Norwich, Connecticut Car Accident Attorneys
Who is the At Fault Driver?
Financial liability for injuries sustained in a car accident will depend in part on who is the “at fault” driver. Most insurance policies cover injuries caused by an insured when he or she is the direct cause of an accident. However, when both drivers bear responsibility for causing a car accident, an insurer may refuse to pay up to a policy’s coverage limits or reject a claim altogether. For example, suppose a driver who runs a red light hits you. In this case, the “at fault” driver is the person who hit you: there is nothing you did that was a contributing cause to the accident. Now, suppose you are driving in a snowstorm according to the posted speed limit. If a car pulls out in front of you, causing a rear-end collision, you may be held partially at fault for not reducing your speed under inclement weather conditions. Here, both you and the other driver may be considered “at fault.”
How do I protect Myself and Determine who the At Fault Driver is?
Ideally, you should have called the police at the time of your accident. If you did, you should request a copy of the police report filed by the officer. A copy of the report can help you substantiate your version of events in disputes that arise with the other driver’s insurer or your own insurance company. This is especially important if the other driver or his or her insurer attempts to lay part of the blame on you for causing an accident. It’s also important to keep in mind that the type of car accident – side impact, rear end collision, T-bone, etc – provides important clues about how an accident happened, how fast the cars involved were traveling, and who may be at fault.
A Police Report wasn’t Filed – What should I do?
If a police report wasn’t filed – and even if one was – contacting your insurer as soon as possible to initiate an investigation is important. Additionally, taking photos of your car, injuries, skid marks, and the scene of the accident can help establish your case. If someone else was in the car with you, asking them to provide a taped statement can be helpful as well.
The Other Driver’s Insurance Company Called – Should I talk to Them?
No. Insurance companies are for-profit companies that are interested in reducing the amount of money they pay in claims. Talking to injury victims provides them with an opportunity to ask confusing questions they hope will result in statements they can use later in court to argue their insured was not at fault. Or, an insurer may try and convince an injury victim to accept a settlement before the full impact of his or her injuries are known. In some cases, insurers have paid a settlement on a totaled car only to destroy it – and the evidence it contains – before a case can head to trial.
How can I Protect My Rights? Contact an Experienced Lawyer –
The most effective way to protect your rights is to hire an attorney as soon as possible. Once you hire a lawyer to represent you, the insurer of the other driver must address all questions to your legal counsel and leave you alone. Additionally, most personal injury attorneys work with accident investigators and forensic specialists, who can evaluate the scene of an accident and collect important evidence in support of your case. And, once you have retained legal counsel, your attorney can request a copy of any evidence collected by an insurer. For instance, if the other driver’s insurer obtained parking lot security camera video of your accident, your attorney can request a copy of the tape when developing your case.
Contact Car Accident Attorneys at the Anderson Law Firm
Our attorneys have the experience and knowledge needed to protect your rights and assert your interests. If you have been in a car accident and have questions about how we can help you, contact the Anderson Law Firm today to schedule an appointment to discuss your case.
