No one plans for an injury or accident. If the injury happens due to someone else’s fault or negligence, knowing what you can do after the accident can help you to make an informed decision as you seek compensation and undergo recovery. If you consider filing a lawsuit after the injury, a Norwalk personal injury lawyer can help in successfully presenting your claim. Contact our team at Injured CT for a free case review today.
What Should I Do After an Injury?
Taking the right steps after an injury will help you when you file a claim for compensation.
Get Medical Treatment If Needed and Keep Records
After an accident or injury, the first step you should undertake is to seek immediate medical attention. Seeking medical treatment can also offer you a record of the severity of the injuries that you suffered.
Even though you might feel okay, it would be best that you seek a medical examination because in some cases, you might experience internal injuries that can worsen with time. After you receive a medical treatment ensure that you keep all the records associated with the treatment.
Take Photos/Video If You Can
Always ensure that you take photographs at the injury scene. If possible, take a few videos as they can act as stronger evidence should you consider filing a lawsuit. In particular, you can take photographs of the areas which contributed to your injury and also the injuries that you suffered.
Report the Accident
Ensure that you call the police after a vehicle accident. The police will help to write an accident report highlighting the events associated with the injury. The report will help your personal injury attorney develop your case to prove the other driver was at fault. If you suffered an injury at your workplace, you should report the incident to your supervisor. The supervisor will offer you an accident report where you can record your statement.
Get Names and Numbers of Any Witnesses
Try to find out if there are people who witnessed your injury. If you get any witnesses, ensure that you record their names, addresses, and phone numbers because they will play a critical role in your injury case. In particular, the witnesses can help to prove that you suffered the injury due to negligence of the property owner or motorist.
Never Accept Blame
You should avoid accepting blame after you are injured in an accident. Remember that the defendant can use your statement to overturn your claim when you seek a settlement. In other words, you should not admit guilt or apologize for the injuries.
Contact a Norwalk Personal Injury Lawyer
Immediately after the injury, you should speak to an injury lawyer in Norwalk, CT about your case. Our attorneys at Injured CT will help you in determining the cause of the injury, the at-fault person and the best action to be undertaken. Most importantly, the lawyer will work to secure fair compensation.
Benefits of Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer
A Norwalk personal injury lawyer at Injured CT will guide you through the legal process, including:
Case Preparation / Filing a Lawsuit
Filing legal paperwork and moving from one office to another are some of the common situations when seeking justice. However, you might find it challenging to handle such situations, especially when recovering. Fortunately, your personal injury attorney can help to prepare everything that is required to build a strong case against the defendant and file a lawsuit on your behalf.
Settlement Negotiation
After you file an injury claim, your attorney will negotiate with the defendant’s insurance company for fair compensation. Our firm’s in-depth knowledge about personal injury claims will help in the negotiation process. We will use aggressive negotiation tactics that will increase your chances of receiving the settlement that you deserve.
Trial Preparation & Representation
Although most personal injury cases in Norwalk, CT end up being settled without trial, sometimes a settlement agreement can’t be reached. If the insurance company refuses to provide an amount that fairly compensates you, we can help in taking the defendant to court.
In this case, the lawyer will help in preparing the required trial documentation and ensure the availability of witnesses, and represent your case in court. You should know that going to court can compel the defendant to pay the full settlement for both past and future damages.
What Type of Damages Can I Recover in Norwalk CT?
The compensation you receive can include three types of damages:
Economic
Economic damages refer to compensation for ones that have a specific monetary value and can be calculated precisely. Such damages include:
- Hospital bills
- Property damage
- Lost wages
Non-Economic
Non-economic damages refer to compensation provided for non-financial losses. Such damages include:
- Worsening of existing conditions
- Emotional anguish
- Damage to your reputation
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of sex life
- The loss of enjoyment of activities
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are meant to punish the defendant for undertaking fraudulent, malicious, or willful actions which caused your injuries. However, not every lawsuit can warrant punitive damages.
How Is Liability Determined in Norwalk, CT?
Liability means legal responsibility or who is to be blamed for another person’s injury. To prove liability, you should demonstrate the following four aspects.
- Duty of care: You should prove that the defendant had a duty to ensure your safety. For instance, drivers have a responsibility to protect pedestrians and other drivers by following all traffic rules. On contrary, property owners must ensure that their premises are safe for all employees, tenants, or visitors.
- Breach of duty: You should prove that the defendant carelessly or knowingly failed their duty to protect you by driving while drunk, failing to put appropriate warning signs, or did not repair their flooring as expected.
- Causation: In this case, you should demonstrate that the breach of duty resulted in your injury.
- Damages: You should show that you suffered verifiable financial, psychological, and physical losses as a result of the injury. Although the defendant might have acted negligently, if you did not suffer any harm, you will not have a basis for a lawsuit.
How Much Time do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in Connecticut?
In most cases when you are injured in Connecticut, you will have a statutory period of two years to sue the defendant for their actions that contributed to your injuries. The period of two years will start the moment that you got injured.
However, if you did not suffer any injuries but you wish to sue the defendant for property damages you will have a statutory period of three years. Further, if you were not aware of the injury, your statutory period will begin when you became aware.
How Much Will a Norwalk Personal Injury Lawyer Cost?
Our personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. Under the contingency arrangement, you will not pay our lawyer any amount until you win your case. Instead, your lawyer receives a percentage of your settlement or the compensation awarded in court.
Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle at Injured CT
We handle a variety of personal injury cases at Injured CT, including:
Car Accidents
Car accidents are among the most common types of personal injury cases. Our Norwalk car accident lawyers have helped many clients obtain the compensation they rightly deserve.
Truck Accidents
Truck accident cases are often complicated, so it’s important to hire an experienced Norwalk truck accident lawyer to handle these types of cases. We can determine if you have a case, identify the liable party, and help you navigate the entire legal process.
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents often cause severe injuries. If you or a loved one was hurt by a negligent driver, contact a Norwalk motorcycle accident lawyer today.
Slip and Fall Accidents
If you are injured due to a slip and fall accident on private or public property, you might be entitled to receive a settlement for the injuries. In this case, your case will be stronger if the property was unexpectedly or unreasonably dangerous to other people. Contact a Norwalk slip and fall lawyer today.
Wrongful Death
Wrongful death is the death of a person due to the negligence of another person. For instance, if one dies due to an accident at an unmarked construction site, their family will be entitled to receive compensation. Other cases such as medical malpractice, defective products, burn injuries, and car accidents that result in death can also warrant compensation. An experienced Norwalk wrongful death lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve.
Contact Injured CT for a Free Case Review
Hiring a personal injury attorney is the best step you can take when filing for a lawsuit after suffering an injury. Without a skilled attorney, you might lose your case and your chance at compensation. A reliable Norwalk personal injury lawyer at Injured CT will ensure that you get a faster and fair settlement. Call us today or contact us online to learn more about how we can help you.