Connecticut Car Accident Settlement Process and Timeline

If you are the victim of an auto accident, you must know how to file your car accident claim. If the collision occurred in Connecticut, you should understand how the Connecticut car accident settlement process works.

This article explains several aspects of the car accident settlement process and timeline for the state of Connecticut. You will learn:

• Whether you must file a crash report in Connecticut
• Connecticut’s insurance laws
• How the settlement process works
• What your car accident attorney will do to negotiate a fair settlement

Do I Need To Report a Car Accident in Connecticut?

Connecticut law requires drivers to report a car accident within five days of the crash if there is more than $1,000 in property damage. Since it’s nearly impossible to determine the extent of property damage at the accident scene, it makes sense to err on the side of caution.

Whether you suffer a personal injury or property damage, it’s best to submit an auto accident report. You must do this using the required state form.

Connecticut Car Insurance Laws

Connecticut law also requires drivers to carry car insurance. Connecticut is an at-fault state. This means the at-fault driver is responsible for any injuries and property damage caused by the crash.

After your Connecticut car accident, you’ll submit your insurance claim to the at-fault driver’s carrier. Their insurance company will assign an adjuster to review your claim. They’ll either:

• Pay your claim without issue
• Pay your claim in part
• Deny your claim

Once the claims process is over, the insurance adjuster will let you know the outcome.

Ideally, the at-fault party’s insurance policy will cover your damages. The State of Connecticut dictates that all motorists carry a specific level of auto insurance coverage. These mandatory minimum insurance requirements are as follows:

• $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability
• $25,000 property damage coverage

Connecticut also mandates that drivers carry uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance. The coverage limits for this type of insurance are as follows:

• $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident

Even with these minimum thresholds, there’s a chance your damages will exceed the driver’s insurance policy limits. If this is the case, your car accident lawyer must sue the other driver personally.

The damages your personal injury lawyer demands in your car accident lawsuit will depend on the nature and extent of your injuries. It will also depend on how much the insurance company pays.

How Do Car Accident Settlements Work in Connecticut?

It’s rare for a car accident case to go to trial. There are several reasons for this:

• There’s a chance you’ll lose at trial and receive nothing
• Trials are expensive and time-consuming
• It could take years for you to receive any money
• The court will reduce your damages if you’re partially at fault

The insurance company also has an incentive to settle your personal injury case. They’ll have to pay the full demand if they lose at trial. They’ll also have to pay thousands of dollars in costs and fees if they decide to take the case to trial.

Accepting a settlement means you’ll get a lump-sum payment. It also means you’ll receive fair compensation for your car accident injuries. Your personal injury attorney will engage in settlement negotiations with the defendant’s insurance company. They’ll go back and forth until they agree on a number.

How Long Will Your Car Accident Settlement Take?

One of the first questions new clients ask their personal injury law attorney is how long it will take to settle their case. There is no way to answer this question because every case is different. No experienced car accident attorney will promise you that they’ll settle your case by a specific date. Nor will they guarantee you a certain amount of money.

The settlement timeframe depends on several factors, including:

• Whether the insurance company cooperates in settlement negotiations
• Whether you suffered severe injuries
• If you need long-term physical therapy
• If there are strong witness statements regarding who was at fault
• Whether you’ll need future medical care
• How long it takes your attorney to gather evidence

When you meet with your attorney for your initial case evaluation, they may give you an estimate of how much your case is worth. They’ll also explain the settlement process and how long it typically takes to settle a car accident case.

What is the Average Car Accident Settlement in Connecticut?

There is no way to tell you exactly what your case is worth without reviewing the individual facts of your case. For example, a fender bender causes less pain, anguish, and property damage than a drunk driving accident.

When determining a fair settlement amount, you must consider:

• How much each party was at fault
• The available evidence
• Insurance coverage (insurance companies won’t pay more than policy limits)
• Car repairs
• Medical bills (for both past and future medical treatment)
• Pain and suffering
• Lost wages from time away from work

You must understand that the legal process takes time. If you settle your case, you won’t receive your entire demand. Your final settlement amount will fall somewhere between your full demand and the insurance company’s starting settlement offer.

How Long Do I Have To File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Connecticut?

Connecticut has a time limit (statute of limitations) for filing a personal injury lawsuit. The injured party has two years from the crash date to file suit if negligence caused the accident. If the other driver intentionally tried to harm you, then you have three years from the date of the crash.

If you don’t file your case before the deadline, the court will dismiss your case. This means you’ll lose your right to pursue damages.

Get Professional Help With Your Connecticut Car Accident Case

Settlement agreements are nearly always final and binding. Without the advice of an attorney, the insurance company may take advantage of you. They’ll try to offer you a low settlement and demand you sign a settlement release. Never do this without a Connecticut car accident attorney reviewing it first.

Contact a skilled Connecticut car accident attorney who can protect your interests and get you the compensation you deserve.