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Life Saving Trucking Rules at Risk of Being Rolled Back

Current driving regulations prevent truck drivers from exceeding 14 hours of work and 11 hours of driving each day. They also advocate that drivers should have sufficient rest before they begin their working week.

However, that may all be about to change with the introduction of a proposal to temporarily suspend the regulations on rest periods and working hours, which were introduced last summer.

The proposal to suspend the regulations appears to be due to pressure being brought to bear by the trucking industry, and comes at a time when truck accidents are responsible for some of the worst accidents on U.S. soil.

Traffic safety organizations appear to be horrified by the move and are calling on Senator Susan Collins, who is behind the proposed suspension, to put the needs of her constituents and road safety before those of the industry.

Trucker Sleep

If you have been injured as a result of an accident in Stamford  involving a truck or trucker, you may be entitled to monetary compensation for the pain, suffering, and debilitating injuries which resulted from your accident. Contact the Stamford pedestrian accident attorneys at Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP. We can help you recover the compensation you deserve. Call us at  (888) 244-5480 – or Click here for a free case evaluation.

 

Stamford Swimming Pool Safety

All year children all across the country have been waiting anxiously for the summer months. Top on their list is to get out of school and have two or three months free of getting up early and doing homework. Second on the list, for most American children, is probably going to play in area swimming pools, lakes, and beaches. Kids absolutely love to play in the water, and can do so safely as long as the adults supervising them follow certain safety guidelines.

In the following video you will be presented with various safety tips which are meant to help you keep the children you supervise safe when swimming in pools, lakes, and beaches.

Every year approximately 300 children drown in U.S. pools and spas, and thousands more are seriously injured in near drownings. Practically all of these unfortunate situations can be prevented by adults who take certain steps to ensure the kids’ safety. Always remember that children should never be left alone to play in swimming areas or swimming pools. Adult supervision it is absolutely essential. Also, remember that, though children are definitely going to play in the swimming area, such play should be limited and not be allowed to get out of hand.

If you have been injured as a result of an accident in Stamford, involving the negligence of another party, you may be entitled to monetary compensation for the pain, suffering, and debilitating injuries which resulted from your accident. Contact the Stamford pedestrian accident attorneys at Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP. We can help you recover the compensation you deserve. Call us at  (888) 244-5480 – or Click here for a free case evaluation

 

Handling Brake Failure in Stamford -video-

Driving entails handling many hazards, from adverse weather conditions, to distracted drivers on the roads, to suboptimal road conditions. However, the most frightening hazardous conditions a driver may face include those which involve mechanical failures of the automobile itself. And among these failures, brake failure ranks among the top on the list of danger and ability to cause significant injury to a driver.

Though most drivers will never have to deal with a brake failure, such incidences do happen on a daily basis across the country. Here we present you with a video on how to handle brake failure:

If you have been injured as a result of brake failure, your injuries may actually have been caused by improper installation of your brakes, or even manufacturer defects. In order to help determine the cause of your brake failure, please contact our offices immediately for a free evaluation. You may be entitled to monetary compensation for the pain, suffering, and debilitating injuries which resulted from your accident. Contact the Stamford pedestrian accident attorneys at Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP. We can help you recover the compensation you deserve. Call us at  (888) 244-5480 – or Click here for a free case evaluation

 

How to Safely Drive in the Rain in Stamford -video-

Driving in the weather presents some of the most difficult challenges any driver will face. Though snow and ice are by far the most hazardous weather conditions, rainy weather conditions are not only highly hazardous as well, but are also far more likely to strike Stamford at any time. The rain presents several challenges for drivers including:

  • Reduced visibility
  • Reduced traction
  • Water Puddles
  • Hydroplaning
  • Increased erratic behavior of other drivers

One of the best ways to deal with driving in rainy conditions is to properly prepare yourself beforehand. Here we present a video which gives you valuable tips for driving in the rain:

Not surprisingly dozens of fatal auto accidents happen in the state every year as a result of drivers taking to the roads in adverse weather conditions. It would be best to avoid driving in the whether all together, if possible. But, as such weather avoidance is generally not possilbe, we recommend Stamford drivers take every precaution possible to drive safely in adverse weather conditions.

If you, or a loved one, have been injured or killed in a weather related accident in Stamford, the Stamford pedestrian accident attorneys at Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP can help you recover the compensation you deserve. Call us at  (888) 244-5480 – or Click here for a free case evaluation

 

Beloved Stamford Teacher Killed By Car as He Walked in Strawberry Hill

A Stamford man has died of injuries he suffered when he was struck by a car in the city on Friday. The 65 year-old victim, teacher Carmine Passero, was struck by 50 year-old Peter Parashkevov of Strawberry Hill.

The accident occurred when the victim was struck by the driver as the he was walking up Strawberry Hill Avenue in the vicinity of Stamford high school. Parashkevov was pulling out of his apartment complex in his 2013 when he accidentally struck Passero at about 9:30 am. According to the police report Passero suffered a serious head injury as a result of the collision and was rushed to Stamford Hospital, where he later died.

Parashkevov is said to have left the scene of the accident to go to his home and get his telephone. Police are continuing to investigate the accident and have thus far have not filed any charges. Police are still unsure whether Passero was struck on the apron which leads to the street from the parking lot, or if he was on the sidewalk when he was struck.

