Car Accident Lawyer Bridgeport, CT
Have you recently been involved in a car accident and are searching for a qualified Bridgeport, CT car accident lawyer? Here at Willinger, Willinger & Bucci, P.C., you will find the legal support you need.
Your life can change dramatically after being hurt in a car accident. If you have major injuries, the recovery time can be lengthy and complicated. If you’re struggling to pay medical bills and other expenses caused by the accident, you may be wondering what options you have. Recovering after a life-altering car accident is not easy, but with the help of a lawyer, you can learn about your rights and available options. Contact us today to arrange your free initial consultation.
Table of Contents
- How An Attorney Can Help
- Common Causes Of Car Accidents
- Maximize Your Settlement Amount
- 5 Questions To Ask Your Lawyer
- Types Of Damages
- Willinger, Willinger & Bucci, P.C.
How An Attorney Can Help
One of the first steps to take following a motor vehicle accident is to meet with an experienced lawyer. Our attorneys have a long history of successfully assisting clients with accident claims. Working with a car accident lawyer can make a critical difference in the success of your claim, dealing with aggressive insurance companies, and the amount of compensation you receive. Being a victim of a car accident can be life-altering. Your injuries caused by the car accident, whether temporary or permanent, could keep you from your work and career, now and in the future. Not to mention, your medical bills could be insurmountable if you don’t have adequate health care coverage.
It isn’t easy being in a car accident, and it doesn’t get any easier when there is negligence from another person who may have caused the car accident. The emotional, mental, and physical stress can be difficult to handle. An attorney can relieve some of this burden and ensure there is sufficient evidence against the at-fault party.
Investigating can be extremely difficult and time-consuming. It might not be something that you can do on your own, especially if you have been injured and are recovering. Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident isn’t easy, and you shouldn’t have to endure it alone. This is why contacting our experienced Bridgeport car accident lawyer for help may make sense for your situation.
At Willinger, Willinger & Bucci, P.C., we have the experience and skills needed to work with you on your car accident claim. We have decades of experience fighting for clients in many areas of practice. Our firm is committed to providing excellent representation and keeping you well-informed and up-to-date regarding the status of your case. When working with us, you will never be left in the dark when it comes to the next steps. Our firm will work tirelessly to make your legal goals become reality.
Common Causes Of Car Accidents
According to national statistics, approximately half of all fatal car crashes occur at night, even though about 75% of all vehicle travel occurs during daylight hours. These alarming stats mean that the risk of being killed or injured in a crash increases dramatically when you are traveling Connecticut roads at night. While there are many reasons for crashes, our Bridgeport car accident lawyer knows that fatal nighttime accidents tend to have common factors.
Speeding
Speeding is one of the most common and dangerous factors that are present in many fatal nighttime car accidents. Some drivers may be tempted to go faster than the posted speed limit because of the lack of other vehicles. However, according to national data, speeding is a factor in more than twice the number of fatal vehicle accidents that occur at night compared to during the day.
Alcohol
Alcohol is a common contributor to car accidents, impairing judgment and reaction times, leading to poor decision-making and slower responses on the road. Despite strict laws, drunk driving accidents are tragically frequent, causing severe injuries and fatalities. These preventable incidents highlight the ongoing need for stringent enforcement and public awareness regarding the dangers of driving under the influence.
Drowsy Driving
Another common factor in fatal crashes is driver fatigue. This is particularly common when drivers come home from a long day at work and may not be as alert as they would in the morning. The fatigue they are suffering from can cause slower reaction times or even fall asleep at the wheel. Although driver fatigue can affect anyone, commercial truck drivers are especially vulnerable, given the long hours they put in meeting strict delivery schedules.
Poor Visibility
It is much harder to see while driving at night than during the day. There are many rural roads in Connecticut, and a Bridgeport, CT car accident lawyer has handled many car accident cases where poor visibility was a contributing factor to the accident. Add to that the blinding headlights of oncoming traffic, and it is no wonder that poor visibility is one of the leading causes of nighttime car accidents.
Maximize Your Settlement Amount
When you hire a lawyer to fight for the compensation you deserve, you are more likely to get the highest settlement amount possible. We can maximize your damage award so that you can get your life back on track. Being injured because of someone else’s negligence can take a massive toll on your life, both mentally and physically. When you are doing all the work on your own, it can take a toll on you, and that is not something you should deal with on top of your physical and emotional recovery. It won’t be easy, but we will do everything we can to meet your compensation goals and get you back to living your life without financial worries.
Bridgeport Car Accident Infographic
Car Accident Statistics
According to the most recent report published by the NHTSA, there were 42,795 car accident fatalities in 2022, a 0.3 percent decrease from 2021. Drunk drivers cause an average of 10,850 fatalities every year. In 2021, there was a 14 percent increase in drunk driving fatalities over 2020, with 13,384 drunk driving-related deaths. Of those fatally injured in a passenger vehicle, 44 percent of drivers and 41 percent of passengers were wearing their seatbelts. Twenty-nine percent of motor vehicle crash deaths in 2021 involved speeding.
If you have been injured in a car accident, you likely have medical bills, loss of income if you have been unable to work while you are recovering, as well as dealing with pain and suffering and the emotional trauma of being in a crash. Having a skilled car accident lawyer advocating for you is invaluable during this time.
5 Questions To Ask Your Car Accident Lawyer
After being injured in a car accident, you want to know about your options. You may seek out assistance from an attorney, but you need to know what questions to ask. As you pursue your personal injury case, take a look at the five questions you’ll want to ask your Bridgeport, CT car accident lawyer.
How Can You Help My Case?
