Matthew Maddox Blog 2016

Opinion

CT Medical Payments Coverage — What’s in YOUR Auto Insurance: Advice from a Lawyer

By David Gurliacci | December 30, 2016

When you’re seriously injured in a car accident, one of the first questions that comes to mind is “who’s going to pay for my medical bills?” If you’re like many people, you may have very little idea of what exactly is covered under your auto insurance policy and what’s not covered. We all know that we have to purchase LIABILITY insurance because liability insurance is mandatory under Connecticut law. This is the coverage that insures us for other drivers’ injuries that may be the result of an accident that you’ve caused. But, many drivers forget about themselves and what their auto insurance policies can do for them. Medical Payments Coverage

Other than collision insurance, which is extremely important, a very valuable coverage that’s available for purchase at an extraordinarily low cost is Medical Payments Coverage.

Opinion

Redemption and Starting with a Clean Slate: Advice from an Attorney

By MATTHEW MADDOX | December 28, 2016

The flipping of the calendar to a new year is traditionally a time when we speak of starting with a clean slate.  The “clean slate” concept is one that Connecticut has endorsed across a number of statutes. Those of us who work in the criminal justice system refer to these statutes as “diversionary programs”.  These are programs that may require class attendance, community service work and compliance with other conditions and lead to the promised land of criminal defense:  dismissal. But, what happens to the other punishment?  The one that our Legislature didn’t impose and in most instances didn’t even anticipate, conviction by Internet?

Opinion

If You’re Charged with DUI, Should You Refuse to Take that Breath Test? — Advice from a Lawyer

By David Gurliacci | November 27, 2016

By MATTHEW MADDOX

Working with a Connecticut DUI attorney can make the difference between maintaining your driving privilege and losing it — or the difference between being able to drive for work while your DUI (a/k/a “DWI”) is pending or not drive at all. Understand that DUI laws in the state of Connecticut have gotten significantly tougher in recent years. That’s why it’s important to know your rights. ___________

— Attorney Matthew Maddox’s blog is now a regular feature of Darienite.com. ___________

To better understand what is at stake, you must first have at least a preliminary understanding of how drunk driving laws work in Connecticut.

Opinion

Advice from a Lawyer: Five Don’ts About Road Rage

By David Gurliacci | November 24, 2016

By MATTHEW MADDOX

Bill Murray gave that groundhog the best advice that he could give to any driver, rodent or otherwise. Don’t Drive Angry. But, driving angry, popularly known as “road rage” isn’t funny at all. Connecticut road rage incidents can cause any number of terrible consequences including property damage, injury, hospitalization and even death. And, of course, when you can’t manage yourself behind the wheel, road rage can also end in your arrest on a wide array of charges ranging from disorderly conduct through criminal mischief, breach of peace, threatening, harassment, assault and worse. What can you do and say when you’re driving your car and you’re unhappy with another driver?