If you, or a loved one, have been injured or killed as a pedestrian in an auto accident, the Stamford pedestrian accident attorneys at Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP can help you recover the compensation you deserve. Call us at  (888) 244-5480 – or Click here for a free case evaluation

Family of Connecticut DUI Victim Sues Bars which Sold Driver Alcohol

The family of a person who died in a drunken driving accident in 2013 has filed suit against five Connecticut bars which served alcohol to the driver in the hours before the fatal crash.

On September 1, 2013 Matthew Faillace was driving his 2000 Porsche Boxster S, with 25 year-old Maikol Chumaser as his passenger, when he crashed on West Rocks Road. Chumasero was severely injured in the accident, and died four days later. During the investigation of the crash police discovered that Faillace had a blood alcohol content of 0.239, which is three times the legal limit. Faillace suffered severe injuries but was not killed in the crash.

The lawsuit alleges that Faillace had consumed alcohol at a Westport restaurant which he owns with his father, and that the restaurant was negligent in allowing him to drink alcohol in excess. The suit also claims that Faillace was served alcohol at four additional area establishments.

According to court records the victim’s family has already sued Matthew Faillace, and his father Peter, in November of last year. The suit was settled out of court for an undisclosed amount.

If you, or a loved one, have been injured or killed in an alcohol related accident, the attorneys at Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP can help you recover the compensation you deserve. Call us at  (888) 244-5480 – or Click here for a free case evaluation

How Stamford Residents can Practice Electrical Safety at Home -video-

An old adage says that 90% of accidents occur in the home. While this saying may simplify things a bit, it nevertheless captures an important fact: because people spend most of their lives at home, they naturally suffer the vast majority of injuries in their residences. Many of these injuries involve minor cuts, bumps, and bruises. But other injuries are more serious and involve broken bones, severed limbs, traumatic brain injuries, and even death. Considering the fact that people spend so much of their time in their homes, it makes sense to take time out and learn how to make their homes safer.

Because the topic of home safety is very broad, here we will take a look at some tips for practicing proper safety with respect to electrical items in the home.

As can be seen in the video, a number of common practices are actually hazardous and should be avoided. In subsequent weeks we will take a look at other aspects of home safety.

The attorneys at Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP can help you recover the compensation you deserve after being injured in a serious accident. Call us at  (888) 244-5480 – or Click here for a free case evaluation

-video- How to Handle a Blowout on Stamford Roads

One of the most frightening occurrences that can happen to a driver is experiencing a blowout while driving at highway speeds. Blowouts can quickly destabilize your car and cause it to move erratically in the roadway. The most common causes of blowouts are:

  • Improper Tire Pressure
  • Blunt force – such as hitting an item in the road or pot hole
  • Puncture – such as from a nail or sharp object
  • Worn out tires

The following video will give you tips on what to do if you are ever behind the wheel and experience a blowout.

  • Keep Calm and don’t allow your instinct to panic to overwhelm you
  • Accelerate slightly to maintain control
  • Decelerate slowly while maintaining control of the vehicle
  • Brake gently and engage your turn signal
  • Pull over to the nearest safe area

If you have been seriously injured in a car accident, please call the auto accident specialistas at the law offices of Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP – (888) 244-5480 – Click here for a free case evaluation

Motorcyclist Killed in Gruesome Accident on I-95 in Stamford

A man riding a motorcycle in Stamford was killed recently after an accident on the interstate.

38 year old Armando Barrera of Norwalk was involved in a crash with a construction vehicle two weeks ago while riding his motorcycle.  According to Trooper Kelly Grant, Barrera collided with a construction truck as he rode his motorcycle on northbound Interstate 95 at about 11:50 pm on Sunday, April 12.  The impact of the collision caused him to be thrown from his motorcycle.  He was then struck by another vehicle, a Toyota Highlander.  He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Published reports did not indicate whether or not Barrera was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.  However, we would like to encourage all Stamford motorcycle riders to always use helmets when taking to area roads on their bikes.  According to a recent study motorcycle helmets have an effectiveness of 37% in deadly accidents.  This means that for every 100 motorcycle riders who die on U.S. roads while not wearing a helmet, 37 of them could have lived if they had all been wearing helmets.

The attorneys at Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP can help you recover the compensation you deserve after being injured in a serious automobile accident. Call us at  (888) 244-5480 – or Click here for a free case evaluation

Stamford Woman Held after Easter Hit-and-Run Kill Elderly Woman

A woman is being investigated by Stamford police after a fatal hit-and-run over Easter weekend.

Police have identified 45 year-old Yolanda McDowell as the likely perpetrator of a fatal hit-and-run, which cost 70 year-old Margarita Gonzalez her life over Easter weekend.  According to police, Gonzalez was struck after leaving an Easter gathering at about 6:45 PM on Sunday.  The accident happened on Woodland Avenue, allegedly when McDowell pulled around stopped cars and ran into Gonzalez.

Instead of stopping to assist Gonzalez, McDowell is alleged to have the fled the scene.  But, a witness to the incident followed McDowell and called 911 in order to report what happened.

According to Stamford Police Sgt. Andrew Gallagher, police were able to obtain the license plate number of the car which was being driven by McDowell, a car which turned out to have been borrowed.  Upon tracking her down, McDowell was arrested and charged with manslaughter and felony evading responsibility.

According to Sgt. Gallagher, McDowell told investigators that she was unaware that she had struck a pedestrian.  As of Monday, Yolanda McDowell was being held on $250,000 bond.

Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP – (888) 244-5480 – Click here for a free case evaluation