Auto accidents can happen with little to no warning. Despite how surprised you may be about your accident, you may also be surprised about some of the laws surrounding these accidents. Knowing about the laws related to your accident can improve the outcome of your potential personal injury claim. Here are four surprising laws you should know about Connecticut car accidents:
Accident victims can file a claim even if they are partially at fault
Thanks to Connecticut’s modified comparative fault rule, you can file a personal injury claim as long as you are not mostly responsible for an accident. The law will look at each party’s percentage of liability and issue compensation judgments based on that liability. For example, if you are only 20% liable for your accident, you will receive a 20% reduction in any compensation or settlement you may receive.
You have a limited time to file a claim
While the consequences of a car accident can last a lifetime, the window you have to file a claim does not. Typically, there is only a two-year window to file a personal injury claim. While this may seem like a lot of time, it is still best to file as soon as possible, as you may need your money now, and some supporting evidence in your claim may not last very long, like witness testimony.
You may have to pursue compensation from your insurance as well
Connecticut’s insurance minimums are low ($25,000 per person bodily injury minimum), which means that victims may have to get compensation from their own insurer as well as the negligent drivers. When shopping for insurance, make sure your insurance can help you even if someone else was liable for your injuries.
Drivers who cause car accidents will not always face criminal charges
Most of the time, an accident is simply an accident. Unless the liable party was operating their vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol or some other form of gross misconduct, filing a personal injury claim may be the only consequence the responsible party sees for their actions.
Get the answers you need
If you were in a car accident, there might be a lot you do not know about filing a strong personal injury claim. You can get the answers you need from an experienced personal injury attorney. Their guidance can make the difference you need in the outcome of your personal injury claim.