Posted on June 09, 2020 in Motorcycle Accidents

A blind spot is an area around a vehicle that its driver cannot see. While your car, truck or SUV likely has a few blind spots, the space between the rear of your vehicle and its side mirrors is a common one. If a car or motorcycle is in this space when you change lanes, you may inadvertently cause an accident.

Blind spot collisions are more dangerous for motorcyclists than they are for drivers. Because most bikes do not offer much protection for their riders, a rider may sustain life-threatening injuries in a blind spot crash. Fortunately, drivers and motorcyclists can work together to minimize the risk of blind spot collisions.

What drivers can do

For drivers, the first step in preventing a blind spot accident is to identify the vehicle’s areas of poor visibility. To do so, simply sit in your car and take note of places you cannot clearly see. Then, pay special attention to these zones every time you turn or change lanes. Taking the following steps may also help you avoid a serious collision with a motorcycle in your blind spot:

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 Posted on June 04, 2020 in Car Accidents

Connecticut residents often multitask when driving, for better or worse. Many people rely on GPS systems to navigate the way. Others cannot tolerate long drives without listening to some music.

Hands-free technology helps keep drivers safe – or so manufacturers and producers claim. But how safe is hands-free tech? Can this tech keep drivers safe no matter what risks of distraction they face on the road?

The National Safety Council’s opinion

The National Safety Council’s answer is no. They do not think hands-free technology solves all distracted driving problems. Why? Because hands-free tech only targets two of three sources of driver distraction.

First, hands-free tech allows drivers to keep their hands on the wheel. This is important. It reduces the physical distractions a driver may encounter. If they keep their hands on the wheel, they shorten their reaction time.

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 Posted on June 02, 2020 in Dog Bites

There is little doubt that dog is man’s best friend, but there is always the possibility that a dog may bite. Even the most well-trained and typically friendly dog is still an animal and may be unpredictable.

Fortunately, there are usually multiple signs that a dog is about to bite. According to Petful, many times you can tell by the stance of the dog’s body that he or she is about to bite.

What will a dog who is about to bite look like?

A dog who is about to bite will typically look very stiff and tense. If the ears are short, the ears are usually back against the skull. Usually dogs who might bite will have their lips pursed tightly together and the tail tucked between the legs. This typically indicates a scared dog, and scared dogs are likely to act in self-defense.

Dogs who are about to bite may also look more puffed-up than stiff. If the ears are perking upright along with a raised tail, this likely indicates a dog that is trying to intimidate you. Again, if a dog looks like this it is liable to bite.

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 Posted on June 01, 2020 in Car Accidents

For many families, summer means road trips in a recreational vehicle. If you find yourself suddenly driving alongside behemoth RVs, you know that their size can present certain challenges.

You want to do everything you can to avoid accidents. Heightened awareness of those around you can help. Here are some things to keep in mind as you share the road with RV travelers this summer.

Slowing down and stopping 

Large, heavy vehicles require extra time and distance to slow down and to stop. Be aware that an RV approaching an intersection may begin slowing down before you expect it to. When in front of an RV, give advance notice if you plan to slow down for a turn.

Making turns 

An RV plus its tow vehicle can reach up to 65 feet, a length comparable to commercial trucks. Its length means the RV needs extra room while turning. A motorhome towing a small car may track like a bus; a truck towing a fifth-wheel trailer often turns more like a semitrailer. Right turns may require the RV driver to use more than one lane, so be cautious when approaching an intersection with an RV present. Advance slowly and wait until you are sure of the RV’s path.

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 Posted on May 26, 2020 in Personal Injury

A reduction in traffic can often give drivers a sense of freedom. When there are fewer vehicles on the roadways, it makes for less congestion, more open roads and a chance for drivers to start breaking the law.

CBS News explains that with fewer drivers on the road, there are now more drivers who are exceeding speed limits by excessive amounts. Across the country, law enforcement notes drivers going 100 miles per hour or more.

More tickets

Due to the increase in speeding, law enforcement is quite busy writing tickets at an alarming rate, much higher than is typical when traffic is normal. Consequences of excessive speeding often include high fines and the potential for an automatic license suspension.

