Posted on January 13, 2022 in Car Accidents

From drunk drivers to chaotic traffic during rush hour, you could find yourself in the middle of a traffic accident for a number of reasons. In fact, many of these collisions take place as a result of poor visibility, such as foggy weather, smoke, dust and wind-driven snow. It is important to go over statistics on motor vehicle accidents due to low visibility and understand how this weather causes collisions.

Unfortunately, some drivers disregard traffic safety during inclement weather and periods of low visibility, such as those who speed or fail to focus on the road.

How does poor visibility cause traffic accidents?

The Federal Highway Administration states that poor visibility (such as foggy weather) leads to an increase in speed variance, which makes traffic accidents more likely. When drivers travel at different speeds, they have a higher chance of colliding, especially if they struggle to see other vehicles on the road. Poor visibility around sharp turns and steep hills is especially dangerous, and fog poses a risk on urban as well as rural roads.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on January 11, 2022 in Personal Injury

With the state seeing an average snowfall of over 37 inches per year, there are plenty of opportunities for slips, trips and falls in an average Connecticut winter. You can not sue the weather for your misfortune, but there are circumstances when you may have a case against a property owner.

When can you sue because of a winter slip-and-fall accident?

Premises liability cases

If you injured yourself in a fall on someone else’s premises because that property owner did not maintain their property, you may be able to recover damages for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and disability incurred because of your injury. To have a case, you must prove that the property owner’s negligence caused your injury.

Property owner’s responsibility in winter conditions

Property owners have a duty to maintain safety on their land by taking reasonable actions to remove hazards like snow and ice. Some Connecticut communities have ordinances that require property owners to clear sidewalks on their premises of ice and snow within a certain time frame. If you fell on a sidewalk subject to such an ordinance and can prove the owner did not comply with the ordinance, the court may determine that the property owner’s negligence caused your injury.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on January 05, 2022 in Personal Injury

Many people across Connecticut and the nation put off medical screenings and checkups in recent months. Some delayed or avoided appointments due to health concerns, while others did so because they lacked childcare, among other potential reasons. Yet, delaying medical screenings may have a serious, potentially life-changing impact on your health. So, if you count yourself among those who put off medical screenings, you may want to schedule a visit with your doctor.

Per NPR, there are certain types of medical visits that are particularly important, meaning you would be wise not to put them off. Some of these appointment types are as follows.

Cancer screenings

When it comes to beating cancer, early detection plays a big role. Early detection helps reduce the chances of cancer spreading to other parts of the body. Many people undergo regular or annual screenings for breast cancer, colon cancer, skin cancer and other forms of cancer. This may prove especially worthwhile for you if you have a history of cancer in your family.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on January 04, 2022 in Personal Injury

Driving during a Connecticut winter requires a high degree of skill and attention, with cold temperatures, slippery roadways, rain and snow all serving as potential hazards. Winter driving poses risks regardless of how experienced you are out on the road, but newer drivers may find it particularly difficult to drive during the winter season.

However, knowing what to do in winter driving situations may put you more at ease behind the wheel while enhancing your own safety and that of your passengers. During the wintertime, make sure to take the following steps.

Avoid driver distraction

While texting, using a cellphone or otherwise driving while distracted is dangerous, regardless of the time of year, allowing anything to divert your attention away from the vehicle controls is especially dangerous during the winter.

Plan ahead

If you have to take to the roadways in inclement winter weather, map out your route ahead of time. Make sure to check the weather, not only where you are, but where you are going, and plan accordingly.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on December 15, 2021 in Car Accidents

When a vehicle strikes a pedestrian who is attempting to cross the street, it can inflict painful, disabling or even fatal injuries. Connecticut lawmakers, aware of the horrific impact of many pedestrian accidents, have passed new laws to give pedestrians greater protection.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation explains how these new laws instruct drivers to be more careful when pedestrians are about to cross the street. Additionally, the legislation addresses the problem of dooring and the use of phones by people while they are driving.

Drivers must yield to pedestrians

Under prior legislation, motorists had to yield to pedestrians who had stepped off a curb or onto a crosswalk. With the new laws, drivers now have to slow or stop if pedestrians are within any portion of a crosswalk or are on a curb at the entrance of a crosswalk and signal an intention to cross. A failure to yield to a pedestrian in these instances may result in a $500 fine.

