Connecticut Car Accident Lawyer

Parties Who Could Be Held Liable for a Car Wreck

To determine who could be held liable for a vehicle accident case, our lawyers must carefully review everything that contributed to the crash. While the other driver often bears primary responsibility, multiple parties may share liability depending on how your motor vehicle accident happened. They could include the following:

• Vehicle manufacturers, who could be liable if a defective part caused the crash or failed to protect the driver and passengers during a collision
• Government entities, who may hold responsibility for dangerous road conditions, lack of road signs, or poorly designed intersections
• The driver’s employer often shares liability in commercial vehicle accidents, as several laws state that companies are responsible for the actions of their employees
• Bars, restaurants, and other establishments that serve alcohol, as Connecticut law says these places are responsible if they over-serve a patron who causes a car crash afterward
• Vehicle maintenance companies or repair shops could be liable if they were careless in their work, which, as a result, contributed to the accident.

We are committed to determining all parties who could be held liable for your accident, which could increase the amount of money you may recover.

Could You Recover Compensation if You’re Partly to Blame for a Car Accident in Connecticut?

Even if you made a mistake that contributed to the car wreck, you may still be entitled to compensation for your injuries and losses.

Connecticut law follows a “modified comparative negligence” standard. It says that you can still recover money even if you are partially responsible for the auto collision. However, your percentage of fault will reduce whatever compensation you would be able to recover.

As an example, if say you’re found to be 20 percent responsible for the car crash and your case value is $100,000. In this instance, you could only recover $80,000, which is 20 percent of the $100,000 case value.

An important thing to note is that you cannot recover anything if you’re found more than 50 percent responsible for the auto wreck.

In light of this law, insurance companies often try to shift the blame to accident victims to reduce their payouts. They may claim you were speeding, not paying attention, or breaking traffic laws. As experienced attorneys, we at D’Amico Pettinicchi know how to fight these arguments. By fully investigating each accident case we take, we can present evidence to accurately show how the other party (or parties) could be at fault for causing the collision.

How Long Do You Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Connecticut?

Connecticut law gives you two years from the date of the car crash to file a lawsuit. While this may seem like plenty of time, waiting too long can seriously harm your case. Evidence can disappear, witnesses’ memories fade, and crucial documentation may become unavailable. In addition, some accident lawsuits may involve shorter deadlines, such as claims against the government entities that repair roads or drive city vehicles.

Starting your car accident claim early also allows more time for a car accident attorney in Connecticut to thoroughly investigate your case and prepare a solid argument. You tend to be more likely to get a fair settlement from an insurer when they know you have strong legal representation and sufficient time to build a compelling case.

Common Types and Causes of Car Accidents

Many types of accidents occur on Connecticut roads, including the following:

• Distracted driving is becoming increasingly common due to drivers texting, talking on phones, or engaging with in-vehicle technology (such as GPS units) instead of focusing on the road. These preventable accidents can result in serious injuries because distracted drivers often fail to hit the brake or move out of the way of oncoming traffic.
• Drunk driving accidents are a constant problem despite increased awareness and law enforcement efforts. Impaired drivers cause some of the most severe crashes due to their inability to react appropriately to changing road conditions.
• Uninsured accidents create additional complications for victims, as they may need to rely on their own insurance coverage for compensation.
• Uber/Lyft/rideshare accidents involve complex insurance coverage issues, as multiple policies may apply depending on what the driver was doing at the time of the crash.
• Hit-and-run accidents require immediate investigation to identify the fleeing driver before evidence is lost.

Typical Injuries Resulting from an Auto Collision

Car accident injuries often lead to life-altering conditions that call for extensive medical treatment. However, even seemingly minor injuries can have lasting effects, particularly for older adults or those with pre-existing conditions. They include the following:

• Traumatic brain injuries can cause long-term or lifelong cognitive problems, personality changes, and physical disabilities. These injuries often require long-term rehabilitation and may prevent victims from returning to their jobs.
• Spinal cord injuries are some of the most catastrophic outcomes of serious accidents. Depending on the location and severity of the car accident injury, victims may face partial or complete paralysis, requiring lifetime medical care and extensive home modifications.
• Neck and back injuries, such as herniated discs and whiplash, are common in rear-end collisions. They may require extensive surgeries and ongoing pain management.
• Broken bones, internal injuries, and severe lacerations can require multiple surgeries and extended recovery periods.

At D’Amico Pettinicchi, our legal team works with medical experts to fully understand and document all injuries. By looking at everything involved with your accident and what it’s done to your life, you can rest assured that we will fight for the money you need for all current and future medical injuries and expenses.