Old Lyme Car Accident Lawyer
Old Lyme Car Accident Attorney
When you are in a car accident, you have to do what you can to protect yourself, your peace, and your future. Surviving a car accident can bring with it feelings of anger, confusion, and fear. You may have a significant road to recovery ahead of you, complete with physical and psychological therapy. You shouldn’t also have to worry about your case. You may want to reach out to an Old Lyme car accident lawyer for compassionate, experienced legal guidance for your situation.
You can find help with your case at Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-at-Law. It can be hard to put a case together on your own, particularly if you are unaware of how the claims process in Connecticut works. Having someone on your side who can provide you with details of how the state’s car accident laws can affect your case can be beneficial in many ways. An experienced Old Lyme car accident attorney at our firm can assist you with building your car accident claim.
The Car Accident Claims Process in Connecticut
Car accidents are no laughing matter. They can cause life-altering injuries, rampant property damage, and result in you or a loved one needing ongoing medical care for the foreseeable future. According to data from the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT), nearly 300 people were killed in car accidents in the state in 2021 alone.
When you decide to pursue compensation for damages in a car accident, you should be prepared for the car accident claims process in Connecticut. Your lawyer can help you understand how the process works for your specific case. With a skilled lawyer taking control of your case, you can focus your energies on your recovery. Here are some of the main steps in the accident claims process that you should expect in your case:
- The process begins with hiring a car accident lawyer to represent you and protect your interests. Being in an accident can be overwhelming, and having a lawyer on your side can prevent you from making costly mistakes or missing important filing deadlines.
- Once you file a claim, there is an investigation into the details of the crash itself. Generally, the victim makes a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. It may be determined that both drivers contributed partially to the accident, but under the state’s modified comparative negligence system, you may still be able to get compensation, depending on the specifics of your case.
- When the insurance company concludes its investigation and the person at fault is officially determined, your lawyer can represent you through negotiations to reach a favorable settlement. You can seek damages for your medical expenses, property damages, lost wages, and even pain and suffering. You are under no obligation to accept a settlement offer that you feel doesn’t reflect what you’ve been through.
- If you are unable to reach a settlement with the at-fault driver’s legal team, your case is decided in civil court. You can choose to go to court if the insurance company disputes your claim, delays the progress of your case, or wrongfully denies your claim entirely. Your claim has to be within the state’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims, which is two years. Your lawyer can build a legal case to convince a jury to award you damages.
Handling Yourself After an Accident
Your accident may have been caused by anything, including a drunk driver or even a distracted driver. Nationwide, distractions caused almost 3,300 people to lose their lives in car accidents, according to data from the NHTSA, while DUIs killed 113 people in Connecticut in 2023, according to data from CTDOT. As you deal with the aftermath, certain steps can protect your claim, such as:
- The very first thing you need to do is contact the authorities. Call 911 immediately. If you’re physically unable to do so, try to have someone nearby call 911 on your behalf. You want law enforcement and EMTs to get to the scene quickly. When the EMTs arrive, let them do what they need to do and check survivors. Don’t admit fault to law enforcement, as that can hurt your accident claim.
- While waiting for the authorities, take a few moments to calm yourself down and check your body for any possible injuries. Then, do the same for any passengers who were in your car. If you do find any injuries, tell the EMTs, especially if you are feeling pain but can’t find an injury.
- If you’re injured in a car accident in Old Lyme, the EMTs are likely to take you to the nearest emergency room, which is often Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in New London. However, if you need specific trauma care, you may end up at Yale New Haven Hospital instead.
- Remain at the accident scene until the police clear you to leave. Trying to flee the scene of an accident can result in legal penalties you definitely don’t want to deal with on top of everything else.
- Document the accident scene thoroughly. Take photos of the scene, your injuries, all the damage, and the road conditions, as well as anything that could be relevant to your claim. Exchange insurance and contact info with the other driver. Call your insurance carrier to report your accident.
Why Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
The skilled legal team at Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-at-Law has been recognized many times for prioritizing clients, giving back to the community, and doing whatever we can to ensure a smooth outcome for our clients. For nearly 100 years, our skilled legal team has brought determination and focus to our clients’ cases.
Our trusted attorneys understand what you need to get compensated after a car accident. We can gather evidence, build your case, talk to the insurance companies on your behalf, and fight for you when you need help the most. Reach out to our office today to speak with a valued member of our team about your case and learn more about your legal options and how we can help.
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