Auto Accident Injury in Connecticut

Have you suffered an injury due to a car accident in Connecticut? If so, your life may never be the same again. Injuries from a car accident can interfere with your ability both to work and to enjoy everyday activities. They can also be incredibly painful. As such, you need an auto accident attorney who understands the laws in CT that will fight for your legal rights and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Injury Statistics in Connecticut

According to the National Safety Council, in 2019 about 4.4 million people suffered serious injuries in motor vehicle accidents and an estimated 38,000 were killed.

Query results from the Connecticut Crash Data Repository show 112,648 total car accidents on Constitution State roadways in 2019 alone. That year, there were 257 accident-related fatalities and 1,159 serious injuries. Another 10,731 individuals suffered minor injuries in motor vehicle accidents in Connecticut in 2019. Although accidents happened for a variety of reasons, impaired, distracted and fatigued driving were common causes of car crashes that year.

What to Do After an Auto Accident

It’s important to be prepared in the event you are a victim of a car accident. Below are the steps to remember immediately after your crash.

Receive Immediate Medical Attention

What is the most important step that you need to take after an auto accident? You need to receive immediate and proper medical treatment. You may believe that the injuries sustained after an auto accident are minor. Proper medical treatment helps ensure that you have not sustained any internal injuries that you may not be aware of.

File a Police Report

Even if no one sustained injuries, you still need to call 911 and request law enforcement assistance. When officers arrive, jot down each one’s name and badge number. Answer their questions honestly, but don’t volunteer any unasked for information, especially your thoughts on exactly what happened or who caused the car accident. Be sure to ask the officers for the number of their police report. Also ask when and where you can get a copy of it, including how much it will cost you.

Section 9-26-1-1 of the Connecticut Vehicle Code requires drivers to report accidents to the police if any of the following applies:

• The accident causes any type of injury
• The accident causes death
• The accident causes any property damage

Failing to call the police for an accident that meets one of the above criteria may result in a suspension of your driving privileges. Furthermore, Connecticut’s accident reporting requirements go beyond accidents that involve people and property. If you kill or injure a dog with your vehicle, for example, you have a legal obligation to inform the owner or the police.

Gather the Appropriate Documentation

While waiting for officers to arrive after a car accident, collect information from all other drivers involved in the accident, including the following:

• Full name, address, phone number and email address
• Driver’s license state and number
• Auto insurance company name, policy number and phone number

Use your cell phone to take pictures of each driver’s license, auto insurance card, your vehicle and each additional vehicle involved in the car accident. Don’t rely on verbal communication. Having as much information as possible will only help you and your case later on. Try to keep this exchange as civil and friendly as possible. However, do not apologize for causing the accident or indicate in any way that you think you may have caused it. 

Recovering Damages After an Auto Accident Injury

After surviving a car accident, the emotional and economic toll it takes can be staggering. You are not only dealing with the mental anguish that comes with being involved in a crash, but you may also be experiencing severe physical harm as well.

Common injuries associated with motor vehicle accidents include:

• Burn injuries
• Back and neck injuries, such as whiplash
• Brain and head injuries
• Broken bones
• Spinal injuries
• Soft tissue injuries

Car accident injuries and fatalities cost Connecticut residents more than $434 million in 2018. This estimate from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reflects $4 million in medical expenses and approximately $429 million in lost work.

Hiring a car accident lawyer ensures you have the financial ability to cover any losses that have occurred as a result of a crash. An auto accident attorney will also help you handle the paperwork that you will have to complete from insurance companies. This boosts your odds of receiving the insurance compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Laws in Connecticut

Liability Laws for CT

When car accidents happen, it is essential to determine who bears responsibility for the resulting damage and medical bills. Determining fault impacts everything from your insurance claim and level of liability to the amount of confusion you may endure during the claims process.

Since 1994, Connecticut has been an at-fault jurisdiction for purposes of car accidents. Consequently, the driver who is responsible for the crash or their insurance company typically must pay for any damages from the accident. If you file suit, though, you must comply with the Constitution State’s modified comparative negligence statute. Specifically, if you are more than 50% responsible for the accident, this statute may preclude you from recovering any financial or other damages.

Statute of Limitations in CT

Each state has its own tort laws that determine the statute of limitations on a claim. In some states, this gives you just one year to file a claim in court, while some others may give you up to six years. Connecticut’s statute of limitations for car accident claims is generally two years. While there are exceptions, you probably only have a limited timeframe to file a legal claim or otherwise assert your legal right.

This is why it is important to consult with an attorney immediately after your car crash. Don’t wait and risk losing out on any compensation they can recover.

Work With an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer In Connecticut

After a car accident, you have enough to worry about. We can help you find an auto accident attorney for your unique case. Get the financial restitution that you deserve if you’re the victim of someone else’s conduct.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in CT!

If you still have more questions about Connecticut law, we can help! Proceed to our home page to talk with an auto accident attorney near you!