Getting into an accident that leaves you severely injured can be an unexpected and traumatizing experience. Whether it is a car accident, dog bite, burn injury, or even slip and fall, chances you will be physically and emotionally scarred from the experience.
Such an unexpected occurrence can change your life, leaving you in a state where you’re unable to continue with your daily routine or even take care of yourself. Fortunately, there are laws covering accidents due to negligence.
If you or a loved one has been hurt because of another party’s reckless or careless actions, you are eligible for compensation for your medical expenses, pain & suffering, and other damages. However, in order to pull it off, you need the help of Injured CT‘s seasoned Fairfield personal injury lawyer.
What Should I Do After an Injury
The actions you take right after an accident that wasn’t your fault will play a huge role in the outcome of your case. Here are some important steps to take:
Seek Medical Attention
Getting medical attention immediately after the accident is not only crucial for your health but also for your case. Your health is important and the sooner you visit a doctor, the better.
Keep in mind that some injuries take time to appear, and if you don’t get a professional to assess your state, you are likely going to have a hard time proving your claim. Also, you’ll want to keep all the treatment records as they will help strengthen your case.
Take Photos and Video If Possible
If you are not too severely injured and can move, try and take both photos and videos of the scene. For example, it is a car crash, record your injuries, damages sustained on both vehicles, signs, traffic lights, weather and road conditions, skid marks, etc. If it’s a slip and fall, record the dangerous conditions, including what made you fall.
Get the Names and Contacts of Any Witnesses
Witnesses are essential if your case happens to end up in trial. As such, you’ll want to collect the names and contact details of anyone present during the time of the accident.
Report the Incident
You’ll also want to report the accident to the relevant parties. If it is a car accident, call the police to ensure you get an official report. You not only need solid evidence to prove your case, but the state mandates that you get an official report. If it’s a work-related injury, then ensure you report it to your employer within 30 days. Failure to do so might void your claim.
Never Admit Fault
During the trauma and confusion, people tend to make the mistake of apologizing or admitting fault. This is one of the easiest ways to jeopardize your claim. So, even if you are not sure who is at fault, avoid discussing the incident with the other party or the insurance adjusters, at least until you have a lawyer by your side.
Get a Fairfield Personal Injury Lawyer
After you get medical attention, you’ll want to seek the help of a skilled personal injury lawyer. Given your health situation and the complexity of this field of law, it is best to look for a legal representative who will handle your case. Keep in mind that the other party and their insurer will have a legal team and fighting the case alone will only reduce your chances of success.
Why do I Need a Personal Injury Lawyer?
Other than their experience and given that you’re not in the best condition, hiring a lawyer is essential for the following:
Case Preparation
If you are hurt in an accident, it’s your obligation to initiate the process of a lawsuit by reaching out to a qualified attorney to go through the case, your injuries, legal options, and how to get compensation. The attorney will then do a thorough investigation and garner the necessary evidence. Lastly, they will file a lawsuit seeking compensation for your damages or injuries.
Settlement Negotiation
Your attorney and the party at fault legal team will attempt to reach a settlement before even thinking about going to court. During this phase, the party at fault will agree to pay compensation and you agree to free them from liabilities. If you reach a settlement, the claim ends here.
Trial Preparation & Representation
If both parties do not come to an agreement, the case will go to trial. At this stage, the claim is under the court’s hands to determine whether the defendant is liable. If so, then the judge or jury will set the damages to be awarded. A lawyer is essential as they have the resources needed to provide legal representation throughout.
How Is Liability Determined?
Connecticut is a comparative negligence law state. This means that the injured party can seek damages in a claim, as long as they were less than 50% responsible for the accident. However, to have a solid case, the following must be put into consideration.
Duty of Care
The first negligence element that needs to be proven in Connecticut is that the party at fault owed you some level of obligation to keep you safe, which is referred to as duty of care. An example includes driving a car safely.
Breach of Duty of Care
You should also prove that there was a breach of the above-mentioned element. An example is a failure to follow the traffic rules.
Causation
Ideally, you should be able to prove that the breach of duty of care was the direct cause of the accident. With the car example above, it could be driving at a spotlight, colliding with another vehicle at the intersection, or even failure to undergo inspection that would have shown the brakes in their vehicle were faulty.
Damages
The last aspect of negligence that you need to prove in a personal injury claim is damage. In order to prove this, you need to show that the accident led to physical pain or injury, damage to property, or emotional distress.
What Kind of Damages Can I Recover in Connecticut?
In the state of Connecticut, personal injury victims can be able to recover three types of damages:
Economic Damages
These cover the tangible losses you experience as a victim of personal injury. These tend to be more straightforward as they are readily documented and can be easily calculated. Examples of economic damages include lost wages, past, current & future medical bills, utility bills, property damage, etc.
Non-Economic Damages
These entail intangible losses that are more subjective compared to economic damages. They do not come with any kind of objective documentation like receipts. Also, the fact that they are subjective makes them harder to calculate. Examples of non-economic damages include:
- Loss of companionship
- Emotional distress
- Pain & suffering
- Permanent disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Punitive Damages
These types of damages are designed to punish the party at fault for their malicious, willful, or extremely reckless actions that resulted in injury, harm, or damages. They also meant to discourage other members of the public to refrain from such behavior.
How Much Will a Fairfield Personal Injury Lawyer Cost?
Most people hesitate to get a lawyer after sustaining personal injury as they are concerned about the costs. However, you should not fret as most attorneys that serve the Fairfield area, including Injured CT, operate on a contingency basis. This means you don’t have to pay a dime unless they win your case. As for the payment, you agree on a percentage in advance, which shall be deducted from the settlement you get.
How Long do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in Connecticut?
The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Connecticut is two years. This means you need to file your claim within two years from the date of the incident.
Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle at Injured CT
Injured CT is experienced at representing our clients in a wide array of personal injury cases. These include:
Auto Accidents
Car accidents are not uncommon in Connecticut and impact the victims’ lives in numerous ways. If you’re involved in a car accident, our team of seasoned Fairfield car accident lawyers is here to help.
Truck Accidents
Because of the size and power of commercial trucks, accidents involving these vehicles often cause serious injuries. Truck accident cases are often complex, so you need a skilled Fairfield truck accident lawyer to identify the liable party and help you claim compensation.
Motorcycle Accidents
Drivers have to share the road with motorcycles, and this puts them at risk. A speeding driver who takes their eyes off the road for a few seconds can cause a fatal injury. Fortunately, our Fairfield motorcycle accident lawyer can help you seek compensation.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Falls resulting from faulty stairwells and slippery surfaces can lead to severe injuries. Our Fairfield slip and fall lawyers are always available to guide you through a claim.
Wrongful Death
Losing a loved one due to someone’s carelessness is devastating. Our Fairfield wrongful death lawyers can help you demand the compensation you deserve.
Hire a Fairfield Personal Injury Lawyer Today!
Sustaining an injury in an accident that was not your fault should not go unanswered. If you were hurt due to another’s reckless or careless actions, you can file a claim for compensation. Injured CT has experienced Connecticut personal injury lawyers serving Fairfield.
Get in touch with our team by calling today! Your initial consultation is free, and we charge no fees unless you win your case.