The Malowitz Law Firm, LLCStamford Personal Injury Attorney | Car & Motorcycle Accidents2026-07-15T14:42:14Zhttps://www.malowitzlaw.com/feed/atom/WordPress/wp-content/uploads/sites/1201468/2021/03/cropped-favicon-wesley512-32x32.jpgOn Behalf of The Malowitz Law Firm, LLC<![CDATA[In-vehicle technology is not always beneficial]]>https://www.malowitzlaw.com/?p=500462026-07-15T14:42:14Z2026-07-15T14:42:14ZThere are far more technological options in a modern car than in an older one. While some, such as collision avoidance, do improve safety, others can be counterproductive at times.
It’s important to remember that just because you have a certain option in your vehicle does not mean it is wise to use it when driving.
Taking your concentration away from the road
Many drivers make a lot of use of the touch screens in their vehicles. They like being able to scroll through songs, change the route as they go or check an email that has come in. Yet all of these things take your concentration away from the road. Staring at that screen means you cannot be looking at the road, and it is easy for a quick glance to last much longer than you intend.
Reducing your ability to control your vehicle
You are driving along and starting to get a little uncomfortable, so you reach for the controls to adjust your seat or even your steering wheel. While the electronic controls might make this easier than when you had to manually move things, you should still never do so while driving, as it could lead to a momentary reduction in control. It is still far safer to stop and make such changes. Besides, if you are getting uncomfortable, it might well mean you need a break.Adjusting controls or dials or touching screens usually also requires you to take a hand from the wheel, reducing your ability to turn the steering wheel, which could be crucial in an emergency.Drivers often find it hard to resist the array of distractions within their vehicles. If someone crashes into you, consider whether they were distracted in any way as you seek to claim compensation.]]>On Behalf of The Malowitz Law Firm, LLC<![CDATA[Construction site falls can end a blue-collar career]]>https://www.malowitzlaw.com/?p=500442026-06-30T03:42:36Z2026-06-30T03:42:36ZFalls to another level are the top cause of construction workplace deaths. When construction workers survive serious falls, they can suffer numerous injuries that not only require time for recovery and generate medical costs but also potentially affect their ability to continue working in the future. Serious falls at construction sites may force people to change professions or stop working completely because of their injuries.
Even relatively minor falls can prove devastating
Safety standards require the use of restraints when workers are at risk of a fall of six feet or more to a lower level. Even working on a one-story building and falling from a ladder rather than the roof can potentially cause career-ending injuries.
Workers who fall may fracture bones. While many broken bones heal fully, a total recovery is not a guarantee. Construction site falls could also potentially lead to spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries, both of which can permanently alter a worker's capability to perform job functions.
Employees in the construction sector may be eligible for workers’ compensation. Workers’ comp claims can become much more complicated when workers have suffered injuries that cause permanent medical challenges and render them incapable of continuing their chosen careers.
Professionals trying to cover their expenses and rebuild their lives after significant on-the-job injuries may need assistance as they pursue benefits and evaluate alternative sources of compensation. Getting experienced legal guidance can help people understand their rights and pursue the compensation they need after construction accidents affect their income and future earning potential.]]>On Behalf of The Malowitz Law Firm, LLC<![CDATA[How to prove someone was at fault in a car accident]]>https://www.malowitzlaw.com/?p=500432026-06-29T14:43:42Z2026-06-29T14:43:42ZSteps that can strengthen your liability claim
Liability usually depends on several facts, not just one document. Each piece of evidence can help establish negligence and connect the other driver's actions to the collision. You may begin building that record by taking these steps:
Report the collision right away: Call 911 so law enforcement can respond. The officer will usually prepare a report that notes the location, road conditions, driver statements and any traffic tickets.
Document the scene: Take photos of vehicle damage, skid marks, debris and traffic signs. You can also ask nearby businesses or public offices whether cameras captured the crash.
Talk to witnesses: Their independent statements can corroborate your account, especially when the drivers give conflicting versions of the collision.
Save digital records: Dashcam video or other vehicle data can help establish speed or other driving behavior before impact.
After you gather proof, the next issue is how the law weighs each driver’s conduct. Connecticut follows modified comparative negligence. This means your share of responsibility generally affects what you can recover.
