7 Things You Should ABSOLUTELY Know About Your Rights After a Car Accident in Connecticut
Being involved in a car accident is a stressful and confusing experience. In the aftermath of an accident, it is important to be aware of your rights and what you should do in order to protect those rights. Here are seven things you should know if you are involved in a car accident in Connecticut:
1. Know the Statute of Limitations for Filing a Claim
2. Understand Your Rights to Compensation
3. Gather Evidence to Support Your Case
4. Seek Medical Attention Immediately After an Accident
5. Be Aware of Comparative Negligence Laws in Connecticut
6. Contact an Experienced Car Accident Attorney for Legal Advice and Representation
7. Familiarize Yourself with Insurance Laws in Connecticut
Connecticut Statute of Limitations
1. Know the Statute of Limitations for Filing a Claim. The statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim in Connecticut due to a car accident is two years from the date of the incident. This means that individuals have two years from the time of the crash to pursue legal action against whoever is responsible for the collision. Failure to do so within this timeframe will likely result in being barred from any further legal recourse. It is therefore important to seek legal counsel and take action as soon as possible after an accident occurs.
Understand Your Rights to Compensation
2. If you have been the victim of a car accident due to another driver’s negligence, you may be eligible for compensation for any physical, financial and emotional harm that has been done. These damages can range from medical bills, lost wages, vehicle repair costs to mental anguish. If the person responsible for your accident does not have adequate insurance coverage, then your own uninsured or underinsured motorist policy may provide you with additional funds to help cover any resulting losses. Seeking advice from a personal injury lawyer is always recommended when pursuing a claim after an automobile collision. By working with an experienced legal professional, you will receive the guidance and assistance needed to maximize your compensation settlement and ensure justice is served.
Gather Evidence to Support Your Case
3. When pursuing a personal injury claim after a car accident, it is essential to assemble the necessary evidence that supports your case. This may include taking pictures of the crash scene, documenting any resulting injuries with photographs or medical records, obtaining police reports, collecting witness testimonies and any other relevant material that proves that the other driver was responsible for the incident and that you were injured as a result. Such evidence can be invaluable in establishing liability and providing an accurate portrayal of the damages caused by the accident.
Seek Medical Attention Immediately After an Accident
4. It is essential to seek medical help immediately after an accident, even if you do not believe that you were hurt. Certain injuries, such as whiplash, can take several days or even weeks to present any symptoms. By seeking medical attention promptly after the incident, it will be documented and serve as evidence for a personal injury claim at a later date should you choose to pursue one. Doing so can help ensure that any possible injuries are not overlooked and addressed in a timely manner.
Familiarize Yourself with Insurance Laws in Connecticut
5. In Connecticut, drivers must maintain liability insurance with a minimum coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury as well as $25,000 per accident for property damage. Furthermore, they must also carry uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage which is equal to the amount of their liability coverage. It is essential for all drivers in Connecticut to be aware of these regulations so that they are better equipped to handle any situation should an accident occur with an uninsured or underinsured driver.
Having adequate insurance coverage is vital since it ensures that everyone involved in a car accident will receive the necessary financial support for medical expenses, property damage repairs and other forms of recovery costs. Without having the required minimum amounts of insurance protection, any legal proceedings that follow an accident could require individuals to pay much more out-of-pocket than what’s prescribed by law. Therefore, understanding these laws and carrying the proper types and amounts of insurance helps protect you and your passengers from financial hardship due to unforeseen circumstances.
Be Aware of Comparative Negligence Laws in Connecticut
6. In Connecticut, when determining how much compensation each party is entitled to receive after an accident occurs, comparative negligence laws apply. Under these laws, the degree of negligence for each party is taken into consideration and a percentage of fault assigned to them. For example, if one driver ran a red light while the other was speeding, they could both be found 50% responsible for the accident due to their shared contribution in causing it. As a result, the amount of compensation they would be entitled to receive would be reduced by their percentage of responsibility – so if one driver was originally awarded $10,000 in damages, this figure would be cut down to $5,000 due to their 50% degree of fault.
Contact an Experienced Car Accident Attorney for Legal Advice and Representation
7. After being involved in a car accident, it is important to contact an experienced attorney who can help protect your rights and advocate on your behalf. An attorney can help investigate your case, gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in court if necessary. Additionally, many personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means that they only get paid if they are able to recover compensation for their clients.
If you are involved in a car accident in Connecticut, it is important to know your rights and what you need to do to protect those rights. By following the steps outlined above, you give yourself the best chance possible of receiving full and fair compensation for your damages. Most importantly, don’t try to handle everything on your own – contact an experienced car accident attorney who can help guide you through the legal process and ensure that your rights are fully protected.
