For decades Connecticut was characterized as a commuter state, taking the trains and highways daily into New York.

The truth is, most of us work right here. Far from being a pleasant bedroom region, residents of our state do battle with trucks and other commercial vehicles every day on our interstates and freeways.

Crashes on the Merritt

In Fairfield County, for instance, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics show that motor vehicle crashes are a significant cause of disabling injuries and death.

The Merritt Parkway is a unique stretch of four-lane highway that combines remarkable design with dangerous levels of everyday traffic. But it has struggled since its inception with the unexpectedly high volume of traffic. Because the Merritt was designed with two lanes on each side, motorists have always viewed it as a major artery, forgetting that it was conceived as a scenic highway.

In its heyday, the Merritt had no merge lanes and short on-ramps, so drivers entering the highway had to take their chances merging with traffic. One section between Fairfield and Westport (called “No man’s land” by some) offers no exits at all. Cars whose gas gauge needles are in the red zone frequently run out of gas along this stretch. Accidents are not uncommon in this area.

Up and down the seaboard

The Merritt is not alone. Accidents are everyday occurrences along Interstates 95, 91 and 84. Each accident sends pain through a Connecticut family, causing damage to vehicles and other property as well as to the people we love. Some of these accidents end in death.

When accident happen, people look to the experienced attorneys at Kennedy Johnson Delia & Gillooly LLC to assure maximum compensation. Our lawyers know the roads, but we also know the courts and insurance companies representing drivers at fault, and the counties and municipalities responsible for highway conditions.

We all want and expect our sojourns away from home to be safe and injury-free. When that doesn’t happen, talk to lawyers you trust to represent your interests.