Car accidents are one of the leading causes of death and injury worldwide. Whether you’re commuting to work or driving to Memorial Center Park to enjoy some recreation with your family, a car accident can happen at any time and have devastating consequences. A car crash can be a terrifying experience and leave you with life-altering injuries.
Regardless of how careful of a driver that you are, you can still become the victim of another driver’s reckless or negligent actions. If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident in Waterbury due to another driver’s negligence, you may be entitled to financial compensation. The car accident lawyers at Gould Injury Law believe that negligent drivers should be held accountable for their actions. As your personal injury lawyers, we will act fast to obtain justice for you and your family.
If you or a loved one has suffered from a car accident in Waterbury, Connecticut, due to another party’s negligence, Gould Injury Law can help. Our law firm, known as “The Fast Firm,” has been serving the residents of Waterbury and the surrounding area for over 18 years, helping our clients obtain millions of dollars in damages. Contact us at 888-WIN-FAST to schedule a free case evaluation with one of our personal injury lawyers.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Waterbury, CT
The roadways in Connecticut are becoming more and more congested. Heavy traffic combined with reckless driving creates a dangerous situation on our state’s roadways. There are various factors that often contribute to car accidents in Waterbury, Connecticut.
The following are among the most common factors in car accidents:
- Speeding: You’ve likely seen someone zip by your vehicle on the freeway at 10, 20, or 30 miles over the speed limit. It may seem harmless, but speeding contributes to many serious or even fatal accidents. The faster you drive, the slower your reaction time will be if you need to slow down or stop suddenly to prevent an accident from occurring.
- Distracted driving: This is one of the leading causes of auto accidents. In one recent year, nearly 3,000 people were killed in distracted driving accidents. Distracted driving includes anything that distracts you from the road, such as texting, making phone calls, programming you GPS, eating, grooming, and so on.
- Reckless driving: A reckless driver shows no regard for other’s safety, switching lanes rapidly, tailgating, and driving aggressively. When you spot reckless drivers on the road, it’s best to avoid them if at all possible.
- Driving under the influence: Drunk drivers have impaired reaction times, vision, and motor skills, which reduces their capacity to safely operate a motor vehicle. It’s not only alcohol that impairs one’s ability to drive–drugs both illegal and prescription can negatively affect a person’s ability to safely operate a vehicle as well.
- Fatigued driving: Driving while you’re exhausted can be just as dangerous as driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. A fatigued driver can have slowed reaction times and impaired vision. Thousands of sleep-related car crashes occur annually.
What Compensation Can You Get After a Car Accident in Waterbury, Connecticut?
Connecticut state law allows financial recovery for a wide range of damages. Your lawyer will examine the circumstances surrounding your accident and may help you seek compensation for:
- Past and future medical bills
- Therapy
- Rehabilitation expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of future income earning potential
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of companionship (in the case of death of a loved one)
Car Crashes Involving Third-Party Liability in Waterbury, CT
After an auto accident, anyone involved is usually quick to point the finger at the other driver. In some situations, though, the cause of a car accident isn’t the fault of either driver involved, but a third-party may be to blame.
For instance, the vehicle or vehicle part manufacturer may be to blame. The following are examples of this.
Brake failure
Brakes are a very important part of any motor vehicle; when they fail, a serious accident will likely occur. In accidents involving brake failure, it must be determined whether the failure was due to a lack of maintenance or a defective part. If the defect was due to a manufacturing error, the manufacturer of the part may be found liable.
Seat belt and airbag defects
Seat belts and airbags are safety features on all new vehicles and have saved countless lives. However, a seat belt might tear or become unlatched, or an airbag might not properly deploy.
When these and other safety features are defective in some way, they can cause severe injuries rather than protecting passengers.
Fuel tank defects
Fuel tanks that are incorrectly positioned are at a greater risk of exploding from the impact of a car accident. Lack of safety features to stop gas flow after an accident are another major issue. These types of accidents are preventable when manufacturing safety measures are followed. Tragically, vehicle fires and explosions continue to happen on Connecticut roadways.
Tire defects
If you’ve ever experienced a tire blowout, you know it is a frightening experience. Defective tires can cause your vehicle to skid or even roll over, leading to serious accidents and injuries. Major tire manufacturers have been linked to design flaws, for example, producing tires with poor tread adherence.
If a design defect led to your car accident, you need an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side to defend your legal rights. Auto manufacturers, retailers, and distributors will have their own lawyers defending them, seeking to leave you with little to no financial compensation. The car accident lawyers at Gould Injury Law firm, though, have your back. We will investigate the cause of your accident and act fast to seek fair and just financial compensation for your claim.
What to Do Immediately After a Car Accident in Waterbury, CT
Immediately following a motor vehicle accident, injuries may be severe and emotions may be running high. Yet, there are important things to do, if you are able, after the accident to protect yourself and others from further injury and help with your claims process.
