At Gould Injury Law, building effective cases is at the root of our fast results. We invest resources to investigate and collect evidence to support personal injury claims. Then, we fight aggressively to maximize our client’s compensation.
If you were in an accident in Connecticut, you might feel lost. Our experienced lawyers are ready and willing to help you find your way. A few simple actions can help you get paid faster for your accident losses.
First, call 888-WIN-FAST to schedule your free personal injury consultation. Next, follow the following guidelines to get your Connecticut accident report.
Understanding What an Accident Report Is
An accident report is a written record of a traffic incident. This report includes relevant information divided into 3 sections as follows.
1. Crash date, time, severity, and location
Police use this category to record specific characteristics of the crash. For instance, to supplement an address, they might also include the latitude, longitude, and the name of the nearest intersecting road or mile marker.
2. Crash factors and conditions
Motor vehicle accidents often result from multiple factors. This part of the report identifies items such as:
- Environmental circumstances: Weather conditions, visual obstructions, glare, animal(s) in the roadwayRoad conditions: Road surface (icy, wet, muddy, snowy, standing water), debris, holes, bumps, inoperative traffic control devices, backups (congestion, prior accidents), work zones
- Type of intersection: T, Y, L, 4-way, roundabout, other
- Lighting: Daylight, dawn, dusk, dark
- Collision event: Collision with a person, vehicle, or object
- Non-collision events: Fire, explosion, falling object, immersion, lost cargo
Having access to all the contributing elements helps our accident investigators pinpoint the causes of your accident quickly.
3. Work zone crash information
This section reveals whether or not the accident occurred in a work zone. The traffic authority should note:
- The type of zone (e.g. lane closure, crossover, shoulder work, moving work)
- The location (e.g. activity, advance warning zone, or termination areas)
- The presence of workers, cones, signs
- The presence of enforcement
Work zones have different rules, such as speed limits or right-of-way. Establishing this information is vital if you want a fast, fair case resolution.
Other sections
Crash reports are comprised of several other sections:
- Diagram
- Officer’s observations
- Motor vehicle information
- Sequence of events
- Vehicle damage
- Insurance policy number and expiration
- Motor vehicle ownership information
- Driver’s contact and license information
- Passenger information
- Driver’s actions
- Injury reports
- Drug and alcohol status
- Witness statement
As you can see, an accident report contains a wealth of information recorded by an authority. Insurance companies and negligent drivers will have difficulty twisting the facts if your accident report holds the truth.
What to Do After an Accident
Never flee the scene of a motor vehicle accident. Not only is leaving illegal but also the State of Connecticut could suspend your driver’s license for the offense. However, you should move your vehicle to a safer spot when necessary, such as on the shoulder or nearby parking lot.
Next, assess the situation. Call 911 if there are medical emergencies or suspected fatalities. Contact local authorities to report property damage and injuries.
Not all injuries are noticeable right away, especially when emotions are running high after an accident. Get a check-up even if you think you are okay. A professional healthcare exam could save you from a medically dangerous condition developing down the road.
While you wait for the police to arrive, exchange contact information with others involved. It would help if you took pictures of the scene, vehicle damage, and the other parties’ driver’s licenses and insurance cards.
The law enforcement officer will likely ask you questions for the report. Remember never to admit fault. Leave that to qualified professionals to determine.
If you don’t get a chance to report the accident immediately, don’t panic. Contact Gould Injury Law, and we can help you take the proper steps fast. If you want fast, free advice, call 888-WIN-FAST from the scene. Gould Injury Law’s telephone lines are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
How to Obtain a Connecticut Accident Report
Now, how can you access your report? The answer depends on where you live.
Connecticut State Police
The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection handles accident reports for the Connecticut State Police. On their website, you can obtain two different types of documentation:
- Accident Information Summary: This free report is not an official document. Instead, it provides preliminary information regarding the accident. You can access this information through the link above or by visiting the State Police Troop where the accident occurred up to 30 days after the event.
- Completed Case Report: The official certified report is available for a fee. You can buy yours within 10 business days of the accident. If your Connecticut Uniform Police Crash Report doesn’t appear online within 30 days of the accident, you can file an electronic request. You can also mail a request form to DESPP-Reports & Records Unit, 1111 Country Club Road, Middletown, CT 06457-2389. You cannot make more than 2 record requests per person per day.
Local police departments
Some towns have a separate report system. If you cannot find your report using one of the resources above, you should reach out to the law enforcement agencies responsible for the locality.
How Accident Reports Make Fast Results Possible
Over the past 20 years, our legal team has maximized payouts for Connecticut accident victims by focusing on the details. As you learned above, comprehensive reports are useful tools for competent personal injury lawyers. But besides attorneys, consider how accident reports affect the following entities.
Police officers and witnesses
In 2019, there were 1335 serious injuries and 249 motor accident fatalities recorded statewide. Officers respond to these calls. Over time, the individual aspects of each accident can blur or be forgotten.
