A Bristol car accident can be a life-altering event, especially if someone else is at fault. In seconds your physical and emotional health can change. The aftermath of a car accident can also cause long-term financial hardships. The last thing you want to do is fight with an insurance company over every nickel and dime for the compensation you deserve.
The experienced car accident attorneys at Jainchill & Beckert, LLC, have over 50 years of combined legal experience demanding maximum compensation for car accident victims and defending the rights of individuals injured in collisions caused by careless motorists.
Contact us today to arrange a free consultation and to learn more about your legal options from a Bristol car accident lawyer.
What Should I Do if I Am in a Car Accident in Bristol, CT?
In the immediate aftermath of a Bristol car accident, most people know they must stop, call the authorities, and exchange information with the other driver. However, the action you take in the days and weeks following an accident also matters.
Protect yourself and strengthen your car accident claim for compensation by taking these additional steps:
- Seek medical attention immediately if you don’t need emergency care at the accident scene.
- If you can, document the crash site by taking photos and getting contact information for any witnesses.
- Contact a car accident attorney.
- Keep all accident-related bills and receipts.
- Follow your doctor’s treatment plan.
- Avoid posting about the accident or your injuries on social media.
What Are the Top Causes of Car Accidents?
Auto accidents occur for numerous reasons, but the top cause is driver error.
Common causes of Bristol car accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Driving while impaired
- Fatigued driving
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Unsafe lane changes
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Aggressive driving
Inclement weather conditions and mechanical defects can also contribute to serious car accidents.
What are the Most Common Types of Car Accidents in Bristol?
Bristol drivers suffer injuries in all kinds of car accidents, including:
- Head-on collisions
- Sideswipe accidents
- Rear-end accidents
- T-bone or side-impact accidents
- Rollover crashes
- Single vehicle crashes
- Multi-vehicle accidents
- Pileup crashes
- Hit-and-run accidents
What Injuries Happen Due to Car Accidents?
The results can be devastating when thousand-pound vehicles collide. Car accidents can cause life-changing and fatal injuries to drivers and passengers.
Examples of injuries commonly seen in car accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Neck injury and whiplash
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal bleeding
- Soft tissue damage
- Organ damage
- Burns
- Cuts and lacerations
- Amputation
How Can a Bristol Car Accident Lawyer Help With My Claim?
Navigating a car accident claim without the help of an attorney could be challenging. Insurance companies are not eager to hand out settlement money. That means your first offer will almost always be too low. Allowing an attorney to manage your car accident claim means you have the time and energy to devote to your recovery without worrying about what comes next in the claims process.
An experienced Bristol car accident attorney can help you by:
- Investigating the cause of the accident
- Identifying all liable parties
- Managing communication between you and the insurer(s)
- Gathering evidence to support your claim
- Negotiating on your behalf for compensation
- Preparing a lawsuit when necessary
You need an advocate willing to fight for you. A Bristol car accident attorney with Jainchill & Beckert, LLC, can be that powerful advocate.
What is Involved to Prove the Other Driver Was at Fault for the Accident?
It’s not always clear who was at fault for a collision. In the end, establishing liability always comes down to evidence. However, gathering evidence when you’re suffering from an injury can be difficult — or even impossible, depending on the type of proof you need. Thankfully, a skilled car accident attorney has the knowledge and resources to collect vital evidence before it can be lost or destroyed.
Evidence that may strengthen your car accident claim can include:
- The police accident report
- Medical records
- Photographs of the scene
- Surveillance or dashcam videos
- Witness statements
- Expert testimony
What Damages Can I Receive for My Car Accident Claim?
The value of every car accident claim is different. Numerous factors can influence how much compensation you can recover following a Bristol car accident.
However, in most cases after a car crash, individuals can pursue money for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
An experienced car accident attorney can review all the unique factors involved in your claim and give you a better idea of what your situation may be worth.
What if the Other Driver Does Not Have Insurance?
Connecticut requires that all drivers carry car insurance. Unfortunately, statistics from the Insurance Information Institute show that as many as six percent of Connecticut drivers are uninsured. In most cases, when you are involved in an accident, you file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
However, if you are in an accident and the other driver has no insurance coverage, you can contact your insurance provider for help. Connecticut also requires motorists to carry uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM). Minimum uninsured motorist coverage covers up to $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
Should I Give the Insurance Company a Recorded Statement?
Providing an insurance provider with a recorded statement is seldom in your best interest. Insurance adjusters may use recorded statements to diminish or deny your claim if your statement contains inaccuracies or mistakes or if the insurance company finds discrepancies between your recorded statements and other statements.
Contact a Bristol car accident attorney for help and allow your lawyer to manage communication between you and the insurance company. Contact our Bristol car accident lawyer today.
Does Connecticut Have a Time Limit for Filing a Car Accident Case?
Sometimes the best way to recover the compensation you deserve is by filing a personal injury lawsuit. However, there is a time limit for filing a personal injury case. Connecticut gives injured parties two years from the date of an accident to file suit. Filing after the deadline can result in your case’s dismissal, leaving you without leverage or options for recovering the money you need.
Contact a Bristol Car Accident Lawyer
Have you been hurt in a car accident caused by a careless driver? You deserve aggressive legal representation. At Jainchill & Beckert, LLC, we want to help you recover the money you deserve. Contact our law firm today to arrange a free consultation with a car accident attorney in Bristol.