If you are 50% or less at fault, your damages usually decrease by that percentage. However, if your share of responsibility is more than 50%, you typically cannot recover compensation.
Why early action matters after a crash
Evidence matters most when you act quickly. Witnesses may forget details, video can be erased and vehicle data may become harder to obtain.
For that reason, legal guidance often helps soon after a collision. An attorney can look for more sources of proof, help protect important records and explain how the facts fit the legal standards that apply to your claim. That support may also help you understand how fault findings can affect your recovery.]]>On Behalf of The Malowitz Law Firm, LLC<![CDATA[When dispatch device distraction is to blame for a semi-truck crash]]>https://www.malowitzlaw.com/?p=500382026-06-16T21:48:01Z2026-06-16T21:48:01ZTruck drivers should not text or email on the road
Most laws prohibiting texting while driving are state statutes. There is no federal law that applies to all motorists in every state.
However, there is a federal rule that governs device use by commercial drivers. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has adopted a no-text rule. Truck drivers cannot handle a digital device manually for any reason while actively driving. Even the need to review a route update sent via email or text message could lead to a violation of this rule.
Those affected by semi-truck collisions may question whether digital distraction caused the crash. If communication with an employer was the source of distraction, the violation of the no-text rule could lead to company liability.
Working with an attorney to secure digital records can help people evaluate who was at fault for a semi-truck crash and what options they may have for covering their losses. If a trucking company is liable, then commercial insurance claims or personal injury litigation could potentially help cover collision expenses.]]>On Behalf of The Malowitz Law Firm, LLC<![CDATA[Why don’t drivers use their turn signals?]]>https://www.malowitzlaw.com/?p=500372026-06-04T08:34:59Z2026-06-04T08:34:59ZFailing to use a turn signal can be a critical mistake on the road. A driver who does not signal could merge into another vehicle on the interstate or turn in front of oncoming traffic unexpectedly. By failing to communicate their intentions to the drivers around them, they make accidents more likely.
But even though it is risky, you have certainly seen many drivers ignore their turn signals. Why don’t they use them consistently?
They are turning right
Some drivers do not use their turn signals for right turns, perhaps thinking it is only necessary when turning left. It is true that a left turn is more dangerous because of oncoming traffic, but signals are still necessary for right turns, especially when there are pedestrians or cyclists.
They do not see anyone else
Some drivers contend that they will use their signals if there are other people around, but they will ignore them if they do not see other vehicles. While this may feel like it makes sense in the moment, the thing to remember is that drivers make mistakes. Just because someone does not see another vehicle does not mean one is not present. For example, inattentional blindness means that a lot of drivers do not see motorcycles, even if they look at them.
They are behind another vehicle
Finally, some drivers do not turn on their signals if they are in a line of vehicles. They think that their decision to turn is already obvious. Someone who is sitting in the left lane behind three other cars that are all going to turn left, for example, may ignore turning their blinker on themselves.
Seeking financial compensation
Regardless of the reasons that people give for ignoring their blinkers, it is dangerous and potentially illegal. If you are injured in an accident that one of these negligent drivers causes, you may have a right to seek financial compensation.
]]>On Behalf of The Malowitz Law Firm, LLC<![CDATA[We’re entering a dangerous driving period]]>https://www.malowitzlaw.com/?p=500362026-05-21T20:26:36Z2026-05-21T20:26:36ZAs the days speed by, the mercury climbs. Soon, it will be summer vacation for students of all ages here in Stamford, including the newly licensed teenagers.There is a general uptick in traffic patterns during the summer months because more people are on the roads and highways. Below is some information about the upcoming 100 deadliest days of summer.
Summer driving statistics for teens
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reports that due to their inexperience, teen drivers get into collisions at three times the rate of their older counterparts (based on driven miles). Distracted driving by teens causes or contributes to at least 60% of collisions. Distracted driving examples include:
Driving with more than one passenger
Drowsy driving
Interacting with cellphones
Eating or drinking behind the wheel
Driving too fast
Drinking or using drugs and driving
These are not the only causes of teen distractions, but they are some of the most common.
How you can better protect your family
Make sure all teens know to never ride with an intoxicated or drugged driver. Assure them you will always pick them up when they call. Adults and families traveling on vacation should allow extra time to navigate the route to their destinations.
