAA’s SafePilot telematics app shows that Connecticut has one of the lowest distraction rates among teens.

What factors contribute to the dangers of summer driving?

Many factors contribute to the increase in teen driving-related accidents in the summer. For example, minor drivers have more time to be on the road when school is out of session. Teen drivers have limited experience, increasing the likelihood of a crash. Even an 18-year-old has, at most, a couple of years of legal driving experience. Making driving more risky, young people commonly carpool to summer parties and other activities, creating potentially deadly distractions in the car.

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 Posted on May 08, 2023 in Personal Injury

While parents or older friends or siblings may think providing alcohol to youth at home provides a safe place, it can lead to legal troubles and a potentially devastating aftermath.

According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 5.9 million people between the age of 12 and 20 in the U.S. have consumed alcohol. That staggering number may come with a harsh reality for any adults in Connecticut who supply the drinks.

Consequences of the Social Host Law

Connecticut has a Social Host law that makes a private property owner, which includes dwelling units, fully and legally responsible for minors drinking or possessing alcohol on their property. This applies whether the owners know about the alcohol consumption or not. If found guilty of this misdemeanor, a person may face a $2,000 fine, up to a one-year jail sentence and a court-ordered evaluation.

Along with dealing with criminal charges, a person may also face a civil suit. If the alcohol consumption leads to injury or death, the victim’s parents have the right to sue for damages on top of potentially increased criminal penalties.

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 Posted on March 26, 2023 in Firm News

If your loved one is about to go into a nursing home, you’ll want to do everything you can to make sure they get the best possible care. Here are three tips designed to keep them safe:

Tip #1: Do your homework.

• Research the nursing homes that you are considering and check for citations for any violations.
• Talk to other families, read reviews and learn about its track record.
• Spend some time in the facility at a time other than a prearranged open house, so you can see a typical day at the nursing home.

Tip #2: Get to know the staff.

The more active you are in your loved one’s care, the better the care he or she will receive. Learn the names of caregivers and the center director. Let them know they can expect to hear from you on a regular basis.

Even if you are too far away to visit, call frequently and ask to speak to your loved one’s caregiver. Discuss any changes in your loved one’s health or care requirements. Learn how to recognize signs of abuse or neglect, and take action right away if you see something that troubles you.

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 Posted on March 26, 2023 in Firm News

People should know the warning signs that a dog is about to attack in order to avoid becoming a dog bite victim.

Many people in Connecticut and across the country are naturally drawn to dogs, and instantly reach out to pet them when approached by friendly canines. Unfortunately, not all dogs are friendly, and some can even attack people when they are scared, sick or aggravated. Dog bites can cause excruciating pain, nerve damage, infection and other serious problems to unsuspecting victims. People who are able to identify the preliminary signs of a dog attack may just be able to avoid becoming bitten and/or otherwise injured.

Identifying the Physical Signs

Before dogs bite, they often give verbal and physical cues warning people to stay away. According to Hartz.com, nervous dogs will change their facial expressions to show intensity, discomfort, pain and/or fear. Dogs may show their teeth, lick their chops or even look away quickly and avoid eye contact just before striking. It isn’t unusual for an aggravated canine to change their stance and posture. For example, a dog may suddenly become stiff, tuck its ears flat against its head, cower or even tuck its tail between its legs.

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 Posted on March 23, 2023 in Car Accidents

Throughout the seasons, rain is always a possibility. While you have spent a lot of time driving in the rain, every driver could use a refresher on the safest way to drive in a deluge:

Turn on your headlights and windshield wipers

Even though the rain is light, and the road is visible, you should always use your windshield wipers because you would not want water to accumulate and impair your vision. Under heavy rainfall it is not easy to see, especially when there is a waterfall in your windshield. Keep your headlights on so that other vehicles can easily spot you.

Reduce your speed

When driving in the rain you typically want to get off the road as soon as possible. Refrain from making the mistake of speeding. You could find yourself going into a slide and momentarily losing vision, or worse, hydroplaning.

