Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP - 58 Post Road Danbury, CT 06810

Lowered Speed Limits Win Praise from Many Experts

June 29, 2014 By

Road Safety organizations are applauding the move by some city councils to decrease the speed limits, in some cases to as low as 20 mph, in towns, city centers and residential areas, which is a reversal of the trend over recent years to increase speed limits, especially on freeways.

They state that if a pedestrian is hit by a vehicle travelling at 30 mph, he or she has a 20% chance of being killed, whereas if the same vehicle were to hit them at 25 mph, the chances of dying are halved to 10%.

Speeding alone is seen as causing more road traffic deaths than driving while intoxicated and using a cell phone while driving. Hence local governments are making the move – which is slowly sweeping the whole country – to try and ensure the nation’s drivers drive more slowly, especially in built up areas where there are likely to be children and the elderly.

Speed Limit

If you have been injured in an automobile accident involving a driver who was speeding, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. Call the accident attorneys at Danbury accident attorneys – Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP  now for an immediate consultation. 58 Post Road Danbury, CT 06810    (888) 244-5480  

Filed Under: Danbury Driver Safety

GM to Issue At Least 3rd Vehicle Recall in Past Six Months

June 21, 2014 By

It has been a challenging year thus far for General Motors. In February the company issued a recall of more than 2.5 million vehicles after ten years of consumer complaints about faulty ignition switches caught up with it. Several GM models had been built with ignition switches that shut off spontaneously while being driven. The defect also rendered the vehicle air bags ineffective as well. According to a report by GM itself, at least 13 deaths are linked to the faulty switches in more than 50 crashes.

GM also stated that one of the probable causes of the ignition problem was that the key fobs may have been adversely affected by the added weight of extra keys on a key ring. This added weight could cause the key to move in such a way that it would shut off the engine if the car hit a bump or pothole in the road.

If you have been injured in an automobile accident involving a defective vehicle, or a vehicle which had defective parts, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. Call the accident attorneys at Danbury accident attorneys – Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP  now for an immediate consultation. 58 Post Road Danbury, CT 06810    (888) 244-5480  

Filed Under: auto recalls

DUI Inury or Death – Are Restaurants, Bars, and Clubs Responsible?

June 15, 2014 By

After suffering a debilitating injury in an automobile accident involving a drunken driver, many times victims and their families wonder what went wrong. They wonder why someone would drive drunk and put the lives of everyone around them, and even themselves, at risk. Though the news is constantly filled with such stories, nevertheless people continue to drive drunk. Often these drunk drivers have been out drinking at various restaurants, bars, and clubs. In such cases, these alcohol-serving establishments may actually share part of the liability for any serious automobile accidents which result.

Restaurants, bars, and clubs have a responsibility to deny service to patrons who appear to be drunk or overly intoxicated. But, as many of these establishments earn a significant portion of their revenue through alcohol sales, it is safe to assume that too many of them look the other way when serving patrons who have already had too much to drink. There is a well-established legal history of victims of these patrons, who were served excess amounts of alcohol and then went on to cause serious car accidents, filing suit against such alcohol-serving establishments.

If you have been injured in an automobile accident involving a drunk driver, you may be entitled to compensation from any alcohol serving establishments which neglected its duty to cut the patron off after they’d had too much to drink. Call the accident attorneys at Danbury accident attorneys – Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP  now for an immediate consultation.

 58 Post Road Danbury, CT 06810    (888) 244-5480  

Filed Under: danbury accidents

Connecticut Pedestrian Deaths Lower than National Average – But More Can Be Done

June 8, 2014 By

A recent report, ranking the pedestrian safety of every state in the Union, found that Connecticut was ranked 27th worst for pedestrian safety. Between 2003 and 2012 the state saw 351 residents killed while walking on state roads.

Harford, New haven, and Fairfield counties were ranked as the top three most deadly counties in the state for pedestrians. The shockingly high number of pedestrian deaths in the area prompted Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch to launch a public awareness campaign in 2013, aimed at making city streets safer for pedestrians and bikers. The campaign allowed the city’s police department to target drivers which speed in areas known to have high concentrations of pedestrians and bike riders.

