Now more than ever it is extremely important to choose a lawyer who has a proven record in the courtroom, trying personal injury cases. Insurance companies know which lawyers can and will effectively try cases. You may ask, why is that so important? With the Courts restricted due to COVID, and no civil jury trials, accident victims and their lawyers have temporarily lost their most effective weapon against an unreasonable insurance company. You see when a case is about to commence trial both sides have to decide whether they want to retain some degree of control over the process, or if they want to place their fate in the hands of the six strangers selected to sit on the jury. This is the moment when plaintiffs and their lawyers can call the insurance company’s bluff. Now in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic many companies realize that time is on their side. Without the immediate threat of commencing a jury trial to decide the outcome it has become too easy for companies to kick the can down the road. During these trying times it is more important than ever that you have a lawyer, the companies know has the skills and the metal to try your case when jury trials finally resume. Most cases are not tried, but having a lawyer who the companies recognize as a proven trial lawyer will help to get you paid a higher value on any settlement that is ultimately reached.

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This is just the latest in a string of motorcycle accidents that remind us that as the weather changes, motorcycles begin populating Connecticut roads once more.

While these two-wheeled vehicles are fast and can maneuver quickly, they don’t offer much in terms of driver protection. Sharing the road with them can be nerve-wracking because the drivers are so exposed and maneuver through traffic in ways that cars can’t.

When you are on the road with motorcyclists, here are few things you can do to help make their ride a little safer:

1). See them!

We’ve all seen the “Start Seeing Motorcycles!” bumper stickers, and that’s for good reason. Many bikers will attest to the massive blind spots cars and trucks have around motorcycles.

When you are traveling on I-91 in riding season, pay extra attention to spotting motorcycles.

Double-check your blind spots and side mirrors before changing lanes. With their lower, smaller profile, it can be easy to look right past a cyclist when you are scanning for other cars.

Work on identifying the different types of bikes and spotting them from a distance in different kinds of light.

By seeing motorcycles, you are already helping create a safer commute for everyone.

2). Give them equal space.

Due to their smaller stature, some drivers don’t think motorcycles need their entire lane.

Of course, this is completely wrong as motorcyclists rely on the width of the lane to avoid any obstacles in their path.

Your car might be able to drive over road kill or an oil slick but motorcycles need to move around these hazards.

Treat motorcycles like cars and give them the entire lane to use as needed.

The same applies when following a motorcycle. Don’t tailgate—keep lots of room between your bumper and their bike.

One good rule of thumb is the four-second rule: look at a road sign or billboard when the bike passes it and then count to four before you pass the same sign.

This gives both you and the motorcyclist plenty of time to react should something happen.

3). Take the weather into account

We’ve all seen a sunny day turn cloudy in an instant. It’s just one of the things you get used to living in Connecticut.

Consider the weather when you are driving near motorcycles, as their two smaller wheels do not have the traction a car’s four wheels do.

This means when the roads get wet, motorcycles lose an element of control a lot faster than cars or trucks. Give them room to turn or slow down as the roads get wet.

Keeping these tips in mind can help reduce the number of tragedies we see on our roads.

With no seatbelts or airbags, the margin for error while on a motorcycle is a lot smaller than in a car.

If you are involved in an accident or suffered an injury because of one, it’s important to get help and make sure you are treated fairly.

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Connecticut readers may be interested in this type of tragedy that took place in another state. Reports indicated that a family recent filed a legal claim against a hospital as they believe negligence on the part of its staff resulted in a young boy’s death. The 15-month-old boy was taken to the hospital for undisclosed reasons, but despite the family’s efforts to seek medical attention, the boy was not examined.

The family claims that staff members told them that they should take the boy home because it would be approximately eight hours before he would be treated. The family presumably followed this advice, and the child later died. Reports indicated that the fatality was caused by an infection associated with bacterial pneumonia.

Any death in the family can come as a great shock, especially when it is sudden. When medical malpractice is suspected, confusion and disbelief may mix with the feelings of grief. Facing such a scenario can seem immensely overwhelming, but individuals may wish to exercise their right to seek justice. If Connecticut residents have been similarly affected by hospital negligence, they may wish to find out more information on their legal options.

Source: U.S. News & World Report, “Lawsuit Claims Hospital’s Negligence Caused Boy’s Death“, March 28, 2018

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