There is nothing better than getting in the car to head out on an epic summer road trip. Playlists and snacks aren’t the only things you need to make your trip an enjoyable one.  Lockouts, dead batteries, and flat tires are some things that cause a summer road trip to go astray, but they aren’t the only car issues that can happen. Keeping your tires in good shape is important not matter the season. Tires should be inflated to manufacturer specifications and should be inspected for cracks, bulges, or breaks. Check your power steering, wiper, and transmission fluids. Make sure all of your lights: brake, headlights, turn signals, emergency flashers are working as they are supposed to. The scorching summer heat puts a lot of pressure on car engines. Make sure you regularly check your coolant levels and address appropriately. Lockouts are never fun. Make sure you are aware of your key fob and keys when exiting your car.

Being in an auto accident can be scary. You hear that crashing crunching sound of one car striking another, and your adrenaline starts pumping. That’s why it’s important to take a few minutes now to understand how to file an insurance claim in the event of a New Haven auto accident.  Start by focusing on safety and the facts. Call the police who will come to help make sure that everyone is OK and take care of anyone who is not. The police will also document the incident so that there is a clear record of where, when and how it occurred.  Then, contact your insurance carrier. Most often, your insurance card will have the phone number right on it. They will gather some information about what happened and who was involved. At this point, they will probably schedule time to take a look at your car to see what type of damage was done. It’s also a good time to ask questions about what your policy covers and your deductible, if you don’t already know.  Your insurance company will then need some time to investigate. They’ll talk to the other driver’s insurance company and maybe even the other driver. In fact, you may also receive questions from the other driver’s insurance carrier about the incident: Just calmly and accurately answer the questions.  While the…continue reading

If you Google “New Haven road rage,” you’ll discover page after page of incidents that range from threatening someone with a gun to hitting them with a car. Uncontrolled outbursts while someone is behind the wheel make driving stressful, dangerous and possibly even life threatening for others on the road.  It’s important to become aware of road rage and use these five tips to avoid getting into treacherous situations with other drivers.  Always communicate. Using your turn signal when you change lanes is key to letting other drivers know what move you intend to make. Avoid misunderstandings by switching on your blinker.  Don’t aggravate the situation. If a misunderstanding occurs, don’t escalate it by making gestures, laying on the horn or yelling at the other driver.  Focus on staying calm. Use the time in your vehicle as a chance to unwind. Pick relaxing music, an audio book or deep breathing practices over stressful news stories and driving reports.  Leave yourself enough time. People get anxious when they are running late. This can lead to driving too closely to other drivers or making rushed moves on the road. Bad choices are not only dangerous, but can trigger road rage in fellow drivers.  Report what you see. If someone is making you feel unsafe, or if you do see someone who is behaving in a dangerous way…continue reading

When a New Haven auto accident occurs, it can affect any vehicle including those that carry our youngest citizens. Our state’s littlest passengers are protected with laws regarding their car seat.  The Connecticut car seat laws are: Infants should be rear-facing until they are both a minimum of 20 lbs. and one year old. Toddlers should remain in their car seat until they reach the maximum height or weight requirements of their car seat (this is typically 40 lbs., but check the manual that came with your toddler seat.) Older children MUST be both seven years old AND 60 lbs. Children in a booster seat must use the shoulder and lap belt. Once a child is out of a booster seat, they must wear a regular seat belt while riding in a vehicle. Following these guidelines will help keep your children safe on the roads and in a New Haven auto accident.  Generally, those who are passengers in an accident that are injured are rarely at fault for accident. Our team of experienced New Haven auto accident attorneys can help protect the interests of your child.