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Car Accidents On Monday, February 22, 2021
Getting into a car accident in Connecticut can leave you with expensive hospital bills and vehicle damage, as well as other costs, such as a rental car and lost wages. If you did not cause the car accident, the other driver will owe you financial compensation to pay for your losses. The amount of your insurance settlement or jury verdict will depend on the unique factors of your case. You may need a car accident lawyer to help you obtain the maximum amount.
Connecticut is a fault state, meaning it uses a tort-based insurance system. With this system, the driver or party responsible for causing the car crash is financially responsible for paying for related damages. All drivers in Connecticut must carry at least the minimum amounts of car insurance to ensure the ability to pay for these losses. The minimum required auto insurance coverage in Connecticut is:
Do not admit fault after an auto accident in Connecticut. Instead, call the police and wait for an official investigation to determine fault. If the other driver was careless, such as by texting and driving or running a red light, and this caused your car accident, that driver is responsible for paying for your medical bills and vehicle repairs through his or her insurance company. This is called a third-party claim.
If you were at fault for the accident, or if the at-fault driver fled the scene or was uninsured, you may need to turn to your own auto insurance for coverage instead. This is called a first-party claim. Your own car insurance carrier may cover your bills if you have uninsured motorist coverage, medical payments coverage, collision coverage and/or comprehensive coverage.
Filing a third-party insurance claim should pay for 100% of your medical bills. The other driver’s bodily injury liability insurance should be enough for coverage. If there is not enough third-party insurance, you can make a claim for benefits for the remaining amount from your own insurance provider. If you do not have medical payment coverage, turn to your health insurance provider for coverage instead.
A third-party insurance claim should also pay to repair any damage to your vehicle or replace a totaled vehicle. You will have up to $25,000 available to pay for the full pre-crash value of your vehicle, as long as the at-fault driver has the required amount of insurance. Again, if the other driver does not have enough insurance, you could turn to your own collision or comprehensive insurance to pay any remaining costs.
Many auto insurance companies refuse to treat clients fairly and honestly. They try many different tactics to avoid providing full payouts to clients. If an auto insurance company does not offer a reasonable settlement, another way to get the compensation you deserve is to file an injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver.
A car accident lawsuit could force the other driver’s insurance company to pay a fair amount by awarding you a judgment. Having an experienced car accident attorney in Connecticut represent you during your trial can improve the chances of winning your case. Your lawyer can present evidence that proves the other driver’s fault, as well as evidence to support the amount of financial damages you are seeking.
A successful car accident lawsuit could result in compensation for your medical bills and property repairs, as well as lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional injuries, legal fees, and more. You may also be eligible for punitive damages if the other driver is guilty of gross negligence, such as driving under the influence. Discuss the value of your case in more detail with a car accident lawyer today.