Waterbury Car Accident Lawyer

A car accident can be a very difficult and traumatizing experience. At The Law Offices of James A. Welcome, Attorney Welcome is well-experienced in car accident litigation, having worked on many of these types of cases. In fact, Connecticut residents have trusted our firm with their cases for over 17 years.

Regardless of whether the accident was a minor collision or a catastrophic vehicle wreck, your Waterbury car accident lawyer is here to help and provide you with answers and guidance. Reach out to your Waterbury personal injury lawyer for a free initial consultation with our car accident team. 

Convenient locations in Norwalk, Danbury, and Waterbury! Services are also available in Spanish. Contact us today. 

Why You Need to Hire a Waterbury Car Accident Law Firm

A car accident insurance company does not want to maximize your financial recovery. It wants to minimize your settlement to protect its own profitability.

When you hire a Waterbury car accident law firm, you benefit from trained and experienced professionals handling negotiations with an insurance claims adjuster on your behalf.

Aside from maximizing the financial outcome of your car accident case, we can also address your personal needs. Your Waterbury car accident attorney can connect you to top doctors in Waterbury and take care of the entire legal process while you focus on recovery.

You do not have to deal with complex or expensive litigation alone. We will help you and your family get what you need in the aftermath of a car accident.

What to Do After a Car Accident in Waterbury

Knowing what to do after a car accident can set you up for success if you decide to file an injury claim later on. Remember to do these things if you have been in a car accident:

  • Remain at the scene: Stay close to where the accident happened and try to make sure the other parties involved stay as well.
  • Get to safety: If you are on a dangerous part of the road and are not too severely injured, try to move to the side and make sure everyone involved is as safe as possible from other traffic.
  • Call the police: It can be helpful to have an official police report on hand for your insurance company and can be critical evidence if you have to go to court.
  • Give accurate information: Do not speculate on what happened. Tell the officer what you know. If asked about injuries, say you are not sure. Some injuries take time to surface.
  • Take pictures: Take pictures of the vehicles, the road conditions, any present injuries, other people’s driver’s licenses, and any other important information.
  • Get others’ information: Make sure to get the insurance information as well as the name, address, and telephone number of those involved, as well as any potential witnesses.
  • Report the accident: Notify your insurance company of the accident and discuss whether you have coverage for your medical bills. If so, you can submit your medical bills to your provider.
  • Get medical attention: Even if you feel fine immediately after the accident, go to urgent care or visit your primary care physician to make sure that everything is fine. If an injury surfaces later, sometimes it can be difficult to prove that the car accident was the direct cause.
  • Keep a file: Keep everything related to the accident all together in an easy-access location so you can have it ready to bring to our office, or to reference when dealing with insurance.

If you were injured due to the negligence of another driver, winning an accident claim can help you recover compensation for your medical bills, missed wages, and more.

Call your car accident lawyer in Waterbury for a free consultation. We have offices in Waterbury, Danbury, and Norfolk, and have a multilingual staff.

Connecticut is a Fault Insurance State

Connecticut is a fault insurance state under Connecticut General Statutes § 38a-334 et seq. This means that after a vehicle collision, you will file a claim with the auto insurance company of the driver or person who caused the crash. 

If you are not sure what caused your accident, work with a representative to investigate the collision. We can help you determine fault and prove liability using evidence such as a police accident report, eyewitness statements, and photographs and videos.

Every driver in Connecticut must carry a minimum of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability insurance, plus $25,000 in property damage liability coverage.

Liability insurance pays for another person’s medical expenses and property repairs after an avoidable car accident. In a no-fault state, on the other hand, all drivers must carry personal injury protection insurance to pay for their own losses.

Connecticut’s Modified Comparative Negligence Law

Connecticut is also a modified comparative negligence state, per Connecticut General Statutes § 52-572h. This type of fault law means that even if you contributed to your car accident in Waterbury, you could be eligible for partial financial compensation. According to state law, as long as a plaintiff is less than 50 % responsible for an accident, they can recover financial compensation. 

The courts will reduce the plaintiff’s financial recovery by his or her percentage of fault. For example, if the courts find you 20 % at fault for a car accident and award you $50,000 in damages, your final recovery would be $40,000 ($50,000-[.20 x $50,000]). 

If you are found to be more than 50 % responsible for the accident, however, Connecticut’s modified comparative negligence rule bars you from financial recovery.

Do not assume you are ineligible for compensation if you contributed to a car accident. Speak to a car accident attorney in Waterbury from our firm for the legal advice you need when you need it most.

Proving Negligence After a Car Accident in Waterbury

To recover compensation after a crash, you must show that another driver’s actions caused your injuries. In Connecticut, this means proving four things: duty, breach, causation, and damages. You need to show that the other driver had a legal responsibility to drive safely, failed to do so, and caused your injuries as a result.

