The moments following a Connecticut car accident can be chaotic and stressful. Your main priority after a collision should be seeking medical attention. It is also important to know what actions to take following a car accident – it all affects your legal rights.
A personal injury lawyer can help you defend your rights and ensure you recover the compensation that you are entitled to receive. At Gould Injury Law, we can help you file a car accident claim or lawsuit, resolve the case fast, and recover top compensation for your losses. After all, we pride ourselves on being “The Fast Firm.”
We charge no fees unless you win. Call 888-WIN-FAST to schedule a free case evaluation with a member of our law firm today.
Ways to Protect Your Rights After a Connecticut Car Accident
According to data gathered from the 2021 Connecticut Crash Data Repository, there were 99,378 motor vehicle crashes in Connecticut involving 238,442 people.
The statistics may be disheartening, but if you are involved in a car accident, there are steps you can take to protect your legal rights and file a claim with the insurance company.
Call 911
The first thing you should do after a collision is to check if anyone involved is harmed. If someone is injured, call 911 for immediate medical assistance. The emergency call service operator will then dispatch an ambulance to the scene of the accident.
When you call 911 after an accident, a police officer will also be dispatched to the scene. This is important because it is a legal requirement in Connecticut to report all motor vehicle accidents, even minor ones.
The responding officer will create an official police report recording the details of the accident. This report will provide valuable evidence when you go to file a car accident claim with the insurance company.
Do not admit fault
Do not admit fault at the accident scene or when speaking to the insurance companies. Even simple statements such as “I’m sorry” can be construed as an admission of guilt.
You should be honest when speaking with the insurer and answer any questions that the adjuster has regarding the accident. However, do not admit fault even if you believe you are to blame.
Fault is determined by the insurance company or by the court if you file a personal injury lawsuit. If you say that you caused the car accident, you could be giving up on your chance to recover a fair settlement reward.
Document the scene
Document the accident scene and details about the moments leading up to the crash. The evidence you collect can be invaluable when determining fault and liability later on.
Take pictures or a video at the accident scene recording vehicle damage, road and weather conditions, your injuries, and anything else that seems relevant. The more information that you can obtain that confirms your version of the events leading up to the accident, the better it is for your claim.
If there were any eyewitnesses to the crash, exchange contact information with them. The insurance company or your car accident lawyer may need to contact an eyewitness later on and request an official statement.
Take notes about the accident
Memories tend to fade quickly, so it is a good idea to keep notes on what you can remember about the accident.
Your notes may include information about:
- How you are feeling after the accident
- Conversations you have had with the other driver or the insurance company
- Names and contact information of all involved in the accident and any eyewitnesses
- Times and dates of any accident-related events
- Any other details you think could potentially affect your claim
Document damages
In addition to taking notes about the accident, it is beneficial to keep track of any expenses that you have incurred. When pursuing damages on your behalf, your car accident lawyer will use this information to ensure you receive the full amount of compensation you are entitled to receive.
You may want to keep the following when recording damages:
- Your insurance claim number
- Copies of accident-related medical bills
- Invoices from vehicle repairs and car rentals
- Names, addresses, and phone numbers of your claims representative, doctor, and other relevant contacts
Be polite, patient, and professional
It is understandable why you may be feeling frustrated and even angry after being involved in a Connecticut car accident – especially if it was a result of someone else’s negligence. However, try to be polite and professional when dealing with the insurance adjuster. This can go a long way in getting your claim settled as fast and fairly as possible.
Unless you file a lawsuit, the insurance adjuster will be the one with whom you are negotiating your settlement. Do not be afraid to call, negotiate, and check on the status of your claim. However, do not be rude when communicating with the insurer. You may be able to negotiate a better settlement if you keep your cool and remain polite and patient.
Rather than handling everything on your own, though, get the fast and effective assistance of an experienced lawyer. When your attorney handles negotiations, you can be sure everything is handled calmly and professionally.
Follow your doctor’s recommendations
It is important to see a doctor after your accident, as this is the main way to prove that you were injured in the car accident. Without documentation of your injuries and treatment plan, you may not be able to recover compensation in a personal injury case.
After your doctor diagnoses you and prescribes a treatment plan, be sure to follow through with all recommendations. You should also stick to any follow-up appointments with doctors, physical therapists, and other specialists.
Skipping appointments or failing to follow the doctor’s advice could result in the insurance company saying that you are not as injured as you claim. The insurer could use this as a basis to deny you payment.
How a Lawyer Can Help Protect Your Rights After a Connecticut Car Accident
How can you protect your rights after a Connecticut car accident? The car accident lawyers at Gould Injury Law can help you recover fast and fair compensation for your injuries.
The following are some of the benefits of having a car accident lawyer on your side:
- A lawyer has thorough knowledge of the law. A personal injury lawyer will know the state and federal laws that apply to your specific case and use them to your advantage. Your lawyer can also help you plan to overcome any potential legal issues that could complicate your case.
- A lawyer will communicate with the insurance company. Negotiating with the insurance company without legal backup can result in low and unfair compensation. A car accident lawyer will be familiar with the tactics that insurers use to reduce the value of car accident claims. Your attorney can handle all negotiations with the insurance company and will not settle until a fair offer is made.
- A lawyer can help establish liability. In order for your car accident claim or lawsuit to be successful, you will need to prove the other driver was liable. Your personal injury lawyer can thoroughly investigate your case and gather the evidence needed to prove who was at fault.
- A lawyer will determine what damages you are eligible for. If you were injured in a car accident, you might be entitled to damages for medical expenses, lost income, vehicle repairs or replacement, and more. A lawyer will know how to calculate the value of your claim and ensure you receive the full amount of compensation you deserve.
- A lawyer will explain your settlement options. It may be tempting to accept the first payout amount that the insurance company offers. However, the initial amount may be much less than your claim is actually worth. A motor vehicle accident lawyer can help you determine if it is best to accept a settlement offer or negotiate for a better deal.
- A lawyer can take your case to court. In the event that a fair settlement agreement cannot be reached with the insurance company, a lawyer can help you take your case to court. Your attorney can help you file everything, answer any questions you have about the trial, and present evidence to support your case before a judge and/or jury – and help the entire process move along as fast and as smoothly as possible.
Contact Us to Help Protect Your Legal Rights After a Connecticut Car Accident
If you feel that your rights are not being respected after an auto accident or that the compensation that the insurance company is offering is unfair or coming too slowly, do not hesitate to contact the fast-working car accident attorneys with Gould Injury Law. .Our legal team can offer you positive legal advice, ensure your claim stays on track, and help you recover the maximum amount of compensation you deserve faster.
The fast-acting lawyers at our law firm take car accident cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that you pay no upfront costs or fees. In other words, we only get paid if your case is successful and you recover compensation.
Call 1-888-WIN-FAST or complete the form to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a member of our legal team today.