Hartford Personal Injury Lawyer

If you get seriously hurt in an accident, it’s immediately traumatic. The aftermath of that accident can be even worse. You might not be able to go back to work, which can cause financial hardship. You may need ongoing medical care and be unable to complete your normal daily activities.

Meanwhile, you have to manage medical expenses and day-to-day costs while keeping your family afloat and dealing with the insurance company. If this sounds like your life right now, you may want to consider hiring a Hartford, Connecticut personal injury lawyer to help you.

At Chaffin Luhana, our mission is to help restore injured victims to wholeness in the Hartford, Connecticut area. When we take on your personal injury case, we put our decades of national experience to work fighting for you to make sure you get the compensation you deserve.

Personal Injuries On the Rise in Connecticut

Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death among CT residents between the ages of 1 and 44 years, according to the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH). Injuries are also responsible for 30 percent of all deaths of children and youth between the ages of 1 and 14 years, and over 72 percent of all deaths among teens and young adults between the ages of 15 and 24 years.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported in 2021 that there were nearly 33,000 nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in Connecticut. That year, Connecticut was among the 19 states that had an incidence rate of total recordable cases significantly greater than the national rate of 2.7.

There were also nearly 300 deaths on Connecticut’s roads due to car accidents, which was greater than the five-year average of 284. Over 1,500 people were injured. Statistics for Hartford car accidents show that from January to October 2022, there were 3,662 crashes resulting in 10 deaths and 1,128 injuries.

The Connecticut DPH notes that deaths due to unintentional injuries—accidental deaths—have “increased dramatically” in the state over the past decade. These include unintentional poisonings, falls, and motor vehicle accidents.

Other sources of injuries may include dog bites, medical malpractice, accidents on someone else’s property, injuries caused by defective products, or wrongful death.

When to Hire a Hartford, Connecticut Personal Injury Lawyer

If you suffered only minor injuries after an accident, you may be able to manage it on your own.  If your property damages are low, as well, you may be able to work things out with the insurance company yourself.

If you have serious injuries, though, that require medical attention and/or prevent you from returning to work, it’s often in your best interests to get a Hartford, Connecticut attorney on your side.

The insurance company or plaintiff on the other side of your case will most likely have legal representation. They may also hire experts and present evidence to show that you were not injured, or if you were, that the injury was caused by something or someone else. They will have the advantage over you unless you hire your own Hartford, Connecticut lawyer to even the scales.

One thing many victims don’t realize is that a personal injury law firm can also help with the expenses of a personal injury case. At Chaffin Luhana, we work on a contingency basis, which means we advance the legal costs. You pay nothing unless you recover compensation.

Choosing the Right Hartford, Connecticut Personal Injury Lawyer

It can be overwhelming to try to choose a Hartford, Connecticut personal injury lawyer. There are a lot of legal firms out there, so it helps to have certain criteria in mind so you can make an informed selection.

Your lawyer can have a big impact on the outcome of your case. You’ll want to find one with a good reputation who will know how to manage the complexities of Connecticut law, how to deal with insurance companies, what evidence will be important to your case and how to gather it, how to properly calculate compensation, and what questions to ask experts and witnesses.

The right law firm will also have the resources you need to present your case in the best light. They should have access to a network of experts who can help strengthen your case, as well as a deep knowledge of which cases to reference and laws to evoke to support your position.

Finally, look for a lawyer who has experience going to trial. Personal injury cases are usually solved in the negotiating room. But if you have a lawyer with clout in the courtroom, that person is more likely to have the negotiating power you need to get the compensation you deserve.

Most personal injury attorneys offer a free initial consultation. Call Chaffin Luhana and get a free case evaluation. During that meeting, ask about the law firm’s history with cases like yours. Ask about our online reviews. Find out what the fees are, what staff members may be involved in your case, and what additional resources are offered.

• The attorney-client relationship is important to your future so take your time during that initial consultation.