Strong evidence is key to making your case. This includes the police report, photos from the scene, video footage, and statements from witnesses.

Acting quickly after a crash helps preserve this evidence before it is lost or forgotten. An experienced legal advocate can collect and organize this information to present a clear, persuasive argument to the insurance company or the court.

Insurance companies may try to place more blame on you to lower what they owe. Our team pushes back by using the facts and evidence to protect your rights. We work to make sure your claim reflects what really happened and what you are truly owed.

You Should Not Give a Statement to the Other Insurance Company

The other party’s insurance company will not waste any time reaching out to you. It is crucial to avoid engaging in conversation with the insurance adjuster and not to provide anything beyond the basics. You can tell the insurance adjuster:

  • Where the accident occurred
  • When it occurred
  • What type of car you drive

Do NOT talk about your injuries, any medical treatment you are receiving, or how the accident happened. Insurance providers prioritize their bottom line and will use anything you say to reduce or deny your compensation. 

5 Common Causes of Collisions in Connecticut

Accidents can be caused by any number of factors, but some are far more common than others. We go over the five common causes of auto accidents.

Distracted Driving

When people think of distracted driving, they tend to think of cell phone use, but distracted driving covers a vast range of bad habits, including changing the radio station, speaking to a passenger, or daydreaming. Basically, anything that takes your attention away from driving is considered distracting.

Speed

Every day, drivers decide to push it over the speed limit because they are late for work, an event, or rushing to the scene of an emergency. Not being mindful of your speed may result in car accidents, leading to injuries from whiplash, catastrophic injuries, or even death.

Driving Under the Influence

DUI includes driving while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or even prescribed medication. Before taking a drive, be sure to check that your medications do not cause drowsiness.

If you are drinking and need to travel somewhere, call a friend or family member to take you. Other options are taxis or any driving service that you trust.

Poor Road Conditions

In some cases, the driver is not to blame at all. If the road was not well-lit or there was a pothole that caused you to lose control of your vehicle and get into an accident, you may be able to sue the state for compensation. Just speak with an experienced Waterbury car accident attorney before doing so!

Common Car Accident Injuries

A car accident can cause serious and life-threatening physical injuries. It may not be possible to fully recover from the injuries you sustain in an auto accident.

With your Waterbury amputation injury lawyer at The Law Offices of James A. Welcome, we can fight for fair compensation for any type of injury. Common injuries suffered in automobile accidents include:

  • Bone fractures
  • Skull fractures
  • Broken ribs
  • Whiplash
  • Muscle and soft-tissue injuries
  • Cuts and lacerations
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Concussions
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Internal injuries
  • Severe burns
  • Lost limbs or decapitation
  • Amputation injuries
  • Fatal injuries or wrongful death

You may have grounds for a claim with any type of crash injury. Serious injuries can cost your family thousands of dollars in past and future medical expenses. Even a minor injury can lead to expensive medical costs and lost wages.

Our Approach to Drunk Driving Cases

People who get behind the wheel after drinking alcohol are likely to get into a collision. Unfortunately, drunk driving continues to be one of the top causes of fatalities and injuries across not only Connecticut but throughout the entire nation.

When reckless drivers decide to ignore the law and drive a vehicle after consuming drugs or alcohol, they have just chosen to gamble with someone’s life.

If you or a loved one was injured by a drunk driver, we will do everything in our power to hold that person accountable and help you get compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

How Much Is Your Waterbury Car Accident Case Worth

It is important to understand the true and fair value of your car accident case. Otherwise, you may settle for less than you deserve during negotiations with an insurance provider.

The value of your case will depend on factors such as the extent of your injuries and how long your doctor expects you to be in recovery. You may be eligible for compensation for the following losses during your car accident case:

  • Medical bills (existing and future medical needs)
  • Lost earnings and employment benefits
  • Damage repair or vehicle replacement
  • Physical pain and emotional suffering
  • Mental anguish or loss of enjoyment of life
  • Loss of consortium
  • Out-of-pocket expenses
  • Wrongful death damages
  • Punitive damages

Your Waterbury catastrophic injury lawyer can help you create a comprehensive list of the losses you suffered in a car accident. That way, you do not miss any opportunities for financial recovery.

Then, we can represent you during negotiations with insurance claims adjusters or prepare for a trial, whichever option will garner the best results. We will advocate for your best interests every step of the way.

Contact a Distinguished Car Accident Attorney in Waterbury Today

For many years, The Law Offices of James A. Welcome has offered personalized and results-driven legal representation for injured individuals and families throughout the State of Connecticut.

Your car accident lawyer in Waterbury will take an exhaustive approach to your case and work towards the best possible outcome on your behalf.

Call our law office or fill out our online contact form to learn more about your options. Start a free consultation with a legal advocate today. Spanish and Portuguese services are offered.