Pedestrians can signal they want to cross by raising an arm or a hand or extending any body part into the crosswalk entrance. Additionally, pedestrians may place a walking aid, wheelchair, a bicycle, stroller, cart, or even a leashed dog into the crosswalk to show they intend to cross.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on December 08, 2021 in Car Accidents

The winter holiday season may bring dangerous driving situations in addition to hazardous ice and snow. Knowing when to stay off Connecticut’s roads may help to plan routes that reduce the chances of car accidents.

As reported by the Connecticut Post, the riskiest time to travel on I-95 is on Fridays during rush hour. According to UConn’s Crash Data Repository, 17% of car accidents between 2015 and 2019 occurred on a Friday.

Data reveals most frequent accident times

Safe holiday driving plans may involve arriving at destinations before Friday afternoon. UConn’s data noted nearly 27% of the Friday accidents occurred from 3 to 5 p.m.

Traffic patterns, however, tend to lessen after rush hour, but the risk of a severe accident increases after midnight. Reportedly, the worst time to travel is on Saturdays at 2 a.m. At least 41% of Connecticut’s recorded accidents took place around 2 a.m. on a Saturday.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on November 18, 2021 in Car Accidents

With the holiday season fast approaching, you may already have plans to visit relatives for Thanksgiving. Traveling during the wintertime requires extra vigilance as you may need to deal with snow and ice on the roads.

When you develop safe driving habits and know which behaviors to avoid, you can better protect yourself and your passengers. Here are some common mistakes to watch out for.

Rushing and speeding

The hustle and bustle of the holidays may leave you scrambling to tie up loose ends before you travel. On a busy morning, for example, you may feel like only de-icing a large enough portion of your windshield to see out of, leaving the remainder covered in frost. This mistake can reduce your visibility and impair your ability to see other cars and pedestrians. According to the Connecticut Department of Transportation, plan for subpar road conditions and give yourself plenty of traveling time. Allow your vehicle to warm completely and wait for all of the frost to melt before you begin driving.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on October 29, 2021 in Car Accidents

Car accidents can happen to anyone at a moment’s notice. They can also be expensive. Often, auto collisions involve high medical bills and repair costs, along with long waits for compensation.

For this reason, understanding the best ways to avoid common car accident risk factors can help you stay safe and financially secure.

1. Limit distractions

Distractions behind the wheel can significantly increase the risk of a car crash. Some of the most common distractions include:

• Using your phone to talk to text
• Searching or viewing your GPS navigation system
• Eating or drinking
• Adjusting radio or music settings

The fines for distracted driving in Connecticut increased in October. Fines start at $200 for your first violation, $375 for your second violation and go up to $625 for your third and any subsequent violations. State law also prohibits drivers from using hand-held phones. For 16 and 17-year-old drivers, any use of a cellphone is prohibited while driving, including hands-free devices.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on October 20, 2021 in Car Accidents

It would seem that fewer people on the roads in 2020 would translate to a decrease in the number of fatal and serious accidents. This would make sense. Yet it was not the case. A recent report by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) found that the rate of pedestrian deaths in 2020 increase by more than 20% compared to 2019.

The problem is more than just a national issue. The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) reports that on average 58 pedestrians are killed when they are struck by a car in the state every single year. That number went up last year. The CTDOT states preliminary data found there were 65 pedestrian deaths in 2020.

How could this happen?

The researchers with the GHSA study voiced some frustration, stating the findings were "mind-boggling" and unexpected. Emergency medical personnel who offered medical assistance to victims of pedestrian crashes blamed speed. They state those who were on the roads were driving too fast and unable to stop or take appropriate action to avoid pedestrians.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on October 12, 2021 in Car Accidents

If you suffered injuries in an accident, you may feel tempted to file a claim and fight it on your own. Unfortunately, this can severely limit the compensation you receive.

After an accident, there are several benefits to seeking the help of an attorney instead of acting solo. Your attorney can take the stress away after an accident so you can focus on yourself and your family.

How your attorney can help with the claims process

Filing an insurance claim after an accident may seem simple, but it is more complicated than it seems. There are multiple steps to take when filing a claim. Your attorney understands this process and has experience handling the ins and out of the process. Take advantage of this by partnering with your attorney every step of the way.

Your lawyer can not only help with filing a claim, but they can also help with the medical bills, car insurance issues, loss of income and other issues that may occur during this time. Your lawyer will do all the research necessary to help with your claim. This may include obtaining police reports, medical documents, photographic evidence and more.

Continue Reading ››