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One Arrested after Stamford Hit and Run

April 15, 2014 By

A Stamford man is now in custody, after allegedly leaving the scene after crashing into two parked cars at a restaurant on Stillwater Avenue.

The 37 year-old suspect his alleged to have crashed a Toyota 4-Runner into two vehicles at Restaurant Maya on Stillwater Avenue on March 1.  After the accidents, which occurred at about 11:30 pm, the owner of the vehicle, identified as Walter Ruiz Morales, allegedly fled the scene.  He later appeared at a local police station claiming that his vehicle had been stolen.

Police arrested Morales after a witness at the scene of the accidents identified him as the driver.  Police have charged Morales with making a false report, leaving the scene of an accident, driving without a license and criminal attempt at second-degree forgery.

This case shows just how important it is to take follow the proper procedures after  a car accident. So often people panic after getting into a car crash, especially if they have been drinking. But the consequences of running can be far worse than simply owning up to the mistake. The law offices of Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP is concerned about the safety of our roads, and the security of Stamford’s residents. Contact us if you or a loved one has been injured or killed in an automobile accident in Stamford.

Filed Under: Stamford accident

Stamford and National Distracted Driving Awareness Month

April 7, 2014 By

In the city of Stamford, along with dozens of other cities in Connecticut, and thousands of other cities across the country, April represents National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.  This month public safety professionals and law enforcement officials aim to increase the public’s awareness of the consequences of driving while distracted, and conduct a high profile crackdown against the practice.

Residents of Connecticut are well aware of the state’s penalties in relation to the use of smart phones while driving.  But due to the continuing incidences of distracted drivers causing serious and even fatal accidents, Connecticut officials – including those in Stamford  – are encouraging the public to observe National Distracted Driving Awareness Month by not only avoiding driving while distracted but also by spreading the word to others.

In honor of this month’s goal to reduce driving while distracted, here are some suggestions to help you avoid this hazardous practice:

  • Turn your cell phone off while driving
  • Keep your cell phone in the glove compartment
  • Keep pets properly restrained
  • Plan your course the head of time in order to avoid having to constantly look at your GPS device
  • Remember that talking on a headset while driving is also extremely dangerous and is best to be avoided

In promoting safe roads for all in Stamford, we call on all our fellow residents to help make  National Distracted Driving Awareness Month a success. The law offices of Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP is concerned about the safety of our roads, and the security of Stamford’s residents.

Filed Under: Distracted Driving

Safe Motorcycle Riding in Stamford

March 31, 2014 By

For many people in Stamford taking to the roads on their motorcycles on a warm spring or summer day represents the height of freedom and leisure.  And while Stamford residents often see groups of friends riding their bikes on local roads, we must urge caution.  Though motorcycle riding can be a great form of recreation and leisure, traveling on a motorcycle involves risks which are unique to this form of transportation.

In recent years, with the explosion of motorcycle riding in the United States, there has been a similar explosion in the number of deaths and injuries related to motorcycle riding.  Take this statistic for example: though less than 5% of all registered vehicles in the United States are motorcycles, one of every six fatalities on U.S. roads are motorcycle riders.  Considering the fact that those who travel on motorcycles tend to drive for far fewer hours per year than those who use cars for transportation, this stat is truly a sobering wake-up call.

Those who do decide to ride motorcycles should always remember that using a helmet is mandatory from a safety standpoint.  In fact, out of every 100 motorcycle accidents which would otherwise be fatal, researchers have found that proper helmet use can save no less than 37 lives.  So, while riding carries its inherent risks, wearing a helmet can at least help to mitigate the most deadly of those risks.

If you or anyone you know has been seriously injured in a car or motorcycle accident in Stamford, or anywhere else in Connecticut, give the law offices of Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP at call at (888) 244-5480 for a  free claim evaluation.

Filed Under: Motorcycle accidents, Stamford accident, Uncategorized

Distracted Drivers and Pedestrian Accidents

November 3, 2013 By

Stamford Accident Attorneys

Distracted driving has always been a common cause of accidents, and with today’s technology the problem has become much worse. With the pressure to stay connected at all times, and the shift from talking on the phone, which is dangerous enough while driving, to texting, which is exponentially more distracting, we can expect distracted driving to remain the leading cause of traffic accidents for years to come. If you have been injured in an accident caused by a distracted driver, the Stamford accident attorneys of Hastings, Cohan, and Walsh, LLP, can help.

Common Distractions

Public awareness campaigns have brought attention to the dangers of texting while driving, much like the campaigns against drunk driving in the 1980’s. While the emotional tug of these ad campaigns may change the behavior of a few, they can also give people a false sense of security and superiority, making them feel like very safe drivers if they refrain from texting, while they remain completely oblivious to the other distractions they succumb to everyday.

Examples of common distractions which lead to accidents include:

  • Texting and cell phone use
  • Adjusting the stereo
  • Attending to children and pets
  • Reaching for objects on the floor, in the passenger’s seat and in the backseat
  • Eating and drinking
  • Personal grooming

The bottom line is that texting and driving is quickly becoming a major safety hazard on Connecticut’s roadways. If you are a pedestrian, look both ways and pay attention. If you have been injured in an accident in Connecticut by distracted drivers or for any other reason, please call our Stamford pedestrian accident attorneys today for a free claim evaluation.

Filed Under: Distracted Driving, Pedestrian Accident Attorneys
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