New Haven Car Accident Lawyer

Our firm helps individuals in New Haven recover financial compensation for serious traumatic injuries sustained in car accidents and other vehicle collisions. If you are entitled to financial compensation, it is important that you hire a New Haven car accident lawyer to begin working on your claim promptly. We encourage you to schedule a free consultation with a dedicated personal injury attorney right away.

Who Is Liable for Your Injuries?

As an accident victim, determining who was at fault in the accident (and therefore liable for your injuries) is one of the first major steps in pursuing your claim. There are many different possibilities, including:

• The Driver Who Hit You – In most two-vehicle collisions, one driver will either be primarily or solely responsible for causing the crash. If the driver who hit you was at fault, he or she will be liable.
• The Driver Who Forced You off the Road – The same is true if another driver forced you off the road. Even if your vehicles did not collide, you could still have a claim for damages.
• Another Driver Who Caused the Crash – In some cases, a third vehicle will cause two vehicles to collide. This can be the case in a multi-vehicle accident or in a situation where one driver’s negligence leaves another driver with no place to go.

Keep in mind, in each of these cases, the process of securing just compensation will typically involve filing a claim under the at-fault driver’s auto insurance policy. We discuss some important facts regarding auto accident insurance claims below.

• Your Vehicle’s Manufacturer – Vehicle defects play a role in a significant number of car accidents. Vehicle manufacturers can be held “strictly liable” for defect-related crashes under the law of product defect liability.
• Another Vehicle’s Manufacturer – Even if your car wasn’t the one that was defective, you could still have a claim against the manufacturer of the other vehicle involved in the crash.
• Your (or Another Driver’s) Dealership or Repair Shop – Negligent maintenance work and repairs can cause car accidents as well. If negligent work is to blame for your accident, you can hold the dealership or shop that performed the work legally accountable.
• The Government Agency or Contractor Responsible for the Road – If an issue with the road played a role in your car accident, the government agency or private contractor that is responsible for building or maintaining the road could be liable.
• The At–Fault Driver’s Employer – If the driver who hit you was working at the time of the crash, then his or her employer may be liable under Connecticut’s law of vicarious liability.

In each of these cases, the process of securing just compensation will involve filing a claim against the liable party directly (although this party may then refer the case to its liability insurer). These are complex claims that involve complicated factual and legal issues, so it is extremely important that you have an experienced New Haven Car accident attorney on your side.

5 Key Facts about Auto Insurance Claims in New Haven

1. You Are Responsible for Proving Your Right to Compensation

No matter what they say in their advertisements when you have an insurance claim, the insurance companies are not there to help.

2. It is Up to You to Accurately Calculate Your Losses

In addition to proving that you have a claim, you also need to prove how much you are entitled to recover. Once again, this is not something you can trust the insurance companies to handle for you.

3. There Are Some Costly Mistakes You Need to Avoid

If it isn’t already clear, when dealing with the insurance companies, you need to be extremely careful. This means avoiding several costly mistakes.

4. A Quick Settlement Might Not Be (and Probably Isn’t) Your Best Option

While you may want to settle quickly (and while the insurance companies may offer a quick settlement), it may be in your best interest to take your time and hold out for more.

5. You Only Have One Chance to File a Successful Claim

When dealing with insurance companies, you only have one chance to file a successful claim. If you do not adequately protect your legal rights, you could feel the effects for years to come.

Discuss Your Case with a New Haven Car Accident Attorney for Free

Are you entitled to financial compensation for your car accident in New Haven? To find out, call us or request a free consultation at Berkowitz Hanna online today. A seasoned New Haven car accident lawyer could go over your case with you and help you understand your compensation options.