Stamford Motor Vehicle Accidents Law Blog

There are a few changes that you need to make when you are going to ride your motorcycle during the autumn months. These come because of the new challenges that you face but might not readily think about as you ride. Here are some points that you should consider before you venture out.

First, make sure that you are dressed for the ride. The temperature you feel when you ride is a bit cooler than the ambient temperature around you. Even if it is fairly comfortable when you stand outside, you should still add some layers before your ride. Additionally, remember to grab your helmet to protect your head if something happens.

If you are a dog owner, it is important that you take the appropriate precautions for walking them now that the weather is getting cooler. Autumn has some very real risks for pedestrians, whether they have two legs or four.

One serious risk that you have is that the time change can mean that it is darker earlier. If you usually walk your dog after you get home from work, you'll soon be going on these walks in the dark. Make sure that you are wearing reflective clothing. Carrying a light might be beneficial. You might be able to find a leash with a light on it or a light that will attach to the leash if you want to keep a hand free while you walk.

Far too many innocent people die in drunk driving crashes each day. In this country, there are nearly 29 people who die daily due to intoxicated drivers. While the number of fatalities has been decreasing over the last 30 years, the rate is still too high.

The primary issue here is that these wrecks are preventable. These drivers didn't have to drive after drinking. They could have been more responsible. Yet, they made the decision to throw caution to the wind and do what they wanted to do.

Semi-truck trailers must be loaded properly, or the cargo can pose a safety hazard to the trucker and others on the road. Because of the possibility of shifting when the truck is moving, these loads have to be balanced and secured in a way that prevents them from being able to throw the truck off course.

There are several ways that improper loading can occur. While some of these are the fault of the trucker, not all of them are. Getting to the root of the issue might help you determine who to hold accountable for the impacts of the accident. Here are some common semi-truck load hazards:

• Imbalanced loads: All semi-truck loads must be balanced side-to-side, as well as on the axles. Improperly balanced loads can lead to a loss of traction or to the truck tipping.
• Overloading: All semi-trucks and trailers have weight limits. Overloading them can make it impossible for brakes and other systems to function properly.
• Sloshing liquids: Tanker trucks face the unique problem of sloshing liquid throwing the trailer off-kilter. Using baffles and ensuring a proper fill can reduce this possibility.
• High center of gravity: When the center of gravity is too high, there is a risk of the trailer rolling over. Keeping cargo to a lower height can prevent this from occurring.
• Improperly secured: Items that aren't secured properly can come loose. They might fly forward when the truck stops or backwards when the truck moves forward, both of which can lead to an accident.