Are you planning on hitting the road this weekend for the 4th of July holiday? Many will be leaving New Haven and traveling through our city for other locales. A few minutes to review some prevention and planning measures may keep your family safe and avoid a New Haven auto accident. Seven million Americans will face a breakdown this summer. Make sure everyone in the car is wearing their safety belt. Car seats or booster seats should be properly installed and used. Vehicle Checklist Tires Wipers Fluids Belts and hoses Cooling system and air conditioning Lights Make sure your car is stocked with a spare tire, jack, water, flares, jumper cables, first aid kit, windshield washer fluid, and blankets. In the State of Connecticut it is against the law for the driver to operate a mobile device.  Additionally, operating a motor vehicle while under the influence can not only get you a fined, but criminal charges as well. If you are injured this summer while traveling, contact an experienced New Haven auto accident attorney. Whether you are a Connecticut resident or live out of state, our firm can help. The New Haven auto accident attorneys at The LoRicco Law Firm wish your family a safe summer road trip!

A very common New Haven auto accident with a cyclist or pedestrian occurs when someone is struck by a car leaving a driveway.  These accidents are often a result of obstructions that make it difficult for the cyclist or pedestrian to see on-coming traffic. The median age for this type of accident is 10 years old. New Haven’s school children will be out riding their bicycles and these accidents will occur more frequently.  Taking a few of the following steps can help you to stave off an accident of this type. Talk to your son or daughter about making sure he/she does not race out into on-coming traffic.  Make them aware that no matter how safe your road seems to be, the possibility of a car racing down the street is always there, so looking both ways is a key way to prevent getting hurt. Cut back and bushes/trees that may obstruct the view of your child as they ride their bike or scooter into the street. Post a sign encouraging on-coming traffic to slow down and that there are children living at your address. These few steps can help to prevent these types of accidents, but if an accident were to occur make sure to consult an experienced New Haven auto accident attorney immediately to see how they can protect your long term interests.

Encouraging news out of the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles regarding teenage driver safety reports less fatal New Haven auto accidents among the state’s teens. Connecticut adopted the motor vehicle laws in 2004that restrict 16 and 17 year old drivers. Since then, there have been some dramatic improvements in teenage New Haven auto accident injuries: There are 82% less car accident driver deaths A 62% decrease in the deaths of 16 and 17 year old as compared to before the laws were put into place. Additional levels of training are included where parents are required to attend a two-hour training class with their teen. The same news cites a Travelers Insurance Survey that teenage drivers are influenced by their parents’ driving habits. It also cites distracted driving as an ongoing issue with younger inexperienced drivers. While these statistics are very encouraging and positive, the reality is accidents with teen drivers still happen.  If you or a loved one have been injured in an car accident involving a teen driver you may need a New Haven auto accident attorney to help you file a claim.  We have been helping the injured in New Haven and the Connecticut shoreline for nearly 60 years.

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.

Maintaining proper tire pressure helps prevent a New Haven auto accident year round. In the heat of the summer tire pressure can rise, on average one pound per-square inch (PSI) for every increase in temperature of 10 degrees Fahrenheit.  That means that if your tires were properly inflated for the winter, you’re still going to want to check them before heading out for any long trips this summer. Why is tire pressure so important to your safety? If you leave the house on a cool summer morning and your tires are already over inflated, by the time you head out in the evening, after your car has been sitting in the hot summer sun, your tires will be over inflated to new heights. Over inflated tires leave you more susceptible to tire blowouts which in turn can lead to New Haven auto accidents. Blowouts are not the only danger when over inflating your tires, however. Over inflated tires can lead to premature wearing on your tires which is a primary cause of poor handling and uneasy breaking. When is the best time to check tire pressure? The manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure is meant to match the measurement of a car that has been sitting still for hours, therefore the best time to check your tire pressure is first thing in the morning before you drive the car…continue reading

Being the passenger in a New Haven auto accident can be devastating. You may be left with lasting injuries affecting your ability to work and enjoy life. If you were injured in an accident, taking the following steps will help us to better protect your long term interests: Get examined by a doctor. Sometimes it can take days, or even weeks, after you have been in a New Haven auto accident for you to realize that the injuries aren’t going away on their own. Make sure you get treated in the emergency room or with your primary care provider after you have been in an accident. Get the police report. If you were the passenger in an accident and a police officer responded to the scene, he/she filed a report with the city or town in which the accident occurred. Call an experienced New Haven auto accident attorney. Do not give any statements to either driver’s insurance company. The insurance company does not work for you, we do. We will use our 15 years of insurance defense experience to protect your long term interests. If you or a loved one were a passenger in a vehicle that was in an auto accident, contact our office immediately. We have been representing New Haven and the Connecticut shoreline’s injured for nearly 60 years.