Understand the dangers of hydroplaning

Just a slight dampness on the road can cause your vehicle to hydroplane. This is a terrifying phenomenon wherein your tires lose contact with the surface of the road due to water, and you lose all vehicle control. It will feel like your vehicle is airborne and you have no choice but to wait for the tires to reattach to the surface of the road.

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 Posted on March 06, 2023 in Car Accidents

When another driver’s negligence leads to car accident injuries, you may have legal recourse.

Your first course of action should be to file a claim with the driver’s insurance company. If this does not produce the desired result, your next step may be a lawsuit.

What is the difference between a claim and a lawsuit?

A claim is a request for compensation. If another driver’s negligence caused the accident, you should submit a claim to the driver’s insurance company. According to Connecticut state law, drivers must have at least $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage and $25,000 per accident in property damage liability coverage.

Sometimes, an insurance claim is all that is necessary. However, if the insurance company does not offer you a satisfactory settlement, you may need to file a lawsuit and attempt to collect damages in court.

Should I sue the driver or the insurance company?

In a car accident lawsuit, the defendant’s insurer generally has a duty to provide legal representation and pay any resulting judgment that falls within the driver’s liability coverage limits. When you file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver, you should be aware that you are effectively suing the insurance company, which has more resources to defend against your claim than an individual defendant would.

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 Posted on March 01, 2023 in Car Accidents

Speeding is one of the leading causes of car accident fatalities. It contributed to 29% of traffic casualties in 2020. It endangers you, your passengers and other drivers or pedestrians on the road. Knowing how fast you drive can ensure your safety, especially on slippery roads.

Speeding can lead to the following problems:

• Vehicle control loss
• Reduced stopping distance
• Increased collision damage
• Excessive fuel usage
• Safety equipment malfunction

All of these problems are in addition to speeding’s illegality. Complying with speed limits keeps you safe and away from tickets.

Why do drivers do it?

This driving behavior happens because of various factors, such as the driver’s circumstances. These include:

• Excessive traffic congestion, causing impatience.
• Running late for commitments.
• The driver feels detachment from the environment, traffic laws or other people on the road, resulting in reckless driving behavior.

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 Posted on February 27, 2023 in Personal Injury

Inadequate insurance coverage can leave you scrambling for help when an emergency happens. Just having a policy is rarely enough. You will want to guarantee your auto, home or rental coverage aligns with your lifestyle.

Knowing the importance of reviewing and updating your policy can help you prevent costly oversights. Consider the following when looking over your current policies.

Needs

Prioritize your needs. Take a close look at your life and evaluate your lifestyle. These factors influence the type of medical and automobile coverage you need. Look at your home or apartment, including its location and whether you live in an area prone to natural disasters. Knowing exactly what your needs are will aid you in finding a plan that conforms to your circumstances and the unique risks you face.

Options

Understand your options for insurance coverage, including under which conditions you can use your insurance benefits. For example, you might consider umbrella coverage, but you should first verify that your provider offers that option before assuming your policy is exactly what you want. According to U.S. Bank, different insurance plans vary based on the ratio in which you split costs with your provider.

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 Posted on February 17, 2023 in Firm News

Follow these tips if you are approached by an unfamiliar dog.

When you’re out for a walk and you see an unfamiliar dog that is acting strangely, do you know what to do? What if your neighbor’s pet suddenly seems particularly agitated when you’re approaching?

Every year, around 4.5 million Americans are attacked by man’s best friend. Of those bitten, about 20 percent will suffer infections as a result.

It is easy to forget that any dog — regardless of size — could bite under certain circumstances. Even small dogs can cause significant harm. Therefore, it is a good idea to review some steps you can take to help protect yourself from suffering a dog bite in Connecticut.

Of course, the best way to avoid dangerous situations with an unfamiliar animal is to stay away from the dog. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to follow such simple advice. In some cases, unfamiliar animals will approach you.

In such cases, it is best to remain motionless when an unfamiliar dog is coming toward you. Be sure not to panic and run away from the animal, as it may only encourage the dog to chase you.

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