Your health and financial future can be ruined by someone else’s negligence on the road, leaving you in a terrible situation. You may worry about how you will get through the situation and get compensation from the at-fault driver. In such cases, an experienced Stamford car accident lawyer can be of great help in your pursuit of compensation.
At Injured CT, we have seasoned Stamford personal injury attorneys ready to help car accident victims in Stamford and Connecticut. We have the experience, knowledge, and resources to take on insurance companies and fight for our client’s compensation.
If you are a car accident victim in Stamford, fill out our online contact form or call us to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
Car Accident Statistics Connecticut
According to the statistics compiled by the Connecticut Transportation Safety Research Center, the high number of deaths on Connecticut’s roads is down to speeding.
In 2018, there were 114,171 accidents in Connecticut. 27,126 accidents resulted in injuries, while the total number of fatalities was 297. In 2019, the total number of accidents and deaths reduced to 112,655 and 256, respectively. In 2020, the total number of accidents dropped to 80,773, but the number of fatalities climbed up to 306 despite the significant decrease in total accidents.
For a free legal consultation with a car accidents lawyer serving Stamford, call (855)-285-3425
How Much does a Stamford Car Accident Lawyer Cost?
Like most personal injury lawyers, car accident lawyers in Stamford, Connecticut, are paid on a contingency basis. If a Stamford lawyer wins your case, you will pay them a certain percentage of the compensation the court awards you. If they do not win, you do not pay them a dime!
Stamford Car Accident Lawyer Near Me (855)-285-3425
What Should I Do After a Car Accident?
- Contact Police: You should always contact law enforcement or emergency services after a car crash. You need to call the police to speak to all involved parties and file an accident report.
- Check on Other Involved Parties: Do not be in a hurry to leave because someone might be injured or hurt badly and in need of urgent medical attention. Check on the other parties and once you ascertain that everyone is okay, proceed to evaluate the damages.
- Exchange Information: Speak to witnesses and try to get statements about the crash because they may have noticed a mistake the other driver made. Remember also to obtain important contact information like the driver’s official names, addresses, insurance company, policy number, license & license plate numbers, and the details of the car(s) (model, color, and type).
- Record the Scene: If your health allows you, use your phone or camera to gather evidence from the accident scene. Take pictures of all the cars involved, injuries, and the road and weather conditions. The best time to collect evidence from a car accident scene is right after the crash to avoid the evidence being tampered with.
- Never Admit Fault: Apologizing may sound like an admission of fault. Avoid speaking about the accident altogether. Insurers are known to contort apologies into admissions of guilt. Be courteous and polite but don’t apologize!
- Seek Medical Attention: It is a good idea to see a doctor as soon as possible, even if there are no apparent injuries. Some injuries don’t appear for days or even weeks, so it’s best to get examined by a physician. You will also gain vital medical records that might help with your claim.
- Call a Car Accident Lawyer! After a car crash, you need an attorney to handle all negotiations, fill out paperwork, file your lawsuit, and represent you in court while focusing on recuperating. A Stamford car accident lawyer from Injured CT can help you seek the compensation you deserve.
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What Is the Average Settlement for a Car Accident In Connecticut?
There is no average. There is no way of telling your case’s exact worth without looking into your crash’s specific facts. Settlements can vary widely because every case is different.
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When Should I Get a Stamford Car Accident Lawyer for My Auto Accident?
Contact the Stamford car accident lawyers at Injured CT right after your motor vehicle accident. You risk harming your claim the longer you wait. Many accident victims have lost thousands of dollars just because they did not contact a lawyer. The sooner you reach out to us, the sooner we can start working on your claim.
Why do I Need a Lawyer?
There are several ways you can benefit from having a lawyer. Here is why you need a lawyer:
Case Preparation/Filing a Lawsuit
Before you file a lawsuit, you need to build a case first. A lawyer can help you build a strong case then file a lawsuit on your behalf. They will ensure that you file your claim within Connecticut’s statute of limitations and inform you about all special exemptions that might apply to your situation.
Settlement Negotiation
A car accident lawyer can help determine your claim’s value and negotiate a fair and reasonable settlement award. They will also protect you from insurance companies’ underhand tactics and ensure you get the best possible deal.
Trial Preparation & Representation
If negotiations fail and you need to go to trial, an attorney will help you prepare for trial by:
- Gathering and organizing evidence to support your claim
- File the required paperwork to begin a court case
- Handle defense attorneys
Representation – The most crucial way a motor vehicle accident attorney can help you with your claim is by representing you in court. An Injured CT auto accident lawyer will act for your benefit and on your behalf throughout the whole trial.
How Much Can I Expect to Receive for My Damages?
In a Connecticut car accident, the amount of damages you can expect to recover depends on the nature, extent, and duration of your injury. You may qualify for substantial financial compensation for severe cases involving nerves, ligament, and skeletal trauma than minor cases of back strain or whiplash. Cases that can be supported by medical documents like CAT scans and x-rays have the potential for significant compensation to be awarded.
The viability of your personal injury is also determined by its permanence and the extent of treatment required, such as long-term rehabilitation or surgical intervention.
Other factors that may affect the damages you can recover are the amount of property/vehicle damage and the impact the accident has had on your life.
An Injured CT motor vehicle accident lawyer will work with relevant experts to establish a reasonable and fair amount of compensation for your damages. Keep in mind that Connecticut calculates damages using a comparative fault system. This means that your damages may be reduced by the percentage of fault you are attributed to.
