East Hartford’s Top Car Accident Lawyers
Are you grappling with the aftermath of a car accident in East Hartford, Connecticut? If so, you’re likely facing mounting medical bills, a damaged vehicle, and uncertainty about how to navigate the legal system.
It’s a situation no one should have to go through alone.
Thankfully, you’ve come to the right place. At Carter Mario Law Firm, our East Hartford car accident lawyers focus on securing the compensation victims deserve.
With over three decades of experience in personal injury law, we can navigate the complexities of your case while you focus on your recovery.
Remember: With our exclusive Zero-Fee Warranty, you pay nothing unless we win! Ready to begin? Contact us now for a free consultation.
When Do You Need a Car Accident Lawyer in East Hartford?
Deciding when to hire a car accident lawyer can be challenging. After a minor fender bender with no apparent or obvious injuries, you may be able to handle the situation yourself. But in most cases, having an experienced East Hartford car accident lawyer on your side is a smart move, especially when:
- Injuries are involved: If you or any of the involved parties were injured, it’s critical to get a lawyer and file a personal injury claim. Medical bills can pile up quickly, and determining fault is crucial.
- The fault is disputed: If the other party’s insurance company denies fault in the accident, a lawyer can help gather evidence to support your case.
- The insurance company won’t pay: Insurers may refuse to make a fair settlement offer. An experienced lawyer can negotiate effectively with the insurance company to ensure you are properly compensated for your injuries and losses.
- Significant damages occurred: For accidents with severe property damage or long-term health implications, a lawyer can help ensure that all costs – current and future – are covered in your compensation.
If you’re facing any of the above situations, or just feel uncertain about what to do after a car accident in East Hartford, reach out to the Carter Mario Law Firm. Let our skilled car accident lawyers lighten your load during this stressful time. Our East Hartford personal injury lawyers put you first.
Minor Car Accidents in Connecticut
Even minor car accidents can bring about significant legal complexities and potential headaches. In Connecticut, understanding your rights and responsibilities is crucial for passengers, drivers, those partially at fault, and victims of hit-and-run incidents.
Why You Should File a Car Accident Personal Injury Claim if You’re a Passenger
From a legal standpoint, passengers have a higher chance of winning in court or negotiating a favorable settlement. Unlike injured drivers, passengers who were injured in car accidents do not have to prove fault as they were not driving and are simply innocent victims. However, cases involving car accident passengers can become prolonged because the passengers must often sue both drivers. This is because opposing drivers often deny liability and instead blame each other.
Obtaining Compensation with Partial Fault in a Car Accident
Connecticut operates under a “modified comparative negligence” rule. This means you can still recover damages in a car accident claim if you’re partially at fault, as long as you’re not more responsible than the other involved party. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Navigating this rule can be tricky, and our East Hartford car accident attorneys can help clarify your position and maximize the compensation in your personal injury case. Trust our personal injury attorneys to help you navigate the legal obstacles of your motor vehicle accident.
How to Sue for a Hit-And-Run Accident
Being a victim of a hit-and-run accident can feel devastating and unjust. However, Connecticut law requires drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage on their insurance policies, which is designed to protect them if they are struck by an uninsured driver or an unknown driver who leaves the scene — that is, a hit-and-run accident. In a hit-and-run accident, a car accident victim can pursue an uninsured motorist claim against their own insurance company.
In the Event of a Catastrophic Car Accident in Connecticut
Catastrophic car accidents can have life-altering consequences and may lead to tragic loss. Victims who are injured in catastrophic car accidents are often left permanently disabled and in need of lifelong medical care due to brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and back and neck injuries. In these extreme circumstances, knowing how to navigate the legal landscape is essential, particularly when pursuing a wrongful death claim.
How to Pursue a Wrongful Death Claim
In the unfortunate event of a death resulting from a car accident, the victim’s estate or immediate family members (as executors of the estate) can file a wrongful death claim. This lawsuit seeks compensation for medical expenses, funeral costs, lost future earnings, loss of companionship, and the pain and suffering endured by the deceased before death.
Personal injury cases are complex and emotionally taxing. But the outcome depends heavily on having an experienced East Hartford personal injury attorney guide you through this process.
Damages You Can Seek in a Connecticut Car Accident
In Connecticut, the law recognizes that car accident victims should be compensated for the losses they’ve suffered. This compensation, known as “damages,” falls into several categories: compensatory, non-compensatory, and punitive. Let’s explore each in more detail.
Compensatory Damages
Compensatory damages are designed to make the injured party “whole” again after an accident, covering financial losses directly linked to the accident. These damages are further divided into:
- Economic Damages: These cover quantifiable losses like medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and future loss of earnings.
- Non-Economic Damages: These account for intangible losses, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Non-Compensatory Damages
Not all damage claims are intended to compensate personal injury victims. Connecticut law allows car accident victims to seek treble damages in specific circumstances — for example, DUI, reckless driving, etc. Treble damages are three times the amount of a car accident victim’s economic damages.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are not awarded to compensate victims but rather to punish the at-fault party for particularly reckless or negligent behavior and deter similar conduct in the future. While not as common, they can be significant and are often sought in cases involving intentional or extremely reckless conduct.
How to Prove Damages in a Car Accident
Proving damages in a car accident case involves presenting concrete evidence of your losses, such as your medical records, medical bills, repair bills, proof of income to sustain a lost wage claim, and even testimony from mental health professionals if you’re seeking damages for emotional distress.