Justice is too valuable to leave to chance. A certified report makes it possible to verify witness accounts. Also, investigating officers can refer to accident reports to refresh their memory if they need to testify.
Insurance companies
Insurance companies should always pay what claims are worth. Unfortunately, many insurers are more interested in making a profit.
If greedy companies can find a reason to deny a claim, the real story might not matter to them. Accident reports make it more challenging to deny valid claims since the evidence is clearly stated. If you experience setbacks like the ones listed below, do not hesitate to get in touch.
Rejected claims
Insurers may deny your claim for various reasons. They could accuse you of providing false information or concealing facts, but a well-informed lawyer with sufficient resources could stop them in their tracks. Involving our fast-working team early on could help you avoid rejections and appeal unjustifiable denials.
Low settlement offers
Trusting that insurance companies are concerned with your well-being is not often a wise move. Adjusters could make subpar offers sound like a good deal. For example, they might propose a settlement that pays for all your past medical bills.
Though the dollar amount might sound like a dream come true, it could seem like a nightmare in a few months. What about your aftercare and therapy? Are you being given a fair quote for your property damage and lost wages?
Once you sign the papers, there is not much chance of getting additional funds from insurers. The lawyers at Gould Injury Law offer free consultations to protect Connecticut residents from unjust offers.
Better safe than sorry! Send us a message before you accept a settlement. Your fast consultation won’t take too much time, and it could save you thousands of dollars in compensation.
Delays
Sometimes, insurers seem to take a long time to pay an approved claim. As you struggle under the financial pressure of your medical bills, you might consider taking any settlement offer.
Unscrupulous companies hope that you will make that decision. Yet, did you know that it is illegal for insurance companies to delay payments for an unreasonable amount of time? This practice is known as “bad faith.”
Our lawyers prefer to reverse the pressure. We know how Connecticut law protects people like you. If insurance companies try to drag out your claim, we can help remind them of their legal obligations.
Lack of response
Another potential “bad faith” behavior is to ignore claimants. Start a record of every time you communicate with your insurance company. If you still don’t get a response, let us know.
Our attorneys might use accident records to set matters straight for insurance companies or in court. If you need assistance in obtaining your report, give us a call at 888-WIN-FAST.
Allow Gould Injury Law to Lift the Burden
Being shocked, confused, and anxious is normal after a traumatic event. Do you really want to deal with the red tape associated with car accident claims?
If insurance companies start giving you a hard time, an unfair settlement offer might seem like your only option. At least, that’s what they want you to think.
In troublesome times, we are here to help. We extend the invitation to all Connecticut accident victims: Contact us for a free consultation and case review.
Call or visit our New Haven, Hartford, or Waterbury offices to learn about your legal options. For fast service, click the chat icon at the bottom of your page now.
A live representative can schedule your initial consultation with our capable team. Rest assured, talking to us does not put you under any obligation to hire us. Yet, when you do choose to work with us, we intend to get you the compensation you deserve fast.
Gould Injury Law earned the name “The Fast Firm” because a talented team supports our experienced attorneys so we can get the job done expediently and efficiently. We know that every day that passes has its challenges, and the sooner you get your due, the sooner financial worries can become a thing of the past.
Act Now to Get Fast Results
Each state sets a deadline on how long victims can take advantage of their personal injury rights. In Connecticut, the time to file usually ends a couple of years from the day of the accident. In essence, time could run out fast, leaving you without a penny left for your injuries.
Of course, you should consider starting the legal process to recover your losses now. Reflect on these reasons:
- Fresh proof: Your lawyer must prove that the at-fault party caused your injuries. Finding appropriate evidence, particularly eye-witness testimony, is easier if the crash happened recently.
- Ability to focus on recovery: When you are injured, friendly support can go a long way. Relying on our competent legal team frees you to turn your attention to your health.
- Ability to meet deadlines with ease: Getting a document might seem like a simple task. But, red tape (i.e. formalities and rules) can slow you down and frustrate you.
Rather than let that happen, we can work fast to make sure you have what you need.
- Time for negotiation: Insurers and liable parties could be aware that your time window to file is closing fast. If we participate in your case early in the process, we can use the time to maximize your settlement.
Gathering information is an excellent place to start. Would you like to talk to one of our representatives now? Click “Start Chat” on the side of your screen to start a risk-free conversation.
Expect Personalized Attention at Gould Injury Law
Other law firms might not think there is much difference between you and the next Connecticut accident victim. At Gould Injury Law, no matter how many clients we see, we are aware that each person’s experience is unique.
What will it take for you to rebuild your life after a devastating crash? When Gould Injury Law pursues compensation on your behalf, we focus on getting what you need as quickly as possible.
We don’t charge fees until you receive a settlement because you are more than a number to us. Whether you want to know your eligibility for fast compensation or you need help getting an accident report, we are ready to help. Call us toll-free at 888-WIN-FAST today.
