New Haven Car Accident Lawyer

Defending the Rights of Car Accident Injury Victims

Our personal injury attorneys have more than 50 years of combined experience representing Connecticut residents injured by the negligence and recklessness of drivers. 

We have settled or have trial experience in virtually every type of motor vehicle accident in Connecticut. For example, we often help people recover compensation for:

• Hit & Run
• Head-On Collisions
• Distracted Driving 
• Drunk driving 
• Rear-End Collisions
• Uninsured Motorist
• Sideswipe collisions
• Speeding 
• Rollover 
• Rideshare 
• Reckless Driving
• Bus Accidents
• Truck Accidents
• Motorcycle accidents

In some circumstances, another driver may not be the party at fault. Instead, the municipal agency responsible for proper road maintenance could be responsible.

We represent drivers who are injured by roadway defects while operating a motor vehicle in Connecticut. Some examples include accidents caused by:

• Poor road maintenance 
• Potholes
• Faulty traffic control signals
• Roadway design defects
• Narrow lanes
• Fallen debris in the roadway

While the cause of your crash might appear obvious on the surface, it’s important to consult with a car accident attorney in New Haven to investigate. Your lawyer can look into the specifics of your crash and identify all potential sources of liability.

We Want to Help You Recover the Maximum Compensation Possible

When putting together a car accident claim, it’s important to understand what you can ask for in terms of compensation. A car accident lawyer with our firm serving New Haven will thoroughly evaluate all of your damages to ensure that you are seeking the maximum financial compensation possible.

Some of the damages commonly considered in car accident claims are:

Economic Damages

This refers to any type of damage where you are going to seek monetary compensation for post-accident out-of-pocket expenses. These can include all medical expenses, lost wages, loss of future earnings, and property damages to repair or replace your car.

Non-Economic Damages

This refers to any type of damage where you are not going to be paying out-of-pocket but it still has an impact on your quality of life. These can include pain and suffering, emotional trauma, loss of enjoyment, and other types of damages

It’s important to completely account for the damages in your crash. Your auto accident lawyer in New Haven can help you to understand the true value of your claim and help you to avoid being exploited by the insurance company.

New Haven Car Accident Lawyer FAQs

The aftermath of a car crash can be a difficult time. It’s not uncommon for crash victims to have many questions about the process of recovering compensation for their injuries.

To help you make an informed decision about pursuing a personal injury claim, we have compiled a list of some frequently asked questions. 

Who Is Liable?

How Do You Prove Negligence in a Motor Vehicle Accident?

Who Pays for the Damages in a Car Accident Claim in New Haven?

What Kinds of Injuries Do You Typically Claim In Car Accident Cases?

How Much Does a New Haven Car Accident Lawyer Cost?

How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim for My Auto Accident?

Who Is Liable?

In legal terms, Connecticut is an “at-fault” state for determining which party bears the financial responsibility for remedying any losses. A car accident victim may recover damages from the party who is determined to be “at fault.”

Connecticut is also what is called a “comparative fault” state. This means that an “at-fault” party is only responsible for the percentage of the total amount of damages of the injured party that is equal to the percentage of fault attributed to the at-fault driver.

If the court finds you to be 20% at fault, your settlement will be reduced by 20%. The other party’s insurance company will fight to put some of the blame on you for the incident. A New Haven car accident lawyer can defend you against these allegations and work to preserve your rights and your claim.

How do You Prove Negligence in a Motor Vehicle Accident?

