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

Lane splitting. The phrase refers to a common motorcycle riding practice. It’s when motorcyclists ride in between two lanes of traffic. But is it legal? And what if there’s an accident? Whose liable?

Depends who you ask. According to some experts, this practice known as “lane splitting” is against the law in every state across the country except California. Connecticut’s laws also seem to clearly state that lane splitting is illegal. But accidents are complicated. Many factors come into play in any accident. Nothing is ever rarely clear-cut.

And don’t imagine that insurance companies are on your side. Often, insurance companies will blame motorcyclists for causing the accident, even when the accident was the other driver’s fault. The other driver may even claim you were recklessly weaving in and out of traffic on your motorcycle when the accident took place.

Motorcycle accidents happen fast. Suddenly, your life can change forever in an instant because of serious, irreversible injuries. This may be your only chance to be legally compensated for your motorcycle accident injuries.

Don’t let insurance companies push you around. Don’t leave your future to chance. Take action. You need a skilled legal team on your side that understands the law. You need the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone and Morelli. When you choose us, you get experienced lawyers who know how to navigate through the complex legal hurdles standing in your way for justice.

More motorcyclists than ever are on the road. Be prepared. Ride safe. And remember who you can trust if you’re injured in a motorcycle accident. Contact Salomone & Morelli. We’re on your side.

On June 3, 2010, Connecticut Gov. Jodi Rell signed into law a bill that closes a loophole in the state’s regulations regarding cell phone usage while driving. The new law in no uncertain terms bans texting on a cell phone or other hand-held wireless devices while driving. However, “hands free” voice activated texting will still be allowed, along with hands-free cell phone usage in general.

When the new law goes into effect on Oct. 1, it will clear up much confusion about whether or not texting is allowed while driving in Connecticut. The confusion came about because Connecticut is one of eight states nationwide that has already banned the use of hand-held cell phones while driving. Drivers must use a hands-free device while talking on a cell phone. But that law doesn’t specifically state that Connecticut drivers are prohibited from texting while driving.

The new law also eliminates the one-time exemption that violators had been able to claim by submitting proof of purchase of a hands-free cell phone. Now, first time violators face a fine of $100. A second offense of texting while driving will cost you $150. All subsequent violations will each result in a $200 fine.

Keeping up with the latest laws can be mind boggling. Knowing what’s legal or not can be confusing. We can help. Contact the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone & Morelli. If you have been involved in a car accident involving a texting driver, we know how to navigate through the complex legal hurdles standing in your way for justice.

Don’t let someone else’s reckless behavior ruin your life. Take action. Contact Mark E. Salomone & Morelli. We’re on your side.

What happens when a tenant gets injured at their rented property? Who’s responsible? Who’s liable? The landlord?  Who will pay your medical bills? What about lost wages? What are your rights?

And what if you sustain an injury at work in a rented office? What if you’re a guest at your friend’s rented apartment and you get injured? What should you do?

Common household injuries can cover a wide range, including head injuries and broken bones. In some cases, certain tenant injuries can be extremely severe, sometimes even resulting in someone’s accidental death.

Each state has unique liability laws. In Connecticut, the landlord is required to keep common areas safe. Landlords can often be held liable if authorities determine the landlord was negligent in maintaining the property and if the landlord had actual or constructive notice of the defect, but did not repair or correct it . By law, landlords are required to safely maintain their property for tenants.

Your lease could also play a major role in what happens. Some leases include liability exemption clauses. Often, an exemption clause only applies to the tenant. That means a landlord can be held liable for injuries to a third party on the property, even if there is an exemption clause. But such laws vary from state to state.

Every accident is unique. Many factors come into play. Questions often lead to more questions. Confused? Scared? Take action. Contact the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone & Morelli today. When you chose us, you get experienced tenant injury lawyers who understand the law and know how to aggressively fight for your family to get the justice you deserve.

Tenant injury cases are complicated. Don’t let insurance companies or landlords push you around. Contact Salomone & Morelli. We’re on your side.

Dogs bite people when you least expect it. Just last month, a Ridgefield, Connecticut man and his puppy were viciously attacked by another dog. One in five dog bites nationwide result in injuries requiring medical attention, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Each year, dogs bite more than 4.7 million Americans nationwide. What should you do if a dog bites you or your child? And what if you are the owner of a dog that has bitten someone else?

State laws vary concerning dog bites. In Connecticut, a dog must be quarantined for 14 days after biting a person. State law also holds the owner of a dog liable for most dog attacks. But there are exceptions. They include if the victim was trespassing, committing another crime or teasing, tormenting or abusing the dog. Children under 7 years old who are bitten by a dog are presumed to have not done these things, but even that’s up for debate by law.

So who pays for injuries inflicted by a dog? Don’t worry about having deal with your friends or neighbors directly if you or a loved one is a victim of a dog attack. Insurance companies handle dog bites. That means you get the compensation you’re entitled to without having to make enemies with the owner of the dog.

Certain steps should be taken right after a dog bite. There’s also things you can do as a dog owner to reduce the likelihood of a dog attack. These include:

• Don’t leave your dog alone with small children.
• Take your dog to obedience classes.
• Don’t teach your dog to play rough.
• Keep your dog in a fenced yard.

Dog bite cases are complicated. You may be entitled to more money than you realize. Confused? We can help. Contact the Law Offices of offices of Mark E. Salomone and Morelli today. When you chose us, you get experienced, dog bite injury lawyers who will aggressively fight to get you the justice you deserve.

Don’t let a dog bite ruin your life. Contact Salomone & Morelli today.