A car accident lawyer will conduct a thorough investigation of the incident, collect evidence, and secure witness testimonies to build a solid foundation for the claim. They work with medical professionals to accurately document injuries and often help coordinate treatment, ensuring claims reflect the full extent of the potential damages. Expertise in negotiating with insurance companies is leveraged to strive for fair settlements, and if it comes to it, they are ready to represent you in court. Throughout the legal journey, your attorney provides guidance on procedures and critical decisions, helping to navigate the complexities of the legal system to ultimately optimize the outcome of the case.
What Type of Damages Could I Collect?
In Connecticut, victims of car accidents may be entitled to economic damages for tangible losses such as medical expenses and lost wages, as well as non-economic damages for intangible hardships like pain and suffering. While punitive damages are less common, they may be awarded in cases of particularly reckless behavior. It’s important to note that Connecticut’s modified comparative negligence rule could reduce damages if the victim is partially at fault, barring recovery entirely if the victim’s fault exceeds 50%.
Are There Deadlines I Must Meet?
Acting quickly can be important when it comes to car accident cases. Because Connecticut has a two-year statute of limitations for injury claims, it’s unwise to wait if you’re thinking of pursuing a claim. The initial consultation with an attorney is the perfect time to address your concerns. You want plenty of information to help you weigh your options and make an informed decision.
How Long Should I Expect My Case to Take?
Many factors can affect how long a personal injury case takes to settle or go to trial. The discovery phase is important. That’s when attorneys for both the plaintiff and defendant seek evidence to support their claims. This can take a substantial amount of time as they obtain police reports, medical records, financial statements, depositions, and other critical documents. Regardless, a car accident attorney should give you a truthful answer and set reasonable expectations for your case.
What Are Your Fees?
Naturally, you may worry about having enough money to hire a car accident lawyer in Bridgeport, CT. Most car accident cases are handled on a contingency basis. This means your attorney only gets paid if they’re successful in obtaining a recovery. Our attorneys offer a free initial consultation for personal injury cases. At this consultation, our attorney will present you with a breakdown of fees and payment options.
What If the Other Driver Said the Accident Was My Fault?
If the other driver claims the accident was your fault, it’s important not to admit liability or make any statements that could be interpreted as an admission of guilt. Your car accident lawyer will investigate the circumstances, gather evidence, and build a case to determine fault based on facts and legal standards. Additionally, insurance companies will conduct their own investigations, and the determination of fault will ultimately be based on the evidence presented and the applicable laws.
Avoid Conflict
If another driver accuses you of causing an accident, it’s advisable to remain composed and avoid conflict or admitting fault since statements could be used against you later in legal proceedings. Calmly refute the accusations without escalating the situation, and make it clear that the matter will be resolved through an official investigation by the arriving law enforcement officers. This approach not only prevents potential legal complications but also can help defuse the tension.
Collect Contact Information
Make every effort to exchange the following details with the other driver involved in the accident:
- Full name, residential address, phone number, and email address
- Driver’s license details
- Insurance provider and policy information
Should the other driver refuse to share this information, or if they flee the scene, quickly note their vehicle’s license plate number, as well as any descriptive elements of the vehicle and the driver’s appearance.
Gather Evidence
Talk with any witnesses present and get their names and contact information. Then, while waiting for officers to arrive, take pictures of both vehicles and the accident scene. The more evidence you have, the more your Bridgeport car accident lawyer can build a strong case for you.
Talk With Officers
When talking with officers at the scene of an accident, provide a factual account of events without speculation or admitting fault, ensuring your side of the story is on record. It’s also important to cooperate fully and ask the officers how to obtain a copy of the accident report for your records.
Types of Damages
There are many ways for a car accident lawyer can help. When considering the costs associated with a car accident, what first comes to mind is the damages sustained to the vehicle itself, which should be paid by the responsible party or party’s insurance. However, there are plenty of other costs the responsible party may be obligated to pay for. These costs can include medical fees, lost wages, and legal fees. When dealing with an insurance company, they will attempt to pay out the lowest amount they can get away with. Having a car accident lawyer on your side can apply pressure, resulting in a larger settlement.
If you have substantial costs beyond fixing a small fender-bender, having legal counsel can maximize the compensation you receive. This is especially true if there is a large amount of evidence that can point to the other driver being responsible for the incident. No one should have to go into crippling debt for an accident that wasn’t their fault.
When pursuing a personal injury claim after an accident, the potential compensation is typically categorized into two main types. The compensatory damages may be “economic” or “noneconomic.” Economic damages are physical, tangible losses that can be quantified, and their value is not dependent on the jury’s evaluation.
Economic damages
- Past and future medical expenses
- Past and future lost wages
- Household services
- Vocational rehabilitation
- Property damages
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Lost earning capacity
- Medical expenses may also be included under economic damages. These damages are bills that arise out of the injuries that are caused by the accident.
Medical expenses that compensation can be collected for
- Chronic physical health issues
- Chronic mental health issues
- Surgeries
- Future treatments
Noneconomic damages
- Pain
- Emotional anguish
- Reputation damage
- Loss of enjoyment of activities
- Worsening of prior injuries
Our Mission
Willinger, Willinger & Bucci, P.C. is a Martindale-Hubbell AV-rated law firm with offices in Shelton and Bridgeport, CT. The firm was established in 1990 with a single purpose: to advocate for all of our clients, individuals, and commercial entities, relentlessly and vigorously to achieve the client’s goals. This commitment to excellent representation is reflected in the number of clients who repeatedly seek our counsel and representation in their legal matters.
Willinger, Willinger & Bucci, P.C.
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.”
