Personal Injury Cases – Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone & Morelli

There are many electronic devices that people have become dependent upon today. From talking on cell phones and text messaging to using an electronic GPS to get to your destination, there is a good chance that you use at least some electronics in your car. Unfortunately, using these devices can increase your risk of a collision whether traveling along I-91 in Rocky Hill or while leaving the Shoppes at Buckland Hills in Manchester.

A personal injury lawyer knows that many motorists believe they will be safer if they use a hands-free system in their car rather than physically picking up their phone or manually typing into electronic controls. The reality, however, is that multitasking can have a long-term negative impact on your brain. Not only that, but you are still so distracted by using hands-free devices that driving safely is difficult or impossible.

Studies Show Dangers of Driving Distracted

According to Yahoo News, recent studies have demonstrated that voice activated phone systems and voice activated infotainment systems are not any safer for drivers than using handheld systems. In fact, in many cases, using electronic devices with voice control systems can actually be more dangerous than it would have been to simply use your hands to complete the desired task.

Researchers studied drivers using Apple’s virtual assistant Siri, on a simulated driving course. Researchers also tested drivers using popular hands-free infotainment systems made by popular car manufacturers such as Chevrolet, Mercedes, Hyundai, Ford and Chrysler. Each of the different systems was rated on a scale based on how much of a distraction that particular system caused. When the hands-free electronic use caused the least distraction, it would receive a one on the scale. The most distracting devices would receive a five.

Researchers found that using Siri was the worst and most distracting thing that a driver could do. Siri received a 4.14 rating out of five. On the simulated driving course, the motorists who were talking to Siri to get Siri to do tasks actually ended up rear ending vehicles in front of them twice.

In-vehicle electronic systems did a little better, but not much better. The worst of the infotainment systems was the Chevrolet MyLink, which received a distraction score of 3.7. Other systems were not as distracting, but all were found to cause more of a problem in terms of safe driving than if the driver had just used his or her cellular phone in the first place.

The news that multitasking is dangerous is bad news for drivers, because it means that people who try to use electronics can increase the risk of an accident. However, an article from Forbes also suggests that those who are routinely involved in multitasking are actually likely to be the worst at it. This is because people who multitask regularly become less able to pay attention, less able to recall information, and less able to effectively switch from one task to another. As a result, those who are likely to multitask in the car, who are often serious multi-taskers are likely to be the least safe of all.

Contact a Hartford accident attorney today at the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone & Morelli. Calling 1-800-WIN-WIN-1 for your free case consultation or visit http://www.salomoneandmorelli.com.

Insurance companies are big business in Connecticut. Some of the nation’s leading insurance providers are based here in the state. Many people like to think their insurance company is looking out for their best interests. We want to believe if we have an accident, our insurance company will be there to help us get back on our feet.

Unfortunately, that’s not always true. Instead, your insurance company might be more concerned with its bottom line. As a result, they will sometimes go to extreme lengths to avoid paying people injured in an auto accident.

In some cases, your insurance company may be more concerned about the other driver in an auto accident. Now imagine your insurance company went to court and defended the other driver who caused the accident. Sounds crazy? Absolutely. But that’s exactly what one insurance company did after a driver killed a 24-year-old woman driving another car. The woman’s insurance company defended the other driver in court, even though the other driver had a suspended license.

At the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone & Morelli, a Connecticut auto accident attorney at our law firm can work with you if you’ve been injured in an auto accident. We know what’s legal or against the law in Connecticut.

We also realize that no two accidents are the same. Every one is unique – just like you. That’s why we can work with you and design a strategy that fits your specific legal needs. Sometimes, you may need to file an auto accident lawsuit in Connecticut. We can help you sort through all your options.

In the case of the 24-year-old woman who died in an auto accident, her insurance company initially didn’t want to pay her family the full amount. “I think they thought that we would just turn our tails down behind us and walk away,” the 24-year-old’s mother told The New York Times.

The woman’s family took her insurance company to court and won. Taking on insurance companies in court can be a daunting task for many people. They don’t scare us. We’re prepared to do whatever it takes to get you the money you rightfully deserve. Contact a Connecticut auto accident lawyer who will fight for your rights. Contact the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone & Morelli, 100 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105.

Connecticut has some of the toughest texting while driving laws in the country. It’s illegal to text and operate a handheld cell phone while driving. School bus drivers statewide cannot text or use a cell phone for any reason on the road. Even so, many people think they can safely do both things at the same time. Think again. A recent study revealed some startling statistics about the effect of texting on drivers’ reaction time. According to the study, drivers react twice as slow while texting. That may explain why 5,474 people died in 2009 in America in distracted driving accidents and thousands more were injured.

One false move can instantly lead to a serious, life-altering accident. What would you do if texting driver in Connecticut injured you? Who would you trust? You need an aggressive Connecticut texting accident lawyer on your side. You need the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone & Morelli. Serving clients throughout Connecticut, an experienced Connecticut distracted driving attorney at our firm can give your case the attention it deserves. We regularly scour accident records, medical reports and other essential documents. We then use this information to build a rock-solid case with one goal in mind: to get you the maximum compensation you rightfully deserve.

Texting accidents happen fast. Knowing what to do afterwards can be a nightmare. We can help. At the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone & Morelli, helping auto accident victims drives everything we do. We understand how chaotic a crash can be, especially when it was caused by someone else’s reckless behavior. We have seen how uncooperative insurance companies can sometimes be after an accident. They don’t deter us. We know how to stand up to insurance companies and demand justice for our clients.

Contact a Connecticut texting accident attorney who will fight for your rights. Contact the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone & Morelli. We mean business!

On June 3, 2010, Connecticut Gov. Jodi Rell signed into law a bill that closes a loophole in the state’s regulations regarding cell phone usage while driving. The new law in no uncertain terms bans texting on a cell phone or other hand-held wireless devices while driving. However, “hands free” voice activated texting will still be allowed, along with hands-free cell phone usage in general.

When the new law goes into effect on Oct. 1, it will clear up much confusion about whether or not texting is allowed while driving in Connecticut. The confusion came about because Connecticut is one of eight states nationwide that has already banned the use of hand-held 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.

The new law also eliminates the one-time exemption that violators had been able to claim by submitting proof of purchase of a hands-free cell phone. Now, first time violators face a fine of $100. A second offense of texting while driving will cost you $150. All subsequent violations will each result in a $200 fine.

Keeping up with the latest laws can be mind boggling. Knowing what’s legal or not can be confusing. We can help. Contact the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone & Morelli. If you have been involved in a car accident involving a texting driver, we know how to navigate through the complex legal hurdles standing in your way for justice.

Don’t let someone else’s reckless behavior ruin your life. Take action. Contact Mark E. Salomone & Morelli. We’re on your side.

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.