Many people in Connecticut rely on their cars for travelling from one place to another. We are dependent on our vehicles to run errands and go to work each day. When an accident occurs, not only can an individual be left without a vehicle, but they can also miss time from work as well as suffer personal injuries. A motor vehicle accident may take place even when a driver is being careful and vigilant.
Unfortunately, we have to share the road with other motorists and the same care we take behind the wheel cannot be guaranteed in other drivers. Other drivers can end up speeding, texting or talking on the phone — causing an accident to occur. Even a small period of diverted attention may cause a drastic accident. Recently, three people, including a passenger, were injured in a two-vehicle accident.
According to the police, two women were travelling in a sports utility vehicle on Interstate 95. A collision with a tractor-trailer totaled both vehicles. The accident caused injuries to drivers of both vehicles and the passenger of the SUV.
The police report states that the women suffered serious injuries due to the accident. The women were immediately transported to the hospital to be treated for their injuries. The driver of the tractor-trailer also suffered a head injury and was taken to the hospital. The police stated that everyone involved received serious injuries.
As accidents can cause severe injuries, individuals may experience pain and suffering along with staggering medical costs. A victim may have to receive medical treatment for a long period of time and may also need rehabilitation. Many households also suffer financial problems because they depend on the financial support of the injured person.
The at-fault driver may be end up paying compensation to the victim(s). The victims may choose to file a claim for damages including; medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering. This compensation may enable the person to afford treatment expenses and also support the individual’s family during recovery.
Many people in Fairfield, Connecticut, rely on public transportation to travel from one place to another. Since a bus usually has more passengers than any other vehicle, the chance of or injuries or casualties may be higher in a bus accident. Recently, a bus carrying students was involved in a three-vehicle accident on Kings Highway East.
Four special-needs students were travelling to a cultural arts school when the accident took place. Reports state that a car was attempting to turn left. The driver cut off the bus, which was unable to avoid hitting the car. The force of the collision also caused the car to cross into the westbound lane and hit a third vehicle.
According to police, the driver of the car could not see the bus while turning. Likewise, the bus driver also said that since the car pulled out directly in front of the bus, the collision could not be avoided. The driver of the car received an infraction for not allowing the right-of-way at a stop sign.
The drivers of both vehicles reported neck and back pain. They were transported to a hospital for treatment. Fortunately no major injuries were reported by the students, but they were sent to a hospital as a precaution.
Sometimes people injured in an accident may not be aware of the extent of their injuries. The person may believe that either there has been no injury or the injury is minimal and can be treated without medical assistance. But, it is always advisable to go to a doctor for a routine exam. Accidents may leave an individual with unidentified injuries, which may surface at a later stage.
A person injured in a public transportation accident has to deal with expenses for the injuries and may also have to take leave from work. The person may also need rehabilitation if the injuries are severe. The injured should know that the person responsible for the accident may be liable for paying a claim for the compensation of medical expenses and lost wages.
Source: Fairfield Patch, “Cops probe accident involving bus with special needs students” Caitlin Mazzola, Oct. 17, 2012.
Negligent driving can sometimes prove to be fatal. Drivers should always remember that negligence can cause injuries not only to themselves, but also to others on the road.
Residents of Connecticut may recall a fatal car accident that occurred in Bridgeport last year. A 56-year-old woman was ejected from her car after it was hit by another vehicle. The car accident resulted in serious injuries to the woman, causing her death. The teenage driver who was responsible for the accident was recently charged with negligent homicide, reckless driving and other charges related to the woman’s death.
According to investigators, the 56-year-old was travelling in a Subaru when the teen’s car struck her on the left front of her car. The impact caused the car to strike another vehicle and also a concrete-filled steel pole. The pole was knocked two inches off of its foundation due to the force of the collision.
The 56-year-old was hospitalized and succumbed to her injuries approximately one month after the crash. The teenage driver of the other car and his passenger escaped injury. According to police, the teenager was travelling at a speed of more than 50 miles per hour at the time of the collision. Almost a year after the accident, the teen now faces serious criminal charges.
Many accidents have occurred in Connecticut due to negligence of others. An accident can easily be avoided if the driver is careful on the road. A motor vehicle accident can cause serious injuries and sometimes may also result in death. A person injured in the accident may be able to file a claim for monetary compensation from the accused. If the accident results in death, surviving family members of the deceased may be able file a claim for compensation from the responsible party, also referred to as a wrongful death claim.