Other efforts to reduce the number of pedestrians killed in the state include a call by the Tri-State Transportation Campaign to modify Route 1. 11 pedestrians were killed on the roadway from 2010 to 2012.

While the numbers may be somewhat alarming, they are far from the worst seen in the country. For example, Florida, a state with a much larger population than Connecticut, saw 5,189 pedestrian deaths from 2003 to 2012, resulting in a pedestrian danger index of 168.6. By contrast, Connecticut’s pedestrian danger index is 35, while the national averages 52.2.

If you have been the victim of a pedestrian accident in Connecticut, call the accident attorneys at Danbury accident attorneys – Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP  now for an immediate consultation.

 58 Post Road Danbury, CT 06810    (888) 244-5480  

Filed Under: danbury accidents

How to Handle Brake Failure in Danbury

June 1, 2014 By

It is not common that drivers face serious emergencies while driving on Danbury area roads. Though most drivers will likely face various adverse conditions while driving at some point or another, thankfully such scenarios are few and far between. One of the most frightening scenarios which can happen to a driver is losing power to the car’s brakes. Though this situation happens very infrequently, it is a good idea to know what to do and how to handle it. Take a look at the following video, which will tell you what to do in the case of brake failure:

A car’s brakes are obviously an essential part of the car’s proper functioning. Danbury area residents should always maintain their brakes in optimal conditions and have them serviced and replaced periodically. But, despite our best efforts, things do go wrong from time to time. This is why it is important that drivers continue to educate themselves on how to handle all manner of emergent situations, and prepare for the worst, while hoping it never comes to pass.

If you ever experienced brake failure in Danbury,  your brakes may have failed as a result of manufacturing defects of improper servicing. Call the accident attorneys at Danbury accident attorneys – Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP  now for an immediate consultation.

 58 Post Road Danbury, CT 06810    (888) 244-5480  

Filed Under: Danbury Driver Safety

How to Handle a Tire Blowout in Danbury -video-

May 25, 2014 By

Suppose you’re driving down the road when suddenly your car suffers a tire blowout. For many drivers this situation would be extremely frightening, due to the loss of car control which results from a blown tire. But, despite the seriousness of this situation, there are steps Danbury drivers can take to give themselves the best chance to walk away from a tire blowout without serious injury. The following video gives pointers on how to best handle a tire blowout.

One thing that many Danbury residents may not be aware of is that on United States roads there are estimated to be millions of recalled tires in operation. Many of these tires were actually sold or serviced by major tire retailers and service companies. Recalled tires are more likely to suffer catastrophic malfunction than normal tires, and have resulted in numerous serious injuries and deaths.

If you ever experienced a tire blowout in Danbury, be sure to keep the tire and do a thorough search to see if it has been recalled. Especially in the case where someone has been injured or killed in an accident involving a tire blowout, it is important to trace the history of the tire and see whether or not it should have been on the road in the first place. If you have been seriously injured in an accident involving a blown out tire, call the accident attorneys at Danbury accident attorneys – Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP – 58 Post Road Danbury, CT 06810    (888) 244-5480

Filed Under: Danbury Driver Safety

Tutorial – Motorcycle Riding at Low Speeds in Danbury -video-

May 16, 2014 By

Motorcycle riders in Danbury, and across the country, are frequently cautioned against driving in excess of the speed limit. Experts say that bike riders who ride too fast can increase their likelihood of being involved in serious auto accidents as a result of reduced reaction times at higher velocities. While high velocity motorcycle riding does present its challenges, riding at low velocities, less than 15 miles per hour, can also be hazardous because motorcycles tend to become unstable at such low speeds. The following video gives tips to bike riders traveling and low speeds.

It goes without saying that motorcycle riders in Danbury should always wear a helmet and practice proper road safety procedures. Though motorcycle riding will always be more dangerous than riding in an automobile, bike riders who ride smart can significantly limit their chances of being the victim of a life changing accident.

 

Danbury accident attorneys – Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP – 58 Post Road Danbury, CT 06810    (888) 244-5480

Filed Under: Danbury Driver Safety

Lawmakers Debate How to Handle the Rise of Ride Sharing

May 8, 2014 By

Does social ridesharing service Uber present a danger to Danbury residents? That is the question being asked now as the city considers enacting new insurance requirements for those who would use their personal vehicles to transport strangers from point A to point B for a fee.

