Unfortunately, many car accident victims try to handle insurance adjusters themselves because they are worried about spending too much money and time battling in court. However, when you are injured in an automobile accident, managing confusing rules and regulations can end up costing you your settlement or payout. A Connecticut personal injury attorney will be invaluable in assisting you in filing your auto accident claim.
If you have been hurt in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you can pursue a settlement to compensate you for things like medical bills, lost income and pain and suffering. Our car accident lawyers in Connecticut do not charge any fees unless and until we get you an award or settlement. Contact Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC anytime for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Benefits of Hiring a Car Accident Attorney
Going back and forth with insurance companies to pay your claim can almost be as stressful as the accident itself. Sorting through the growing pile of bills and managing physical and emotional pain is a full-time job, and now you have to worry about the insurance company looking for reasons to reject your claim.
The attorneys at Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC are here to protect you from some of these legal problems. We hear from people daily who’ve had their lives turned upside down from a disabling injury, including spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries or death of a loved one. We want to simplify this exhausting process for victims and their families and help them find their new normal.
When you work with our team, you can expect us to:
- Work with various experts who can help support your case for damages
- Gather evidence to help prove the other party’s negligence
- Represent your interests in settlement discussions
- Take your case to court if negotiations are not successful
- Offer a letter of protection to ensure you get timely medical care
- Keep an open line of communication with you throughout the process
So many firms overload their attorneys with cases, leaving lawyers overworked and clients unhappy with their legal representation. At Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC, our firm limits the number of cases we accept, ensuring our team can give you and your claim the time and energy you deserve. We assign a dedicated team to each and every client we take on, and our team is available to take your questions 24/7.
Can I Handle My Car Accident Case by Myself?
If you are injured in a car accident, we strongly recommend you contact an attorney before you talk to the insurance company adjusters. We know what strategies the insurance company will use to reduce your settlement or award. Here are just some of the strategies they may try to use:
- They may offer lowball settlement offers before you even have a chance to assess your losses or seek legal help.
- They may try to dispute liability, saying your degree of fault is higher than it actually is.
- They may try to ask for a recorded statement in an attempt to trick you into admitting fault or saying your injuries are not as serious as you claim.
- Insurers may try to delay the process.
Hiring an accident lawyer gives you a fighting chance at recovering the award your claim deserves.
Shared Fault in a Connecticut Auto Accident
If the insurance company is blaming you, or if you think you are partially at fault for a crash, you may still have legal options. Per CT Gen. Stat. § 52-572h, accident victims who share fault for a crash can still pursue damages. However, Connecticut’s modified comparative negligence law does have limits—victims who are considered more than 51 percent responsible for the crash cannot pursue damages.
Determining the percentage of fault is hard to do on your own, and the other party will often exaggerate your level of negligence to reduce or deny your claim altogether. With investigation and evidence, our lawyers can push back against such claims and fight for a payout that fairly reflects your losses and your level of fault.
How Much Can I Get for My Auto Accident Case in Connecticut?
Every case is unique, so it is hard to give an average car accident settlement for Connecticut claims. Two victims could have similar types of crashes and injuries, but their needs can be quite different. As your accident attorneys, it is our job to assess the full extent of your losses and fight for a settlement or verdict that addresses your needs.
Here are just some of the losses we may be able to seek on your behalf:
Medical Expenses
Medical costs are often a significant part of auto accident claims in Connecticut. Emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, and all the related expenses add up quickly, leaving you with a growing pile of bills. You may even have long-term medical needs, like future surgeries, physical therapy and rehabilitation, or lifelong pain management.
Whatever medical needs you currently have or are expected to have in the future, our lawyers will seek a payout that accounts for all of these expenses.
Lost Income
Injuries and trauma from a car accident can often prevent victims from going back to work, often for weeks or months following the crash. In some cases, injuries can be so debilitating that victims are permanently disabled. This could mean that they need to change professions or stop working altogether. The lost income and lost earning potential can have a serious impact on your future, and you deserve just compensation for these losses.
