Car Accident Lawyer Bridgeport, CT
According to national statistics, approximately half of all fatal car crashes occur at night even though about 75 percent of all vehicle travel takes place during the daylight hours. These alarming stats mean that the risk of being killed or injured in a crash increases dramatically when you are traveling Connecticut roads at night. While there are many reasons why crashes occur, a car accident lawyer in Bridgeport, CT knows that fatal nighttime accidents tend to have common factors.
Speeding
Speeding is one of the most common – and dangerous – factors that are present in many fatal nighttime car accidents. Some drivers may be tempted to go faster than the posted speed limit because there are not as many other motorists on the roads as there are during the daytime hours. However, according to national data, speeding is a factor in more than twice of the fatal vehicle accidents that occur at night compared to during the day.
Alcohol
There are also many more fatal vehicle accidents that occur at night than there are during the day. A Bridgeport, CT car accident lawyer knows that alcohol is the cause of less than 20 percent of daytime fatal crashes, but more than 60 percent of fatal accidents that occur at night. This is likely because more people tend to drink alcohol at night, either at restaurants and bars or at social gatherings, compared to the odds of them drinking during the day when many people are usually at work.
Drowsy Driving
Another common factor in fatal crashes that occur at night is driver fatigue. This is particularly common when many drivers are coming home from a long day at work and may not be as alert as they should be to the road around them. The fatigue they are suffering from can also leave them with slower reaction times and even cause them to nod off while they are at the wheel. Although driver fatigue can affect anyone, commercial truck drivers are especially vulnerable given the long hours they put in on the road trying to meet delivery schedules.
Poor Visibility
It is much harder to see while driving at night than it is during the day. It is almost impossible to see any more than just a short distance from the front of your vehicle, especially in areas where they may not be enough streetlights. There are many rural roads in Connecticut and a Bridgeport, CT car accident lawyer has handled many car accident cases where poor visibility was a primary factor in causing the crash. Add to that the blinding headlights of oncoming traffic and it is no wonder that poor visibility is one of the leading causes of nighttime car accidents.
As your car accident lawyer in Bridgeport, CT from Willinger, Willinger & Bucci, P.C. knows all too well, traffic accidents tend to bring out the worst in people. It goes without saying that everyone involved in the event is upset, possibly dazed and confused, and concerned about the possibility of injury. In addition, no one wants to admit that he or she caused an accident, especially one in which people were seriously injured. This does not mean, however, that the other driver has the right to make wild accusations against you, especially angry or threatening ones.
What Benefits Can You Receive From Workers’ Compensation?
One of the most common questions our team at Polsky, Shouldice, & Rosen, PC receives is what type of benefits workers’ compensation offers. When you get assistance from workers compensation lawyers in NY, you can apply for the full benefits you deserve.
Compensation For Medical Expenses
One way workers’ comp helps you is by covering medical expenses related to diagnosing and treating your injury. Nearly any kind of on-the-job injury is covered by workers’ comp, so the range of covered treatments is large. If you require prescription medication, physical therapy, chiropractic treatments, surgery and other types of treatment, workers’ comp can take care of it.
That’s one reason it’s so important to speak with workers compensation lawyers in NY as soon as possible after an accident or injury at work. We can help you get compensation for the medical treatment you require to recover and protect your health.
Temporary Disability Payments
Often, workplace injuries mean you need to stay home and recover. During this time, temporary disability payments can provide money to cover the lost income from work. This makes it easier to make a full recovery.
Applying for temporary disability payments is more involved than getting workers’ compensation. It’s necessary for your workers compensation lawyers in NY to provide proof that the injury prevents you from working.
Some employers try to pressure employees to keep working despite an injury, but that’s not healthy for you or legal. If you’ve been fired because of submitting a workers’ comp claim, contact our team at Polsky, Shouldice, & Rosen, PC right away. We can help you take legal action immediately.
Permanent Disability Payments
Some workplace accidents are life-changing. These injuries may make it impossible for you to go back to work. You may have to give up your profession because of physical impairments. In these cases, workers’ compensation can provide long-term benefits, including monthly payments and medical coverage.
Qualifying for permanent disability also requires extensive proof and specific legal steps. It’s essential to contact workers compensation lawyers in NY if you believe your injury may qualify for these benefits. We can help you take the right steps and avoid mistakes.
Other Workers’ Comp Benefits
There are some case-specific benefits for workers’ comp. In some situations, you may receive compensation for education or training so you can learn a new profession. Rehabilitation costs may also be covered. A lawyer can give you detailed information about your case.
What If The Other Driver Says The Accident Was My Fault?
At this point, neither of you likely knows for certain exactly what happened, how it happened, or who was at fault. That’s the job of the police officers you need to call to the scene as quickly as possible.
Avoid Conflict
You would do well not to engage with an angry driver who accuses you of causing the accident. This does not mean, however, that you need to take abuse from him or her or apologize or, by your silence, imply that you agree with him or her. He or she could use your lack of denial against you later in court.
Do not retaliate by arguing or hurling accusations back at him or her. Instead, deny his or her accusations calmly and state that you’re waiting for law enforcement officers to come and investigate. Often the realization that police officers are on their way is sufficient to make an angry driver calm down and back off. He or she may be incensed, but if he or she is thinking clearly at all, the last thing he or she wants to face is an assault charge.
Do your best to get the driver to exchange the following information with you:
- Name, address, phone number, and email address
- Driver’s license information
- Insurance company information
- If he or she refuses or, worse yet, jumps back in their vehicle and leaves the scene, be sure to jot down the license plate number and a description of both the vehicle and their physical description.
