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The most dangerous thing that most people do every day is getting in their car and drive. If you are injured in an automobile accident caused by someone else’s carelessness, either as a driver, passenger, or pedestrian, you may have a right to financial compensation with the help of a Stratford car accident attorney.
Connolly Brennan Ralabate, PC have practiced law for over 30 years combined. Our office is based in Stratford, but we serve all of the Fairfield County region, including Bridgeport, Shelton, Trumbull, Monroe, and beyond. Learn more about your legal rights in a free case evaluation, call (203) 493-0093 today.
A prompt investigation by a qualified lawyer is one key to the success of a car accident claim. Attorneys have extensive resources and the ability to hire accident investigators who can examine and reconstruct car accident scenes.
As you’re receiving medical treatment or recovering, your Stratford car collision lawyer will work to get statements from witnesses and, if possible, the other driver. A car accident attorney can then advise you on whether a settlement is in your best interests, while also preparing to take your case to a jury if the insurance company will not make a fair offer.
It is normal to be worried about the cost of hiring a lawyer after getting into a car accident that gave you thousands of dollars in medical expenses, property damage and lost income. The car accident attorneys at Connolly Brennan Ralabate, PC understand that this is the position most injured accident victims find themselves in when they come to us for help. That is why we operate on a contingency fee basis.
This type of payment arrangement protects you from any of the financial risks associated with bringing your claim. You don’t have to pay your attorney anything upfront. The law firm will front all of the costs of litigating your case for you. If the car accident case does not result in a monetary award for your losses, you won’t owe a cent in attorney’s fees, guaranteed.
If your accident lawyer does obtain a positive settlement or jury verdict on your behalf, you will pay the lawyer a pre-agreed upon percentage of the award achieved. That way, you do not have to pay attorney’s fees out of pocket, win or lose. The percentage deducted from your award will depend on the law firm, your specific case and how much work is required. Discuss how much your car accident lawyer charges in more detail before retaining the lawyer.
Car accidents can cause a wide variety of injuries, from minor bruises to serious, life-changing trauma. Accident victims commonly suffer:
If you were injured by someone else’s negligence in an auto accident, it is critical that you know what to do after the accident. Seek immediate medical attention and then contact our Stratford car accident lawyers as soon as possible so we can preserve evidence and gather witness statements to bolster your serious injury claim.
Connecticut is a “fault” state that follows the third-party liability doctrine. This law holds whoever is found to be at fault for a car crash responsible for any of the resulting damages. Those damages include the cost of property damage repairs, medical bills, loss of use, lost wages, and pain and suffering. As an accident victim, you have the option to either:
If the insurance company will only settle for a less-than-fair amount, you have the option of suing the negligent driver to recover more money. However, according to Connecticut’s Contributory Negligence Law, you must be found to be less than 51 percent at fault for the accident in order to be awarded compensation.
The need to navigate Connecticut’s car accident laws is one of the most important reasons to hire a skilled and knowledgeable auto accident attorney. You must understand your state’s car accident laws for a successful insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. Unless you have a legal background, hiring an attorney is the best way to do this.
An attorney can explain the laws that are relevant to your car accident case, such as the statute of limitations. This law gives car accident victims no longer than two years from the date of their injuries to file lawsuits in Connecticut. If you miss your statute of limitations, the courts may bar you from recovery. If you have to file a lawsuit against a government entity, the statute of limitations may be much shorter. Contact a car accident lawyer as soon as possible after a collision to make your deadline.
Another important car accident law to know is Connecticut’s Contributory Negligence Law. This law states that an injured victim can still recover at least partial compensation even if he or she contributed to the accident. The percentage of fault assigned to the victim, however, will reduce his or her financial recovery accordingly. If you’re found 10 percent at fault, for example, you will receive 10% less compensation. If you are found more than 50 percent at fault, however, you will lose all right to recover.
Finally, one of the most important laws to know if you plan on bringing a personal injury lawsuit is the burden of proof. This is the amount of proof you or your lawyer must demonstrate to hold the defendant liable for your car accident. The burden of proof in a personal injury case is a preponderance of the evidence: clear and convincing evidence that the defendant more likely than not caused the accident. An attorney can help you preserve and collect evidence to support your claim.
This is a question only a car accident lawyer can answer, and only after carefully reviewing the facts of your unique case. There is no average settlement amount for car accident cases in Connecticut. The value of a case depends on many different factors that are specific to each individual claim, including the severity of the victim’s injuries and the insurance coverage available to pay for financial damages.
The value of your car accident case will depend in part on the compensable damages you suffered as a result of the crash. Losses you may be able to receive financial compensation for in a car accident claim in Stratford include:
The losses for which you can recover compensation depend on how the car accident impacted you and your life. If the defendant was grossly negligent (e.g. a drunk driver), you could also be eligible for punitive damages. This is an additional award meant to punish the defendant for particularly wrongful acts. Discuss the value of your case with one of our attorneys.
If you’ve been involved in a car accident in Stratford, Connecticut, do your best to remain calm and take certain steps to protect yourself physically and financially. Although it can be difficult to remember these steps in the heat of the moment, with adrenaline clouding your thoughts, they are important for your future. If you need to, print this list out and keep it in your glove box in case of an emergency.
A car accident attorney can give you advice you can trust about what to do next, such as whether or not to accept the insurance company’s first settlement offer. Unlike the insurance provider, your attorney will have your best interests in mind. If you choose to hire an attorney, he or she can take care of the rest of the legal process on your behalf, fighting for justice and optimal results while you focus on healing.
The Stratford car accident attorneys at Connolly Brennan Ralabate, PC are passionate about helping Connecticut residents and their families navigate the accident claim process. We can help after a distracted driving accident, drunk driving accident, or any other type of car accident caused your injuries. If you or a loved one has been injured in any type of auto accident, contact us at (203) 493-0093 for a free consultation. You may also visit our law office in Stratford, CT.