Posted on March 09, 2022 in Car Accidents

There are times when driving at or just under the speed limit is actually as dangerous as speeding. This is because the road or the environment may be so hazardous that drivers should slow their vehicles to avoid accidents. A driver who does not slow down may be driving too fast for conditions, which may cause injury or death.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration describes a few instances where conditions require drivers to reduce their speeds below the posted speed limit to remain safe on the road.

During bad weather

A heavy rainstorm reduces visibility, so you may not see dangerous situations approach until it is too late to react. Connecticut winters also see snowfalls and icy conditions which can make roads slippery during these months. Even driving at the posted speed limit on an icy road may be too fast for you to slow down to avoid a collision.

On roads in a state of repair

A road under repair will likely have a number of road workers laboring near traffic, so it is important to maintain a slow speed to avoid hitting a worker. Also, road work may necessitate closing off a lane or two. Since this can constrict traffic into a single lane, drivers will have to slow down or risk rear-ending another automobile.

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 Posted on February 24, 2022 in Car Accidents

According to the Connecticut Crash Data Repository’s reports for the Connecticut Department of Transportation, annual injuries due to auto accidents are steadily rising. In addition, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reveals that while people nationwide are driving at increasingly higher speeds, fewer are wearing seatbelts.

Connecticut lawmakers hope to reverse these trends by reducing auto-related injuries and fatalities with stricter seat belt laws.

What are the new seat belt laws?

As of October 2021, Connecticut no longer gives adults riding in a car’s second or third row the option to buckle up. Instead, public Act No.21-175 includes a provision mandating passengers of all ages must wear safety restraints, or drivers risk fines. Although traffic officers may not stop drivers specifically for seat belt violations, stops for other offenses, including speeding, could lead to $50 tickets for drivers over age 18 and $75 tickets for drivers under age 18. These fines are on top of any other violation penalties.

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 Posted on February 14, 2022 in Car Accidents

You may know how to handle things if you find yourself involved in a Connecticut car crash as a driver. Yet, what happens when you are using a ride-hailing service like Uber or Lyft and then suffer injuries in a wreck? Obtaining compensation after a ride-hailing car crash is not always easy. Also, contrary to popular belief, Uber or Lyft and other ride-hailing services do not always have an obligation to cover your medical or other expenses.

What is considered a ride-hailing service?

Ride-hailing is when someone hires a driver to take them to a destination. The most common ride-hailing platforms are Uber and Lyft. The drivers are operating their own vehicles to take paying passengers to a specific destination.

According to the New Haven Register, ride-hailing services operate differently than a traditional taxi or limousine service. As a result, the process involved in pursuing an injury claim for an injury sustained in a ride-hailing crash may be different than it would be following a traditional car crash.

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 Posted on January 31, 2022 in Car Accidents

The trauma of a car accident can cause damage to blood vessels or organs that results in internal bleeding. According to WebMD, symptoms of traumatic internal bleeding are usually as obvious as they are serious.

Some symptoms of internal bleeding are systematic, meaning that they affect the whole body, or can occur anywhere the injury occurs. Other symptoms are specific to internal bleeding in certain areas.

Symptoms that are systemic or can occur anywhere in the body

Where there is internal bleeding, there may also be ecchymosis. Bleeding into the soft tissues or skin can cause a purplish discoloration that looks like a bruise and can cover a large area. Ecchymosis can occur anywhere in the body.

Wherever internal bleeding occurs in the body, it can result in a loss of blood. This can cause dizziness, fainting or light-headedness. Left untreated, loss of blood from internal bleeding can cause the body to go into hypovolemic shock.

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 Posted on January 28, 2022 in Firm News

BRIDGEPORT, January 19, 2022 – A minor has filed a lawsuit alleging inappropriate sexual contact, assault and exploitation while she was a second-grade student at New Beginnings Family Academy, a charter school located in Bridgeport, CT.

The lawsuit was filed in Bridgeport Superior Court against New Beginnings Family Academy as well as the minor’s assigned teacher and teaching assistant during the time of the abuse. The lawsuit is brought by the minor plaintiff through her mother.

Over the course of three months, in 2019 through 2020, the minor was subjected to sexual acts, including oral sex and digital penetration, involving multiple minor students. The sexual acts occurred in the school classroom, the school cafeteria, the school playground, and on the bus to gym class. At the time of the abuse, the minor plaintiff was one of sixteen students in the classroom under the direct supervision of her teacher and teaching assistant, both mandated reporters under Connecticut law.

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 Posted on January 25, 2022 in Personal Injury

Driving safe in the winter can pose extra challenges even for experienced motorists. Winter weather demands careful attention and special preparation for your vehicle. Holiday travel poses added risks to drivers.

Learn more about driving safely as colder temperatures approach.

Preparing the vehicle

Maintain your automobile for safe driving all year. In winter, pay attention to the vehicle’s battery, wipers and fluid, coolant, tires and brakes. If you plan to outfit your car or truck with snow tires, do so before you see a storm in the forecast.

Clear snow and ice from the car before driving. Rid windows and mirrors of obstructions.

Preparing yourself

Prepare for your drive by learning the weather conditions on the route. Understand the timing of bad weather and plan your trip accordingly. Become familiar with your vehicle and learn how it performs on different types of surfaces. Allow added time for driving in inclement weather.

Preparing for an emergency

Car accidents can happen in unexpected circumstances. Prepare an emergency kit for your trunk. Keep an extra blanket in case of a breakdown in extremely cold temperatures. Jumper cables can help you or another in an emergency. Flashlights provide additional visibility at night. Flares signal other drivers of a road hazard.

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 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.

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 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.

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 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.

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 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.

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