Holiday travel often sees roads crowded with cars and even though travel this year is going to be lighter then usual, AAA is warning that that does not mean that the roads will be any safer, in fact, in some instances, the chances for a New Haven auto accident increase when there are less people on them. It may seem counter-intuitive to think that there is an equal amount or even greater risk of accidents on the roads when traffic volume is down, but it appears to be the case.  As holiday travel continues to decrease this season, it is important to understand why.  AAA reminds us of a few reasons; Fewer cars on the road often lead to higher speeds.  This was true during the height of the pandemic lock down in early spring of 2020 when studies showed that fewer people on the roads led to higher speeds and it will likely be true during holiday travel this year. Less cars on the road often lead people into a fall sense of security which can leave them more likely to be distracted.  Being distracted while driving is one of the deadliest things that you can do. A smaller police presence.  When there are fewer cars on the road there are generally less police patrolling the streets which can lead to trouble if you…continue reading

They are adorable and often make all of us swoon when we see them in the “wild” but animals like deer or foxes, can cause serious injury and in some cases death.  In fact, on average 1 million collisions each year are caused by animals.  While it is not extremely likely that a New Haven auto accident will be caused by a deer running down Chapel St. it is possible and certainly the chances for this type of accident increase if you are traveling during the holidays. While collisions do occur what is most concerning is the fact that nearly 200 fatalities are caused by collisions with animals on the road.  This is not to mention the deadly nature of these collisions for the animals themselves.  The good news is there are things you can do to protect yourself and the animals on the roads to reduce this type of collision. Be alert when animals are most active.  This time of year those times of day are at dusk (between 5p-8p) and at dawn (between 5a-8a) Use your high beams.  When possible to use your high beams you should as this will allow you to see animals that are often difficult to see on the road. Drive the speed limit.  This is always important, but it is especially important to keep yourself safe from collisions…continue reading

All of us here at the LoRicco Law Firm would like to wish you and your family a happy and safe Thanksgiving.  While the gatherings may be smaller and there may be less hustle and bustle it is still a good time to take stock in all that we have to be grateful for throughout the year.  2020 has been a challenging year for many of our neighbors, but one thing is for certain that we have stayed together as a community and gotten through each challenge one at a time. As you’re celebrating this holiday season, wherever you are and with whomever you’re with, we want to remind you that following health guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) will keep you healthy and following the rules of the road will keep you safe.  Here are some friendly reminders as you celebrate the holidays. Always drive the speed limit.  Study after study have shown that the easiest way to avoid a New Haven auto accident is to obey the speed limit at all times. Wear your seatbelt.  This is another important step to take to stay safe on the roads.  A seatbelt will protect you in the event of an accident and in many cases prevent it from becoming a more serious accident. Designate a driver.  If you will be drinking today or…continue reading