Why Choose Our Hartford, Connecticut Personal Injury Lawyers

Chaffin Luhana is a plaintiffs-only law firm, which means we focus solely on representing injured victims. We’ve been doing that for over 13 years, during which time our hard-working team has recovered over $1 billion for our clients.

You may find that some law firms divide their time between personal injury and other types of cases. We don’t defend lawsuits on behalf of corporations and we don’t represent insurance companies. Instead, we bring cases on behalf of individuals like you who have been injured and suffered serious losses in life.

Our Experience and Expertise

At Chaffin Luhana, we have an entire team of law professionals working for you. That includes highly experienced personal injury lawyers, an on-staff social worker, mass-tort managing experts, medical records specialists and nurse paralegals, former state and federal judicial law clerks, court-appointed leaders in the National Plaintiffs’ Bar, and more.

Our founders—Eric Chaffin and Roopal Luhana—have both achieved multimillion-dollar recoveries for our clients. Both have held leadership positions in large, multi-district litigation and have litigated several significant nationwide class actions.

With our combined expertise, we have achieved extraordinary results for our clients in pharmaceutical and medical device litigation, personal injury litigation, product liability litigation, and more in state and federal courts across the country.

Several of our lawyers, including both of our founders, have also been repeatedly named to the esteemed “Super Lawyers” list. This is a prestigious listing of outstanding attorneys selected each year by the Super Lawyers research staff. Through a multi-phase rating process, they select those attorneys best able to assist consumers.

Our Approach to Personal Injury Law

We are focused on plaintiffs only, which has allowed us to fine-tune our process to improve your odds of winning your case.

We Communicate

At Chaffin Luhana, we make sure to keep you up to date throughout the legal process. We also give you a myriad of ways to get ahold of us by phone, email, printed letter, or even text message.

We Have a Unique Focus

Personal injury law is all we do! That means we’ve become true experts at it over the years. To date, we’ve helped thousands of victims and families secure the compensation they needed and deserved in their lives. That’s because we do everything possible to properly litigate a case.

We Take Cases to Trial if Necessary

There’s no doubt that having trial experience is important—even if only to show the other side that you can take this case to court if you have to.

We regularly take cases to trial. We’re very comfortable in court and know how to fight for our clients there. You can rest easy knowing that if the parties can’t agree, we’re not going to back down because we’re new to the courtroom. We have a reputation for being willing to go all the way, which often serves us well in negotiations.

We Have the Experience You Need

Insurance companies and defendants will logically look out for their best interests—not yours. They may negotiate with you, but they will do so with an eye toward their bottom lines. Your injuries will be of secondary concern to them.

If your law firm doesn’t know what they’re doing in terms of securing records, presenting the appropriate precedents, and hiring the right experts, you could end up getting a lower level of compensation than you deserve.

We’ve been fighting for victims for over a decade now. We’ve represented plaintiffs in some large and complicated cases, sometimes involving thousands of people with similar complaints. When you hire us, you’ll know that we have the experience you need to tip the scales in your favor.

We Have a Mission to Do Good Work

Our mission at Chaffin Luhana is “Doing Good by Doing Right.” At the core of our business, we seek to do work that will benefit our clients and our community. As part of that mission, we created the Chaffin Luhana Foundation, funded with a portion of the profits from the firm. To date, the foundation has donated to dozens of charities, advanced scientific research, worked to combat distracted driving, and awarded scholarships to promising youth.

Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle

The Chaffin Luhana law firm is committed to protecting the legal rights of individuals throughout the city of Hartford, Connecticut. No matter how you were injured or who the negligent parties may be, you can contact us and we will use our skills and resources to fight for you.

Our practice areas include the following.

Car Accidents

As noted above, there were nearly 300 fatalities caused by car accidents in Connecticut in 2021. According to city data, there were 17 fatalities due to car accidents in Hartford alone that year.

