Posted on February 03, 2023 in Car Accidents

Winter means snow in Bridgeport, which means snow-covered, icy roads after a storm. But slippery highways and surface streets are not the only way winter weather can cause a violent car accident in Connecticut.

Snow piles up on motor vehicles parked outside just as much as it does on the ground. In a good snowstorm, your windshields, side mirrors, roof and hood can quickly get buried. Responsible drivers brush off snow and scrape away ice accumulation before hitting the road. But you still see people trying to drive with mostly- or entirely-covered windows and mirrors.

Snow brushing law

Clearing snow off your vehicle is not just an important safety precaution. It’s the law in Connecticut. A state statute requires motorists to "remove any accumulated ice or snow from [their] motor vehicle, including the hood, trunk and roof… so that any ice or snow accumulated on such vehicle does not pose a threat to persons or property while the vehicle is being operated on the street or highway of this state."

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 Posted on January 31, 2023 in Medical Malpractice

In Connecticut, residents have the right to sue corporations, companies or individuals if they feel they have been harmed or injured by them. One important thing to know is that there is often a statute of limitations that limits how much time can pass between an accident and a lawsuit.

A statute of limitations may be in place because evidence can deteriorate over time. The statute is often longer in criminal cases than it is in civil cases.

What is the statute for medical malpractice?

For those injured by the mistake of a healthcare professional, the effects can last a lifetime. Unfortunately, the right to sue for compensation for those injuries does not last as long. In the state of Connecticut, residents have two years to file a lawsuit for a medical malpractice claim.

What is the statute for sexual abuse?

According to the Office of Legislative Research, the criminal statute of limitations in the state of Connecticut for sexual abuse changed during the 2019 legislative session. For civil cases where the victim is under the age of 21, there is no statute of limitations if the charge if 1st-degree sexual assault or 1st-degree aggravated assault. The changes give the victim until they are 51 to file an action against an abuser.

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 Posted on January 13, 2023 in Car Accidents

Car maintenance is important for so many reasons. Not only does maintenance help prevent costly repairs but also, it contributes to overall vehicle safety.

Unfortunately, not many people prioritize car maintenance. However, there are several reasons vehicle owners should do so.

1.    Prevent costly problems

According to Medium, one of the top reasons individuals should invest in car maintenance is that doing so can help prevent costly issues from cropping up. When vehicle owners ignore routine maintenance, small issues have the chance to develop into larger, more complex problems. As issues grow more complex, they become more difficult — and, therefore, expensive — to fix.

2.    Reduce fuel costs

Not many people know this, but well-maintained vehicles get exponentially better gas mileage than those with burgeoning issues. On the low end, individuals can increase their gas mileage by 4% simply by investing in routine care. On the high end, that increase can be as much as 40%.

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 Posted on January 09, 2023 in Car Accidents

At some point in your life, you or a loved one may, unfortunately, find yourselves dealing with the aftermath of a car accident. As you recover from injuries and notice the ever-growing pile of medical bills, you likely wonder who needs to pay them post-collision.

The person or entity responsible for covering the medical expenses depends on the specifics of the accident and the insurance coverage of those involved.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

PIP coverage on your car insurance policy may cover your medical bills after a car accident, regardless of who was at fault. Drivers in Connecticut must carry PIP coverage, so most motorists will likely have it.

Health insurance

Additionally, your health insurance may cover your medical bills after a car accident. Check with your insurance provider to understand your policy and coverage specifics. If you have a Health Savings Account (HSA), you can likely apply those funds toward your post-accident medical bills.

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 Posted on January 05, 2023 in Car Accidents

The aftermath of a car accident may leave you confused and unsure who is accountable. You need to determine who is liable before you can file a lawsuit for restitution. Depending on the situation, there are several possibilities for liability.

Careful considerations about the details of the accident can help you determine who may be liable.

The other driver may be at fault

If you were in an accident with another passenger car driver, and the police report deems the other driver at fault, you can file a lawsuit against that driver.

Commercial drivers are liable for their actions

A commercial driver is responsible for any negligence that results in an accident. Whether the driver pushes beyond the permitted driving hours, drives distracted or tries to rush a delivery deadline, those actions create liability.

Businesses are responsible for their operations

Commercial trucking companies are responsible for making safe, responsible decisions and keeping their drivers safe on the road. Commercial drivers without CDLs, drivers forced to meet unsafe deadlines or vehicles that are poorly maintained are the company’s responsibility.

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 Posted on January 03, 2023 in Premises Liability

Falls happen all the time and can occur in any situation. You do not even have to fall from a high position to end up with serious injuries.

