Connecticut Car Accident
Vehicle Collision and Accident Attorneys in Connecticut
It’s not surprising to learn that most car accidents can be prevented. Whether they be head-on collisions or side-impact wrecks, crashes often occur due to distractions, speeding or texting while driving. Each of these are actions that can be easily avoided by drivers.
If you or someone you know has recently been involved in a car wreck, we want to offer you our sincere condolences. We understand how difficult this time can be, regardless if the injury was minor or life changing.
The Flood Law Firm is dedicated to helping all car accident survivors understand what to do following a wreck. It doesn’t matter if you’ve experienced a small fender bender or more severe collision; these tips can prove beneficial to anyone.
Contact The Flood Law Firm – Free, No Obligation Consultation
If you feel you need immediate professional legal assistance, The Flood Law Firm is available to help you today. Simply call (860) 346-2695 for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation.
We are a knowledgeable team, with decades of experience handling cases just like yours for people just like you. Though we recognize that a monetary settlement won’t be able to undo the pain and suffering you’ve endured, it can be used to help offset medical bills, missed wages, property damage and physical rehabilitation.
Let us help you.
“Everything was easy and they answered all of my questions, handled all of the paperwork, and everyone from the receptionist to Brian was great.” – Elizabeth S.
Tips to Improve Your Accident Case
Immediately following a car accident, you will probably feel a lot of emotions: fright, anger, confusion, even relief. Remember that your personal safety as well as the safety of all other passengers involved is the single most important outcome to consider.
Once all have been accounted for, consider how these three tips can help improve your car accident case:
1. Document and Take Pictures
You’ve heard the phrase, “A picture is worth 1,000 words,” and it is especially true concerning car accidents. Images can significantly help your claim, from proving fault to capturing any injuries sustained during the accident. If you are able and coherent, document all aspects of the crash: the vehicles involved, street signs, roads and injuries. Monitor how all injuries progress, as it may take a day or two for some ailments to become prominent.
2. Be Mindful of Social Media
It’s true: Anything posted to social media can potentially be used against you and your case. Insurance companies have well-paid legal teams to comb through social media accounts, looking for evidence to prove doubt regarding your claim. Though you don’t have to avoid social media completely, be mindful of what you are sharing with the public.
3. Seek Medical Attention
The only way to determine the extent of your injuries is to meet with a medical professional. Whether you choose to visit the ER or make a visit to your family physician, it’s necessary to see a doctor. Remember, it may take time for you to notice any indication of an injury, but a medical professional may discover one.
Mistakes that Will Hurt Your Claim
As stated above, most car accidents can be prevented.
Though distracted driving remains a growing problem in the U.S. especially when one out of every four car accidents in the United States is caused from texting while driving – it is not the only mistake that can hurt a claim:
1. Driving Under the Influence
Driving while under the influence impairs a driver’s reaction time, and is a common cause of the crashes that endanger people every single day. A study from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) revealed that each day, people drive drunk more than 300,000 times though only about 3,200 are arrested.
The Flood Law Firm holds zero tolerance for drunk drivers. No one should have to suffer because of another’s lack of responsibility.
2. Speeding
Speeding is common on the road, and can cause crashes that severely injure or even kill others. When a driver is traveling at a high speed, it becomes more difficult to stop or react in enough time to avoid a collision.
If you’ve been in a wreck after speeding, it could make your claim more difficult to prove. Be safe and always follow the speed limit: it could save your life.
3. Running Stop Signs & Red Lights
Running a stop sign or red light is extremely reckless, and is often the cause of a side-impact wreck. These actions are preventable, and show blatant disregard for the safety of others on the road. If you’ve been hit by someone who ran a stop sign or red light, you deserve full compensation for all damages and pain you’ve had to endure. Always stop for red lights and stop signs.
4. Tailgating
Tailgating imposes an unnecessary risk from drivers who are usually reckless and impatient – a potentially deadly combination. Not only does it make driving uncomfortable and tense, it also decreases reaction time to brake or stop. This is an aggressive driving behavior that could hurt your claim.
Steps to Take after a Car Accident
Again, following a car accident, your safety and the safety of all passengers, is what matters the most. Once everyone is checked and determined to be safe, the following steps should be taken:
Leave all cars in place – Moving the cars involved in the crash can compromise the police’s ability to determine fault.
Call the police – A police report documenting the details of the scene may help when filing a claim with your insurance company. Provide information as asked but do not admit to any fault when speaking to the police, other responders or other parties involved in the wreck.
Record everything – If you have a cell phone or camera with you, take pictures and/or videos. Be sure to capture all vehicles involved, and any injuries sustained.
Exchange contact information – Make sure to exchange information with the other driver involved in the accident. Info to exchange includes names, addresses, phone numbers, driver’s license numbers and insurance information. Take down the information of anyone who witnessed the accident, too, as their testimony could help to strengthen your claim.
Inform your insurance company of the accident – Following the wreck, call your insurance company as soon as possible. However, do not provide any written or recorded statements (especially to the other driver’s insurance company) about the crash until you consult with a car accident lawyer.
Contact an attorney – Speaking with an experienced car accident lawyer will help you understand how to move forward and what additional steps should be taken.
If You Were Injured in a Car Accident
If you are injured in a car accident, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately.
The physical, mental and emotional toll these injuries can take on you and your family can seem overwhelming, not to mention having to navigate through medical bills, insurance forms or police reports.
You do not have to deal with these matters alone.
Injuries from a car collision are often serious or life-threatening, and can require weeks, months or years of recovery time. Unfortunately, some people may never recover at all. The list of injuries that negligent drivers inflict on innocent people includes:
- Back and Spinal Cord Injuries
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Cuts and Lacerations
- Broken Bones
- Knee Damage
- Neck Pain
- Whiplash
- Paralysis
- Death
Common Types of Wrecks
The type of accident will often determine the injury that transpires. Car crashes can range in severity, such as:
Hit and Run Accidents
Side Impact and T-Bone Car Accidents
Uninsured Motorist Accident
Rear-end Collisions
Rollover Crashes
Connecticut Car Accidents
In 2015 alone, there were a total of 266 motor-vehicle related deaths from 253 fatal crashes in Connecticut. These numbers along with other Connecticut accident statistics are a reminder of how dangerous the road can be, and how important it is to always practice safe driving habits.
Tailgating, along with drivers failing to grant the right of way to another vehicle are two top causes of car wrecks in Connecticut. Other common causes for collisions include speeding, improper lane changes and the added challenge of Connecticut seasonal weather.
Why You Need an Advocate
If you’ve suffered due to a car accident that wasn’t your fault, you deserve compensation to help assist you with medical expenses, lost wages and your pain and suffering. Only an attorney can help ensure that you not only file the proper claims, but that you do so accurately and in a timely manner.
Connecticut Law gives you the right to:
- Get back what was taken from you
- File a claim or car accident lawsuit against negligent drivers
- Hire a competent auto accident lawyer to litigate your case to seek the best possible settlement
- Take your case to trial if necessary
Speak To An Experienced Attorney
If you or someone you know has been involved in a car accident, contact The Flood Law for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation. With decades of combined legal experience involving accidents and collisions, we have the skills and knowledge to be your best advocates.
You’ve been through enough – let us help you get your life back on track.
We serve the entire state of Connecticut with offices conveniently nearby.
The Checklist will help ensure that:
- You record necessary information about the other drivers and vehicles involved.
- You properly assess the damage to your vehicle
- You document potential evidence at the scene
- You are aware of your legal rights
