Personal Injury Lawyer Bridgeport, CT
If you have been injured and are in search of an experienced Bridgeport, CT personal injury lawyer, the experienced attorneys here at Willinger, Willinger & Bucci, P.C. are ready to help. Our law firm is one you can trust with your personal injury case. When you suffer an injury because of another person’s negligence, you have the right to file a claim and be properly compensated for the pain and suffering that you have endured. An injury can significantly impact your life, putting you out of work and disrupting plans. It’s an inconvenience and burden that you should not go through alone. With a skilled personal injury lawyer’s assistance and support, you can get back to your life sooner.
Being a victim of an accident that resulted in a personal injury can be life-altering. There is probably a lot going through your mind at this moment, and you have a lot to consider when it comes to how and if you can get the medical attention and care that you need. Depending on the extent of your injury, you might even have to make other adjustments to your life and home to ensure you can live comfortably. An attorney who will understand your case and know how to fight for you is invaluable. Willinger, Willinger & Bucci, P.C. have the skills and years of experience working on personal injury cases to get you the justice you deserve.
Types of Personal Injury Cases
Personal injury is a broad field of law. A personal injury case is when a person suffers an illness or injury at the hands of a person or company that acted negligently, whether deliberately or not. They can be held liable if there is evidence found that links them to the act that resulted in direct harm to a victim. Some of the most common types of personal injury cases are:
Car Accidents
Drivers who are not paying attention to their surroundings or casually disregard the safety of others around them can inflict harm on innocent victims. Victims can file a claim against negligent drivers.
Motorcycle Accidents
Because of their small size and lack of sturdy protective barriers, cyclists often become personal injury victims when drivers fail to see or give them the right of way.
Pedestrian Accidents
Personal injury lawyers often assist clients whom a driver has struck while they were walking on a sidewalk or crossing a street.
Slip and Fall
A slip and fall can happen because of hazards like spilled liquids, malfunctioning equipment, or poorly maintained properties. Property owners can be held liable if they fail to remove the hazard or do not install a visible sign.
Workplace Accidents
Cost-cutting employers can sometimes result in serious injury to workers. An employer can be held accountable if they violate safety measures and knowingly put workers at risk.
Medical Malpractice
Doctors and healthcare professionals who breach their duty of care, resulting in harm to their patients, are often at the center of personal injury lawsuits.
Product Defects
A product with a defect can seriously injure consumers. Examples of defects include technical flaws and insufficient instructions.
The Compensation You Deserve
In the aftermath of a personal injury, you may be entitled to three types of compensation. Economic damages encompass calculable costs such as lost earnings, medical expenses, and property damage. Non-economic damages provide recompense for more subjective impacts, including pain and suffering, emotional distress that could lead to conditions like PTSD, disfigurement, and loss of life quality factors such as self-esteem or relationships. Lastly, punitive damages aim not to compensate but to penalize the wrongdoer and prevent similar misconduct. These are less common and highly specific to your case’s details and the applicable state laws. An experienced lawyer is crucial to assessing all potential compensations, particularly in articulating and justifying a claim for punitive damages, which are subject to stringent legal standards.
How Much Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Cost
When considering the cost of a personal injury lawyer, you might be concerned about affordability. Many personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they receive a percentage of the final settlement or court award, typically ranging from 30 to 40 percent, rather than charging hourly rates or retainers. This arrangement also means they cover initial costs like court fees. Importantly, you only pay the attorney’s fee if your case is successful. However, you should verify if you might be responsible for any costs if the case does not result in a favorable outcome.
How Long Will My Case Take
The duration of personal injury cases can vary widely. While some cases settle within a few months, others could extend over several years. Influential factors include injury severity, the willingness of both parties to negotiate, court schedules, and the time needed for evidence collection. Cases that proceed to trial or encounter appeals can take longer. Your attorney will work to balance the goal of a timely resolution with the necessity of achieving adequate compensation for your injuries.
For a comprehensive understanding of personal injury proceedings, please consult our Frequently Asked Questions section or contact us for a personalized consultation.
Statute of Limitations
Personal injury victims have a limited window to pursue legal action, known as the statute of limitations. This period varies by state and the specifics of the case. For instance, Connecticut generally allows up to two years from the date of the injury for filing a claim, but certain circumstances could affect this timeframe. To ensure you understand the deadlines applicable to your case and to avoid the risk of forfeiting your right to claim, it’s crucial to consult with a lawyer promptly. They can provide detailed information tailored to your situation and help protect your legal rights.