If possible after an accident, take the following steps:
- Check yourself for injuries and call 911: If you are injured, call 911 or ask someone else to do so for you. If you sustained serious injuries, try not to move until medical personnel arrive.
- Check on passengers and other drivers: Ensure that everyone involved in the crash is okay, and seek medical attention for all who need it. If a person is unconscious or has head or neck injuries, it is recommended not to move him or her until help arrives unless a hazard requires you to do so.
- Call 911: Whether the accident was a minor fender-bender or a severe accident, you should notify the police. An accident report will be filed when cops arrive on the scene; a copy of this report is important to have when filing an insurance claim.
- Wait for help: Turn off your vehicle, turn on your hazard lights, and set up road flares to advise other drivers there’s been an accident and they need to slow down.
- Exchange information: After ensuring that everyone is safe, exchange contact information with all parties involved and witnesses of the accident. Obtain full names, addresses, phone numbers, license plate numbers, insurance information, and driver’s license numbers. When exchanging information, be polite, but make sure not to say anything that could be interpreted as an admission of fault.
- Take pictures: Document the scene of the accident by taking photographs of injuries sustained, vehicle and property damage, road conditions, and anything else that seems pertinent.
- Be cautious of any settlement offers: Insurance companies want you to settle for the lowest amount possible. Don’t accept any offers until you’re sure that all your injuries have been attended to. Remember–some effects of car accident injuries don’t become apparent for weeks or even months after they are sustained. And once you’ve accepted a claim settlement, you can’t go back and ask for more financial compensation.
- Consult a lawyer: If you or someone you love sustained injuries in an automobile collision, it’s recommended to speak to a personal injury lawyer at a reliable firm before accepting a settlement from an insurance company. Our car accident lawyers at Gould Injury Law firm help clients get fast and fair settlements for their claims. Contact us today at 888-WIN-FAST to schedule a free case evaluation.
What to Remember When Dealing With Insurance Companies in CT
After an auto accident, you may trust that your insurance company is going to be there to protect you, but this often isn’t the case. Even your own insurance adjuster doesn’t have your best interests at heart. Keep in mind that the lower of an amount they can get you to settle for, the more money they keep in their pockets. Thus, you need a personal injury law firm on your side to make sure you receive just compensation for your claim.
Immediately following an accident, you may be coping with physical injuries and mounting medical bills. Insurance companies often take advantage of this stressful situation by trying to get their clients to accept quick settlements for amounts that are well below what they truly deserve.
The CT lawyers at Gould Injury law firm are familiar with the tactics that car insurance companies use, and we know how to protect you from being taken advantage of. Call 888-WIN-FAST today to schedule a free case evaluation, and our lawyers will act fast to get your case settled for a just and fair amount.
Common Car Accident Injuries in Waterbury, CT
The lawyers at Gould Injury Law have helped our clients in Waterbury, CT, obtain financial compensation for many different types of car accident injuries. During your initial free case consultation with us, we will discuss with you the extent of your injuries and determine what damages we should seek on your behalf.
Some of the most common types of car accident injuries include:
- Lacerations and cuts
- Bruising
- Whiplash
- Broken or fractured bones
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Neck and back injuries
- Burns
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal injury
It is important to seek medical attention for your injuries right after your car accident. Keep in mind that you may be unaware of the full extent of your injuries immediately following your car accident; heightened emotions and adrenaline can mask your symptoms. If you delay in obtaining medical attention, insurance companies can and will dispute your claim.
How Long Do You Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Waterbury, Connecticut?
Connecticut has a statute of limitations, or a set time frame, on filing a car accident claim. Normally, you have 2 years from when the date of the accident to bring a legal case.
Depending on the circumstances of your case, there are other things that need to be filed months before the deadline, so it’s best to speak with an attorney as soon as possible. If you wait too long, you may completely lose your right to pursue financial damages.
After taking on your case, the personal injury lawyers at Gould Injury Law will act fast to get all necessary paperwork filed. Call 888-WIN-FAST to get started today.
Our Waterbury, CT Car Accident Attorneys Can Help You
If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident, the lawyers at Gould Injury Law firm in Waterbury, CT, are here to help, starting by giving you a free consultation session. We understand the pain, frustration, and stress you are feeling after your accident, and we want to take some of the burden off of your shoulders. Our law firm will file all paperwork necessary for your claim and handle all negotiations with the insurance company.
Contact us at 888-WIN-FAST to schedule a free consultation regarding your case. Our law firm works on a contingency basis, which means you pay nothing out of pocket. We get paid only after you receive a settlement for your case. Please don’t hesitate to call–our law firm cares about the residents of Connecticut. We will act fast to get you the compensation you deserve.
Gould Injury Law
#1 Car Accident Attorneys in Waterbury, Connecticut
228 Meadow St Suite 401, Waterbury, CT 06702
Phone
(203) 773-0817
(888) 946-3278
