Car Accident Attorneys in New Haven, CT
Fighting For Car Accident Victims in Connecticut
Car accidents happen all the time in the United States, and Connecticut is no exception. In fact, in 2015 the death toll in motor vehicle accidents increased by 14% from the previous year in the state, and there were 283 car accident-related deaths in 2015 alone.
The unfortunate reality of being on the road is that even if you try your best to practice safe driving, that won’t prevent another driver from behaving recklessly and possibly causing an accident.
If you or a family member has been injured, you deserve justice. No one should have their lives endangered by a driver’s careless mistake they could’ve easily avoided had they been more careful.
Why Choose Us?
By enlisting the expertise of New Haven car accident lawyer, you will have a skilled team to help you by compiling important and helpful documents such as photos of the scene of the accident and witness statements.
Not only can your attorney help you understand your rights, they can also help you understand your potential for financial compensation. Working with an experienced attorney in New Haven has many benefits and can allow you to focus on recovery while we focus on getting you the compensation you deserve.
At Action Law Group, our New Haven car accident attorneys are committed to providing clients with compassionate service while advocating fiercely for their rights to compensation. We are relentless in our pursuit of your goals and can help you determine liability, file your claim, and achieve an outcome that helps you return to your life.
With more than two decades of experience, we can be trusted to handle your case with professionalism and care. Call our car accident attorney in New Haven for a free consultation at (203) 439-3143, or contact us online.
When Should You Hire a Connecticut Car Accident Lawyer?
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, it is important to contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible. An auto accident lawyer can help ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive the compensation you deserve for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related expenses. However, building a strong case can often be time sensitive.
Here are a few of the tasks a Connecticut accident lawyer should attend to as soon as possible:
- Preserve Evidence: An attorney must act quickly to preserve evidence related to a car accident, as this can be an essential part of proving liability and obtaining the compensation their client deserves. This includes collecting photos of the scene of the accident, cataloguing any damaged vehicles or property, and retrieving medical records. This must be done before weather degrades the evidence or before defendants have the opportunity to tamper with or otherwise destroy evidence.
- Collect Timely Witness Testimony: Witnesses are an important source of information when establishing who caused an accident. A car accident lawyer will need to collect statements from witnesses soon after the incident. This will help them accurately determine what happened before time and fading memories can taint the testimony.
- Help Clients Meet Deadlines: Car accidents in Connecticut must be reported. This is generally handled by the police that respond to the scene. However, if the accident is cleared without the help of police, and the damage exceeds $1000, you only have 5 days to report the crash. Even insurance companies have strict filing deadlines and failure to meet these deadlines could result in denied claims or decreased compensation amounts. The state also has a statute of limitations limiting how long you have to file a lawsuit regarding your accident. An experienced attorney knows how important it is to stay ahead of these deadlines and will help their clients abide by them throughout the course of their case.
A knowledgeable attorney will be able to navigate the complex legal system and make sure that all of your interests are represented throughout the process. With their expertise in personal injury law, they can provide invaluable guidance while helping you recover from any physical injuries sustained during the crash.
How Long Is Connecticut’s Statute of Limitations?
If you’re interested in filing a personal injury claim, it’s best to act as quickly as possible because each state has its own deadline to file a claim known as a statute of limitations. In Connecticut, personal injury lawsuits for injuries caused by negligence, malpractice, or misconduct must be filed within two years from the date of the injury.
This statute of limitations applies to all auto accidents and other injuries, including:
- Truck accidents
- Car accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Catastrophic injury
However, it’s sometimes impossible for victims to discover their injuries until weeks or even months after the accident. In these cases, the “discovery rule” applies, meaning that the statute of limitations can be extended from the date you discovered your injury. The discovery rule doesn’t apply to all cases, which is why it’s essential to hire a personal injury attorney to help you determine which deadline applies to your unique situation.
Car Accident FAQs
What Are Common Causes of Car Accidents in Connecticut?
What causes accidents? Studies have shown that a majority of Connecticut car accidents are caused by reckless driving, which can be defined as driving that disregards the safety as others and often violates traffic laws.
Speeding Causes Accidents
One common form of reckless driving is speeding, which accounts for many accidents and serious injuries. When drivers speed, they’re more likely to be unable to slow down or stop for traffic or road hazards in time. Speeding can also cause drivers to lose control of their vehicle, especially when making sharp turns, and can result in them skidding over lanes and colliding with other vehicles.
Tailgating Leads to Car Accidents
Another form of reckless driving is tailgating, or when cars are following other vehicles too closely on the road. Tailgating is responsible for 30% of all accidents in Connecticut and almost always causes property damage and injuries as minor as whiplash and as serious as brain injuries.
Other common causes of car accidents include:
- Impaired driving, which reduces a driver’s reaction time and causes them to make risky decisions, like running red lights or making abrupt lane changes without signaling.
- Distracted driving, which occurs when drivers are focused on anything else besides the road – drivers are commonly texting or talking on their phone, which can prevent them from responding to road hazards.
- Fatigued driving, which can cause accidents when drivers drift off, fall asleep at the wheel, or miss important traffic signals like red lights and stop signs.
What Common Injuries Often Happen in Car Accident Cases?
Auto accidents occur every day and many of them result in serious bodily injury.
