Table of Contents
- What Are Connecticut’s Auto Insurance Requirements?
- How Does Liability Coverage Work in Connecticut Car Accident Claims?
- How Connecticut’s Insurance Laws Affect the Value of Your Personal Injury Claim
- Connecticut’s Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Claims
- Why Connecticut Accident Victims Choose KJSR
- Speak With a Connecticut Personal Injury Lawyer About Your Insurance Claim
- Related Readings on Connecticut Insurance Laws
What Are Connecticut's Auto Insurance Requirements?
The Connecticut Insurance Department (CID) provides straightforward guidance regarding auto insurance information and what types of insurance coverage you need to carry in case of a car accident.
Under CGS § 38a-355, drivers are required to have:
- At least $25,000 per person in bodily injury liability coverage
- At least $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage
- At least $25,000 per accident for property damage liability
Under CGS § 14-112, you must provide proof that you have the right insurance coverage in order to register a car.
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage in Connecticut
Under CGS § 38a-336, you are also required to carry uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, in case you get into an accident and the other driver is uninsured or underinsured.
Victims who become involved in car crashes with drivers who have no coverage can make uninsured motorist claims to get compensation for injuries from their own insurer.
If a driver has some insurance, but not enough to cover all of your losses, you can seek additional compensation from your own underinsured motorist coverage. This coverage will pay for losses, up to policy limits, that the at-fault driver’s limited insurance doesn’t cover.
How Does Liability Coverage Work in Connecticut Car Accident Claims?
Liability insurance covers damages that an insured driver causes to others. Bodily injury liability coverage pays for injuries, while property damage coverage pays for damage to physical property such as vehicles.
If a driver is only insured with the minimum liability insurance required by law, they won’t have much coverage. Their insurer will pay $25,000 per injured person in an accident and will pay a total of $50,000 per accident for all injured individuals in the crash, subject to the $50,000 bodily injury limit.
Even relatively minor injuries could exceed these limits. If you are injured in an accident and your damages exceed these minimum amounts, you will need to explore other options to get full and fair compensation.
In some cases, it might be possible to pursue a claim directly against the at-fault driver. However, drivers with limited insurance often also have limited assets. Insurers representing at-fault drivers also try to limit payouts to below coverage limits whenever possible, aiming to pay as little as possible.
How Connecticut's Insurance Laws Affect the Value of Your Personal Injury Claim
When you get into a crash, insurance policy limits directly affect your compensation by imposing a hard upper limit on what the insurer will pay. However, there are other factors that affect the value of your personal injury claim as well.
For example, under Connecticut’s comparative negligence law, you can recover compensation as long as you were 50% or less at fault for the accident. Compensation is reduced based on the percentage of the blame you share.
Likewise, if you elected to carry optional medical payments or collision coverage, you may get more of your medical bills and property damage paid for.
At Kennedy Johnson, our car accident lawyers will help you understand the different factors that may affect your claim and take steps to maximize your compensation.
Connecticut's Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Claims
It’s also important to file your claim within the statute of limitations for car accidents, as Connecticut has strict filing deadlines.
Specifically, you have:
- Two years from the date of the accident to pursue a personal injury claim
- Three years from the date of the accident to initiate a lawsuit against your own insurance company if there’s an issue with your underinsured or uninsured motorist coverage
- Two years from the time of the crash to pursue a property damage claim against the at-fault driver
Claims involving government entities have a shorter notice period. A Connecticut personal injury lawyer will help you make sure you follow the deadline and maximize your chances of recovery.
Why Connecticut Accident Victims Choose KJSR
Kennedy Johnson was founded in 1988. Our attorneys have spent decades fighting for the injured. As our client testimonials and past successes demonstrate, we have a long, successful track record of handling complex personal injury claims.
Our clients work with us because we meticulously prepare every case for trial to improve our leverage during settlement negotiations. We are also dedicated to providing clients with compassionate legal representation that emphasizes integrity, professionalism, and a commitment to justice.
$16.5M
Settlement for bicyclist who suffered a traumatic leg amputation after being struck by a truck
Motor Vehicle Accidents
$1.9M
In which mother of two children was killed: Investigation revealed defective truck parts played a role in accident.
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$2M
Motor vehicle accident wrongful death claim- Wife brought action for 38 year old husband and father killed as a result of a head on collision with an 82 year old defendant driver.
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$2.1M
Involving street sweeper and automobile.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
$2.4M
Settlement for claim resulting in leg amputation.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
$7.9M
Trucking accident resulting in serious injuries.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Speak With a Connecticut Personal Injury Lawyer About Your Insurance Claim
At Kennedy Johnson, we have been helping clients navigate Connecticut’s insurance laws for over 38 years. Our firm has recovered millions in at-fault claims and uninsured or underinsured motorist disputes.
Because we work on a contingency fee basis, we don’t charge legal fees unless we win. We also offer free consultations. To learn more about how we can help you, call us at 203-865-8430 or contact us online to schedule your free case evaluation today.