Property Damage
Damage to property, including your car, is another concern for many accident victims. Our firm has a property damage expert on staff who can help determine the value of your lost or damaged property.
Emotional and Mental Trauma
While the financial impact of an accident is often significant, the emotional and mental distress victims suffer is just as devastating. Your intangible losses like pain and suffering, emotional anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life are just some of the non-economic damages our lawyers can help you pursue after a Connecticut car accident.
Our firm also has Connecticut wrongful death attorneys who can help you seek justice if a loved one was killed in an auto accident.
We’ve Achieved Successful Case Results for Car Accident Clients
We aim for appropriate compensation in each car accident case we handle. Whether that means advocating for a high payout during settlement negotiations or representing you at trial, our law firm is prepared to fight for you. Read about some of our previous settlements and verdicts below:
|
Award Amount |
Type of Case |
| $7,900,000 | Our client was struck by a police car and developed serious and permanent brain damage as a result |
| $1,550,000 | Client was a passenger in a motor vehicle accident and suffered numerous serious injuries, including traumatic brain injury. |
| $1,300,000 | Our client needed multiple surgeries after a distracted driver hit our client’s car and caused a rollover accident. |
| $900,000 | Client was rear-ended at a high rate of speed by a careless driver with defective brakes. |
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Connecticut Lawyer After a Car Crash?
At Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC, we believe that everyone should have the chance to hold another driver accountable for their careless behavior. Our firm charges a contingency fee, which means that we do not charge any fees unless and until you receive an award.
Additionally, we do not charge you anything upfront for investigating your claim and gathering medical records. You already have a lot to deal with, and affording legal representation should not be one of these concerns.
How Much Time Do I Have to File an Auto Accident Claim?
The statute of limitations to file almost any car accident claim is two years, per CT Gen. Stat. § 52-584. That means you have two years from the date of your accident to file a claim. In all cases, it is best to file a claim as soon as possible because time may be crucial for your case.
Common Mistakes Accident Victims Make After a Car Crash in Connecticut
Collisions can be confusing and stressful, and it’s easy to make a mistake and jeopardize your claim. Here are some common mistakes victims make and how you can avoid them:
- Failing to Call Law Enforcement: As soon as you are in an accident, call the local police or the Connecticut State Police (CSP). Do not try to handle matters privately, as this can leave you without proof or ways to seek damages if your losses are worse than you realize.
- Refusing Medical Care: Some injuries may not be immediately obvious. If you do not seek medical attention, your injuries can get worse and even cause permanent harm. Seeking medical care also provides proof of your injuries and their severity, which makes it harder for insurers to deny your claim.
- Admitting Fault: For so many people, it’s second nature to apologize, even if something was not your fault. If you apologize for the crash, the other party, police, and insurers can take this as a sign of admitting fault.
- Posting on Social Media: Insurers will carefully watch your social media to collect “proof” that you are faking your injuries. Don’t discuss the case and avoid posting altogether. Something as small as a picture of you doing an activity can be used against you.
- Accepting the First Offer: Insurers may try to make an immediate offer before you even know the full extent of your losses. Do not accept it without speaking to your team.
Let Our Firm Represent Your Claim for Damages After a Collision
At Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC, we have a saying, “You concentrate on getting better, and we’ll handle the rest.” Several members of our staff have experienced personal losses of their own, so we understand the pain, anger and frustration that you may now be feeling. We believe that someone who has walked a mile in your shoes can better serve you through this difficult process.
Our attorneys have the experience and resources necessary to take your case and fight for the compensation you deserve. We treat our clients like our own family and work diligently to investigate your claim. We have over 85 years of experience guiding clients through every stage of their case, so call us today to set up a free, no-obligation consultation. Don’t Fight Solo – get Trantolo & Trantolo.
