Archive for May, 2010

Dogs bite people every day. Are you prepared?

Dogs bite people when you least expect it. Just last month, a Ridgefield, Connecticut man and his puppy were viciously attacked by another dog. One in five dog bites nationwide result in injuries requiring medical attention, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Each year, dogs bite more than 4.7 million Americans nationwide. What should you do if a dog bites you or your child? And what if you are the owner of a dog that has bitten someone else?

State laws vary concerning dog bites. In Connecticut, a dog must be quarantined for 14 days after biting a person. State law also holds the owner of a dog liable for most dog attacks. But there are exceptions. They include if the victim was trespassing, committing another crime or teasing, tormenting or abusing the dog. Children under 7 years old who are bitten by a dog are presumed to have not done these things, but even that’s up for debate by law.

So who pays for injuries inflicted by a dog? Don’t worry about having deal with your friends or neighbors directly if you or a loved one is a victim of a dog attack. Insurance companies handle dog bites. That means you get the compensation you’re entitled to without having to make enemies with the owner of the dog.

Certain steps should be taken right after a dog bite. There’s also things you can do as a dog owner to reduce the likelihood of a dog attack. These include:

  • Don’t leave your dog alone with small children.
  • Take your dog to obedience classes.
  • Don’t teach your dog to play rough.
  • Keep your dog in a fenced yard.

Dog bite cases are complicated. You may be entitled to more money than you realize. Confused? We can help. Contact the Law Offices of offices of Mark E. Salomone and Morelli today. When you chose us, you get experienced, dog bite injury lawyers who will aggressively fight to get you the justice you deserve.

Don’t let a dog bite ruin your life. Contact Salomone & Morelli today.

Toyota recall spurs lawmakers to action. Are you safe?

Toyota’s massive recall of vehicles with defective breaks has prompted politicians in Washington to take action. U.S. legislators recently wrote a proposed law aimed at preventing such catastrophic defects in vehicles in the future. The proposed law would require all automakers to install anti-runaway technology. Such improvements include brake override systems, stop-start technology and event data recorders.

The proposed law may also give the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration the authority to quickly order recalls of vehicles deemed to be a public danger. The recall measure would give the NHTSA the power to stop to all sales of vehicles deemed to pose an “imminent hazard” to the public, eliminating the current public-hearing process.

Since November, Toyota has recalled more than 9.9 million vehicles worldwide – including 8 million in the U.S. – for defects believed to cause unintended acceleration. Such defects have been blamed for 37 deaths nationwide since 2000.

Accidents are complicated. Laws change quickly. Don’t leave your family’s future to chance. If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident in a Toyota or another vehicle brand, take action. Contact the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone and Morelli today. Our knowledgeable, experienced lawyers will vigorously defend your rights and get you the compensation you are entitled to as a victim of an automobile defect or accident. Don’t let someone else’s reckless behavior ruin your life. You deserve justice. We can help.

Connecticut motorcycle laws may change. Will you be affected?

Hitting the open road on a motorcycle has long been a dream for many Americans. The freedom to do so safely may soon be easier too in Connecticut.

This month, the state House of Representatives passed a bill that would require new motorcyclists to take a novice training course to obtain their license to operate a motorcycle. The House overwhelmingly passed the bill, which must be signed by the Governor to become law starting in 2011. The proposed law would not apply to current license holders.

The proposed training class will cost $200. That might seem like a steep price to pay to get a license. But making the roads safer for motorcyclists makes sense for everyone, especially since more motorcyclists than ever are on our roads.

The number of registered motorcycles – and motorcycle accidents – has increased steadily nationwide in recent years, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In 1998, there were 3.8 million motorcycles on the roads, 2,294 fatal motorcycle accidents and 49,000 motorcycle injury accidents nationwide. In 2007, there were more than 7.1 million registered motorcycles, 5,174 fatal crashes and 103,000 injuries nationwide. In 2008, fatal motorcycle crashes rose again to 5,290 fatalities. The number of motorcycle injuries dropped for the first time in 10 years to 96,000 in 2008. Statistics on the number of motorcycles registered in 2008 were not available.

Motorcycle accidents can change people’s lives forever in an instant. Knowing what to do afterwards can be difficult. We can help. Contact the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone and Morelli today. When you chose us, you get experienced, motorcycle injury lawyers who know how to fight effectively and aggressively to get your family the justice and compensation you deserve.

Don’t let a motorcycle accident ruin your family’s lives. Take action now.

Driving while texting illegal in Connecticut? Are you safe?

Texting while driving in Connecticut can be extremely dangerous. But is it illegal? Some people think texting while driving is illegal in Connecticut. They’re wrong. The confusion has come about because Connecticut is one of seven states nationwide that has already banned the use of handheld cell phones while driving. Drivers must use a hands-free device while talking on a cell phone. But that law doesn’t specifically state that Connecticut drivers are prohibited from texting while driving.

That’s why Connecticut lawmakers are taking action. They’re trying to outlaw texting while driving across the state. The proposed law has the support of the Governor and many legislators. The new law would carry hefty fines for anyone who texts or uses a handheld phone while driving.

But just because Connecticut may outlaw texting while driving and has already banned the use of handheld cell phones on the road does not guarantee that people will be safer. Many drivers still use cell phones illegally in Connecticut. So who knows if people will stop texting while driving even if it is illegal in Connecticut?

We sure hope they do! Such activities distract drivers, making them unsafe at any speed. Distracted drivers often cause accidents. Sometimes, the injuries are minor. But other times, such accidents result in serious, life-altering injuries or even death.

Accidents happen. Don’t become a victim. Take action. Contact the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone and Morelli today. Our experienced lawyers will vigorously defend your rights and get you the compensation you are entitled to if you become a victim of a distracted driver. Don’t let someone else’s reckless behavior ruin your life. You deserve justice. We can help.