Personal Injury Cases – Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone & Morelli

Christmas trees fires happen fast. Don’t believe us? Watch this video here. In just six seconds, a fire started near a Christmas tree quickly becomes a massive inferno. It’s no joke. Christmas tree fires pose a very real threat of serious burn injuries or even death.

Each year,  fire departments respond to an average of 260 fires that started with Christmas trees, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Christmas tree fires kill 14 people, injury 26 and cause $13.8 million in property damage annually on average.

What can you do to prevent a Christmas tree fire in your house? First, choose a fresh tree. Older ones with needles that fall off burn fast. Next, put the tree at least 3 feet away from a heat source like a fireplace or radiator. Fires spread fast.

And every day, make sure you do two things: water your tree and turn off your Christmas tree lights before you go to bed. Watering your tree may save your life.  A dry Christmas tree burns much faster than a properly watered one. Watch this video comparing a dry tree and a watered tree to see just how much faster the dry tree engulfs the room in flames.

Knowing what to do after a Christmas tree fire can be confusing. Dealing with serious injuries or the loss of a loved one can be overwhelming. Scared? Confused? We can help. We’re the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone & Morelli.

Our lawyers have years of experience successfully representing fire victims throughout Connecticut. We know how to handle big insurance companies. Let us deal with all the red tape so your family can focus on your recovery.

Christmas tree fires can be traumatic. Recovering from one should not. Contact Salomone & Morelli. We’re on your side.

Seatbelts save lives. You’ve probably heard this slogan before. But it’s easy to forget sometimes just how important seatbelts can be in serious accidents, especially if you’re a safe driver who has never had an accident.

Seatbelts reduce the number of serious traffic injuries by 50 percent and fatalities by 60 to 70 percent, according to the Connecticut Department of Transportation.

According to the latest survey by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 83 percent of Americans wore their seatbelt while riding in a car in 2008. That’s the highest rate ever according to NHTSA statistics.

As seatbelt usage has increased, the fatality rate for motor vehicle accidents has steadily declined. In 1994, just under 60 percent of motorists wore seatbelts. That year, the fatality rate for car accidents stood at 1.4 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, the standard measurement for accidents. By 2006, the fatality rate dropped 21 percent to 1.1 deaths and 80 percent of motorists wore seatbelts.

Safety advocates have linked this sharp decline in fatal accidents to increased seatbelt usage. One reason why more people wear their seatbelts may be because they must do so by law. States like Connecticut have primary enforcement seatbelt use laws. This means police can pull someone over in Connecticut for not wearing their seatbelt and issue them a $92 fine. States with primary seatbelt laws report that 88 percent of motorists wear seatbelts. States without such laws report that 75 percent of motorists wear seatbelts.

Seatbelts save lives. Most people drive responsibly. But accidents happen. What would you do if you were injured in a car accident? How would you pay your bills? What if your insurance company refused to cooperate? Who would you trust to get answers for your important questions? Relax. We can help. We’re the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone & Morelli.

Our lawyers have years of experience successfully representing car accident victims in Connecticut. Allow us to evaluate your case for free. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Contact Salomone & Morelli. We’re on your side.