You are not alone if your health and finances are major concerns after your car accident. Many Connecticut victims worry about what their future will be like if insurers undervalue their claims.

You could lose out on getting the compensation you deserve. When you have such concerns, what can you do? With reliable answers, your questions could lead to satisfying results.

Gould Injury Law is the law firm with the team who understands why you need fast and effective solutions. Our experienced attorneys have the resources to defend your rights.

We can share practical information with you as soon as today. Call (888) WIN-FAST to schedule your personalized case review with a member of our team and  learn what you should be doing now to ensure the best possible outcome. 

Your First Priority: Staying Safe

In Connecticut, you could face severe penalties for leaving an accident scene prematurely. The law requires you to stop and render necessary assistance to any who are injured.

Yet, the danger of a car accident does not end at the moment of impact. If your car obstructs passing traffic, you could be hit again or cause another collision.

Move your vehicle to the side of the road or to the nearest safe location. If your automobile is inoperable, however, exit the car and wait somewhere away from danger.

If you require a tow truck, you might be able to request one via your insurance company. Do not forget to write down the towing company’s name and where they will tow your car.

Next, call 911 if you or anyone else requires immediate help. Moving an injured person could worsen his or her injuries, so do not attempt to do so unless fire or another danger poses an immediate threat. Even if you feel fine, you should consult a physician as soon as possible.

You should seek a professional’s opinion — because not all accident injuries produce discernible signs. Other symptoms could show up days later or worsen in the meantime if not treated early on. In either case, fast medical attention is usually the best option for your health.

Another reason to consult a doctor fast is to create an immediate and clear record for your eventual insurance claim. Doctor’s reports from the date of the injury will clearly show that your injuries were directly related to your motor vehicle accident. Without such evidence, insurance companies might assert that your injuries are not as severe as you claim or that there was another cause.

Gather Essential Information

One way to protect yourself is to collect proof of your collision and its consequences. Let’s start with what you should document at the scene of the accident:

  • Contact information: Connecticut road rules obligate drivers to provide each other with a way to get in touch. You do not need to provide your home address. But you should exchange phone numbers and email addresses with all involved drivers and eyewitnesses.
  • Insurance information: Write down the names and policy numbers of the other parties’ insurance.
  • Vehicle description: Note the color, year, make, and model of every involved car. You should also write down the license plate number of each.

Take plenty of photographs. You can always delete unnecessary shots, but you will never get another chance to document the accident scene immediately after an accident.

A picture can be worth a thousand words, so imagine the value of a video. If possible, record injuries, property damage, and any relevant surroundings like:

  • Potholes and obstructions (e.g. fallen branches, debris)
  • Construction work
  • Missing street lights or signs
  • Weather conditions (e.g. ice, snow, mud)
  • Skid marks
  • Road markings
  • Anything else that may shed light on how the accident occurred

You must report any accident that results in property damage or injury amounting to $1000 or more. In Connecticut, you have 5 days to compile your report. However, we encourage you to call the authorities right away so they can make an accident report while the evidence is fresh.

Lawyers can later use the official records, such as police reports, to support your case, but you do not need to state how the crash happened when you make your report. You must provide identification, like your driver’s license and registration, and facts, like the time and place of the collision.

When you speak to the police, get the officer’s name and badge number if you can. Later, our competent law team can show you how to obtain a copy of the accident report fast. In fact, our clients can always let us know what proof they find challenging to get, and we can help fast.

Make Your Insurance Your Ally

Under Connecticut law, a person who causes an accident is liable for damages. All drivers must have liability insurance that meets or exceeds these requirements:

  • A minimum of $25,000 per person per accident for bodily injury
  • At least $50,000 per accident for bodily injury
  • At least $25,000 per accident for property damage
  • A minimum of $25,000 per person or $50,000 per accident to cover uninsured (UM) or underinsured motorists (UIM)

Insurers cover accidents caused by their policyholders, but many offer additional benefits. Your coverage could also pay for collisions caused by:

  • Drivers who flee the scene of the accident
  • Drivers who have no insurance (UM)
  • Accidents whose damage costs exceed the at-fault driver’s policy limits (UIM)

Your insurance paper will have the coverage details, but understanding all these is another matter. Please bring your documents to your free consultation, so our legal professionals can help you make sense of your policy.

Recording Evidence Will Support Your Case

After a few days have passed, you might wonder whether there is anything else you can do. At “The Fast Firm,” our attorneys aggressively investigate each situation to get our clients the compensation they need. To contribute to the effort in your case, follow the easy guidelines below.

Be diligent about your medical care

Once you have seen a doctor, he or she might give you treatment options and prescription medicine. Attend your appointments faithfully. When you follow your physician’s suggestions, you show you are serious about recovering from your injuries.

Keep a journal of how you feel each day. For instance, describe your pain levels and your symptoms. If your health worsens, contact your doctor to schedule a follow-up fast.

Create a document file

You should keep a register of your accident-related expenses, including:

  • Medical bills
  • Insurance co-pays and deductibles
  • Childcare (if your health no longer allows you to care for your child or this proves difficult during your recovery)
  • Household help (e.g. cleaning, lawn care, disability modifications)
  • Transportation costs for accident-related healthcare (e.g. hotel stays, rental vehicles, public transportation, taxis, flights, fuel, and parking)
  • Car repair estimates and bills
  • Towing fees

Besides bills and sales slips, you could also highlight relevant charges on your bank or credit card statements. If you have doubts, save the paperwork just in case. Our knowledgeable lawyers can review our client’s receipts so they do not miss out on a penny they deserve.

Avoiding Actions That Damage Accident Claims

Now that you know what to do, you should consider what not to do. The following misguided words or actions could hurt your case.

Apologizing

Saying you are “sorry” is common courtesy and can express sorrow or sympathy. In other cases, it is just a figure of speech without much meaning.

Even if you feel partially responsible for the accident, you need to be careful about what you say to the police, insurance adjusters, or others involved in the accident.

In everyday contexts, an apology does not always mean that you are admitting fault. Yet, an unscrupulous insurance company or its team of attorneys could twist your words against you. They could claim that your “sorry” meant you regretted some wrong action.

Accepting Fast Settlements Without Legal Advice

When insurance companies promote fast settlements, their motives might not be pure. Why would they be in a hurry for you to sign an agreement? Some reasons might center around saving money for themselves.

Lowball offers: Before victims acquire legal counsel, insurers often try to take advantage of their stress and lack of legal experience. After all, if you accept less than your claim is worth, they could keep thousands of dollars in their pockets. Many companies decide that it is worth a try.

Increasing medical costs: Insurers have access to extensive research on Connecticut’s healthcare costs. Your injuries could take years to heal, and insurance companies know that the more treatment you receive, the more bills multiply. If you sign your rights away, you cannot sue them again, even if you need expensive follow-up therapies, surgeries, and procedures later on.

We understand the financial pressure you might be experiencing due to accident expenses. When our lawyers work to get you money fast, we consider all the factors to ensure you get a fair settlement.

Get the Legal Help You Need Fast

At Gould Injury Law, we hate to see Connecticut accident victims lose out on fair reimbursement for their losses. We have made it possible to get consultations fast without any obligation. Best of all, our helpful case reviews are free.

Since every accident is different, the faster and easier way to learn what you should do after a collision is to contact our law firm. Click the icon at the bottom of your screen to chat with a live online agent now, or call (888) WIN-FAST at your earliest convenience.