What Type of Damages Can I Recover?
After a Stamford car accident, you may be able to claim many types of damages, including economic (financial), non-economic (non-financial), and punitive damages.
Here are some of the losses you may be entitled to recover:
Economic damages include all damages that you can put a figure on. They include:
- Medical expenses for past or future medical treatment. You can recover damages for all medical-related costs associated with your injury.
- Lost wages and lost future opportunities. You can recover damages if a car crash puts you out of work for a while and limits your future earning potential.
Non-economic damages are not financial, so they are harder to compute. It is difficult to put a price on a victim’s pain and suffering. Examples include:
- Pain and suffering. Most car accident victims are left with lasting problems like severe mental anguish or severe physical pain that can affect a victim’s quality of life. You can be compensated for the pain and suffering your injuries cause you.
- Disfigurement and impairment. After a crash, victims may be left with permanent disfigurement or disability, which permanently impacts their quality of life and ability to enjoy life in the future. It may be possible to recover damages for such injuries in a car accident claim.
- Punitive damages. Punitive damages do not compensate the victim for any damages. They are used by courts to punish the responsible party’s deliberate or reckless conduct and send other culprits a message. In Connecticut, the facts of the case determine whether or not to award punitive damages. In certain circumstances, they may be double or triple the amount of other damages awarded.
How Is Fault Determined in Connecticut?
Duty of Care in Stamford
Connecticut’s laws state that every driver assumes a duty to act with care once they get behind the wheel of a car. Failure to act with care makes a driver responsible for resulting damages following a car accident. Actions like speeding, texting while driving, etc., are considered a breach of duty of care to other drivers and may lead to accidents. An Injured CT car wreck attorney can help you show that a defendant breached their duty of care and, therefore, liable for your damages.
Connecticut’s Comparative Negligence Rule
Connecticut uses comparative negligence to determine compensation after a car accident. If a plaintiff is 50 percent or less at fault for a car crash, their award is reduced by the percentage of the plaintiff’s fault. If a plaintiff is more than 50 percent to blame, the court may not award them any damages. This is all according to Connecticut General Statutes §52-572h.
How Long do I Have to File a Claim In Stamford, CT?
According to Connecticut General Statutes §52-577, car accident victims must file their claims within two years from the crash date. A plaintiff risks losing their opportunity to collect damages if they fail to meet this statutory deadline. A motor vehicle accident lawyer from Injured CT can help ensure you file your claim within the required timeframe.
How Can a Lawyer Help me File My Insurance Claim?
Report the claim. A lawyer will help you report your claim to the insurance company. A car accident claim is typically filled with your insurer unless someone else’s negligence caused the crash, then you can file with the at-fault party’s insurance carrier.
Information about the accident. An attorney will help gather important information like medical assessment and circumstances of the accident to be used by insurance adjusters to determine your claim’s value.
Appeal unsatisfactory settlements and denied claims. Finally, if your claim is denied or you feel that you have been inadequately compensated, a lawyer can help appeal to the denial or contest the claim’s value.
What Can I Do If Insurance Denied My Claim?
Car accident claims get denied for numerous reasons. However, this should not discourage you from continuing your pursuit of compensation. If you believe that your claim was wrongly denied, you can submit a formal complaint with Connecticut’s insurance department.
Do I Have a Case?
Once our Stamford car accident lawyers review your case, we will be able to establish if your claim is viable or not. Call us if your claim is denied, and we will tell you if you have a case after assessing your claim.
What If the Other Driver doesn’t Have Insurance?
When the at-fault driver doesn’t have Insurance, you can still recover compensation if you have your own coverage. As an insured driver, you pay a monthly premium to your insurance company to include uninsured/underinsured coverage so that, in case of an accident with an uninsured driver, you can collect compensation.
How Can I Obtain an Accident Report In Stamford, CT?
You can obtain an accident report from the Records Division of the police headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut. The Records Division phone number is 203-977-4409. Car accident reports are usually obtainable within 3-5 business days from when the incident occurred. They are available at docview.us.com for 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Common Car Accident Injuries
A car accident can lead to all kinds of injuries ranging from whiplash to concussions to traumatic brain injuries. Other injuries include:
- Brain Injuries. The impact of a car crash may cause the victim to hit his/her head, resulting in
head trauma and brain injuries. - Burn Injuries. In some crashes, victims may suffer burn injuries if the wreck caught fire
- Death. Most fatal car accidents end in the death of victims. Victims may die on the spot or while being rushed to the hospital. Some die after spending some time in the hospital.
Types of Car Accidents We Handle
We handle various auto accident claims, including:
- Head-on collisions
- Rear-end accidents
- Car and truck accidents
- Car and motorcycle accidents
- Car and pedestrian/bicycle accidents
- Rollover accidents
- Hit & Run Accident
In a hit-and-run accident, you might not be able to identify the negligent driver who caused your accident. You will have to tap into your own insurance coverage. The terms of your uninsured/underinsured motorist policy will determine how much you will be paid.
A Stamford Car Accident Lawyer at Injured CT Is Standing By to Assist
If you are hurt in a car crash, you may be feeling stressed, dealing with painful injuries, and losing valuable wages or income because you can’t work. While you focus on recovering, a Stamford car accident lawyer from Injured CT could take on your case and work towards getting the compensation you deserve by gathering evidence and leading negotiations.
Call us to schedule a case evaluation today.
Call or text (855)-285-3425 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form