Yes, Connecticut is an at-fault insurance state, meaning that liability insurers are financially responsible for compensating injured parties for medical expenses, property damage, and more when their policyholders cause auto accidents. Suppose you are hurt as a driver, passenger, cyclist, or pedestrian in a Connecticut traffic accident through no fault of your own. If this happens, you could receive monetary compensation for your accident-related injuries and losses by filing a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
However, just because you have the legal right to file an insurance claim against an at-fault driver does not mean you will automatically receive the compensation you deserve. Even if you are sure that the other person is at fault for your injuries, before you are paid, you will need to build a strong claim proving the at-fault policyholder’s responsibility for the accident, as well as negotiate a favorable settlement. This is where the help of an attorney comes in handy.
At Jainchill & Beckert, our personal injury lawyers are ready to fight for your rights and demand the compensation you are owed after a car accident. Our attorneys have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for injury victims just like you throughout Connecticut. Contact us today to learn more about what we can do for you in a free case review.
What Is the Difference Between At-Fault and No-Fault Insurance?
When it comes to auto liability insurance, each state has adopted one of the following two models: at-fault regimes and no-fault regimes. Most states, including Connecticut, employ the at-fault insurance model. This allows you to file an insurance claim against another driver’s auto liability policy if they cause an accident in which you are injured.
However, a minority of states employ a no-fault insurance model. In these states, you are expected to file your initial accident claim with your own insurance company after a wreck, no matter who caused the accident. You can only resort to an insurance claim or lawsuit against an at-fault driver if you meet certain criteria, such as a serious-injury threshold.
What Are the Minimum Levels of Auto Liability Insurance Required in Connecticut?
In addition to being legally mandatory in Connecticut, auto liability insurance is also essential because it acts as a financial shield when you are responsible for an accident that results in injury or property damage to others. Drivers in the state must carry the following minimum levels of auto liability coverage:
- $25,000 per person in bodily injury coverage
- $50,000 per accident in bodily injury coverage
- $25,000 per accident in property damage coverage
Is Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Insurance Required in Connecticut?
Yes, in addition to your auto liability insurance, Connecticut requires that drivers on its roads carry at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. As the name suggests, this type of insurance covers your medical expenses and other losses after an accident involving an at-fault driver who is uninsured or whose insurance is insufficient to fully cover your injuries and losses.
How Is Fault Determined in a Connecticut Auto Accident?
After an auto accident, police officers, insurance adjusters, attorneys, and courts will carefully go over the available evidence to determine who was at fault. Fault must be shown by a preponderance of the evidence, which simply means proving that the defendant was more likely than not responsible for the accident. All sorts of evidence may come into play in an auto accident case, including:
- Police accident reports
- Blood alcohol content (BAC) and toxicology test results
- GPS, cellphone, and traffic signal records
- Vehicle repair and maintenance records
- Photographs and videos of the crash scene and wreckage
- Video footage from nearby traffic and surveillance cameras
- Statements from reliable witnesses
- Testimony from experts, such as doctors, police officers, and accident reconstruction specialists
What If I Am Partially Responsible for the Accident?
If you are partially responsible for a car accident in Connecticut, don’t panic. You can still pursue compensation from other at-fault drivers so long as your contribution to the cause of the accident “was not greater than [their] combined negligence.”
Remember also that your damages will be lowered in proportion to the percentage of negligence attributable to you. Our knowledgeable car accident lawyers can protect you against exaggerated accusations of fault and work to ensure you receive maximum compensation for your crash injuries.
What Compensation Can I Recover Through an Auto Accident Lawsuit?
If you file an auto accident lawsuit and win, you may be awarded a wide range of monetary compensation. Among other things, you may be compensated for:
- Hospital bills and other medical expenses
- Incidental expenses, like medical travel costs
- Lost wages from missed time at work
- Projected loss in future earnings
- Subjective losses, such as pain, suffering, and lowered quality of life
Follow this link to explore results we have achieved on behalf of our clients.
How Long Do I Have to File an Accident Lawsuit in Connecticut?
If you are thinking about filing a lawsuit after a Connecticut car accident, you should know that you have just two years from the date of the accident to do so. If you try to sue after the two-year deadline passes, the presiding judge will most likely dismiss your case, eliminating your right to demand compensation in court.
Even if you don’t plan to sue, complying with the two-year deadline is critical because your ability to threaten a lawsuit acts as your main bargaining chip when negotiating a settlement with the at-fault party and their insurers. Bring your case to a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to ensure you do not miss your opportunity to secure compensation for your injuries and losses by missing the filing deadline.
Contact a Connecticut Car Accident Lawyer
If you were injured in a Connecticut auto accident at little to no fault of your own, do not wait to consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer. At Jainchill & Beckert, we are standing by to make sure you know your rights and help you evaluate your options. From negotiating a settlement with insurers eager to deny your claim to litigating your case in court, we are ready to help. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a skilled Connecticut attorney.
