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Any car accident can potentially result in life-changing injuries, and the parties involved could face a very long and difficult series of legal proceedings in the aftermath. If you have been injured in an accident someone else caused, you have the right to claim compensation for your damages, but this process may be more challenging than you expect. A New Haven car accident lawyer at Loughlin FitzGerald, P.C. can be an invaluable resource during your efforts to recover your losses.
Car accidents often come with tremendous personal and financial costs. Victims may suffer a wide range of injuries, in addition to unforeseen property damage and medical expenses. When a collision has been caused by the negligent actions of another driver, you may be eligible to claim damages. If that is the case, it is important to have an experienced and knowledgeable New Haven car accident attorney by your side.
It is important to have qualified legal support on your side. Our firm offers the following advantages:
Motor vehicle accidents are most commonly caused by:
Distractions come in three main forms: visual, cognitive and manual. Visual distractions take the driver’s eyes off the road. Cognitive distractions occur when a driver is not mentally focused on the task of driving. Manual distractions take the driver’s hands off the wheel. Texting while driving is one of the most particularly dangerous distractions, as it fits all three categories of distraction.
Thirty Americans die every day from drunk driving accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). One person’s preventable mistake can result in catastrophic injuries or wrongful death.
Drivers failing to obey Connecticut traffic laws, such as speeding, running red lights, and not stopping at posted stop signs, account for a significant portion of vehicle accidents.
Unfortunately, even the most attentive drivers can fall victim to defective car parts, such as exploding airbags, tires that blowout, or defectively designed SUVs that tend to roll over.
Poorly maintained or constructed roads, a lack of traffic signals, damaged traffic signs, etc., often leads to auto accidents. Cities, towns and other municipalities are required by state and federal laws to build, design and maintain safe roads.
Our firm represents clients in cases involving:
Each case requires a tailored legal strategy based on the facts and severity of injuries.
If you are injured in a car accident, you may be entitled to recover:
Connecticut is a fault-based state, so liability falls on the party responsible for causing the crash. Who may be held liable depends on the specific circumstance of the case:
Connecticut follows a modified comparative negligence rule when multiple parties share responsibility for an accident. Under C.G.S. § 52-572h, an injured person may recover damages as long as their percentage of negligence is not greater than the combined negligence of the parties they’re seeking compensation from.
If they’re over 51% at-fault, they cannot pursue damages. However, a driver’s compensation will be reduced according to their share of responsibility.
For example, if a driver suffers $100,000 in damages but is found 20% responsible because they were speeding when another motorist ran a red light, they can only recover $80,000 in damages. Even a small change in fault can determine what compensation, if any, you can recover. That’s why it’s important to work with an experienced New Haven car accident attorney to prevent the other parties from placing an unfair amount of blame on you.
| Year | Total Crashes | Total Vehicles Involved | Total People Involved | Fatal Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* | 2,203 | 4,328 | 5,342 | 4 |
| 2025* | 6,797 | 13,450 | 16,509 | 11 |
| 2024 | 6,619 | 13,002 | 16,533 | 14 |
| 2023 | 6,819 | 13,545 | 17,257 | 15 |
Disclaimer: Data for 2023 and 2024 reflects finalized reporting, while figures for 2025 and 2026 are preliminary estimates and may be revised as additional data becomes available. Source: Connecticut Crash Data Repository
New Haven’s Yale community and downtown nightlife create circumstances where drunk driving crashes often occur. When an intoxicated driver causes an accident, the driver may not be the only party responsible. Connecticut’s Dram Shop Act, C.G.S. § 30-102, may allow an injured person to pursue compensation from a bar, restaurant, or other alcohol seller that provided liquor to a patron who was already intoxicated.
A dram shop claim is separate from the claim against the drunk driver, giving victims another source of compensation. However, Connecticut imposes a strict deadline. The injured person must provide the alcohol seller with written notice of the intention to bring a claim within 120 days after the injury. The notice must contain specific information about the alcohol sale, injured person, and accident. Missing this requirement may prevent recovery from the seller.
After you are involved in a car accident, there are several things that should be immediately done:
Any statements made to insurance companies’ adjusters should only be given after receiving legal advice regarding your claim from your New Haven car accident attorney.
