Life in the modern world, especially in the United States, makes driving a car almost a necessity for most people. Outside large urban areas, private vehicles are the most efficient and sometimes only way to get from one place to another. Even those who live near Connecticut’s cities likely need a car to commute to work or get to other places they need to go.
Unfortunately, driving a car can also be one of the more dangerous activities people can engage in. Because there are large numbers of vehicles on the roads and many different kinds of people in many different states of mind, the chances of being involved in an accident with another driver at some point in one’s life are not minimal. Even the most careful drivers have no control over when they may meet a distracted, tired or inebriated motorist on the road.
As previously discussed in this blog, the aftermath of a car accident can be a confusing time. There may be the involvement of law enforcement, reports to be filed and the accident victim may not be at his or her best. Once the dust settles, it may be time to pursue legal compensation for any injury or other damage done.
Most civil lawsuits in Connecticut end in settlement agreements between the parties. But how does one know what to settle for? While every case will be different, and there are no hard and fast rules, there are some basics to keep in mind.
The amount of fault each party is likely to be seen as having is the first consideration, as well as how much and what kind of evidence there is for that assignment of blame. How much damage was incurred will also guide the process, both in funds needed for car repairs and medical bills, as well as estimates of pain and suffering incurred and time missed from work due to injury. Finally, the limits of coverage in an insurance policy may be taken into account.
As mentioned above, there is no way to know exactly how a car accident suit will be settled. Further, in some cases, it may be necessary to take a case to trial in order to protect one’s legal rights. Those injured in accidents may wish to consider consulting an experienced Connecticut personal injury attorney.