Toyota’s massive recall of vehicles with defective breaks has prompted politicians in Washington to take action. U.S. legislators recently wrote a proposed law aimed at preventing such catastrophic defects in vehicles in the future. The proposed law would require all automakers to install anti-runaway technology. Such improvements include brake override systems, stop-start technology and event data recorders.

The proposed law may also give the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration the authority to quickly order recalls of vehicles deemed to be a public danger. The recall measure would give the NHTSA the power to stop to all sales of vehicles deemed to pose an “imminent hazard” to the public, eliminating the current public-hearing process.

Since November, Toyota has recalled more than 9.9 million vehicles worldwide – including 8 million in the U.S. – for defects believed to cause unintended acceleration. Such defects have been blamed for 37 deaths nationwide since 2000.

Accidents are complicated. Laws change quickly. Don’t leave your family’s future to chance. If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident in a Toyota or another vehicle brand, take action. Contact the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone and Morelli today. Our knowledgeable, experienced lawyers will vigorously defend your rights and get you the compensation you are entitled to as a victim of an automobile defect or accident. Don’t let someone else’s reckless behavior ruin your life. You deserve justice. We can help.

Hitting the open road on a motorcycle has long been a dream for many Americans. The freedom to do so safely may soon be easier too in Connecticut.

This month, the state House of Representatives passed a bill that would require new motorcyclists to take a novice training course to obtain their license to operate a motorcycle. The House overwhelmingly passed the bill, which must be signed by the Governor to become law starting in 2011. The proposed law would not apply to current license holders.

The proposed training class will cost $200. That might seem like a steep price to pay to get a license. But making the roads safer for motorcyclists makes sense for everyone, especially since more motorcyclists than ever are on our roads.

The number of registered motorcycles – and motorcycle accidents – has increased steadily nationwide in recent years, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In 1998, there were 3.8 million motorcycles on the roads, 2,294 fatal motorcycle accidents and 49,000 motorcycle injury accidents nationwide. In 2007, there were more than 7.1 million registered motorcycles, 5,174 fatal crashes and 103,000 injuries nationwide. In 2008, fatal motorcycle crashes rose again to 5,290 fatalities. The number of motorcycle injuries dropped for the first time in 10 years to 96,000 in 2008. Statistics on the number of motorcycles registered in 2008 were not available.

Motorcycle accidents can change people’s lives forever in an instant. Knowing what to do afterwards can be difficult. We can help. Contact the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone and Morelli today. When you chose us, you get experienced, motorcycle injury lawyers who know how to fight effectively and aggressively to get your family the justice and compensation you deserve.

Don’t let a motorcycle accident ruin your family’s lives. Take action now.

Texting while driving in Connecticut can be extremely dangerous. But is it illegal? Some people think texting while driving is illegal in Connecticut. They’re wrong. The confusion has come about because Connecticut is one of seven states nationwide that has already banned the use of handheld cell phones while driving. Drivers must use a hands-free device while talking on a cell phone. But that law doesn’t specifically state that Connecticut drivers are prohibited from texting while driving.

That’s why Connecticut lawmakers are taking action. They’re trying to outlaw texting while driving across the state. The proposed law has the support of the Governor and many legislators. The new law would carry hefty fines for anyone who texts or uses a handheld phone while driving.

But just because Connecticut may outlaw texting while driving and has already banned the use of handheld cell phones on the road does not guarantee that people will be safer. Many drivers still use cell phones illegally in Connecticut. So who knows if people will stop texting while driving even if it is illegal in Connecticut?

We sure hope they do! Such activities distract drivers, making them unsafe at any speed. Distracted drivers often cause accidents. Sometimes, the injuries are minor. But other times, such accidents result in serious, life-altering injuries or even death.

Accidents happen. Don’t become a victim. Take action. Contact the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone and Morelli today. Our experienced lawyers will vigorously defend your rights and get you the compensation you are entitled to if you become a victim of a distracted driver. Don’t let someone else’s reckless behavior ruin your life. You deserve justice. We can help.

Uninsured motorists wreak havoc on roads throughout Connecticut. If a reckless driver without insurance hits your vehicle or motorcycle and injures you, don’t panic. We can help.

In Connecticut, insurance companies require drivers to have coverage to protect drivers from uninsured motorists. And just because someone doesn’t have insurance doesn’t mean you can’t be compensated for your injuries. You may be entitled to compensation for injuries you sustained in a car accident with an uninsured motorist.

Want to know more? Contact the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone and Morelli today. Insurance policies can be complicated. We have the answers to your questions. Don’t let the insurance companies decide what happens next. Let us fight for your rights and help get you the compensation and justice you deserve.

Hit and run accidents wreak havoc on Connecticut roads every day. What would you do if a reckless driver hit your vehicle or motorcycle and fled the scene? Are you prepared?
In Connecticut, every auto insurance policy requires drivers to have coverage to protect everyone in a vehicle who’s a victim of a hit and run accident. So don’t assume you can’t be compensated for your injuries just because the other driver fled the scene of the accident.
A simple check of your auto or motorcycle insurance policy’s “Declarations Page” will help you figure out the extent of your coverage. Look also at the “Terms & Conditions” page of your policy to find out just how much coverage you have as a victim of a hit and run accident.
Understanding your insurance policy can be complicated. We can help. Contact the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone and Morelli today. We’ll review your policy. And we’ll fight for your rights and help get you the compensation and justice you deserve.

Industrial plants, construction sites and industrial machinery can be very dangerous and create significant potential for injury or death, both for the people who work there and operate such machinery and those who live or travel nearby.