If your injuries are particularly severe, you may also require testimony either from your treating physician or an expert medical witness to prove the permanent nature of your injuries. This is because Connecticut law requires personal injury victims to prove each element of their claims, including damages, by a preponderance of the evidence — that is, 51%.
However, proving non-economic damages like pain and suffering can be more challenging due to their subjective nature.
Here’s where an experienced East Hartford personal injury lawyer from Carter Mario Law Firm can make a significant difference, helping to present a strong, persuasive case for maximum compensation. Trust our legal team to deliver justice to the residents of East Hartford, CT.
Types of Car Accident Cases Commonly Seen in East Hartford
Car accidents in East Hartford come in many forms, each with its unique set of legal considerations.
Whether you’re dealing with a standard motor vehicle collision or something more complex involving a drunk driver, an uninsured motorist, or a commercial truck, the experienced car accident lawyers in East Hartford at Carter Mario Law Firm are here to help.
Here are the most common types of car accident-related personal injury lawsuit cases we handle:
Motor Vehicle Collisions
Motor vehicle collisions form the bulk of car accident cases in East Hartford. They can involve multiple cars and drivers, and competing versions of events. Proving fault, dealing with insurance companies, and securing compensation for damages can be a daunting task without experienced legal support.
Drunk Drivers
When a drunk driver causes an accident, the impact can be devastating. Such behavior is not only irresponsible, but it’s also illegal. Victims of drunk driving accidents may be entitled to punitive damages in addition to compensatory damages.
Uninsured or Underinsured Motor Vehicle Collisions
Accidents involving uninsured or underinsured motorists present unique challenges. Drivers in Connecticut are legally required to carry uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. These coverages provide protection when the at-fault party doesn’t carry enough insurance (or any at all) to cover your damages by allowing you to make a claim under your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
Rideshare Collisions (Uber or Lyft)
Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have added a new layer of complexity to car accident cases. Different insurance claims may be required depending on what the rideshare driver was doing at the time of the accident. For example, the driver’s personal policy provides coverage if the app is off, while Uber or Lyft’s million-dollar commercial policy provides coverage if the app is activated and the driver is working. These accidents can involve navigating corporate insurance policies and may require different strategies to secure compensation.
Hit-and-Run Accidents
Injured victims of hit-and-run accidents often feel a deep sense of injustice. In these cases, an injured victim may be able to claim compensation from their own insurance policy via an uninsured motorist claim. Under this type of claim, the victim files a lawsuit against their insurance company. They then pretend to be the uninsured driver for the purposes of litigation.
Motorcycle Collisions
Motorcyclists are often at higher risk for serious injuries in car accidents due to their relative lack of protection. These cases can involve bias against motorcyclists and require skilled handling to secure just compensation.
Truck Collisions
Accidents involving commercial trucks can lead to severe damages due to the vehicles’ size and weight. These cases may involve multiple liable parties, from the driver to the trucking company, making them more complex than standard car accident cases.
Regardless of the type of accident you’ve been involved in, our East Hartford car accident lawyers have the knowledge and experience to help you navigate your case toward a successful outcome. Contact a CT personal injury attorney at Carter Mario Law Firm today to learn more.
East Hartford Car Accident FAQs
Dealing with a car accident can be confusing and overwhelming. Here are some frequently asked questions we hear from clients regarding car accident claims in East Hartford:
What is the statute of limitations for filing car accident claims in Connecticut?
In Connecticut, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including car accidents, is two years from the date of the accident. This two-year time limit is strictly enforced. This is why it’s crucial to consult a CT personal injury lawyer to understand your rights and obligations in personal injury cases.
When do you pay for an East Hartford car accident lawyer?
At Carter Mario Law Firm, we operate on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no upfront fees for our services. We only get paid when we successfully secure compensation for you. Our Zero Fee Warranty guarantees that you won’t owe us anything unless we win your case.
Steps You Should Take Immediately After An East Hartford Car Accident
If you’re involved in a car accident, it’s important to prioritize safety, seek medical attention, and document the incident thoroughly, including if any injury occurred. Remember to contact law enforcement, exchange information with the other driver, collect evidence at the scene if possible, and report the accident to your insurance company.
Then, consult with an East Hartford car accident lawyer as soon as possible to understand your rights and begin the process of building a claim.
Trust East Hartford’s Experienced Car Accident Lawyers
At Carter Mario Law Firm, our skilled team of East Hartford car accident lawyers has over three decades of experience in fighting for the rights of accident victims with aggressive legal representation. We provide compassionate, client-focused representation, ensuring that your needs are put first.
Every Hartford personal injury lawyer at Carter Mario is dedicated to helping you navigate the complexities of your case, and we will fight tirelessly to secure the maximum financial compensation you deserve.
Areas Our Car Accident Lawyers Serve
Our car accident lawyers proudly serve clients throughout Connecticut. In addition to East Hartford, CT, we represent clients from:
We are committed to helping accident victims throughout Connecticut, providing them with the personalized attention and legal expertise they deserve. Every Hartford personal injury lawyer at Carter Mario is standing by to help.
Contact the Finest Car Accident Attorneys in East Hartford Today
Don’t hesitate to reach out to us today if you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident.
With our 24/7 availability, prompt response times, and detailed attention to your case, you can trust that you’re in capable hands in East Hartford, CT.
Contact Carter Mario Law Firm today for a free consultation, and let us provide the comprehensive legal support you need.
