Archive for October, 2010

Wet roads hazardous in Connecticut. Tips to stay safe.

Driving on wet roads in Connecticut can be extremely hazardous, even deadly, especially on leaf-covered roads in autumn. Just recently, a three-car accident in West Hartford occurred on a wet road on Avon Mountain. And last year, wet road conditions contributed to a 50-car pile up in which 46 people were injured on Route 110 in Shelton.

Each year, wet road conditions cause 1,170,000 car accidents or 75 percent of all weather-related vehicle accidents. The numbers are even more staggering for injuries in car accidents: 81 percent or 544,700 of all injuries in weather-related accidents are caused by wet road conditions. And in terms of fatalities, 5,700 deaths or 77 percent of all people killed in weather-related accidents can be traced back to wet roads.

What can you do to avoid an accident on wet roads? Here’s some tips to stay safe this fall and all year long.

  • Slow down. Driving at or below the speed limit on wet roads will give you more time to stop or slow down.
  • Keep a safe distance between your car and other vehicles. 3 seconds minimum. Even more if the roads are extremely wet.
  • Drive in the middle lane. Water sometimes pools near the side of the road.
  • Avoid using your breaks. If you need to slow down, take your foot off the accelerator.

Even so, even the safest driver can still be involved in an accident. What would you do? Who would you turn to for help? You need someone who knows how to help victims of weather related accidents. You need someone you trust to fight for your rights. You need the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone & Morelli.

Our skilled lawyers have years of experience defending people injured in weather-related car accidents. We know how to successfully navigate through such complicated cases. Don’t be a victim. Take action. Contact Salomone & Morelli today.

School children safe in Connecticut? Get the facts. Be prepared.

Starting a new school year can be an exciting time in a child’s life. New teacher. New subjects. Maybe even new friends or a new school.

That’s why everyone needs to remember to keep an eye out for kids on their way to school. Children sometimes get caught up in the excitement of seeing a friend and forget to look both ways when they cross the street. That’s when a pedestrian accident can occur.

Sadly, a staggering number of pedestrians injured and killed are under 15 years old. In 2008, pedestrians sustained 69,000 injuries and 4,378 deaths in accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Those statistics include 15,000 injured and 316 killed under 15 years old.

But the statistics are even more startling for bicycle injuries and deaths for children. Cyclists under 14 years old account 24 percent of all bicycle-related deaths and 50 percent of all bicycle-related injuries.

Why do so many accidents happen? Sometimes, children aren’t paying attention while walking to their bus stop, riding a bike or walking to school. Other times, it’s the driver doing something else besides driving. Texting while driving, talking on cell phones, fiddling with the radio – all of these activities distract drivers and put everyone at risk.

Accidents happen. Everyone feels sorry. But actions have consequences. Don’t let someone else’s irresponsible behavior ruin your family’s lives. Turn to the team you can trust to fight for your child’s rights. Turn to the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone & Morelli.

Serving clients throughout Connecticut, Salomone & Morelli have years of experience representing families traumatized by accidents involving school children. We know how precious children are to parents. And we will do everything in our power to right any wrongs done to them.

Get back your peace of mind. Contact Salomone & Morelli. We’re on your side.