One of the common results of a fall accident is an injured back. Anyone who has back issues knows this type of injury can take a long time to heal and often becomes a chronic condition. Cedars Sinai notes there are a few typical back problems that result from a fall.

Disc issues

The discs in your back are soft cushions that sit between the bones in your spine. When they move out of place or otherwise suffer injury, they can leak spinal fluid or allow the nerves to become inflamed and irritated. The pain will often not just stay in your back but move into your extremities. Sometimes, surgery is the only fix for a disc issue.

Broken bones

It is also possible to break your back. This type of injury is not always easy to fix. It can lead to injuries to the spinal cord as well. There are a variety of ways a broken back could get worse. But it is worth noting some breaks are minor and will heal with no problem. Getting medical care right after your fall will help minimize the damage and could make it much easier to heal from this type of injury.

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 Posted on December 05, 2022 in Personal Injury

Did you know that many personal injury lawsuits never even make it to court? It is extremely common for the parties involved in personal injury lawsuits to decide to settle their dispute before it even gets to a judge. However, you must take tax considerations seriously before deciding to settle.

Depending on your circumstances, the settlement monies from a personal injury lawsuit may be non-taxable. According to the IRS, settlements for physical injuries, physical sickness, emotional distress or mental anguish are usually tax-free.

Tax-free settlement money

Typically, any monetary remedy that an offending party pays to you for either physical sickness or physical injuries is tax-free. Let’s assume that you have paid out $50,000 in medical expenses due to injury and you settle with the offending party for $50,000. In this case, you would not pay any taxes on that $50,000 remedy.

The exception to this is if you have deducted the $50,000 from your income taxes on a prior tax return. In this event, the settlement becomes taxable. Monetary remedies for mental anguish and distress work the same way, provided that the anguish and distress relate directly to the injury and you have not deducted expenses related to anguish or distress on prior tax returns. However, if these monies are not related directly to an injury but instead to injury to reputation, this money is taxable.

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 Posted on November 22, 2022 in Personal Injury

After an accident, you have to deal with the damages left behind. Unfortunately, while you focus on healing, you also have to worry about your financial health. Medical bills, loss of income and other damages can wreak havoc on your finances.

While filing a personal injury lawsuit can help you recover damages, you may worry about what it will cost to hire an attorney to help with the process. Fortunately, you do not have to pay upfront costs.

How do you pay a personal injury attorney?

When you hire the firm, you pay a contingency fee. The contingency fee is a fee you pay when you collect your reward. If you do not win, you do not pay any fees. Instead, the lawyer takes a percentage of your award. The contingency fee limits are outlined in Connecticut’s state statutes.

How should you pay your medical bills?

During your lawsuit, you may still have medical bills stacking up. Your first action should be to use your health insurance to pay as much as possible. You may have to pay back the insurance company when you receive your award. For other costs, explain to your medical provider that you have a pending lawsuit. Often, the hospital will put your bills on hold and wait to collect them until you receive your reward.

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 Posted on November 21, 2022 in Car Accidents

In the winter, the rate of crashes rises exponentially due in large part to the weather conditions. Ice on the roads proves a huge hazard, especially in areas not well equipped to quickly clear side roads before people need to use them.

Thus, it is important for drivers to understand how to maximize safety while traveling on icy roads.

Know how your car works

Men’s Journal looks into ways to safely navigate slippery roads. One of the first things suggested is to know what the car comes equipped with. Understand the features of modern cars which may require different actions depending on how the driver wishes to use them. For example, a driver with a car that does not have anti-lock brakes can remove their foot from the accelerator entirely. This will keep the car in motion, as the wheels will not lock up or stop.

The ABS system, on the other hand, prioritizes steering before braking. Drivers should then keep their foot on the brake and steer as necessary to avoid slipping on the ice.

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 Posted on November 16, 2022 in Car Accidents

Pedestrian protection is always a top concern for any city with a mix of pedestrian and automotive traffic. Fortunately, Connecticut lawmakers make a point to push laws forward that prioritize the protection of pedestrians everywhere.

This includes a recently deployed set of laws designed specifically with pedestrians in mind, which to this day are undergoing improvements.

Dooring made illegal

Watch For Me CT lays out the pedestrian laws by which all citizens must abide. Under the updated laws, certain dangerous behaviors have become fine-worthy or even illegal offenses.

This includes dooring, which occurs when a driver parked on the side of the road opens their car door into the street, which can cause bicyclists or pedestrians to run into the door or fall into traffic in their attempt to avoid being hit by it.

Under the new law, drivers parked on the roadside cannot open their doors if the adjacent traffic is moving at a so-called reasonable speed. Drivers also cannot keep the door open longer than the time needed for passengers to disembark.

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