If you’ve been injured in an auto accident in Fairfield, CT caused by a negligent driver, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your damages. However, while this might be the case, dealing with insurance companies has never been easy.
It can be even more stressful than the accident itself. In addition, any errors on your part during the claims process can lead to you receiving far less compensation than you deserve or even losing your right to compensation entirely. This is why it is crucial to seek the assistance of an experienced Fairfield car accident lawyer at Injured CT.
While Connecticut is considered one of the safest states to drive in, motorists still face a substantial risk of being involved in a serious accident. The unpleasant truth about driving is that regardless of how careful you are, there are still many factors beyond your control that can lead to an accident and end up with you being injured.
And top on this list is other negligent drivers. When you get behind the wheel, you have to come to terms with the fact that you are sharing the road with some drunk drivers, distracted drivers, aggressive drivers, fatigued drivers, etc – all of whom can cause some very serious accidents.
Our team of Fairfield personal injury lawyers is committed to helping accident victims like you secure full and fair financial compensation and get the justice they deserve.
We will stand with you throughout the process and ensure that your rights aren’t infringed upon. Get in touch with us for effective legal representation.
Car Accident Statistics Fairfield Connecticut
According to the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), in 2019, there were a total of 33,244 fatal car crashes in the United States.
The state of Connecticut saw 233 fatal crashes which led to 249 deaths. While these figures are far lower than the national average, there is still a great need for drivers to drive more cautiously and attentively. 109 of the 249 deaths occurred in accidents involving alcohol.
In that same year, there was a total of only 1 fatal accident in Fairfield, Connecticut and it involved two cars. one person was killed in the accident.
And as you might have guessed, alcohol was a major contributing factor in the accident. Fortunately, there were no fatal pedestrian accidents in Fairfield according to the 2019 statistics.
For a free legal consultation with a car accidents lawyer serving Fairfield, call (855)-285-3425
How Much does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost?
One of the main reasons why most accident victims fail to seek the assistance of an attorney and end up being unsuccessful in their claims is the false assumption that hiring a personal injury lawyer is expensive.
At Injured CT, our Fairfield car accident lawyers offer services on a contingency basis – a “no win no fee” arrangement.
This means that you don’t have to worry about any upfront fees and you only pay once we win the case for you. We will only deduct a certain previously agreed-upon percentage from the compensation amount.
Fairfield Car Accident Lawyer Near Me (855)-285-3425
What Should I Do After a Car Accident?
After being involved in a car accident, the steps you take immediately after will have a major impact on how your case pans out as well as your wellbeing.
- Contact Police – You should report the accident to the police even if the accident seems minor. The official police report will be crucial in proving that you were indeed involved in an accident as well as who’s at fault for the accident.
- Check on Other Involved Parties (Do Not Leave!) – If you are in a physically capable position to do so, check around to ensure that everyone involved in the accident is alright including those in the other vehicle. Offer first aid to those who need it and also call emergency services in case there is someone who is in need of urgent medical attention. Do not attempt to leave the scene until the responding officers have allowed you to do so.
- Exchange Info – In the meanwhile, collect the names, addresses, contact details, and license and insurance information of the other driver(s).
- Record the Scene – This step will be very helpful when proving your case later on. Use your smartphone to take photos and videos of the scene of the accident. Doing this will help to preserve the evidence while it is still fresh. Take photos of your visible injuries, damages on both vehicles, presence/absence of skid marks, weather conditions, etc. Also, remember to record witness statements and collect their contact details.
- Never Admit Fault – Whatever you do, you should never apologize or admit fault for the accident even if you feel guilty. Remember that fault is only determined through proper investigations. When you apologize or admit fault you jeopardize your chances of getting compensation.
- Seek Medical Attention – Your health is and should always be your top priority. Besides ensuring your wellbeing, seeking immediate medical attention will help reveal and document your injuries. This way you can be able to prove the truth of your injuries.
- Call a Car Accident Lawyer! – After seeking medical attention, you should get in touch with our car accident attorneys as soon as possible. An attorney will not only ensure your rights are protected but he/she also guarantees the best chances of success in your case. If you’ve been seriously injured in an accident, you need full and fair compensation, and this is what you get with an experienced lawyer.
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What Is the Average Settlement for a Car Accident?
Given that the circumstances surrounding each car accident case are usually unique, there isn’t an average settlement amount for car accidents. There are many factors involved when determining the value of a claim:
- The type of insurance policy held by each driver and the maximum limits
- Past and future medical expenses
- Ability to go back to work
- Level of property damage
- Impact of the injuries on your life
- Other out-of-pocket expenses
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When Should I Get a Fairfield Car Accident Lawyer for my Auto Accident?
It is recommended to get a lawyer as soon as possible after being involved in a car accident. The sooner you get an attorney involved the better your chances of a favorable outcome.
Remember, there are various procedures and deadlines involved when raising a claim. Your attorney will ensure that everything is done by the book. He will also be involved in investigating and collecting all the necessary evidence to prove your case. The earlier he does this the easier things will be.
Why do I Need a Fairfield Car Accident Lawyer?
While you can handle a car accident claim on your own, the process can quickly become overwhelming and frustrating. Remember there are many legal complexities and deadlines involved, and that is just the tip of the iceberg.