Damages that can be claimed in a wrongful death suit may include compensation for loss of companionship and the financial value of support that the victim provided to the family. An accident may result in injuries, pain and suffering, property damage and catastrophic financial loss. A claim against the negligent driver can help the person emerge from the loss, provide for the loved ones left behind from a fatal accident and bring closure to a traumatic situation.
Source: Connecticut Post, “Teen charged in fatal crash,” Frank Juliano, Oct. 11, 2012.
For a same sex couple, getting married in Connecticut is easy enough. Simply, go to the town clerk for the marriage license, pay the fee ($30 I believe) and get married within 65 days of the marriage license being issued. The parties need not be Connecticut residents to be married here.
Now the tricky part: getting divorced.
Here is a quick analysis:
1. Does the state recognize the same-sex marriage as a legal relationship?
A same sex couple can only get divorced in a state that recognizes same-sex marriage. At last count, including Connecticut, there were six states that allowed same-sex marriages. Clearly, these states also permit same-sex divorces. Three other states, (New York, Rhode Island and Maryland) do not permit same-sex marriages but recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states as legal. Therefore, they allow same-sex couples to obtain a divorce in their state.
And that’s it. No other states will grant a same-sex divorce.
But it’s not as easy as just finding a state that will grant a sex-same divorce.
2. Do one of the spouses meet the state residency requirement?
All states have residency requirements that must be satisfied before a court of that state will grant the divorce. In Connecticut, as a general rule, the residency requirement is 12 months. There are limited exceptions to the 12 month residency requirement. The point to keep in mind is, whether it is Connecticut or another state that grants same-sex divorce, a spouse must have a legitimate connection to that state before a court will hear the case.
Most individuals cross the street within a crosswalk because that is the designated safe area for walkers to enter traffic. Even pedestrians walking through parking lots are finding themselves involved in dangerous collisions with vehicles. It is important for pedestrians to be vigilant when crossing roadways or busy traffic areas, even the most careful can be susceptible to vehicle accidents.
Recently, a pedestrian accident occurred in Stratford on Ferry Boulevard, very close to Broad Street. The police report stated that a car hit the 70-year-old male. The victim suffered head injuries and was taken to a hospital for treatment. The police are unaware of the victim’s current medical condition and criminal charges have not yet been filed against the driver.
Pedestrian accidents have become increasingly common. The state takes many preventive measures to avoid accidents and to educate residents on pedestrian safety. However, people walking within a crosswalk or even through a parking lot are still in danger of accidents.
A pedestrian may be injured if the driver is negligent or fails to notice people walking on the streets. Speeding or distracted driving is a major contributor to this type of accident. A person walking on the road is more vulnerable than a driver behind the wheel of a car and all accidents can potentially cause life-threatening injuries. People walking on the road usually do not have an opportunity to avoid a sudden vehicle in their path.
A pedestrian accident involving a motor vehicle can cause physical and emotional trauma, which often involves a lot of pain and suffering. The victim may also need ongoing medical treatment or rehabilitation. Medical expenses add to the burden of the injured person and his family. The person injured should be aware of the compensation and monetary awards that they may be entitled to recover. Compensation for lost wages and diminished quality of life may also be claimed. According to law, the responsible person should compensate the victim for the injuries and suffering caused by the accident.
Source: Patch, “Car strikes man in Stratford,” Jason Bagley, Oct. 6, 2012.
A postnuptial agreement is really a contract between spouses. It is designed to avoid potentially lengthy and costly litigation by setting forth an allocation of property, assets and debt in the event of a divorce.
Custody and visitation of children cannot be governed by a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement. Since these decisions involve the child’s best interest, they must always be approved by a judge.
In Connecticut, the landmark case of Bedrick v. Bedrick held that public policy supports the enforcement of postnuptial agreements. However, the agreement will be subject to special scrutiny to make sure that it is not “unconscionable.”
Therefore, careful drafting is essential to maximize the likelihood that the Agreement will survive this heightened scrutiny. Careless or sloppy preparation will be usually be fatal to the enforcement of a postnuptial agreement.