According to the “Connecticut Insider,” 2022 was among the deadliest for CT drivers and pedestrians in decades. As of December 12, 2022, a total of 357 crash-related fatalities had been recorded.

Car accident lawsuits may seem simple on the surface, but they can present unique challenges. A plaintiff has to have evidence showing that the other person or persons were responsible for the accident. Other parties as well—such as the car manufacturer, a construction company if there was construction going on at the site of the accident, or even the municipality responsible for the roads—may have been negligent at the time of the accident.

A Chaffin Luhana Hartford, Connecticut personal injury attorney has the expertise to support you in your case. He or she will thoroughly review the police report and conditions at the site of the accident, hire experts as needed, and gather information about the other driver and/or the company she was working for, if applicable, to help prove liability.

Truck Accidents

In 2021, there were about 5,700 large trucks involved in fatal crashes across the United States, an increase of 18 percent from 2020 and a 49 percent increase over the past 10 years. Nearly 5,800 people died in these crashes. In addition, there were over 117,000 large trucks involved in crashes resulting in an injury, which was an increase from 2020.

According to the Institute for Safer Trucking, there were 21 people killed in large truck crashes in the state of Connecticut in 2019. Three-quarters of fatal truck crashes involved two vehicles or more. Fifty percent of fatal work zone crashes involved a large truck.

An accident with a big rig or 18-wheeler can be particularly devastating because of the truck’s size and weight. Victims may be permanently injured and may require medical care for the rest of their lives.

Personal injury cases involving a big truck can also be more complex as they typically involve not only the driver but also the company he was working for. If that company wasn’t careful about maintaining their trucks or if management pushed employees to drive for long, unsafe periods, the company may share in liability.

Our Connecticut attorneys at Chaffin Luhana understand how important it is to investigate your case thoroughly. Identifying all parties that may share in liability gives you more resources from which to gather the compensation you need to try to put your life back together.

Premises Liability

If you were hurt while on someone else’s property—and you can prove that the property owner was negligent—you may be able to recover damages in a premises liability lawsuit. Connecticut law requires that property owners ensure a safe environment for visitors.

Proving that the property owner was negligent is not always easy. It depends on whether you were an invitee to the property, a licensee, or a trespasser. The Connecticut personal injury lawyers at Chaffin Luhana know the law in Connecticut and can help guide you through the complex facets of your case.

Slip and Fall Accidents

Common places for slip and fall accidents include sidewalks, swimming pools, stairways, apartment complexes, decks, amusement parks, parking lots, escalators, and assisted living facilities and nursing homes.

Most of the time, people walk away from slip-and-fall accidents with minor bumps and bruises, But some incidents result in serious injuries. These may include broken bones, spinal cord injuries, neck injuries, and concussions.

According to the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI), falls account for over one million emergency room visits a year. They also represent the primary cause of lost days from work.

If you can prove that the property owner was negligent and that their negligence caused your injury, you may be able to win compensation to help cover your expenses.

Dog Bites

More than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year in the U.S. according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). More than 800,000 receive medical attention for those bites, with children being the most common victims.

In 2022, more than 5,300 postal service employees were attacked by dogs while delivering the mail. Fortunately, CT was not one of the top dog bite states.

Connecticut’s dog bite statute makes a dog’s owner or keeper liable for injuries caused by the dog to someone else’s person or property in many situations, as long as that person was not trespassing at the time of the injury and was not teasing, tormenting, or abusing the dog.

The state also holds any person responsible for dog bites caused by that person’s negligence, provided the victim can prove that the defendant knew of the dog’s dangerous propensities.

Dog bites can cause serious harm, particularly to children. Connecticut law presumes that a child under the age of seven was not teasing, tormenting, or abusing the dog unless the owner can prove otherwise.

Medical Malpractice

In 2016, safety experts from Johns Hopkins Medicine reported that more than 250,000 people die each year due to medical errors in the U.S. That made medical error the third highest cause of death. A recent study showed that about 400,000 hospitalized patients experience some type of preventable harm each year, with medical errors costing the U.S. economy about $20 billion a year.