Were you injured in an auto accident?
If you get hurt in a car accident that was caused by a teen driver or anyone else, you have the right to seek compensation for your injuries, losses and other damages. Your first priority after a wreck is to seek medical treatment.Later, you can file a claim for damages to initiate the civil personal injury process and hold the other driver liable for the damage they caused.]]>On Behalf of The Malowitz Law Firm, LLC<![CDATA[What happens after a hit-and-run accident in Connecticut?]]>https://www.malowitzlaw.com/?p=500352026-05-08T11:08:30Z2026-05-08T11:08:30ZWhat to do in the first hour
Your first priority is safety. Move to a secure spot if you can, then call 911 to report injuries and request police response. Write down anything you remember about the other vehicle, including color, make, partial plate and direction of travel. Photos of the damage, the scene and any debris left behind can help investigators later.
Connecticut requires drivers to report any crash involving injury, death or property damage that appears to exceed $1,000 to law enforcement. The investigating officer files a report with the Department of Motor Vehicles, and you should request a copy once it's available. Insurers typically expect notice within days, not weeks.
How Connecticut treats the driver who fled
Leaving the scene is a separate criminal offense from causing the crash itself. Connecticut’s evading responsibility statute sets penalties for fleeing drivers based on the harm caused, ranging from a misdemeanor for property-damage-only crashes to a felony with up to 20 years in prison when someone dies or suffers serious injuries.
Prosecutors must show the driver knew an accident occurred, which is why even minor contact can trigger charges if the other driver kept going. That said, criminal penalties punish the offender, but they do not pay your medical bills or repair your car.
Getting compensated when the driver isn't found
This is where many hit-and-run victims feel stuck, but Connecticut builds a safety net into every auto policy. State law treats hit-and-run drivers as uninsured for insurance purposes, which means your own coverage for at-fault driver gaps typically steps in.
Under Connecticut's uninsured motorist coverage statute, every auto policy issued in the state must include uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) protection at limits equal to the policy’s liability coverage, unless the policyholder elects lower limits in writing. Conditions still apply: you must report the crash promptly, though Connecticut law does not always require physical contact between vehicles to pursue a “phantom driver” claim. Collision coverage, if carried, can address vehicle damage subject to the deductible.
Connecticut also applies a two-year statute of limitations to personal injury claims from car accidents, so the window to act is shorter than it feels.
What to keep on file while your claim moves forward
Save everything: medical records, repair estimates, lost wages and any communication with police or insurers. You may choose to consult with a lawyer before providing recorded statements to your insurance company before understanding what the policy covers. If the at-fault driver is later identified, a direct claim against them can run alongside the UM/UIM claim.
A hit-and-run leaves you with two parallel tracks: a criminal investigation you don't control and a civil claim you do. Knowing the difference is what turns a frustrating situation into a recoverable one. If a fleeing driver injured you in Fairfield County, review your policy and the police report with an attorney who handles these claims, and do it well before the two-year clock runs out.]]>On Behalf of The Malowitz Law Firm, LLC<![CDATA[State lawmakers consider expanding workers’ comp PTSD benefits]]>https://www.malowitzlaw.com/?p=500342026-05-07T06:26:08Z2026-05-07T06:26:08ZIncreasingly, workers’ compensation authorities throughout the country are recognizing that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common work-related condition in first responders and other frontline workers and are making benefits less challenging to obtain.
Just two years ago, Connecticut expanded workers’ comp coverage of what is referred to under the law as post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI) to include those in certain jobs who witness a death or an injury that eventually is fatal or who have physical contact with them. The law also covers those who see someone suffer a traumatic physical injury “that results in the loss of a vital body part or a vital body function that results in permanent disfigurement of the victim.” The law applies to anyone who is a “police officer, firefighter, emergency medical services personnel, Department of Correction employee, telecommunicator or health care provider….” The term “witness” can apply to 911 dispatchers and anyone else who “hears by telephone or radio while directly responding to an emergency call that constitutes a qualifying event….”
How would the law change?
