What happens after a car accident that is your fault? If you are at fault for a car accident, you can be held legally and financially responsible for the incident, and you or your insurer may have to cover the losses of those harmed.
Talk with a car accident lawyer in Waterbury, and they can help prove that someone else should cover your losses from the incident.
There’s a Typical Process That Follows a Car Accident That’s Your Fault
In the moments after a car accident happens and you’re at fault, you should call 911, as this will bring the police and medical professionals to the scene. The police can gather information from you and other parties involved in the incident. Meanwhile, medical personnel can evaluate and treat any accident injuries.
You should exchange contact and insurance information with other drivers involved in your accident. Even if you believe that you have enough auto insurance coverage for your accident losses, it’s still possible that someone else is partly or primarily liable for them. If this is the case, the at-fault party or their insurer can cover some or most of these losses.
If you want legal help from a personal injury lawyer in Waterbury after your auto accident, reach out to the Law Offices of James A. Welcome. Our team has over 40 years of combined experience and can use what we know to help you with an auto insurance claim. To find out more, schedule a free consultation.
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You Will Have to Pay Damages If You’re at Fault for a Car Accident
What can happen after an auto accident that’s your fault is that you will have to pay damages to anyone who suffered losses during the incident. The damages that people seek after a Connecticut car crash can include:
- Pain and suffering
- Medical bills
- Loss of income
- Diminished earning capacity
- Car repair costs
Of course, if someone else is partially at fault for your accident, you could recover damages from them. To do so, you can file a personal injury lawsuit. Per Connecticut General Statutes § 52-584, you generally have two years to file a lawsuit based on injuries from a car accident. A personal injury attorney can help you sue for damages in alignment with Connecticut law.
Report the Auto Accident to the Authorities
What happens after an auto collision that is your fault can depend on whether anyone involved in the incident was injured or killed or if there was property damage that exceeds $1,000. In Connecticut, if any of these things happened in your auto accident, you are legally required to report the incident to the police.
You can report an auto accident by contacting your local police department or the Connecticut State Police. Once you inform the police, a report detailing your accident will be put together, and you can use this as part of an insurance claim.
Ultimately, you do not need a police report to file an insurance claim in Connecticut. However, the report generally highlights how multiple parties may have shared the blame for your accident. If this happens, you may not be held liable for other parties’ losses. Along with this, your report can be used as evidence in a claim or lawsuit against any of these parties.
You Can Dispute Liability for a Car Accident in Which Someone Else Claims That You’re at Fault
After an auto accident that is your fault, your percentage of fault matters significantly. If multiple people share fault, liability disputes can arise. In these situations, it helps to partner with an auto accident lawyer. This allows you to receive legal guidance and support as you try to prove that another party is liable for the accident.
Your lawyer can help you gather photos and videos of your car accident to help your case. These can be used with witness statements, police reports, and other evidence to help disprove claims made against you. On top of that, they can discuss your case on your behalf. This can help minimize the risk that you’ll say anything that indicates that you’re partially or primarily at fault.
Hiring a lawyer after a minor car accident or a major collision can make a difference in your auto crash claim or lawsuit. Your attorney can help you prove that another party should be held accountable for your accident and your losses from the incident. Plus, they can help you recover economic and non-economic damages that serve you well now and in the future.
Settlement Negotiations or a Trial May Follow a Car Accident That Is Your Fault
One of the things that can happen after a car accident in which you’re at fault is that settlement negotiations can get underway between other parties involved in the incident and your insurance company. Depending on your insurance coverage, your insurer may provide sufficient compensation for all of these parties’ accident losses.
If someone sues for an auto accident, your lawyer can handle settlement negotiations. They can keep you updated about these negotiations. If no agreement is reached, your lawyer can represent you in a trial.
Those who are not primarily at fault for a car accident can benefit from filing a claim or lawsuit against any liable parties. A car accident attorney can help you get an insurance settlement or argue your case in front of a judge or jury. In either of these scenarios, you may get damages for your tangible and intangible losses from other parties responsible for your accident.
Get Car Accident Lawyers on Your Side
The team at the Law Offices of James A. Welcome knows what can occur after a car accident that is your fault. If someone else is partly to blame for your auto accident, we may be able to help you get damages from them through an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit.
To learn more, request a free case consultation.
