Auto accidents in any state have the power to completely change your life. You could be out of work for several weeks or perhaps months. You may be in excruciating pain as a result of a traumatic injury. And even if the accident wasn't your fault, you might have to pay for it if you don't take action to defend your rights. This is why knowing the car accident laws of Connecticut is important.
In Connecticut, there is a "fault" insurance system, which means the at-fault party's insurance is responsible for paying damages related to an auto accident. How does it all work, you ask? We will explain further how the insurance system and compensation within Connecticut works in the following article.
The car accident lawyers at Brandon J. Broderick are aware of the potential consequences. We have spent a considerable amount of time defending the rights of our accident clients in Connecticut. We will implement a strategy that meets your particular legal situation.
What Does a "Fault" State Mean?
Connecticut's "fault" insurance system serves as the foundation for how the state compensates victims of auto accidents. This means that the negligent party is liable for the injuries sustained in the collision. This includes other motorists, passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists.
Finding the responsible party may appear simple, and it can be, if it is determined that the other driver was speeding, intoxicated, or texting while operating their vehicle, all of which is prohibited in the state of Connecticut. These details will be included in the official accident report, and it can help your accident claim tremendously.
However, some car accidents end up being far more difficult to pursue. For instance, if the other driver says they did nothing wrong or denies the facts of what happened. Or, maybe the at-fault driver's insurance company attempts to deny your claim and blame the accident on you. In either scenario, you'll likely need legal representation to uncover the facts and get the compensation you are due. Determining fault in a car accident is important and proving it is essential to winning your claim.
Ways To Pursue Compensation in a Connecticut Car Accident
In Connecticut, there are three primary ways for accident victims to claim financial compensation. These include:
- Filing a first party claim
- Filing a third party claim
- Filing a lawsuit against the at-fault driver
Depending on the specifics of your accident, each of these avenues have advantages and disadvantages. This is why speaking with a Connecticut car accident lawyer as soon as possible is important. Doing so will allow you to discuss and assess the best strategy to take in your auto accident.
Now that you know the three main ways to seek compensation, it's important that you understand what exactly each of them are.
"FIRST PARTY" CLAIM
Claims referred to as "first party" simply mean you have filed a claim with your own insurer to cover medical costs and/or lost income (if that is included in your coverage). A first party claim also refers to accidents that occur where the at-fault party has no auto insurance and you must seek compensation from your own uninsured motorist coverage to reimburse your damages.
In some cases, your first-party benefits might not be sufficient to cover the long-term cost of your injuries, in part or full. For example, you may have coverage limits that are capped at a certain dollar amount. If you require long-term care or continued physical treatment, this is when you need to explore other legal options.
"THIRD PARTY" CLAIM
Direct reimbursement from the insurance provider of the at-fault driver is what a "third party" claim refers to. This is an option that is generally taken in Connecticut car accidents, since the at-fault driver and their insurance is required to cover the losses of the accident victim.
However, negotiating with another driver's insurance provider directly might be challenging. If you try to handle it on your own, be ready to get a compensation offer from the insurance company quickly. They do this in an attempt to settle the matter for the least amount possible and before other potential costs or injuries arise.
Taking an early offer can be tempting. By doing so, you usually give up the opportunity to seek more money at a later time. As a result, you might end up having to pay additional accident-related fees out of your own pocket months or years down the road. These costs have the potential to be substantial.
Lawsuits Against An At-Fault Driver
Sometimes, insurance providers are unwilling to settle with accident victims. When this happens, filing a lawsuit against the at-fault driver is the most effective route to take when you are seeking compensation or recovering damages you are entitled to.
If you do choose to file a lawsuit, insurance companies sometimes take aggressive legal measures in response. Even if there is no proof, they will try to get your lawsuit dismissed or demonstrate that you were, in fact, the one who caused the accident – not their client.
Lawsuits should be handled by an experienced Connecticut car accident lawyer from the beginning. Lawyers like the team at Brandon J. Broderick know what to do. We have extensive trial experience and know what it takes to succeed.
Connecticut Car Insurance Minimums
All drivers in Connecticut are required to obtain auto insurance or to demonstrate that their coverage can satisfy the state's "financial responsibility" criteria. In Connecticut, you must carry, at the very least, the following amounts of automobile insurance:
- $25,000 for injuries per person
- $50,000 for injuries per accident if multiple people are wounded
- $25,000 for property damage per accident
- $25,000 in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per person
- $50,000 in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per accident
Our Legal Team Can Help You With Your Connecticut Car Accident Case
If the unexpected happens and you suffer injury in a car accident, you do not have to go through it alone. Our team of car accident lawyers in Connecticut can assist you in making sense of what happened and decide what steps to take.
You may be confused at times like this, but don't worry. At Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, we are committed to assisting and helping our clients protect their rights and seeking compensation for all damages you are entitled to, especially when it occured because of another party's negligence.
Call us for an obligation-free consultation and we can help you figure out where to go from here.
Brandon J. Broderick services the entire Tri-State area, including New York and New Jersey. We have offices throughout Connecticut, including Bridgeport, Hartford, New Haven, Norwalk and Stamford.