Posted on December 28, 2020 in Car Accidents

Distracted driving continues to be a huge contributor to serious automobile accidents in Connecticut and throughout the United States. We often associate distracted driving with texting while driving. However, distracted driving occurs when any type of distraction takes a motorist’s attention off of driving or his or her hands off of the wheel. If you or a loved one were injured in a car accident caused by a distracted driver, you may be able to recover compensation for your damages through a personal injury claim.

What Is Distracted Driving?

For seasoned drivers, driving a motor vehicle becomes second nature. Most drivers instinctively know how to move their hands and feet to operate a car safely. However, when a driver is distracted, he or she may make crucial mistakes behind the wheel. Distracted driving can involve any of the following activities or behaviors:

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 Posted on December 17, 2020 in Personal Injury

Car accidents involving pedestrians are often fatal. In 2018 alone, over 6,000 individuals lost their lives in pedestrian accidents. Many of these accidents were caused by drivers who were distracted by technology, driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs, speeding, or otherwise acted recklessly or negligently. If your loved one passed away after being struck by a vehicle in New York, you may have a valid wrongful death case.

New York Laws Regarding Wrongful Death Claims

You may assume that any tragic death is considered a “wrongful death.” However, New York law specifies the requirements that must be met in order for a successful wrongful death lawsuit to be possible. These requirements include:

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 Posted on November 23, 2020 in Personal Injury

If you or a loved one were injured on a commercial property in Connecticut, you may have questions about who is legally responsible for the injuries. Premises liability laws govern property owners’ liability for injuries that occur on their properties. Property owners are not expected to prevent every injury, but they are expected to take steps to reduce the chances of people being injured while visiting the property. Property owners may be held accountable for injuries caused by their negligence through a premises liability claim.

Understanding a Property Owner’s Legal Duty of Care

Commercial property owners must meet certain safety standards by law. Owners and occupiers of commercial properties must keep the premises free of hazards and unsafe conditions. If an unsafe condition does exist, they are expected to provide adequate warnings to visitors about the danger. Premises liability laws apply to owners and operators of:

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 Posted on November 09, 2020 in Estate Planning

COVID-19 has dramatically impacted people’s lives throughout the United States and across the world. From employment concerns, to childcare, to legal matters, almost every facet of our lives has been affected. Finding a way to work around COVID-related restrictions has taken a good deal of ingenuity and flexibility. Many people are being asked to adapt to new ways of handling business and legal matters. Fortunately, Connecticut has made estate planning, real estate, and other legal procedures slightly easier to accomplish by allowing remote notarizations.

Notarizations May Be Conducted Virtually

Having a document notarized ensures that the document is not fraudulent or falsified. Traditionally, having a document notarized involves going to a notary, or an individual with special permission to act as a witness, confirming your identity, and then signing the document in front of him or her. However, stay-at-home orders and social distancing needs have made it difficult to have things notarized in the traditional capacity. Fortunately, Connecticut is allowing documents to be notarized virtually depending on the type of legal matter.

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 Posted on October 22, 2020 in Truck Accidents

If you or a loved one were hurt in a truck accident, you may be wondering who is liable for the costs incurred by the accident. A serious truck collision can result in overwhelming medical bills and property damage. The injuries may also leave the injured person unable to work. Through a truck accident claim, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your medical expenses, lost income from missed work, reduced earning capacity, vehicle damage, and more. However, before you can file a personal injury claim, you and your attorney will need to determine the liable party to hold them responsible.

Liability for Truck Accidents  

Determining who is liable for a truck accident is often a challenging task. Maintenance records, information from the truck’s event data recorder, physical proof at the accident scene, and other forms of evidence may be used to determine liability. The liable party may be:

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 Posted on October 08, 2020 in Personal Injury

COVID-19 has changed nearly every aspect of our lives – including the way legal proceedings are handled. Courts across the country are requiring personal injury depositions and other proceedings to take place remotely in order to reduce the spread of the virus. Although parties in a remote deposition attend the deposition via audio and video software, the overall structure of the deposition remains the same. Many of the same legal requirements and procedures will still apply. If you have been asked to participate in a virtual deposition or remote deposition, it is important to make sure you are fully prepared for a deposition and understand what to expect.