Between 2018 and 2022, there were over 2,500 medical malpractice claims filed in the state of Connecticut. A total of 1,301 were resolved in favor of the plaintiff. The average payout was $918,666, according to the Connecticut Insurance Department. Connecticut does not have a “cap” on the amount of damages a plaintiff can recover during a medical malpractice case. Punitive damages, however, are limited to the actual cost of litigation.

Medical malpractice cases are complicated, as they require the plaintiff to first file a “reasonable inquiry” to determine there are grounds for a good faith belief that negligence occurred on the part of the defendant.

The plaintiff must also obtain a written and signed opinion from a qualified medical expert in which the expert provides details supporting the plaintiff’s position. A Chaffin Luhana medical malpractice attorney understands these facets of the law and can help navigate the process for you.

Workers’ Compensation

In Connecticut, businesses with one or more employees must carry workers’ compensation insurance. This is a no-fault system, meaning that no matter whose fault the injury was, the insurance will cover the medical costs.

In return for receiving compensation, employees are prohibited (in most but not all cases) from suing their employers or fellow employees for damages arising from work-related injuries or accidents.

If you make a workers’ compensation claim, the insurance company will likely approach you about a settlement. This is a lump sum you receive in exchange for avoiding the hassle of a workers’ compensation hearing. Though this can be beneficial, it may also be too low to cover your expenses. A Connecticut workers’ compensation attorney can help you make sure you’re getting the best settlement possible.

Workers’ Injuries

Private industry employers reported 32,700 nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in Connecticut in 2021, resulting in an incidence rate of 3.0 cases per 100 full-time equivalent workers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Of those, 21,700 were more severe, involving days away from work, job transfer, or restriction.

In the state and local government sector in CT, 7,100 injuries and illnesses were reported in 2021, resulting in a rate of 5.2 cases per 100 full-time workers.

The state of Connecticut Worker’s Compensation Program requires that an employee report a work-related injury or illness to his/her employer immediately. The program ensures workers with a job-related injury or illness receive payment for lost work time and medical expenses. All Connecticut businesses with at least one employee are required to have workers’ compensation insurance.

If you are injured on the job, your workers’ compensation will typically cover the damages. Because settlements are usually final, though, it’s wise to check with a Connecticut workers’ injury attorney before you sign anything to be sure you’re getting the compensation you deserve.

What Happens During the Personal Injury Claim Process?

Filing a personal injury case in CT involves many steps. Below are the most common ones that you will take as you go through the process.

1. Initial Consultation

Most personal injury attorneys—including those at Chaffin Luhana—offer a free initial consultation. This is when you can discuss the facts of your case and get a general idea of what your attorney can do to help you.

Be prepared to discuss what evidence you have at the consultation. That includes things like police reports, witness information, photos, medical records, and personal notes. Your attorney will then give you a professional opinion on whether you have a valid claim.

Should your attorney believe you have a case, you can then discuss whether you’d like to file a claim. Should you decide to do so, you’ll hire a lawyer and move on to the next step.

2. Investigating Your Case

The investigation comes next. An experienced attorney will spend significant time investigating your case. Steps taken may include any of the following:

• Conducting a second interview. You went over your case in your initial consultation, but now your attorney will want more details. He or she will ask about your injuries and any medical treatment you received and/or may need in the future.
• Getting the documents together. Your Connecticut attorney will work with you to get all your medical records, police records, pay stubs (to determine lost wages), and other related documents for review and submission with the claim as necessary.
• Talking to witnesses and experts. If there were witnesses to your injury, your attorney will reach out and attempt to speak with them. At this stage, the firm should also contact any experts who may be able to help support your case.
• Examining other potentially liable parties. In many cases, there is more than one liable party. Your lawyer will investigate to determine if there were others involved and whether they may share in liability.

