Stonington Car Accident Lawyer

Stonington Car Accident Attorney

If you are ever in a serious car accident or even a minor fender bender, you may want to do whatever it takes to hold the other driver accountable for causing your accident and pursue damages. Car accidents can be frustrating, complicated, and even life-changing in more extreme cases. Under the law, you may be entitled to be compensated for your injuries and property damage. To help your case, you should contact a Stonington car accident lawyer promptly.

At Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-at-Law, we can build a strong legal case based on your evidence. Filing a car accident claim may be difficult for you to do alone, especially if you’ve never done it before. An experienced Stonington car accident attorney can walk you through the filing process and make sure your interests are protected. If you’re hit along Route 1 or I-95, having the help of someone who understands Connecticut’s car accident laws can be advantageous in the long run.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Connecticut

A car accident can happen for any reason at any time and can often result in serious injuries. Sometimes, all it takes is some bad weather or something on the road. Other times, you may be the victim of someone else’s negligent actions. In those cases, you may want to consider filing for damages. The most common causes of car accidents in Connecticut include:

• Distractions. Distracted driving remains the leading cause of car accidents in the entire country. According to statistics from the NHTSA, distracted driving led to 3,275 car accident deaths nationwide in 2023 alone. Any actions that make you lose focus on the road in front of you can be seen as a distraction, particularly texting, talking on the phone, and eating or drinking.
• DUIs. Alcohol has caused a considerable number of terrible car accidents all around the world. In Connecticut, 113 people were killed in DUI-related car accidents in 2023 alone, according to data from CTDOT. Being hit by a drunk driver can make the whole situation even more infuriating and can also add another layer to holding the negligent driver accountable for their actions.
• Reckless driving. Reckless behavior behind the wheel can often lead to serious accidents. Speeding is considered a common form of reckless driving. In 2021, according to CTDOT, nearly 120 people lost their lives in car accidents directly caused by speeding. When drivers ignore posted speed limit signs, merge without using their turn signal, or engage in other reckless actions, people can get hurt or even killed.
• Manufacturing defects. Sometimes, a car accident isn’t the fault of either driver. It may be the fault of the car manufacturer. If a car is built incorrectly or is missing even the smallest essential part, it can lead to a much bigger and more problematic situation. Your case may end up being against the company that manufactured the car or even the person who designed it if the problem is not unique to your specific vehicle.

The Aftermath of a Car Accident

Choosing to engage in constructive actions during the aftermath of a car accident can result in a much more favorable outcome when the time comes to file your claim. Here are some actions you may want to take at that time to confirm your claim’s eventual success:

• Take a few minutes to calm yourself. Your words and actions in the moments after the accident can be reflected in your claim and in the accident report, and this can have a significant impact on the difficulty and eventual outcome of your case.
• Call 911 as soon as you can to get law enforcement and EMTs to the scene. Let the EMTs check you and don’t get in their way. When speaking to law enforcement officers, don’t accept any responsibility for the accident. Don’t even apologize, as that can be seen as admitting fault. Don’t lie in your statement, but don’t speculate either.
• Take a moment to look for any injuries you may have sustained, then do the same for any passengers who may be in your car. Keep an eye out for any blood, protrusions, broken bones, or possible concussions. Report any pain that you have to the EMTs, especially if you can’t find an injury but are still hurting. That could be a sign of internal damage.
• In Stonington, if you’re injured in an accident, you are likely to be taken to the nearest emergency room, which is generally Westerly Hospital just across the state line or Pequot Health Center in nearby Groton. For non-life-threatening conditions, you can potentially visit urgent care at L&M Medical Group or North Stonington Med Walk-In within Stonington.
• Whatever you do, do not attempt to flee the scene. That can generally make the situation much worse for you and severely damage your chances of getting compensation. Remain at the scene and wait for the law enforcement officials to tell you what to do next.
• Once officials clear it, you should start documenting the accident scene extensively. Take pictures of your injuries, the damage done to each car involved, and the conditions of the road, such as skid marks or weather-related circumstances. Don’t forget to interact with any potential witnesses who might be willing to provide a statement.
• Get the contact and insurance information from the other driver, including their name, phone number, and vehicle details. Share the same info with them. Later, contact your own insurance carrier to let them know you were in an accident. Don’t admit fault to them either.
• Finally, you should reach out to an experienced car accident lawyer and start developing a case based on all the evidence you’ve collected thus far. Your lawyer can help you gather additional evidence or speak with the other driver’s insurance carrier and may advise you to see a doctor for additional medical documentation of your injuries.

Hire a Car Accident Lawyer Today

At Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-at-Law, we have nearly a century of experience helping our clients with their personal injury cases, among other areas of the law. The smartest move you can make at this time is to hire a car accident lawyer. Contact us to speak to someone about everything we can do for your case.

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