The following are some of the injuries that commonly occur in automobile accidents:
- Neck and back sprains
- Fractures
- Burns
- Injuries to shoulders and knees
- Head injury
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Internal injuries
- Scars
- Disfigurations
- Neck injuries and whiplash
- Foot and ankle injuries
- Scarring
- Wrongful death
- Wrist and hand injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
What Damages Can Be Recovered in a Car Accident Claim?
Victims of car accidents could be entitled to various types of compensation, relying on the specifics of their case. The damages that can be recovered normally fall into two main categories: economic and non-economic.
Economic Damages:
- Medical Expenses: This often includes the cost of emergency services, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and any future medical care required due to the accident.
- Lost Wages: If your injuries restrict you from working, you could claim compensation for the earnings lost during your recovery period. This also covers reduced earning capacity if the accident results in long-term disability.
- Property Damage: Compensation for restoring or replacing your vehicle and any other personal property damaged in the accident.
Non-Economic Damages:
- Pain and Suffering: This encompasses the physical pain and emotional misery caused by the accident and its aftermath.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If the accident affects your capability to enjoy daily activities and hobbies, you may be entitled to compensation.
- Emotional Distress: Serious accidents can result in psychological effects such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Loss of Consortium: If the injuries from the incident impact your relationship with your spouse, you may be able to claim for loss of companionship and support.
How Can A Car Accident Lawyer In New Haven Help You?
Having an experienced car accident lawyer by your side is extremely important for ensuring that you are provided with the support and guidance that you need during this stressful time. The repercussions of a car accident can be especially draining, financially, emotionally, and physically.
Your car accident attorney has years of experience in helping numerous clients facing a similar struggle to you, and will be able to provide you with objective legal guidance and emotional support that can help to alleviate stress and boost your confidence.
Your car accident lawyer will be able to:
- Offer you emotional support: Having a reputable lawyer by your side who knows what he or she is doing can help to provide you with emotional support. Your lawyer will have experience in working with a vast variety of car accident cases and will be able to offer you the legal support that can provide you with the emotional reassurance that you need during this time
- Provide you with objective guidance: Your car accident lawyer will have valuable legal information that can tremendously help you and your case. He or she will be able to answer any questions that you have regarding the legal matters of your car accident and will help to prevent you from making costly mistakes.
- Handle the paperwork: There is typically an extensive amount of paperwork involved with car accidents, that can be especially tricky and complicated. Your attorney will be able to take care of all of the paperwork for you, and ensure that everything gets to where it's supposed to at the right time.
- Save you time and money: A single mistake in court or in filing the paperwork for your case can cost you both time and money. Your lawyer will be able to advise you and take care of the paperwork for you so that you don't have to worry about making possible mistakes that can prolong the process and cost you money.
- Effectively represent you in court: In case you need to go to court to resolve matters, your car accident attorney will be able to provide you with fierce legal representation. Your lawyer is essentially your strongest advocate.
- Maximize compensation: A car accident attorney will be able to ensure that you receive maximum compensation for your car accident claim. Without an attorney, you may be risking the maximum compensation amount that you are rightfully eligible for.
Experiencing a car accident can be extremely traumatic and draining. Don't handle a car accident case on your own. Let our car accident lawyers in New Haven help provide you with the legal support and guidance that you need to secure maximum compensation. Contact our car accident lawyers in New Haven today for a free consultation.
What to Do After a Car Accident?
When you are involved in a car accident, it is normal to feel overwhelmed and experience panic about what to do immediately after a collision. There are several important steps to take to ensure the safety of you and your loved ones after being involved in a car crash in Connecticut.
The following are 5 steps to take after a car accident in Connecticut:
- Get to Safety: If possible, direct your vehicle to a safe place that is away from oncoming traffic or other drivers. Do not leave the scene of the accident without pulling over.
- Call the Authorities: Contact the police and an ambulance as soon as possible to address any injuries and start an accident report. Do not ever refuse medical treatment if you are advised to do so.
- Document the Accident and the Damage: Take pictures of any damage to property or vehicles, and ensure that you receive the other drivers' contact information, license plate number, and insurance carrier.
- Gather Statements from Witnesses: It is important to collect the contact information of witnesses who were at the scene of your accident. This may help your injury claim with successful compensation.
- Contact a Car Accident Attorney to File an Injury Claim: Our accident attorneys can help you with the nuances of your car accident claim by using our extensive experience to help you receive maximum compensation.
What If I Was Partially At-Fault For the Car Accident?
If you were partially at-fault, it's possible to still receive compensation for the damages. However, the total amount may be reduced due to partial fault. A car accident attorney in New Haven can help you understand your situation further following a free case consultation.
Is It Illegal to Text and Drive in Connecticut?
Yes, there are laws that clearly state that it's illegal to text and drive. If you've been in an accident where the other driver was texting and driving, contact us for a consult.
Contact Us For Results
Car accidents can be expensive to recover from. You may need surgery if you broke a bone or have to stay in the hospital for days or weeks to recover from your injuries, and even after you go home, you still may require medications or physical therapy. Additionally, you may also be facing thousands of dollars in car damage and not be prepared to pay for it, especially if you’ve had to miss work.
When you call our attorneys, we can begin strengthening your claim so you have an opportunity to be compensated for your pain and suffering. We can help you cover the costs of your damages so you have one less thing to worry about.
Start the healing process today – contact us online or call our car accident attorneys in New Haven so we can get started on your case at (203) 439-3143. We treat all our clients like they’re our only client.