Impact on safety

The overall number of accidents is lower on streets with less traffic, but when people start driving erratically, ignoring speed limits and running stop signs, it makes accidents that do happen more severe. It is well-known that accidents involving high rates of speed lead to more serious injuries and increase the potential for a fatality.

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 Posted on May 14, 2020 in Personal Injury

Scooters make for a speedy way to get around Connecticut, but they are not without their dangers. What safety precautions do you take to avoid a personal injury? 

To help you remain unharmed while getting around town, note CNET’s suggestions for scooter safety. The right tip could help prevent a tragedy. 

Do not ride intoxicated  

Riding a scooter intoxicated is not as dangerous as getting behind the wheel of a car, but both acts are unsafe. Additionally, you still risk getting a DUI even though you are not driving in the traditional sense. Rather than scoot around while drunk, take a rideshare home. 

Wear a helmet 

If you plan to ride a scooter, wear a helmet. Taking a tumble from a scooter can lead to a head injury, but wearing a helmet could provide a saving grace. Some scooter companies offer riders helmets for free, so explore that option before reserving or selecting a scooter. 

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 Posted on May 08, 2020 in Workers' Compensation

Connecticut workers face many hurdles every day that can put their health at risk. In fact, workers may put themselves at risk without even realizing it. For example, repetitive stress injuries can affect anyone from any job. It only needs to involve repeated motion.

With how common injuries are, it makes sense that workers’ compensation matters are important. Today we will look at some of the benefits often covered by workers’ compensation.

What workers are at risk?

Workers’ compensation covers a wide gamut of potential injuries employees may face. This is why it includes temporary and permanent disability. A worker may injure themselves on the job in a way that disables them for weeks or months. Sometimes, the injury is severe enough to last years or indefinitely. In either of these scenarios, you will need support to continue affording medical costs. You also need to consider the cost of living without a steady income.

What benefits are offered?

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 Posted on May 05, 2020 in Bicycle Accidents

From weekend rides with the family to those first solo trips to a friend’s house or school, learning how to ride a bike is often a major rite of passage for both children and their parents. However, once your kids have mastered the physical aspect of cycling, it is just as important to teach them how to ride safely.

According to the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, biking injuries are the most common sport-related reason that children between ages 5 and 14 require emergency care. That makes it especially important to teach kids basic bicycle safety tips from an early age.

Explain the rules of the road 

While it is generally safer for younger children to ride on the sidewalk, it is still essential to teach kids basic road rules—especially when it comes to approaching and crossing intersections. Remind children to ride on the right side of the road with the flow of traffic and teach them the importance of watching out for stop signs, stop lights and other traffic signals. Make sure to reinforce the habit of stopping and looking both ways before entering an intersection or crossing a street.

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 Posted on April 27, 2020 in Workers' Compensation

If you work as a first responder in Connecticut, your ability to receive workers’ compensation just became easier. Governor Ned Lamont’s office explains that as of July 1. 2019, Connecticut’s new law allows you to file a workers’ compensation claim and receive benefits therefor if your physician diagnoses you with post-traumatic stress disorder after witnessing a grim event in the course of your duties, whether or not you sustained a physical injury at the same time.

The law applies to you if you work as one of the following:

• Police officer
• Firefighter
• Parole officer

Qualifying events

To qualify for this expanded workers’ compensation coverage, you must have done one of the following while working in the line of duty:

• Witnessed a person die
• Witnessed a person with an injury so severe that (s)he died shortly afterward
• Treated a severely injured person who died shortly afterward

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 Posted on April 15, 2020 in Workers' Compensation

During this extraordinary time, the attorneys at Tremont Sheldon P.C. are continuing to handle your Workers’ Compensation matters. There have been temporary changes to the way WC claims are handled by the WCC.

In response to the ongoing Covid-19 health crisis and the Governor’s directive to "work at home, stay at home," the offices of the Workers’ Compensation Commission have been closed to the public since March 24, 2020. The WCC has also made significant staff reductions. Still, the WCC remains open and is conducting business. All Commissioners remain fully employed and are conducting formal and informal hearings telephonically. Respondent’s and Commissioner’s medical examinations may be conducted remotely at the discretion of the physician. Documents may now be filed by standard mail delivery services or facsimile instead of by certified mail.

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