A serious injury can turn your life upside-down, especially if you become disabled and lose your income. When another driver caused the accident, you may have legal recourse to cover medical bills, lost wages and other associated costs of your injury.
These are some of the reasons you may want to consider consulting an attorney if you or a family suffered a debilitating injury in a car accident.
Negotiate with the insurance provider
Often, the first step to recoup your costs after a car accident injury is a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. However, the insurance adjuster’s priority is to settle your case quickly at the lowest possible cost to the company. For this reason, he or she may offer a settlement that does not cover the full costs associated with the accident. In this case, your attorney will negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf, giving you the benefit of his or her industry knowledge and experience.
Gather evidence
The insurance adjuster may attempt to prove that their client did not cause the accident. An attorney can gather evidence to refute those claims and support your case, including photo and video of the accident scene as well as witness statements.
Pursue noneconomic losses
When you settle with the insurance company, the adjuster will not offer compensation for noneconomic losses, such as pain and suffering. You must file a lawsuit to recoup these costs in Connecticut. If you do so, an attorney can also help you seek punitive costs if applicable. Connecticut law allows the court to double or triple your injury damages when the other driver acted recklessly or deliberately.
You only have two years to file this type of lawsuit in Connecticut, so it is important to move quickly after a serious and disabling injury.