3. Documenting Your Damages

What is the total cost of your losses? Part of the personal injury process is determining what damages you are owed. Property damage and medical expenses typically come first, as they are the easiest and most straightforward to figure.

Long-term care costs, lost wages, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering require more calculations. This is where your Connecticut personal injury lawyer can help is making sure that you take into account all damages that you may have suffered.

Once you have a final figure, your attorney will ask for that amount in your insurance claim or lawsuit.

4. Filing the Lawsuit/Claim

One of the big benefits of having a personal injury lawyer is that they will take care of all the paperwork that needs to be completed. Your lawyer will be responsible, for example, for filing the necessary documents with your insurance company or the appropriate court.

Often the first step is issuing a demand letter to the insurance company. The letter includes a summary of the accident, details of the harm you suffered, a statement of complaint against the defendant or parties responsible, applicable statutes under which you are entitled to compensation, and the compensation you’re seeking.

After receiving this demand letter, the hope is that the insurance company will work with your attorney to settle the case out of court. Only in some cases will you need to take the next step and file the lawsuit in court.

5. Negotiation and Settlement

This is another big benefit of having representation—they will negotiate with the insurance company or the other party on your behalf. Often insurance companies will initially offer you less than what you deserve. An experienced attorney will be prepared for this and will know how to proceed to be sure that the settlement agreement is to your advantage.

Most cases settle within a few months to a year. If the initial negotiations with the insurance company stall, you may decide together with your attorney to file a lawsuit. Again, your attorney will handle the paperwork at this stage. Sometimes, simply filing a case will be enough to bring the other parties back to the negotiating table. If not, the case proceeds to trial.

6. Trial (If Necessary)

The trial process can be lengthy and intense. If the other side is not being fair, however, a lawsuit can be worth it in the long run.

After filing your case, your attorney will start preparing your case for trial. This involves the discovery process, which includes submitting written questions to the other side and requesting the defense to produce relevant documents.

When it’s time, your lawyer will then present your case before a judge or jury. The judge or jury, in turn, may side with you and award a judgment or side with the defendant and dismiss the case.

Once the judgment is made, both sides have a limited amount of time to either accept the decision or file an appeal.

Testimonials and Success Stories

Below is a small sampling of the testimonials we have received from our clients:

Client Testimonials

$4 Million Recovery

“I was very pleased with the representation that I received for my case. I had a positive experience with this firm and I would recommend your firm to my family and friends.”

– Judy R. Product Liability Injury Client

Auto Personal Injury Recovery

“It’s a shame that the insurance companies put you through this…I’m glad there are people like you out there because the insurance companies would walk all over victims otherwise.”

– Mark S., Personal Injury Client

Automobile Accident Victim

“I didn’t know what to expect since I never needed an attorney before. You took care of everything and were there for me.”

– Vicky B., Personal Injury Client

Frequently Asked Questions About Hartford, Connecticut Personal Injury Law

What is a Personal Injury Claim?

A personal injury claim is an official declaration made by an injured person against another person, entity, or multiple entities believed to be at fault for that injury with the goal of obtaining compensation. This claim is usually sent to the appropriate insurance company or is filed in the form of a personal injury lawsuit with the court system.

How Do I Know If I Have a Personal Injury Claim in Hartford, CT?

If you can show that someone else’s negligent actions or inactions caused you harm, you have a personal injury claim. You will have to prove that the other party violated a duty owed to you. Your personal injury attorney can help.

How Long Do I Have to File a Claim in Hartford, Connecticut?

According to Connecticut law, you have two years from the date of the injury—or from the date you discovered the injury—to file a personal injury claim. This is called the state’s “statute of limitations.”

