Did you realize that speeding is the main reason for accidents on our roads? Although speed limits are put in place on roads to reduce the possibility of collisions and improve drivers' safety, many drivers choose to disregard these speed limits, endangering other motorists, as well as themselves.
If you are involved in a car accident caused by someone who is speeding, it is in your best interest to gather any proof that can demonstrate that the other motorist was, in fact, speeding. What if you were the one speeding? Are you considered at fault?
We will dive into this further in the article below. However, if you've been in an accident, were injured or injured someone else, talk to a Connecticut car accident lawyer for answers. The team at Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law has helped clients in Connecticut for years. We have helped resolve thousands for car accident claims and can help with yours too.
Connecticut is a "Fault" State
Connecticut follows the "fault" insurance system, which means that the negligent party is responsible for compensating the injured victims of a car crash, including other motorists, passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists.
Determining who is responsible may appear simple. And, this is particularly true if the other driver was speeding. In such circumstances, details about the at-fault driver's conduct will usually be included in your official Connecticut auto accident report. So the only thing left to do is report the accident, right?
Any accident resulting in injury can be far more difficult than people anticipate. This can happen if the other driver denies any wrongdoing. Or, the insurance company disputes who is at fault. They may try to blame the accident on you, claiming you were responsible. In either scenario, legal representation should be retained so that a lawyer can defend your rights, because fault is very important in a Connecticut car accident case.
Determining Fault After a Car Accident
A driver violates their duty of care to other motorists on the road when they are speeding. What this means is that the driver is endangering other people. Yet there are other things that may have caused the accident as well. Both of the drivers can share some liability in a situation like this.
Police will try to identify the responsible party after an auto accident. A driver who broke the law is probably at least partially to fault for the accident. The determination of liability may also be influenced by other elements, such as your behavior or that of the other driver. Police officers will gather information and evidence at the scene to help decide how to proceed in determining who is at fault.
It's important to remember that you should never take responsibility for anything that happened. Instead, speak with a CT car accident lawyer who can advise you on what steps to take next. Remember the following:
- Describe the actions taken by the driver before the crash. How do you know that the driver was speeding?
- Provide details about other people who may have been present.
- Explain any additional actions you observed, such as lane-changing or chatting on a phone while driving.
Even if a driver gets a ticket for reckless driving, the insurance company for that driver will use anything at their disposal to show you shared fault in the accident as well. The burden of proof shifts to you to show that the other driver was accountable for your injuries. The more evidence you can offer to back this argument, the better.
What Are My Options After A Car Accident in CT?
In Connecticut, there are three main avenues for accident victims to claim financial compensation. They are:
- File a "first-party" car accident claim
- File a "third-party" car accident claim
- File a lawsuit against the at-fault driver
Depending on the specifics of the accident, each of these strategies has advantages and disadvantages. It is important to talk to a lawyer to discuss the best strategy for your particular accident.
Contact Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law to Speak With One of Our Car Accident Attorneys
Photographs, witness testimony, police records, electronic evidence, and other evidence is all very helpful in demonstrating that the other driver was speeding and caused a car accident. In the beginning of the case, our top car accident lawyers will review the available evidence. Even when other lawyers declare there is no case and insurance adjusters reject or undervalue your claim, we have decades of expertise fighting for our clients and succeeding.
At Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, we value outstanding client service, compassion, and accomplishments. We are one of the area's top-rated law companies for car accidents in Connecticut, as well as New Jersey and New York. We've assisted individuals just like you in moving past an injury brought on by someone else's irresponsibility.
For a free consultation, get in touch with us today.