Uber is a social media application which allows users to solicit a ride over the Internet. Drivers who have registered with Uber can then respond to the request, and go pick up the user and drive them wherever they want to go. The payment is handled automatically through credit card, and no cash ever changes hands. If this sounds like a taxicab service to you, you’re not alone. Uber has been banned in certain cities of the U.S. because it does not require its drivers to adhere to the strict requirements that most cities demands of taxi drivers and taxi cab companies.

As Uber moves into Fairfield and New Haven counties, lawmakers have all but given up on the thought of banning the service or causing its drivers to register as taxi drivers. Instead, the General Assembly is expected to vote before the end of the current session to require drivers who charge for a ride and are dispatched by a centralized system, to carry not only personal liability coverage, but also livery insurance.

Those in violation of the proposed law would be fined up to $500 the first time, and up to $2000 for a subsequent offense. Also, the legislation, if passed, will clear the way for the Department of Transportation to ask the state Superior Court for an injunction which will stop ride sharing services from operating in the state.

Lawmakers are worried that, should something go wrong, passengers in a ride sharing vehicle will not have the same legal recourses that they would have in a similar situation involving a taxicab. For example, should a passenger in a car driven by an Uber driver be involved in an accident, it is unclear what kind of legal recourse is the passenger would have.

Uber currently operates in approximately 70 to 100 cities around the world in his backed by investment heavyweights such as Google and Goldman Sachs.

Danbury accident attorneys – Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP – 58 Post Road Danbury, CT 06810    (888) 244-5480

Filed Under: In the News - Danbury

GM Situation Just Latest in Long List of Corporate Failures

April 29, 2014 By

Today’s consumer has come to the sobering realization that many of the country’s largest and most respected manufacturers repeatedly produce products which are dangerous and even deadly.  This realization has come as a result of revelations regarding everything from medications to household products.  And with recent disclosures relating to General Motors’ failure to protect the consumer from defects in millions of automobiles it manufactured, many consumers are left wondering who they can trust.

General Motors knew about at least two significant defects in the automobiles the company manufactured as far back as 2004, but failed to recall the vehicles or notify the public of the dangers for nearly a decade.  One of the defects, which affected the ignition systems of over 2.3 million cars, caused the automobiles to spontaneously lose power while in operation.  The other defect caused automobiles to spontaneously lose power steering capabilities.  All told, at least 12 people lost their lives as a result of the defects.

It is now well known and well documented that General Motors received ample evidence of the problems, and simply failed to act.  For example, a 2011 NHTSA report indicated that approximately 4,800 complaints had been filed about the power steering issue, and over 30,000 warranty claims had been submitted.  Despite the government’s investigation into the problem, even it failed to require General Motors to recall defective vehicles.

Now General Motors faces yet another lengthy period of attempting to regain its customers’ trust.  In the meantime, the company will be working its way through the costs of two major recalls, numerous lawsuits relating to deaths and injuries stemming from the defects, and likely a large sanction by the government.

Filed Under: auto recalls

Danbury Teen Recovering after Hit-and-Run

April 22, 2014 By

A Danbury teen is recovering after being involved in a hit and run accident earlier this month.

An 18 year-old resident of Danbury, Nicholas Oetero, was recently crossing Lake Avenue Extension between the McDonald’s and the Gulf gas station when he was hit by an unknown driver at about 8:10 PM.  The driver who struck Oetero did not stop to help him or call police, and according to the victim’s mother, Setina Galarza, Oetero only received assistance when the driver of a passing vehicle called and notified police of his situation.  She believes that without his assistance her son may have been run over by a passing vehicle, as the road was dark and rainy at the time of the incident.

Oetero’s injuries were painful, but not life-threatening.  He suffered a right leg which was broken in three places, and other injuries.

As of now police have not identified a suspect in the hit-and-run.

 

If you or someone you know has been the victim of a serious auto accident, including a hit-and-run, contact the accident attorneys at Danbury accident attorneys  at Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP at  (888) 244-5480 for a free consultation.

Filed Under: danbury accidents
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