Now, Connecticut state lawmakers are considering a modification to the law that would add more scenarios to the list of qualifying events. Specifically, the bill that’s being considered would add witnessing “a serious physical injury to a person that does not result in (I) the death of such person, or (II) the loss of a vital body part or a vital body function that results in a permanent disfigurement of such person.”In other words, if they witness the type of injury that could cause death or significant, permanent physical damage, the victim wouldn’t need to have suffered those fates for a first responder or health care provider to receive workers’ comp benefits.One Bridgeport police officer who testified before lawmakers on behalf of the proposed change said, “This bill fixes a serious flaw in our current PTSD workers’ compensation law.” Frontline workers witness catastrophic injuries that can cause trauma regardless of the outcome of the injury. The fact that they may have survived doesn’t make what they saw any less difficult.Getting workers’ comp benefits for work-related mental health conditions involving post-traumatic stress can still be more challenging than it is to get compensation for physical injuries that are generally more easily documented and linked to a person’s job. Getting experienced legal guidance can help improve the chances of a favorable outcome.]]>On Behalf of The Malowitz Law Firm, LLC<![CDATA[3 types of photos to take after a crash]]>https://www.malowitzlaw.com/?p=500332026-04-23T02:21:14Z2026-04-23T02:21:14Zthree areas to focus on.
Pictures of the scene
Begin by taking photographs or videos of the entire accident scene. This includes all vehicles that were involved, nearby traffic signals or road designs, and the position of those vehicles after the crash. These pictures can be useful when determining who made a negligent mistake and caused the accident.
Pictures of damage to your vehicle
Next, take pictures of any damage that happened in the accident. For one thing, you want to demonstrate that the damage came from that specific accident and should be included. Additionally, it can help demonstrate how the accident occurred. Damage to the front of your car tells a very different story than damage to the rear quarter panel.
Pictures of your injuries
Similarly, if you have suffered injuries, taking photographs can help show how you were hurt in the accident. Along with your medical bills, this documentation can be used to show that you deserve compensation for direct medical costs, long-term care needs, pain and suffering and much more. Getting immediate medical attention and documentation by medical professionals can be critical in tying your injuries to the crash.
Your legal options after a car accident
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a car accident, then it is important to know what legal steps you can take to seek compensation. Taking photos is just one of the first steps, and an experienced attorney can guide you moving forward.]]>On Behalf of The Malowitz Law Firm, LLC<![CDATA[How does Connecticut compare faults in watercraft injuries?]]>https://www.malowitzlaw.com/?p=500312026-03-30T14:37:36Z2026-03-30T14:09:31ZA day on the water is a big part of life in Connecticut, yet an accident can quickly raise tough questions about who is responsible. In many situations, the amount of money you might recover depends on how your actions compare to those of others involved. With that in mind, learning how these rules work may help you handle the aftermath of a watercraft accident with clearer expectations.
Understanding the role of comparative negligence
Connecticut follows a rule called modified comparative negligence. In simple terms, if you share some blame for an accident, your share of fault may reduce your recovery. For example, if you are 20% responsible for a crash and your losses total $100,000, you might recover $80,000.State law also sets a limit often called the 50% bar. In general, if your share of fault is more than the other parties combined, you may not recover damages. Because of this, even small details can influence how others assign fault.
Reviewing differences on open waters
Not every boating accident follows the same rules. When an accident happens on navigable waters, such as Long Island Sound or large parts of the Connecticut River, federal maritime law may apply instead of state law.Unlike the 50% rule used in many land based cases, maritime law often follows a pure comparative negligence system. Under this approach, you might still recover some damages even if you carry more of the blame. As a result, where the accident happens can play a major role in how a claim turns out.
Identifying common scenarios of shared responsibility
Responsibility on the water often involves more than one person. Investigators and insurance companies usually look at several common situations when they decide how to divide fault:
Speed and awareness: One operator drives too fast for conditions while another fails to keep a proper lookout.
Safety and distractions: One passenger ignores safety rules while another creates a distraction that affects operation.
Judgment and visibility: Two operators misjudge distance while navigating in low visibility, such as fog or low light.
These examples show how shared fault can come from a mix of actions rather than a single mistake.
Prioritizing documentation and evidence collection
Because your recovery may depend on your share of fault, the details you gather after a motor vehicle accident can matter. You might consider taking clear photos, getting contact details from others involved and speaking with witnesses if you can. In many cases, these steps can help paint a clearer picture of what happened and support a fair review of responsibility.]]>