Financial Reimbursement for Your Medical Expenses
Accident victims often experience various types of losses due to their injuries, with medical expenses frequently having the most significant financial impact. The cost of medical treatments can be overwhelming, and even individuals with health insurance may struggle with deductibles, co-pays, and uncovered treatments or medications.
Thankfully, Connecticut law allows accident victims to pursue personal injury lawsuits against those responsible for their injuries and related losses. Our experienced Bridgeport, CT personal injury attorneys can evaluate your claim and determine the compensation you may be entitled to receive.
The following medical expenses may be included in the damages our clients can claim in their lawsuit, depending on the type and severity of their injuries:
Emergency Care
This encompasses any ambulance or other emergency transportation needed from the accident scene to medical facilities, as well as any treatment received in the emergency room.
Hospitalizations
If our client’s injuries warrant hospital admission, this can be included in their lawsuit. It also covers any future hospitalizations required for injury treatment.
Surgery
If our client requires surgery following the accident or at any time in the future, they should be compensated by the at-fault party.
Rehabilitation Services
Serious to severe injuries often necessitate stays at rehabilitation centers. These stays, as well as any outpatient physical and/or occupational therapy, are also covered.
Mental Health Therapy
Accident victims may experience emotional trauma, leading to issues such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD that require mental health treatment. Our Bridgeport, CT personal injury attorneys can provide more details on what may be covered in this category.
Medications
Any medication, including both prescription and over-the-counter drugs, should be covered in a personal injury lawsuit.
Medical Devices
Any necessary devices, such as wheelchairs, crutches, walkers, or canes, should be compensated. If our client has suffered an amputation due to the accident, all prosthetics are also covered.
Transportation Costs
Any costs incurred by our clients to attend their medical appointments for their injuries are economic damages they are entitled to be compensated for.
Our clients should be aware that not only past medical expenses are covered in a personal injury lawsuit. If the injuries sustained necessitate long-term or life-long medical care, our Bridgeport, CT personal injury attorneys will ensure that these projected costs are included in any settlement agreement or award request if the case proceeds to trial.
What You Need to Know About Personal Injury Cases
Refrain From Public Sharing: It’s crucial to keep details of your case private. Public statements, including social media posts, can be used by the opposing side to undermine your claim.
Communicating With Insurance Companies: Direct any inquiries from insurance companies to your attorney to avoid misstatements that could impact your case negatively.
The Value of Minor Injuries: Even seemingly minor injuries can have significant repercussions. Consult with a personal injury lawyer to understand the full extent of your claim.
Impact on Defendants: Personal injury claims are typically filed against insurance policies, not individuals’ assets. It’s important to seek fair compensation without undue concern about the financial impact on the defendant.
Self-Representation Risks: While you have the right to represent yourself, the complexities of personal injury law make it advisable to seek professional representation to ensure the best outcome for your case.
The attorneys at Willinger, Willinger & Bucci, PC, are experienced in handling personal injury cases and can provide the guidance and representation you need.
What Should I Do If the Insurance Company Offers Me a Personal Injury Settlement
Despite internet ads and TV commercials that portray insurance companies as businesses that help you out in your time of need by paying your claims quickly and thoroughly, such, unfortunately, is not the case. In real life, insurance companies do everything possible to settle your claim for the least amount possible to preserve, if not enhance, their financial bottom line.
What this means for you if you sustain injuries due to someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing is that you can expect to receive a phone call from the responsible person’s insurance company claims agent or lawyer shortly after the accident. Believe it or not, sometimes you get this call while you’re still in the hospital receiving treatment for your injuries.
The caller will probably sound sympathetic, empathetic, and concerned about you. Then, he or she probably will offer you a settlement amount slightly more than sufficient to cover your medical expenses to date. All you need to do to get this money is sign a form releasing the insurance company from all further liability.
Even though you’re probably already worrying about how you will pay your medical bills, which seem to be increasing almost by the minute, your wisest course of action is to politely decline the caller’s offer. If you already have a Bridgeport, Connecticut personal injury lawyer, refer the caller to him or her. If you don’t, take the caller’s contact information, tell him or her that you want to talk to a lawyer before accepting any settlement, and expect a call from your lawyer as soon as you’ve had that discussion.
Initial Settlement Offers
Initial insurance company settlement offers are virtually always low. After all, if the caller can convince you to settle right now before you likely even know how long the consequences of your injuries will last or what treatment you may require in the future, they can put this claim to bed without paying out a great deal of money.
