Wolcott Car Accident Lawyer
Automobile collisions cause more personal injuries in Connecticut than any other kind of accident. Unfortunately, many car accident injuries have long-term or permanent repercussions for everyone involved. To make matters worse, holding someone else liable for damages they caused in a car crash can be a deceptively complicated process, especially if it is unclear how the accident occurred.
However, having help from a skilled personal injury attorney with years of experience pursuing similar claims could be vital to achieving fair compensation after a traumatic traffic accident. A seasoned Wolcott car accident lawyer could advocate for your rights and ensure that no filing errors prevent you from reaching a favorable case outcome.
What Does “Fault” Look Like in Auto Accident Claims?
Because Connecticut takes a “fault” approach to car accident litigation, crash victims can seek compensation for their losses by filing a claim with their car insurance provider, with another motorist’s car insurance company, or directly against the other driver involved in the crash. However, recovery is only possible in the latter two scenarios if a claimant can prove another party was legally at fault for the accident.
Fault, or “negligence,” entails someone acting recklessly, carelessly, or illegally behind the wheel, which causes a crash that would not have otherwise occurred. How someone was negligent has no bearing on the possibility of recovery or the amount of compensation available to a crash victim. In fact, someone could be equally liable for causing a wreck by speeding through a red light or by looking away from the road at the wrong moment.
Once a court has established fault, an injured person may be able to recover economic and non-economic damages, including:
- Lost consortium
- Lost overall quality of life
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and anguish
- All past and future medical bills
- Lost work income or working capacity
- Vehicle damage and other personal property losses
A knowledgeable attorney in Wolcott could go into more detail about damages that might be available in a particular car crash case during a private consultation.
How State Law Could Impact Recovery Efforts
Injured people filing suit for motor vehicle collisions may be partially liable for their injuries based on their own negligence. According to Connecticut General Statutes §52-572h, if an injured person contributed to their accident, a court can reduce their financial recovery based on their share of total fault. Furthermore, that same statute bars anyone found to be primarily at fault for a collision from recovering any compensation.
Another legal restriction worth noting is the statute of limitations codified in C.G.S. §52-584, which limits most prospective car crash plaintiffs to two years after an accident to begin pursuing litigation. A knowledgeable lawyer in Wolcott could provide vital assistance to ensure a plaintiff follows procedural guidelines when filing a car accident claim.
Speak with a Wolcott Car Accident Attorney Today
Anyone who injures you by driving carelessly or recklessly should be held responsible for the injuries and losses you experienced due to their misconduct. However, without a capable legal professional’s guidance, you may have difficulty obtaining fair civil compensation following a crash.
After any traffic accident resulting in injury, contacting a Wolcott car accident lawyer for help should be a top priority. Call today for a private meeting.