Top-Rated Connecticut Car Accident Lawyers

If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident, you know that the aftermath can be confusing and hard to navigate. While there are possibly many things that you will need to handle after a car wreck, the following are some of the most immediate steps that should be taken:

1. Contact 911 – It is important to contact emergency services after being involved in a collision of any kind. No matter how minor the accident, filing a police report is important for building a case later on. Also, injuries can often be masked by adrenaline, so you may not even realize how badly you are injured until later. The 911 operator knows who and what services to send. Generally, they will dispatch police officers, fire trucks and emergency medical technicians. In most states, you are required to remain at the scene of the accident until you have been given permission to leave. Make sure to exchange contact information with the other driver if it is possible.
2. Collect any documents regarding medical care you receive – If you do need to go to the emergency room or to your personal physician, it is important that you collect and hold onto any documentation they give you. This can include medical bills and medical records. These will be important for your insurance company when factoring the settlement amount.If you decide to file a personal injury case, your personal injury attorney will be able to help you find these documents, but having them on-hand will save time.
   
3. Contact the police for your accident report – When the police are called to the scene of the accident, they immediately begin to create a report. The report will have important information such as who was involved, evidence of what happened such as pictures and videos and witness reports. They will also be able to give both insurance companies an idea of who is at fault for the auto accident. If this case is going to court, your car accident lawyer will need this in order to build a strong personal injury case for you. Tip: most police departments have a form to request your accident report on their website.
4. Call your insurance company – As soon as you are in an accident, the clock starts ticking. You need to make sure you contact your insurance company to file a car accident claim as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the longer it will take for your insurance claim to be finalized and closed.

These are just the first few steps that should be taken following an automobile accident. Each accident case is unique and may require different filings. Hiring a car accident attorney can make this confusing process easier to handle.

It is no surprise that the human body can get quite banged up as the result of being in a car crash. Car accidents are violent and can be disastrous. Car accident victims can receive all types of injuries of various severities, from minor wounds like small cuts and bruises to serious injuries such as brain and spinal trauma. Below are a few of the injuries that are commonly seen as the result of a car wreck:

• Bruises and bumps
• Scrapes and cuts
• Whiplash
• Broken bones
• Soft tissue damage
• Internal bleeding
• Organ failure
• Spinal cord damage
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Death

Wearing a seatbelt and being a vigilant driver can help keep you and others safe while on the road. It only takes a few seconds to receive a life-altering injury, or to even lose your life. If you have been in an auto accident it is important to receive medical attention, even if you feel okay. There are a plethora of injuries that can only be detected by medical doctors.

Oftentimes car wrecks are simple fender benders with no injuries or serious property damage. However, there are instances where a car crash has changed the course of someone’s life due to catastrophic injuries or so much property damage that the repair expenses seem insurmountable. This is when a car accident lawyer can be of great assistance to car accident victims.

Connecticut car accident lawyers are required to be very knowledgeable about Connecticut’s personal injury laws. You may not be aware that you have very important, non-negotiable deadlines for filing personal injury claims and suits. They can also be very helpful when navigating the insurance process.

The attorney-client relationship is very valuable to all attorneys. In order for them to build the best possible case so that you receive a favorable settlement, they need your trust and cooperation. Most attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means that they do not even get paid unless you win your case. This can ease a lot of the financial anxiety that often comes with the decision to hire a car accident attorney.

To make things even smoother, personal injury lawyers often offer no obligation consultations. They will meet with you and discuss the details of your case and the possible outcomes that could occur. If you are in the market for a car accident lawyer, use LegalFinders to help you connect with an attorney who has years of experience in personal injury law.

One of the most important steps in clearing the aftermath of a car accident is contacting your insurance company. Most of the time people are doing whatever they can to avoid contacting their insurance company. The time spent on the phone, the details and the general hassle can be a deterrent, but it is so important to call them as soon as possible.

After an accident, you will need to call your insurance provider and file a claim. To do so, you will need to provide the following information:

• Contact information and policy number – this is part of the basic information they will need to file your claim. Your policy number can be found online on your account or on your bill. They will often ask a few questions, such as phone number and address in order to verify your identity. Your insurance company will usually contact the other driver’s insurance company themselves.
• Medical documentation – No matter the severity, if you received an injury during the course of the accident, your insurance company will want any medical bills and records you have. This will offer proof of your injuries and help the insurance company decide who was the driver at fault.
• Any evidence of the car accident – Anything you have accumulated relating to the car wreck needs to be given to your insurance company. Medical bills, repair bills for property damage and the police report will all be valuable. You will also need to give them any photos, videos and witness statements you may have.

Once your insurance company has received the documentation, the next step is the insurance adjuster’s investigation. The insurance adjuster will come out and look at the scene of the accident (tire marks and property damage may still be visible after the wreck has been cleared), interview both the drivers and then talk with any witnesses. After they have concluded this, they will determine what they believe happened. The adjuster will give this information to your insurance company who will then make a decision on a settlement offer. 

If the settlement amount is not what you feel is needed to cover your expenses, or if you feel that the insurance company did not fully investigate the car accident to the best of their abilities, you are entitled to ask for legal advice regarding the matter. A personal injury attorney can assist you with understanding your rights and how to proceed with a case.

In Connecticut, all drivers are required by law to carry a minimum amount of car insurance and liability insurance. They are also required to purchase and maintain insurance for underinsured or uninsured motorists. Disclaimer: Failing to carry and maintain insurance coverage can result in legal repercussions. 

As of 1994, Connecticut is no longer a no-fault insurance state. This means that if you are the cause of an accident, you are responsible for the damages. That can be the cost to repair a car, a fence, or medical expenses that can add up quickly. 

Connecticut is a “modified comparative negligence” state. This means that if you are found to be responsible for any portion of a car accident, that amount will be deducted from any compensation you may receive.

It is very important that car accident victims understand there are very strict deadlines when it comes to filing a claim or a lawsuit. These strict deadlines are called statute of limitations, and once they have passed you are out of time.

In Connecticut, you have two years from the date of the car accident to file anything regarding property damage or personal injury. In the unfortunate event that someone should die due to a car accident, their family members have two years from the date of their death to file a wrongful death claim. The clock starts ticking when they die, so if a person sustains catastrophic injuries and later dies from them, the statute of limitations does not begin to count down until they have passed away.