Getting Legal Help
Accepting an initial settlement offer is not in your best interests. You need the advice, counsel, and representation of an experienced local personal injury who knows how the “insurance game” works. One who knows from experience that whatever the original settlement offers, your claim likely is worth several times that much.
Hiring a personal injury attorney can not only stop the insurance company calls from interfering with your recovery but also relieve you of your financial worries, knowing that your case is now in the hands of a knowledgeable, experienced attorney who can determine the actual value of your injuries and then aggressively pursue your personal injury claim.
Bridgeport Personal Injury Infographic
Bridgeport Personal Injury Statistics
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, about 95 percent of personal injury lawsuits settle before they go to trial. This statistic shows that the vast majority of personal injury cases are resolved through settlement, rather than through a trial. There are a number of reasons for this, including the high cost of litigation, the uncertainty of trial outcomes, and the desire to avoid the emotional toll of a trial.
FAQs About Personal Injury Laws
What is considered a personal injury in Bridgeport, CT?
Personal injury in Bridgeport, CT, encompasses any harm caused to an individual due to another party’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional actions. This can include physical injuries, emotional distress, and financial losses stemming from various incidents such as automobile accidents, slip and fall accidents, medical malpractice, workplace injuries, and dog bites. Connecticut law allows injured parties to seek compensation for their damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more, provided they can prove the other party’s liability.
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in Bridgeport, CT?
In Bridgeport, CT, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim is generally two years from the date of the injury. This legal timeframe is crucial because if you fail to file your lawsuit within this period, you may be permanently barred from seeking compensation for your injuries. However, there are exceptions and specific circumstances that can affect this deadline, such as injuries to minors or cases involving government entities, making it essential to consult with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to ensure your rights are protected.
Can I still receive compensation if I’m partially at fault for my injury in Bridgeport, CT?
Yes, you can still receive compensation if you’re found to be partially at fault for your injury in Bridgeport, CT, thanks to the state’s modified comparative negligence rule. Under this rule, you can recover damages as long as you are found to be less than 51% responsible for the accident. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are awarded $100,000 but found to be 30% at fault, your compensation would be reduced to $70,000. It’s important to note that if you are 51% or more at fault, you will not be eligible to receive any compensation.
What types of damages can I recover in a personal injury case in Bridgeport, CT?
In a personal injury case in Bridgeport, CT, you may be entitled to recover a wide range of damages, divided into two main categories: economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover tangible losses such as medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage. Non-economic damages cover intangible losses, including pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. In some cases, punitive damages may also be awarded, but these are rare and reserved for cases where the defendant’s actions were particularly egregious or malicious.
How does the personal injury claim process work in Bridgeport, CT?
The personal injury claim process in Bridgeport, CT, typically begins with a thorough investigation of the incident to gather evidence and establish liability. Once liability is determined, your attorney may send a demand letter to the at-fault party’s insurance company, detailing your injuries and the compensation sought. If a settlement cannot be reached through negotiation, your attorney may file a lawsuit on your behalf. The case may then go through the discovery phase, mediation, and potentially a trial, where a judge or jury will determine the outcome. Throughout this process, having experienced legal representation is crucial to navigate the complex legal system and maximize your chances of receiving fair compensation.
Willinger, Willinger & Bucci, P.C., Bridgeport Personal Injury Law Firm
1875 Park Avenue
Bridgeport, Connecticut 06604
Client Review
“Mark Middlen was an excellent lawyer, when I needed his expertise with my personal injury case. His professionalism, tenacity, (especially during Covid delays) made all the difference. His perspective, contacts, helpful staff and planning all contributed to a positive outcome. I would highly recommend him.”
Legal Counsel You Can Depend On
Willinger, Willinger & Bucci, P.C. have more than four decades of knowledge and expertise in the personal injury litigation field. You can trust in our ability to maximize your damage award so that you can get your life back on track. When you are injured because of someone else’s negligence, it can take a toll on your life, both mentally and physically. We understand that, and we want you to know that we will always be on your side fighting for you and that you deserve to return to life before your injury.
We have the skilled legal attorneys and commitment that you have been looking for. Our law firm has years of experience in personal injury cases, and once you hire us, you will have the peace of mind that your case is in the right hands. We will always explain your rights to help you better understand your case and make informed decisions when it comes to advancing your case throughout its legal process.