Gather Evidence
Talk with any witnesses present and get their names and contact information. Then, while waiting for officers to arrive, take pictures of both vehicles, assuming the other one is still there. Take pictures of the accident scene. The more evidence you have, the more your CT car accident lawyer in Bridgeport can build a strong case for you.
Talk With Officers
When officers arrive, cooperate with their investigation. Be sure to tell them if the other driver threatened or verbally harassed you and what he or she said and did. His or her behavior may indicate that he or she was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the accident.
What do I do if I am involved in a motor vehicle accident?
The majority of personal injury claims are derived from vehicle crashes. These steps serve as a guide for you in the process of documenting the accident and will help with the future presentation of your potential insurance claim if you are involved in such a situation:
- At the scene, only speak with law enforcement and medical professionals.
- Seek emergency care for injuries and also consult with your physician, ensuring to supply your care provider that you see with a complete background regarding the injuries emerging from the automobile crash.
- Seek advice from a lawyer.
- Legal representation is crucial in the pursuit of your claim in order to achieve the highest degree of success.
- Promptly inform your own motor vehicle insurance provider of the accident and also provide your lawyer with the coverage choices web page for your very own car insurance plan effectively at the time.
- Thoroughly photograph your vehicle, the other car, preferably, the area of the crash, including all relevant street indications as well as any kind of markings on the street and all proof of your injuries, including any type of lacerations as well as contusions.
- Videotape the names and addresses of any kind of potential witnesses.
- Since of the mishap, get as well as make copies of any kind of clinical costs and/or co-pays you incur.
- Keep an accurate log as to how much time you were forced to miss from work because of the accident, as you may have a potential claim for lost wages and/or loss of earning capacity.
How A Car Accident Lawyer Can Help?
There are many ways for an expert car accident lawyer such as our friends at Willinger, Willinger & Bucci, P.C. can help. When thinking of the costs associated with a car accident what first comes to mind is the damages sustained to the vehicle itself which should be paid by the responsible party or party’s insurance. However, there are plenty of other costs the responsible party may be obligated to pay for. These costs can include medical fees, lost wages, and legal fees. When dealing with an insurance company they will tend to pay for the least amount possible as they can. Having a car accident lawyer handy, however, can apply legal pressure making them obligated to pay out a bigger settlement.
Especially if you have substantial costs that go beyond fixing a small fender-bender, having legal counsel can maximize the compensation you deserve especially if there is plenty of evidence that can point to the other driver being responsible for the incident. No one should have to go into crippling debt for an accident that wasn’t their fault.
The compensatory damages may be “economic” or “noneconomic.” Economic damages are physical, more tangible damages that can be quantified, and their value does not change depending on the jury that is evaluating them.
Economic damages:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Past and future lost wages
- Household services
- Vocational rehabilitation
- Property damages
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Lost earning capacity
- Medical expenses may also be included under economic damages. These damages are bills that arise out of the injuries that are caused by the accident.
Medical expenses that compensation can be collected for:
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- Chronic physical health issues
- Chronic mental health issues
- Surgeries
- Future treatments
Noneconomic damages:
- Pain
- Emotional anguish
- Reputation damage
- Loss of enjoyment of activities
- Worsening of prior injuries
In some states, noneconomic damages are referred to as pain and suffering. In addition to the one who suffered the damages, a spouse may be able to recover a type of non-economic damage referred to as “loss of consortium”. In the event of a wrongful death, or inability to seek legal assistance, a spouse can also be the one to seek legal counsel and fight for compensation for personal injury damages.
How do we determine the liable party?
In order to succeed, the victim and their attorney must provide evidence related to each item, such as police reports, medical records, photos of the accident and injuries, and eyewitness testimony. A lawyer will guide their client through counseling and identifying the proper evidence to support the claim.
How Much Does A Car Accident Lawyer Cost?
Of course, you might be thinking that you don’t have the money to afford to hire a car accident lawyer and would rather take your chances with the insurance company. Although there are certainly lawyers that will charge you by the hour (often in addition to a retainer fee) many lawyers also understand that following an incident such as a car accident it can be difficult to immediately afford legal services. As such, many car accident lawyers offer a unique, alternative payment option known as a contingency fee.
Under a contingency fee plan, lawyers will often take on a personal injury case (such as a car accident) without any immediate payments. Instead, the lawyer will gain a percentage of the final settlement or court award. While sometimes this fee can jump all the way up to 30%, given that the lawyer is initially doing the bulk of the work for free and that there can be many expenses involved, such a percentage is understandable.
How Long Does A Car Accident Case Last?
Each case varies in terms of a timeline. Often insurance companies and other parties will want to settle before the case gets to court as trials can be very costly. If the other party decides they want to settle and are offering a settlement that’s agreeable to the plaintiff then the issue may be resolved in a few months.
For cases that do go to trial, however, sometimes it may take between one and two years with the discovery phase often being the lengthiest, consisting of a typical of six months. Of course, the overall length also depends on the severity of the accident. For example, cases involving sustained medical damages in addition to property damage take longer.
Contact Willinger, Willinger & Bucci, P.C.
Since the other driver has already accused you of causing the accident, you should contact an experienced local car accident lawyer as soon as possible afterward. Accusations often lead to lawsuits, and the sooner you have an attorney representing you, the better off you will be. Call us at Willinger, Willinger & Bucci, P.C. to schedule your consultation with a Bridgeport, Connecticut car accident lawyer today.
Our Mission
Willinger, Willinger & Bucci, P.C., a Martindale-Hubbell AV-rated law firm with offices in Shelton and Bridgeport Connecticut, was established in 1990 with a single purpose: To advocate for all of our clients, individuals and commercial entities, relentlessly and vigorously to achieve the client’s goal. This commitment to excellent representation is reflected in the number of clients who repeatedly seek our counsel and representation in their legal matters.