Connecticut Car Accident Lawyer

Connecticut Car Accident Attorney

After a serious accident, you might be left feeling overwhelmed and not certain about what steps to take next. If you were hurt, you might need medical attention and future care. A knowledgeable Connecticut car accident lawyer can advocate for you while you focus on your recovery. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, an attorney can handle your car accident claim and give you peace of mind during this stressful time.

The Types of Cases a Connecticut Personal Injury Attorney Can Handle

When considering any Connecticut attorney, it’s beneficial to look at their prior experience handling cases just like yours. A personal injury lawyer usually handles a variety of legal matters, including:

• Accidents resulting in catastrophic injuries
• Auto accidents
• Boat accidents
• Bus accidents
• Drunk driving accidents
• Motorcycle and bicycle incidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Truck accidents
• Uninsured and underinsured accidents
• E-scooter accidents
• Dog bites
• General personal injury claims
• Premises liability
• Product liability cases
• Slip-and-fall accidents
• Wrongful death claims
• Spinal cord injuries
• Ride-share accidents (involving Lyft, Uber, etc.)

This is not an exhaustive list and a personal injury attorney can discuss your individual accident with you. A Connecticut attorney can take time to understand the facts of every client’s individual case. They are then able to focus on each client’s individual needs and objectives for recovery following an accident. A skilled attorney can create a personalized strategy consistent with Connecticut law and pursue maximum recovery for each client.

What To Expect With Your Auto Accident Claim in Connecticut

Typically, following an accident, your insurance company might discuss a settlement with the car insurance company representing the at-fault driver.

If your specific accident involves complex legal issues that require large-scale legal or medical support, an attorney can work with any necessary professionals to make sure your claims are fully addressed. Attorneys have access to many resources, and witnesses can help establish fault in your auto accident claim.

For example, an attorney can consult with the following professionals:

• An accident reconstructionist to discuss speed and direction of travel upon review of information from the accident report and address vehicle damage.
• A biomedical professional to address the driving on the roadway.
• A toxicologist to demonstrate intoxication of the at-fault driver (where applicable) or to prove you were not intoxicated or under the influence of anything that may have affected your driving.
• Other professionals who can help build a strong case on your behalf.

Once you’ve addressed fault, a Connecticut attorney can assist with getting maximum recovery with justice on your side.

Steps To Report a Car Accident in Connecticut

In Connecticut, it’s important to report all accidents to law enforcement, even if there is only minor property damage.

After a vehicle accident, you can help your chances of recovering compensation by taking the following actions:

• Stay at the scene of the accident and move yourself and your vehicle, if possible, to a safe part of the road.
• Exchange contact information and insurance documentation with all involved parties without apologizing to anyone and without admitting any fault to any law enforcement responding to the accident.
• Contact the police even if injuries and damages are minor. You’ll then have a trained police officer conducting an initial investigation and creating a police report of the accident.
• Get any necessary medical attention for anyone who is injured.

If you or a loved one is involved in an auto accident, it’s crucial to contact an attorney right away. It’s wise not to provide any recorded statement to an insurance company, even your own. It’s helpful to have all communication directed to your attorney, who can likely handle the claim specifics.

Typical Injuries Resulting From a Car Accident

Many types of injuries can occur as a result of car accidents. The injuries can range from minor to severe and life-threatening. Typical injuries can include:

• Abdominal injuries
• Burns
• Chest injuries
• Cuts and lacerations
• Fractures and broken bones in the arms, hips, legs, or other parts of the body
• Head injuries, such as concussions, skull fractures, and traumatic brain injuries
• Psychological trauma
• Soft tissue injuries like muscle tears, sprains, strains
• Spinal cord injuries possibly leading to partial or total paralysis
• Whiplash

The injuries one might experience during an accident depend on factors like vehicle speed at the moment of impact, the impact point, whether the involved parties use safety features like seat belts, whether airbags are deployed, and the overall health and age of the vehicle occupants. An attorney can discuss your injuries, potential future care, and your ability to recover from any injuries following an accident.

Determining Liability for a Connecticut Car Accident

For a car accident, the parties who could potentially be held liable for your injuries can include any of the following:

• Any drivers of other automobiles or vehicles involved in the accident
• Companies that manufacture defective products, such as defective airbags, seatbelts, etc.
• Government agencies
• Pedestrians, bicyclists, or motorcyclists

A knowledgeable Connecticut lawyer can help carefully investigate your individual accident to determine the cause and who is responsible under relevant personal injury laws.

Assessing the Value of Your Connecticut Car Accident Case

It seems reasonable that the value of your damages or accident recovery typically depends on how serious your sustained injuries are. Typically, the more severe the accident injuries, the higher the resulting case value might be. Of course, there are many factors affecting the value of the recovery, including:

• Whether the accident temporarily or permanently impacted your work or ability to work
• The property damage resulting from the accident
• The impact of the accident and damage to your emotional state and life

A Connecticut attorney has flexibility when building your case and can advocate for your financial recovery and support optimal case results.