Nearly always, a lawsuit alleging damages is brought under a doctrine called “negligence.” To prove negligence, the plaintiff (the person who brings the lawsuit) must prove four things: duty, breach, causation, and injuries. An example may look like this:

• The negligent party owed you a duty of care: The other party is expected to not drive under the influence of alcohol.
• The at-fault party violated their duty of care: The drunk driver got behind the wheel and drove
• This violation caused your injuries: They hit your car and caused you to become injured.
• The crash resulted in damages: You were hurt, your car is damaged, and you can’t work because of your injuries

Evidence Is Crucial in Proving Liability

To prove which party is liable, attorneys attempt to recreate the accident using various pieces of evidence. Some of the most useful items of evidence to prove liability are:

• Video Recordings (Surveillance Footage, Dash Cam, Cell Phone Video).
• Police Reports
• Witness Statements
• Medical Records
• Black box or EDR data 
• Accident scene evidence

When you work with our personal injury lawyers, we immediately begin our own investigation. We send out our private investigators to interview witnesses, secure and preserve any available video evidence and other information and gather information on all potentially responsible parties.

We also retain, at no upfront cost to you, some of the best experts in-country, including accident reconstructionists. We have experts who will start collecting data from motor vehicle EDR data as soon as possible.

Our auto accident attorneys in New Haven know what evidence to look for, where to find it, and how to get it.

Who Pays for the Damages in a Car Accident Claim in New Haven?

Typically, the injuries and damages should be covered by the at-fault party’s insurance policy. If it is another driver, Connecticut requires minimum liability insurance of $25,000.00 per person and $50,000.00 per accident.

If the at-fault driver was operating a work vehicle, then the driver’s employer may also have business insurance that covers the damages from the accident. If a faulty traffic signal caused your accident, a municipal government agency’s insurance policy or other funds may pay for your damages.

Aeton Law’s New Haven auto accident attorneys will attempt to determine every possible insurance policy that may cover the injuries and damages you have been caused to suffer as a result of another driver’s negligence.

What Kinds of Injuries do You Typically Claim in Car Accident Cases?

If you’ve been injured in a car collision, it’s important to know how to proceed and what types of injuries you can typically claim in such cases. After all, having a good understanding of your rights and what damages are recoverable from the responsible parties is important when pursuing an injury-related claim.

The most common types of injuries sustained in automobile accidents include:

• Soft Tissue Injuries
• Back Injuries
• Neck injuries and whiplash
• Facial injuries and broken teeth
• Internal bleeding / Internal organ damage
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Concussions
• Spinal cord injuries

It’s always important to seek immediate medical attention after an accident. Adrenaline can run high in the aftermath of a car crash and you may not be immediately aware of some kinds of injuries.

It is important for any person involved in a motor vehicle wreck to remember that they have certain rights under the law that must be protected if they wish to recover full compensation for their suffered losses regardless of whether they were simply passengers or directly involved drivers.

How Much does a New Haven Car Accident Lawyer Cost?

Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee. It means that you, as the client, won’t have to pay your New Haven car accident lawyer unless we recover compensation for you. When a contingency fee is agreed upon, your lawyer will be paid an agreed percentage of the compensation recovered.

The percentage can vary from lawyer to lawyer, commonly around 33%. It’s important to carefully read any contract before signing it and make sure that each part agrees with their terms of service and code of conduct.

The contingency fee system helps people who may not have the financial resources to get the legal help they need. It also reduces the risk to the clients because they aren’t obligated to pay any out of pocket costs up front or any lawyer’s fees if compensation isn’t recovered.

How Long do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim for My Auto Accident?

After the accident, victims suffering injuries have two years to file a claim for compensation. Both property damage and personal injuries are covered by the same 2-year time frame. 

Yet in cases of wrongful death, the two-year window begins to close on the day the victim passed away as a result of their injuries. The Chapter 926 Statute of Limitations Sec. 52-584. applies in this situation.

Contact a Car Accident Injury Law Firm in New Haven Today

Car accidents can cost you your health, property, and future. If you or a loved one was injured by a negligent driver in Connecticut, the car accident lawyers at Aeton Law can help to ensure that the insurance adjuster doesn’t take advantage of you.

Our firm can help you with the insurance claim and provide you with the legal representation and support you need throughout the entire process. We take pride in providing you and your case with the personalized attention you deserve.

We will answer your questions, investigate your case thoroughly and make sure that the responsible party is held accountable for your injuries and losses. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation and case evaluation.