First let me say that it is necessary to consult with an attorney immediately after seeking medical attention when you have suffered a personal injury. Medical care always comes first, then consult with an attorney.

If you are responsible for causing an injury to another, contact your insurer Immediately. If you are uninsured, contact an attorney Immediately.

If you have been injured, consult with an attorney prior to speaking with an insurance agent / adjuster. I am not suggesting that you hide anything from the insurer, but how you provide information is critical. Protecting yourself from someone who may be experienced at twisting your words or getting you to say something you don’t mean is critical.

An attorney can help you protect evidence and advise you how to properly document your injury and its impact on your life going forward. You need to consult with an attorney ASAP.

When should you hire an attorney after consultation? This depends on the extent of your injury. If you have broken bones or other structural damage, hire the attorney as soon as possible. If it is possible that you are just a little sore and may be 100% in a few weeks, the decision of when to hire an attorney should be addressed with the consultation. Again, the consultation needs to happen as soon as possible.

Remember, both your insurer and that of the party that injured you are trained and experienced at protecting the insurance company and paying out as little as possible, regardless of your injuries. You need to equal the playing field. An attorney experienced with injury claims can do just that. Bellenot & Boufford, LLC have the attorneys that can help you protect your rights and claim.

Contact A Personal Injury Attorney

It seems as if winter is finally coming.  Snowfall, warm fires, hot chocolate… all good things.  Unfortunately the reality is that winter weather makes for hazardous driving conditions, slower reactions and accidents.  The weather conditions are compounded by people in a rush because they had to scrape their windows clean, and often cleared just enough to see the road in front of them.  For whatever the reason, this is the time of year that car accidents increase.  When the weather or a condition beyond the control of all parties causes an accident or injures someone, there is a legal concept (Defense) referred to as “Act Of God”. In this case no one is at fault and each party is responsible for their own injuries or damages.

BUT…. Was the weather or condition the only factor contributing to the injury? Sometimes there are circumstances that contribute with the weather and other conditions. Maybe one of the parties can be held liable. You should always consult with a personal injury attorney before writing off an injury or damage as an Act Of God that you cannot be compensated for.

The attorneys and staff at Bellenot & Boufford, LLC are Experienced, Knowledgeable and Ready to help you determine if you have a claim and the potential damages you may be entitled to recover.  Contact us at Law@BBesq.com

Representing Danbury and All of Fairfield and New Haven Counties.

 

 

Ron, Kathy and Bellenot & Boufford, LLC hope you had a safe and Happy Holiday and New Year. Occasionally in the aftermath of all the excitement, you may find yourself in financial or relationship turmoil. Please do not hesitate to contact us at any time if you find yourself in a difficult or stressful situation. Our experience and knowledge will help bring relief and ease the stress.

As a public service reminder, please remember to be careful on the roads, especially be alert for others on the road. Before, during and after the holidays, traffic is heavy and hectic. Drivers’ emotions are high and attention to the road low. Although it has been a mild winter so far, as winter weather approaches, the need to drive with care increases. Even if you are paying attention, the cars in front of you, behind or to your side may not be so careful.

Drivers may stop at a yellow light or speed through a red one. Don’t trust that any car will obey that stop sign. Yes, you should always be careful and pay attention while driving, but it is especially important during the winter months. If you should find yourself in an accident here are some tips, regardless of who is at fault:

• If you have suffered a personal injury, seek medical attention immediately. The police and first responders will offer you medical care. Accept the assistance if you do not feel 100%.
• If you do not go to the hospital, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
• Gather as much information as possible, if you are able. The other driver’s contact and insurance information. The names and contact information for all witnesses.
• Contact your insurance company within a day or two, regardless of who is at fault. Most insurance policies have a set number of hours to notify them of an accident, even a minor fender bender. If you don’t notify your insurer within the time set by the policy, your insurer may refuse to protect you for any claim you make or claim another makes against you.
• Contact Bellenot & Boufford, LLC. You can call us prior to your insurer if you have any questions, but you need to leave enough time to notify your insurer within the time required by your policy.
• If you have any pain or discomfort, no matter how minor, purchase a large calendar. Even if you do not think you will make a personal injury claim. At the end of each day, make short notes as to how the injury impacted your day, such as feeling pain during or after carrying laundry upstairs or down, carrying groceries in the house, vacuuming, pain or discomfort sitting or standing for a length of time or any other activity. Note if you have trouble sleeping or driving. Also note any change in leisure and recreational activities. Holding your child, dancing, exercising or walking the dog. Log any missed days or hours from work. Note any and every way the injury impacts your day.

The attorneys and staff at Bellenot & Boufford, LLC are Experienced, Knowledgeable and Ready to help you any time, any day. Law@BBesq.com – In an emergency text 203-526-6119. Representing Danbury and All of Fairfield and New Haven Counties.

You are liable for an injury or damages caused by your negligence. You could be liable if you did something or failed to do something that is causally related to the manner in which your guest is injured. If the guest’s own negligence caused his or her injury, then you are generally not liable. You would not be liable if the injuries were caused by an accident or circumstances that neither of you contributed to. Even if your negligence did contribute to the injury, your negligence must be greater than that of your guest’s negligence. Thus, if you are both negligent, but the guest is more negligent, even by the slightest degree, you will not be held financially responsible.

There are other factors to consider as well, such as “Notice” and “Foreseeability”. You, as home owner, are responsible for the condition of your premises. If a dangerous condition causes the injury suffered by your guest, then you may be liable. However, if the condition just occurred a short time prior to the injury and you had no notice, or reasonable opportunity to discover and or correct the defect / condition, it is possible that you may not be liable. You also may not be liable if the circumstance that caused the injury was not reasonably foreseeable.

Regardless, if anyone is injured at your home or place of business, it is crucial that you notify your insurance company within the time required by your policy and to consult with an attorney to make certain there is nothing else you need to do to protect yourself.

The attorneys and staff at Bellenot & Boufford, LLC are Experienced, Knowledgeable and Ready to help you. Law@BBesq.com

Representing Danbury and All of Fairfield and New Haven Counties.