There are exceptions to this rule:

• For product liability actions—If you were injured by a defective product, you have three years from the date the injury occurred or was discovered to file a claim.
• A workers’ compensation claim is different and must be filed within one year from the date of injury. For fatal cases, a victim’s loved one has two years from the date of the accident or the onset of symptoms of the occupational disease, or one year from the date of death, whichever is later.
• Claims against the government or state must be filed more quickly. You must give written notice to the relevant government body within 90 days of the injury if it was brought on by a dangerous road or sidewalk. If it was brought on by a municipal employee, you have 180 days.
• If the defendant leaves the state, the statute of limitations is stopped for up to five years (up to a total of seven years after the accident).
• If the defendant tries to conceal their liability, perhaps by hiding their role in the accident, the statute of limitations is stopped until the victim discovers they can sue. The defendant must have hidden the facts on purpose.

Keep in mind that it takes time to gather evidence, file a claim, and go through the legal process For these reasons, it’s always best to file your claim as soon as you can. The statute of limitations may also change with changes in the law or may be different depending on the unique circumstances of your case. It is always best to consult with one of our attorneys as soon as possible to ensure that the statute of limitations is not expiring soon or expired on your claim.

How is Hartford, CT Pain and Suffering Calculated?

Your attorney will go through two steps to calculate damages for pain and suffering. The first is to identify the total value of your economic damages. The second involves multiplying that number by a figure that best fits the circumstances of the case to determine pain and suffering.

Economic Damages

Economic damages (also called “special” damages) are tied to a specific, identifiable cost. These include:

Medical expenses

This is typically the largest part of your total damages. Your medical bills will show proof of your expenses, and those expenses can be directly figured into your settlement amount.

If your doctor says you will need more surgeries, treatments, therapies, and prescriptions in the future, your attorney and/or the court may figure out an estimated cost for these as well.

Lost wages

One of the most difficult parts of an injury is the financial burden it places on you and your family because of lost wages. Connecticut law allows you to be compensated for these as well as for any tips or bonuses you may have missed out on.

Lost potential earnings (future earning potential)

If you suffer from severe injuries that permanently affect your ability to do your job, the law allows for you to recover for lost earning potential. Your attorney will calculate these damages by examining the severity of your injuries and the work you are likely to be able to do in the future.

The final figure reflects the difference between the amount of money you would have earned in your lifetime from your former position minus the amount of money you’re likely to earn in light of the long-term injury.

Property damage

If the accident caused property damage (such as damage to your car in a car accident), your lawyer will figure these costs into your demand for compensation.

Out-of-pocket expenses relating to the accident

Many times because of an injury, you will incur additional expenses such as travel to medical treatments, parking fees, car rental fees, and the like. Other possibilities are housekeeping or childcare expenses.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages, also called “general damages,” include pain and suffering and those listed below. Your attorney may multiply your total economic damages (figured above) by 1.5 to 5 to get a ballpark figure for non-economic damages. The value of the multiplier depends on the extent of your injuries, your need for future medical care, and how much the injury affects your daily life.

Pain and suffering

It’s common to suffer from physical pain and discomfort during and after the accident. Other forms of pain and suffering include emotional or psychological suffering, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Insurance companies and attorneys use the following formulas to calculate these damages:

• Portion of medical expenses: Your attorney will multiply your economic damages by a certain number, generally between 1 and 5 depending on the severity of the injuries. For example, if your economic bills total $10,000, your pain and suffering offer may be $10,000 to $50,000.
• Per diem approach: With this method, your attorney or insurance company assigns a certain amount every day from the day of the accident until the day you reach maximum recovery. For example, if the amount is $100 and it took 30 days for you to recover, the pain and suffering amount would be $3,000.
• Other: Other methods may be used to calculate these damages. Some computer programs, for instance, are designed to base the amount on the type of injury and the type of medical treatment applied. Many insurance companies have their own formulas.

Loss of consortium

When you’re in an accident, it affects you and your family. Loss of consortium is a legal term that describes the loss of a partner or spouse’s physical companionship, including a sexual relationship. If you were injured in such a way that it affects your relationship, you or your spouse could be eligible for these damages.