Technology Concerns During Remote Court Proceedings

The technology used for remote court proceedings in Connecticut may vary slightly from case to case, but most virtual court proceedings will involve the same basic setup. Instead of a physical room, your deposition will take place in a virtual environment. Some participants may be in a conference room or courtroom while others are in their homes. To participate in the virtual deposition, you will likely need a computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone with a camera and microphone. The court will send you an email explaining how to set up the video conferencing software or app used for the virtual deposition. You will also receive an email with a secure hyperlink and password for the virtual environment. Make sure the batteries in your device are charged, your Internet connection is stable, and that your microphone and camera are working correctly before the deposition begins.

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 Posted on September 10, 2020 in Personal Injury

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) occur when a person receives a sudden and violent blow to the head or when an object pierces the skull and damages brain tissue. TBIs can result from car crashes, slip and fall accidents, assaults, and other incidents. Severe TBIs can cause long-term, debilitating symptoms. Victims of TBI are often burdened by overwhelming medical expenses and left unable to work. If you or a loved one has suffered a TBI, a personal injury claim may help you recover compensation for your damages if another party’s negligent actions led to your accident.

Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury

The brain is responsible for a wide range of crucial body functions, including sensory information processing, memory, thought, muscle movement, and the regulation of breathing and blood pressure. When the brain is damaged, the results can be catastrophic. TBI sufferers may experience headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, confusion, inability to concentrate, memory problems, changes in mood, and more. In severe TBI cases, the sufferer may experience these symptoms as well as vomiting, seizures, slurred speech, numbness, inability to awaken from sleep, loss of coordination, and cognitive impairment. A concussion is a common form of TBI that can vary significantly in severity. Some people suffer a concussion and do not even realize it. Others, especially those who develop post-concussion syndrome, may experience incapacitating symptoms for weeks or months after the injury-causing incident.  

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 Posted on December 19, 2019 in Estate Planning

You may be surprised to learn that about 6 out of 10 U.S. adults do not have a will. There are a multitude of benefits associated with creating a last will and testament, but many Americans procrastinate creating a will, trust, or other estate planning documents until it is too late. Understandably, it can be uncomfortable to consider what will happen to your assets when you pass away. However, dying without an estate plan, called dying intestate, places a huge burden on your loved ones and takes away the ability to make your own decisions about how your property is passed down to heirs. If you are ready to start creating an estate plan, you may wonder, “What is the difference between a will and a trust?” Both of these estate planning tools carry certain advantages and disadvantages, so it is important to make an informed decision about the type of estate planning documents you use.

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 Posted on July 09, 2019 in Personal Injury

In today’s world, nearly every adult has some form of social media,whether it be Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. Social media has proven to provide a wide array of exciting possibilities and opportunities, particularly for those who enjoy sharing their thoughts, emotions, and lives online. However, many people do not realize the power of social media and how damaging it can be, especially in terms of the law. You may have experienced the regret of posting something you wish you hadn’t, only to go back and delete it later. While this may have little to no consequences in your personal life, this all changes following an accident or injury at the hands of another.

When someone is injured due to the negligence or misconduct of another,social media can in advertently return to hurt them later. Sometimes, victims of injury may post a photo of their damaged vehicle or update their friends about the experience they have just endured. Though this may seem like innocent behavior for someone who is not at fault for the incident, the truth can quickly be manipulated to alleviate the guilty party of any responsibility. In fact, it is a common practice for insurance companies to use social media as evidence to devalue an otherwise credible claim.

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 Posted on July 03, 2019 in Personal Injury

Following a traumatic and unexpected accident that leaves you injured,you are likely counting down the days to get back on your feet as soon as possible. While a swift insurance payment may be appealing in your moment of need, immediately resolving your claim and agreeing to a payout too quickly is one of the most mistakes you can make. Knowing the perfect time to settle your claim is a sensitive matter, one that requires the expertise and skill of a legal team you can trust.

Before you decide to accept the insurance company’s offer, make sure you have thoroughly considered the following:

• Know what your case is worth. Do you have an idea of the full extent of your medical bills, treatment, therapy, or future care? It can be impossible to accurately determine these matters early on. Remember, the insurance company is hoping you will accept the earliest, cheapest offer. They will almost always undercut the full extent of your claim while pressuring you to make a decision.

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