car accident

New Haven Car Accident Attorney

Car Accident Attorney in New Haven, CT

Car accidents are sometimes unavoidable, no matter how safe you try to be behind the wheel. Collisions happen daily, with millions of car accidents happening all over the United States every year. Many of these crashes result in injuries — from minor and treatable to, in the worst cases, death. 

If you’ve been involved in a car accident, do not wait to seek legal guidance from a qualified car accident attorney. 

Why Turn to Kennedy Johnson Schwab & Roberge?

After a car accident, we understand the substantial number of car accident law firms you have to choose from. However, when experience, care, and dedication are at the top of your list of priorities, count on the legal team at Kennedy Johnson Schwab & Roberge.

Our skilled attorneys have been helping clients injured in car accidents for over three decades. We’ve seen and done it all in our many years of service. We have worked hard to gain valuable experience and refine our strategies to get you the most from your collision claim.

Our reputation and list of satisfied clients speak for themselves. Let us help you pursue the justice and financial recovery you need after sustaining losses in a car accident. Contact our firm today to request a free case review, and let’s discuss how we can help you. 

Car Accidents Happen for Many Reasons

Collisions occur for numerous reasons, and determining the cause of your accident is one of the most critical first steps. Among the many reasons car accidents occur, the following are some of the most common:

  • Driving while distracted
  • Impaired driving
  • Speeding
  • Aggressive or reckless driving
  • Fatigued driving
  • Failure to follow road signs and laws
  • Mechanical failures
  • Auto defects

Determining the cause of your collision can provide answers regarding liability. You can trust your car accident lawyer to conduct a thorough investigation into your collision to obtain the necessary information to proceed with your claim. 

Injuries Often Resulting from Car Crashes

Nowadays, vehicles come with many more safety features than they did in the past. This is partly because car manufacturers are aware of the dangers of driving and how detrimental car accidents can be to a person’s physical health. 

Still, even with all of the impressive safety features today’s cars offer, serious injuries happen. Some of the injuries our car accident clients often sustain include:

  • Head injuries
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Back injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Internal injuries
  • Soft tissue injuries
  • Cuts and lacerations
  • Fractures and broken bones

While recovering from car accident injuries is possible, when injuries are severe enough, you may not recover entirely. Collision injuries can put victims at risk for subsequent, long-term consequences, including chronic pain, paralysis, and nerve damage, among many others. 

Your health and safety come first after a collision. However, scheduling a consultation with a car accident law firm should be a close second. Discussing your situation with a qualified lawyer can provide clarity on your circumstances and allow your attorney to begin working toward favorable compensation right away. 

Establishing Liability After a Collision

Proving liability is critical in a car accident case. Without this key detail, you wouldn’t be able to successfully pursue the compensation you need. After your car accident lawyer determines what led to your accident, they’ll have a better picture of who could be held financially responsible for your resulting losses. 

While car accidents can arise from intentional actions, in a majority of cases, collision cases rest upon a theory of negligence. Negligence refers to a party’s failure to act in a manner in which another reasonable individual would have acted. 

Proving a party’s negligence requires satisfying the four required elements of negligence: duty, breach, causation, and damages.

First, you must establish that the party owed you a duty of care. For example, drivers owe others a duty of care to drive safely and respect others on the road. 

Once you’ve established the party owed you a duty of care, you must show how the party’s actions demonstrated a breach of this duty. For example, if a driver was operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, that would be enough to prove their breach.

Next, you must establish the relationship between the party’s actions and your accident. Continuing with the same example, perhaps the impaired driver fell asleep at the wheel because they were drunk, causing them to lose control of their vehicle and crash into you. 

Finally, you must show that your accident resulted in damages, like injuries and financial losses.

While establishing liability can seem overwhelming, you don’t have to worry when you have a car accident attorney handling your case. Proving fault is one of the many tasks our attorneys take on while building a strong case on your behalf. 

Seeking Compensation After a Car Accident

Pursuing financial recovery can look different in every case. A majority of cases require filing a collision claim through the at-fault driver’s car insurance, but some cases may skip straight to filing a personal injury lawsuit. Your car accident attorney can provide greater clarity regarding legal strategy at the outset of your case.

Regardless of whether you seek compensation through an insurance claim or a lawsuit, your attorney will calculate your damages to determine the value of your case. Damages serve to compensate you for the injuries and losses directly related to your collision.

Damages can be economic, representing monetary losses, or non-economic, representing non-monetary losses. Depending on the details of your collision, you could be entitled to recover for any of the following:

  • Medical costs for past and future medical bills
  • Rehabilitation expenses
  • Lost earnings
  • Diminished or lost earning potential
  • Damaged property
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Scarring or disfigurement
  • Permanent disability

An experienced car accident law firm has the tools to prove your losses utilizing the proper evidence and documentation, including:

  • Medical records
  • Police reports
  • Witness statements
  • Expert testimony
  • Photos and videos
  • Surveillance and traffic cam footage

A car accident lawyer can best understand your losses and how those losses translate into monetary value. You can feel confident knowing your attorney will do everything necessary to obtain the just result you need and deserve.  

Below, we’ve answered some of the questions our car accident clients most commonly ask. We’re also happy to address any additional concerns you may have during your first meeting.

How it Works

Contingency Fees

At Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge, P.C., we handle all Car Accidents cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that we do not get paid unless and until you receive a settlement or a jury award.

Schedule a free, confidential consultation with a skilled Connecticut personal injury lawyer today. Contact us online or call our New Haven law firm directly at 203-865-8430.

Questions

Car Accidents FAQs

Is there an Average Car Accident Settlement Amount I Could Expect?

Simply put, there is no “average” car accident settlement. This is because every collision case is so different, with unique circumstances dictating the value of each case.

Your car accident attorney will answer certain questions regarding your accident, and based on the answers, they can better determine the value of your losses. These questions include:

  • What is the extent of your injuries?
  • Will you fully recover from your injuries or face life-altering effects or disabilities?
  • Will you be able to return to work? If so, will you be able to work in the same capacity as before your accident?
  • Did you miss time from work due to your injuries? If so, what is the total of your lost earnings?
  • How did your accident affect your mental and emotional health?
  • Did you suffer any additional, quantifiable losses?

These and other details can help your car accident lawyer more accurately determine how much your case is worth to ensure you receive the fairest possible recovery. 

What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer?

There are numerous benefits to hiring a car accident attorney to handle your case on your behalf. Among the many advantages, you can look forward to having an ally who can fiercely protect your rights and provide the highest-quality legal representation. 

A lawyer will handle every task associated with your case, so you don’t have to. This helps ensure everything is handled promptly and properly to avoid any complications or setbacks. 

Finally, having an attorney represent you gives you invaluable peace of mind from beginning to end. 

How Much Time Do I Have to File a Lawsuit in Court After a Collision?

Under Connecticut law, car accident victims only have two years from the date of the collision to file a lawsuit in court. While this may seem like plenty of time, it goes by quickly after an accident. Failing to file a claim on time can negatively impact your right to pursue compensation. 

Consult with a Car Accident Attorney in New Haven

The legal team at Kennedy Johnson Schwab & Roberge is ready to fight for you. Contact our car accident law firm today to request a complimentary case review. 

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