There is no concrete formula used to calculate these damages. Your attorney and a judge/jury will make their best estimate.

Loss of enjoyment of life

A severe car accident can completely change your life. Depending on your injuries, you may no longer be able to enjoy your normal activities or go about your daily routine as you did before. The value of this claim depends on your injury and how it has affected your daily life.

How Much is a Personal Injury Settlement Worth?

The individual facts of your case including the extent of your injuries, your recovery, and your future damages will determine the value of your case. Whether your claim is on the smaller end because of you have quickly recovered from your injuries or is a much higher case because of have suffered serious and potentially permanent injuries, our lawyers are here to help and maximize your recovery.

How Much Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Cost?

Personal injury lawyers typically represent clients on a contingency basis. You will not owe your attorney money up-front, but if he or she wins your case, you will owe a portion of your winnings. This makes it affordable for any victim of a personal injury to be able to obtain experienced legal help.

Your attorney will set the contingency fee based on a case-by-case basis. This covers the attorney’s fees. There may be other fees involved, including filing fees, expert witness fees, postage and copying charges, and other similar fees. Check with your attorney to find out how these will be covered.

How Should I Prepare for My Initial Consultation?

To prepare for your initial (free) consultation with your attorney, make a list of questions to ask (about your lawyer’s experience and fees, for instance), then gather together all the relevant documents you have, including police reports and medical records. Take these with you to the meeting.

Keep your ultimate goal in mind. What do you hope to achieve with your claim? By making this clear to your attorney, you increase the likelihood that you will both be on the same page as you move forward.

What Should I Do Immediately After an Accident in Hartford, Connecticut?

Always examine yourself and anyone else involved first for injuries. Then get out of danger as soon as you can and call for medical help. Contact the police if the situation calls for it. (If you were in a car accident or were assaulted.)

It’s important to see a doctor even if you think you were not seriously injured. Back and neck strains, for instance, can take time to develop. You may not be aware of them at first, particularly if you have a lot of adrenaline pumping through your system. If you see a doctor, you will have the proper medical records to support any claims you may make in the future.

Notify your insurance company or your employer as needed, then gather all the information you can at the site of the accident. Finally, contact your personal injury attorney for advice. Never accept blame for the accident. That includes offhanded comments like, “I’m sorry,” or “I didn’t see you!” as these can be used against you later. Keep quiet until you talk to your lawyer.

What if the Accident Was Partly My Fault?

Connecticut has a “comparative fault” law that allows you to recover against any other at-fault party, even if you were partially at fault. The amount of your final recovery will depend on what percentage of liability is attributed to you.

If you were more than 50 percent at fault, you wouldn’t be able to recover damages. But if you were 50 percent or less at fault, you can recover the corresponding percentage of your damages.

What Are Punitive Damages?

If the other party acted in a reckless or particularly egregious manner, you may decide to file punitive damages against them. These are designed to punish the defendant for especially harmful conduct and/or to deter them and others like them from ever behaving that way again. These damages are awarded at the court’s discretion.

How Long Will It Take to Settle My Case?

If the parties can agree to a settlement outside of court, the case will typically be resolved within eight months to a year. If the parties cannot agree and drag the case out—perhaps by going to trial—it may take 2.5 years or more. Our goal is to always move your case as quickly as possible while at the same time allowing the necessary treatment to occur to maximize your recovery.

It will also depend on how long it takes you to recover from your injuries. Settlement negotiations usually begin after you reach what’s called “maximum medical improvement,” meaning you are not likely to improve further after that point.

Your Trusted Personal Injury Lawyer in Hartford, Connecticut

If you’ve been injured in an accident, contact us today for a free initial consultation. We know how these accidents can seriously disrupt your life. We want to empower you to recover the damages you’re owed so that you can begin to put your life back together.

Call us today at 888-480-1123.