A phrase you may hear during your New Haven car accident case is the statute of limitations. This refers to a law in Connecticut that sets a time limit on bringing a cause of action. According to Connecticut’s statute of limitations, an injured victim must bring a claim within at least two years of the date of the motor vehicle accident. In general, trying to file a claim outside of this deadline will result in the courts barring you from recovery.
Connecticut’s two-year injury deadline applies to both injury and property-damage-only claims. If you lost someone you loved in a car accident in New Haven, however, you will have two years from his or her date of death to file rather than the date of the car accident to file for wrongful death. In a case against the government for a roadway defect, you will have less than two years to file. State law says you must file your Notice of Intent to Sue letter with the government agency within just 90 days of your collision.
Discuss your exact statute of limitations, as well as any possible exceptions that may apply to your case, with a car accident attorney today. Talking to a lawyer right away can help you remain within Connecticut’s statute of limitations. It can also help you build a stronger claim to damages by giving you access to key information and evidence that may disappear if you wait too long. Call our car accident attorneys at (203) 902-4504 as soon as possible about a case to make sure you meet your time limit in New Haven.
While Connecticut’s car accident laws generally give accident victims two years from the injury date to file a claim, there are exceptions to be aware of. Under Connecticut General Statutes § 13a-149, someone injured because of a defective road, bridge, or sidewalk must provide the city with written notice within 90 days.
This rule may apply when a crash results from a pothole, uncovered manhole, or dangerous road defect. The notice must describe the injury, its cause, and when and where it occurred.
The deadline for a crash involving a New Haven employee or municipal vehicle is different. Under C.G.S. § 7-465, a claim brought jointly against the employee and city requires written notice to the municipal clerk within six months, not 90 days. The claim must be commenced within two years. Because missing the notice deadline can prevent recovery, victims should
If you’ve been involved in a car accident in New Haven, having an experienced lawyer on your side can make a significant difference in your recovery. From handling insurance companies to representing you in court, a skilled attorney works to protect your rights and seek fair compensation. Here’s how they can help:
It is possible to prove fault for a car accident in New Haven, Connecticut, by leveraging various forms of evidence. Photos of the scene of the crash, the police report from the accident, the other driver’s cell phone records, and vehicle computer data could all be invaluable to your case. Additionally, if anyone saw the accident happen, their witness testimony could also be invaluable to your recovery efforts.
If you are found partially responsible for your recent accident, the state’s modified comparative negligence rule comes into play. As long as you are found less at fault than the defendant, you can still claim compensation for your damages. However, your fault percentage will be subtracted from your case award to reflect your shared liability. Your attorney can advise you as to whether this could be a concern for your case.
The value of your car accident claim in New Haven will depend on the overall severity of your damages. If you can prove another party is entirely responsible for causing the accident, they are liable for any and all damages they caused. Your recovery may include compensation for your vehicle repair costs, medical bills, lost income, and the pain and suffering you experienced. Your attorney can help you pursue full compensation for your claim.
You need a lawyer to file an auto insurance claim in New Haven if you wish to enter this process with the greatest chance of resolving your claim quickly and receiving a fair settlement offer from the insurance carrier. Most insurance companies will push back against claims in whatever way they can, and some will attempt to take advantage of injured claimants. Having legal counsel can help make sure you are treated fairly and can resolve your claim quickly.
You usually don’t pay anything upfront when you hire a car accident lawyer. Instead, they work on a contingency basis, taking a percentage of your settlement or award, typically between 30% and 40%. If your case goes to trial, this percentage may rise to around 40% to 50%. Additional expenses, like court fees or expert witness costs, might be separate, but many lawyers cover these upfront and deduct them only if you recover compensation.
You can count on Loughlin FitzGerald, P.C. if you have been in a car accident and require legal advice or representation. You can lean on our experienced legal team during your case. We can help you navigate the complexities of your legal claim. Direct any questions or concerns that you have toward our team. We can be the valuable resource you need during this time.
Every New Haven car accident lawyer on our team is highly qualified and can help you get the justice and compensation you deserve. Call (203) 902-4504 or reach us online.
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