The Types of Compensation Available for Accident Injuries

In Connecticut, you can seek economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are meant to compensate for incurred expenses from a car crash, which can include:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages and income
• Rehabilitation and therapy

Non-economic damages are meant to compensate for injuries that can be difficult to place a value on, such as:

• Depression
• Emotional and mental distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Pain and suffering

There are some factors typically considered when assessing any claimed non-economic damages, including:

• The injury severity
• Any long-term effects of the injury
• The victim’s credibility
• Any intent or recklessness of the actions of the at-fault driver

A knowledgeable local attorney can further discuss and estimate the potential financial recovery for your case.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Connecticut

It might not surprise you to learn negligence is one of the major causes of accidents in Connecticut. Negligence means someone had a duty under the law to act in a reasonable, safe way but failed to do so. And, as a result of their negligence, someone else was harmed. In order to prove a claim of negligence in Connecticut, you must prove another party owed a duty of care and then breached it, directly resulting in harm and damages.

Road accidents are often caused by:

• Dangerous road conditions
• Distracted driving
• Fatigued driving
• Speeding
• Failure to yield
• Mechanical defects or problems
• Road rage
• Reckless driving
• Tailgating
• Ignoring traffic laws

If you have been involved in an accident and sustained injuries, a car accident attorney can help.

How an Attorney Can Help With Your Car Accident Case

If you are in a car accident, hiring a lawyer can increase the amount of compensation you recover and help you get more for any pain and suffering you experienced due to the accident. An attorney can:

• Investigate the circumstances of your accident
• Consult with industry professionals and build a comprehensive case
• Negotiate with insurance companies and adjusters to help you get a higher recovery
• Argue your lack of fault in the accident
• Represent you in court, as necessary

The Deadline to File a Personal Injury Claim in Connecticut

In Connecticut, the statute of limitations for filing a claim for a personal injury is two years from the date of the accident, which means you only have two years from the date of your car accident to file a claim. It’s important to file your claim as soon as possible since time might be crucial for your case.

Increasing the Value of Your Vehicle Damage

You might not realize you can advocate on your own behalf when discussing your vehicle’s value post-accident. To help increase the overall value of your vehicle damage claim following an accident, you can thoroughly document your car’s condition with some photos and records of repairs. Also, you can highlight any unique vehicle features or potential aftermarket upgrades you may have made.

It’s important to ensure you are comfortable with the insurance-recommended shop or choose a reputable repair shop on your own to have quality repairs completed.

If you check online to determine your car’s fair market value (based on mileage and condition), you can provide this research to the insurance company. You’ll then be able to demonstrate that your vehicle was both well-maintained and establish its value.

You can negotiate with your insurance company, provide any known evidence of your vehicle’s pre-accident value, and find some market comparisons from your area. You can be ready to discuss any details about your car’s condition and address the insurance company’s offer. A lawyer with knowledge of car accident claims can advocate for your rights and help address the value of the damage to your vehicle.

Our Connecticut attorneys have extensive experience with complex personal injury and property damage laws. We can address each part of your accident recovery while fully protecting your rights.

FAQs

Q: How Much Does a Lawyer Cost in Connecticut for a Car Accident Case?

A: The cost of hiring a lawyer for your car accident case depends on several factors, like the attorney’s experience level, the amount of time they may spend on your case, and the case complexity. Typically, the more complicated a case is, the higher the lawyer costs might be. You may find an experienced attorney is invaluable when navigating your car accident case.

Q: What Is the Average Settlement for a Car Accident in Connecticut?

A: In Connecticut, the average settlement for a car accident varies, and the amount depends on the severity of any injuries, medical expenses for past and future treatment, lost wages, property damage, and a determination of fault. A knowledgeable attorney can discuss car accident settlements and help you estimate the amount you might expect to recover for your own claim.

Q: Does Filing a Claim After an Auto Accident Raise My Insurance Rates?

A: In Connecticut, if you’re not the at-fault driver, the chances of your insurance company raising your rates are fairly low. Filing an at-fault claim following a car accident can increase your insurance premium costs for a claim, especially if the driver is young with either a negative driving record or a negative credit record. Sometimes, you might consider paying accident costs on your own if there is no damage to anyone else’s property.

Q: Can I File a Claim if a Car Accident Aggravates a Pre-Existing Injury?

A: Yes. Personal injury law allows you to seek recovery if an accident aggravates a pre-existing injury or condition. Connecticut follows the “eggshell plaintiff” rule, where the liable party takes you as they find you, even if prior conditions make you more likely to suffer harm. You’ll still be able to recover, and documenting your pre- and post-accident condition can help demonstrate the extent of any new injuries.

Contact a Connecticut Personal Injury Attorney With Experience Successfully Handling Car Accident Matters

At Dolan Injury Lawyers, PLLC, we are committed to helping you or a loved one resolve a personal injury car accident claim. We can help answer any questions and address any concerns you might have about your case. Let us advocate on your behalf so that you can focus on your injury recovery. Contact us right away to set up a consultation with the team at Dolan Injury Lawyers, PLLC, and take the first step to rebuilding your life following an accident.