You also have to deal with profit-minded insurance companies that are armed with a team of skilled attorneys. It is in your best interest to hire an attorney. So, what will a Fairfield car accident lawyer at Injured CT do to help your case?
Case Preparation / Filing a Lawsuit
Once you get in touch with us, we will get started building a strong case for you. We begin by carrying out a thorough investigation into the incident and collecting all the necessary evidence including police reports, medical documents, witness statements, video surveillance, etc.
We will also work with accident reconstruction specialists to determine exactly how the accident happened. We will also handle all the necessary paperwork and communications with the insurance company.
If need be, we will file a lawsuit properly and effectively on your behalf, ensuring that all due procedures are followed.
Settlement Negotiation
Insurance companies are known to use underhand tactics to try and devalue or discredit claims raised by accident victims. They are also known to pressure victims into accepting lowball offers.
But when you have a Fairfield car accident lawyer who is ready to take your case to trial, they will take your claim more seriously and try as much as possible to avoid having to handle the case in court. Your attorney will handle the settlement negotiations and won’t settle for anything less than what you deserve.
Trial Preparation & Representation
If a favorable settlement agreement isn’t reached upon during the negotiations phase, your attorney will take the case to trial and fight aggressively for your rights before a judge and jury. We are highly experienced trial lawyers and have a proven track record of winning personal injury cases.
What Type of Damages Can I Recover?
Victims of accidents caused by negligent drivers are eligible to receive financial compensation for various types of damages depending on the specific circumstances of their case. These can include:
- Economic – This refers to the amount awarded to an injured individual to compensate them for actual monetary losses. This includes medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, and property damage.
- Non-Economic – This refers to the amount awarded to compensate an injured individual for subjective non-monetary losses. This can include pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of companionship, etc.
- Punitive – This type of damages is awarded in cases where the defendant is found to have acted in a grossly negligent, deliberate, or malicious manner. Punitive damages are meant to serve as punishment to the culpable party and deter the repeat of such behavior in the future. In-car accident cases, this can include acts such as drunk driving, speeding, and aggressive driving.
The state of Connecticut limits awardable punitive damages to the costs incurred by the claimant pursuing the claim plus the legal fees.
How Is Fault Determined?
First, it is important to note that the state of Connecticut follows the modified comparative negligence principle. This means that you can recover damages provided that you are less than 51% at fault for the accident.
Proper and sufficient evidence is required to determine fault in a car accident including police reports, photographic and video evidence, eye witness statements, testimonies from expert witnesses, etc.
Liability in Connecticut car accidents is governed by the law of negligence. To successfully prove that the other party is liable for your injuries, your attorney has to prove the following:
- The other driver owed you a duty of care in that situation
- The other driver breached or violated their duty of care
- Your injuries were a direct result of the negligence of the other driver
- As a result of your injuries, you suffered legally compensable damages
How Long do I Have to File a Claim?
In Connecticut, the statute of limitations for filing any kind of car accident claim is two years. This means that you only have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit against the liable party.
What Can I Do If Insurance Denied My Claim?
In some cases, the insurance company of the at-fault party will deny your claim for legitimate reasons. These can include:
- Failing to notify the insurance company within the set timeframe
- Failure to seek treatment at the time of the accident
- Dispute over liability
- Expired insurance policy
- Policy exclusions
However, in other cases, the insurance company may simply be acting out of bad faith and fail to meet its obligations. If you think that this is the case you need to contact an attorney who will help you file a bad faith insurance claim against the insurance company.
Do I Have a Case?
Determining whether you have a valid case is important before undertaking the legal process. Our attorneys at Injured CT have long-standing experience dealing with car accident cases. They will be to effectively determine whether you have a valid case and guide you on the best way forward.
What If the Other Driver doesn’t Have Insurance?
Connecticut is an “at-fault” state. Basically, this means that accident victims are supposed to pursue compensation from the at-fault party or through the insurance company of the at-fault party. However, if the other driver doesn’t have insurance securing compensation becomes complicated.
Normally in such a case, you can seek compensation through your own insurance company if you carry uninsured motorist coverage.
If you don’t have this coverage, then you will need to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. However, this option rarely sees any success since most drivers who drive without insurance do so because they simply can’t afford it. This means that they are most likely not in a financially capable position to cover your damages.
How Can I Obtain an Accident Report?
You can obtain your accident report by visiting the Fairfield Police Department Records Division. Or alternatively, visit the State of Connecticut’s official Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection website.
Contact an Experienced Fairfield Car Accident Lawyer
Have you been recently injured in a Fairfield car accident caused by a negligent driver? Injured CT Car Accident Attorneys can offer the necessary legal assistance.
Car accidents often lead to serious injuries that can impact you for the rest of your life. Coping with these injuries and your new circumstances can be particularly difficult when you don’t have proper financial support.
You will need to foot expensive recurring medical bills as well as other expenses necessary to improve your quality of life and get it back to normal. Remember, you might be stuck out of work for a very long time.
It is, therefore, utterly important that you let our highly skilled and experienced car accident attorneys at Injured CT fight for you. We will ensure that you are fairly and maximumly compensated for your injuries and damages.
Give us a call today to schedule your free consultation.
Call or text (855)-285-3425 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form