Car accidents can be stressful, chaotic, and overwhelming, but you can find relief knowing you aren’t at fault. But what happens when the other driver denies fault, even though you know they were responsible for the accident?
You don’t need to accept the other driver’s word and move on. With the help of a Connecticut car accident attorney, you can take several steps to prove their negligence and secure compensation for your injuries and physical damage.
Follow these steps when the at-fault driver in a Connecticut car accident denies fault.
Reach Out to Your Insurance Company
Your car insurance company doesn’t want to pay for any accidents it doesn’t have to. If the other driver denies fault, but you know they were responsible for the accident, your first step should be to contact your insurance company and explain the situation.
Your insurer will conduct an investigation into the accident to determine who was at fault. They’ll likely request the police report, ask for photos and videos of the accident, and speak to the other driver directly.
If the other driver was at least partially responsible for the accident, your insurer will ensure this comes to light.
Hire an Attorney
Maybe your insurance company isn’t helpful, or the other driver’s insurer is denying their client is at fault. Your next step is to consult an attorney for guidance and representation.
Your Connecticut car accident attorney will invite you to share the details of the accident and any reasoning you have that the other driver was at fault. They will then help you determine whether you have a solid case against the other driver.
If you do, the attorney will work with you to gather evidence and hold the other driver accountable for the accident.
Collect Evidence Supporting Your Claim
Your attorney will help you understand what types of evidence would be helpful in your car accident claim. The more evidence you have, the less doubt the insurance company will have of the other driver’s negligence.
Compelling evidence may include:
- Dashcam footage of the accident
- Testimonies from other drivers or pedestrians who witnessed the accident
- Photos of the damage to your vehicle
- Data from accident reconstructionists
Through Connecticut’s comparative fault system, you can seek compensation for the accident as long as you are not more than 50% responsible. If the other driver refuses to accept any blame for the accident, your attorney can at least help you pin a percentage of the blame on them.
File a Personal Injury Claim, If Necessary
If the other driver’s insurance company continues to deny your claim or maintains that their client wasn’t at fault, you may need to take legal action to secure compensation. Filing a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver or their insurance company may enable you to seek economic and non-economic damages to make up for the stress and expense the accident has placed on you.
The insurance company might offer you a settlement to prevent the case from proceeding to trial. Your attorney can guide you throughout the lawsuit and settlement process and ensure you don’t accept an offer that doesn’t cover all your expenses.
Contact the Law Offices of James A. Welcome
Don’t risk your insurance payout on a driver who refuses to comply. The attorneys at the Law Offices of James A. Welcome can help you hold the at-fault driver accountable, ensure you stay within the statute of limitations, and guide you through every step of the legal process.
Call 475-241-0824 today for a free consultation with a Connecticut car accident attorney.