Car Accident Lawyer Shelton, CT
A car accident can happen even when the right precautions are taken. One of the most common reasons for this, is because people on the road can often be very careless and unpredictable. Sometimes, people will turn a corner or change lanes without turning on their turn signal. Other times, there are people who will attempt to tailgate a car in front of them. However, if the car in front of them has to make a sudden stop, there will be no time for the car behind them to slow down, and an accident will be caused. These are some examples of how people can be unpredictable when it comes to following the rules of the road. Unfortunately, even a minor fender-bender can cause issues and if you have significant injuries sustained, then you may need the help of a car accident lawyer in Shelton, CT. By visiting our law firm, Willinger, Willinger & Bucci, P.C, you can get in touch with a lawyer who will have the experience and tools necessary to ensure you receive the compensation and justice you deserve.
Common Reasons for Car Accidents
Although no two car accidents are the same, there are a few common reasons why car accidents happen:
- Distracted driving: While we tend to think of distracted driving as when another driver is texting or calling, the truth is that distracted driving can cover a wide range. Distracted driving can be anything from eating and drinking, changing the radio station, or being distracted by something else on the road. Moreover, distracted driving can also happen, when someone is in a hurry somewhere, and they fail to follow the rules of the road, as a result. An example of this would be an accident that is caused, due to someone being in a hurry and running a red light, or someone being careless and running a stop sign, because they are in a hurry. These are also some examples of distracted driving as well.
- The driver isn’t in the right state of mind: Driving requires a lot of focus and concentration as even the smallest mistake can cause huge issues. Unfortunately, sometimes a driver may not be in the right state of mind. They may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, suffering from driver’s fatigue, or maybe have just had an emotional episode.
- Weather conditions: It’s no surprise that there are many more accidents come winter. One of the strongest examples of this, pertains to icy roads and how they can be a detriment, when it comes to driving. During such weather conditions, roads end up becoming much more slippery, and in these cases, it is important to be very careful when turning a corner, as well as when driving and coming to a red light. If someone puts on the breaks too fast, their care can end up spiraling out of control, or it may not slow down enough in time, which can end up causing an accident. However, even a rainstorm can prove to be fatal especially when other conditions enter the mix such as it being nighttime.
- Road conditions: Not every road is alike. Unfortunately, some roads may suffer from serious issues like potholes, crumbling infrastructure, improper signage, etc. Potholes can especially be a serious hazard that end up destroying wheels over time and cause flat tires as well. As such, on roads where potholes are known to be, it is important that they are not run over, or different routes are taken, to avoid hazardous areas.
How Can a Lawyer Help?
Following a car accident, it’s vital to be in touch with a car accident lawyer in Shelton, CT. However, you might be wondering what exactly a car accident lawyer can do for you. While there are different ways a lawyer can help, the most crucial way your attorney can help is by getting you the compensation you deserve.
Following a car crash, people might be aware that they’re entitled to compensation for medical bills and property damages, but they may not know that compensation can cover other areas too such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, reduced quality of life, etc.
Having an experienced attorney on your side means that they will be able to fight to ensure you receive the proper compensation. They can also negotiate with the insurance companies, apply legal pressure when needed, and advise you on whether or not you should take an offer.
Will My Trial Go to Court?
While some car accident cases do make it to court, many of them are settled before. The reason for this is that even a small incident can take several months to resolve and can cost both parties considerable time and money. That’s why most cases are settled before they ever see a courtroom.
Contact Us Today
A car accident is a traumatic experience and following such a tragedy, you and your loved ones deserve the necessary justice and compensation. That’s why you should enlist the help of an experienced car accident attorney in Shelton, CT from our law office of Willinger & Bucci, P.C.
Common Myths About Whiplash Injuries
Whiplash is a common neck injury people sustain during car accidents. The injury can cause neck pain and stiffness, dizziness, headache and shoulder pain. However, whiplash is still widely misunderstood. Here are the most common myths about whiplash injuries.
- A car must be going fast to cause whiplash. Many people assume that a vehicle has to be traveling fast to result in a whiplash injury. However, people can sustain whiplash in accidents where the car was traveling just a few miles per hour.
- Only elderly people can suffer whiplash. It is true that elderly people are more likely to suffer whiplash during car accidents because they don’t have as much muscle strength as their younger counterparts. However, that doesn’t mean that younger people are immune to this injury. Staying physically active can reduce the severity of symptoms.
- Whiplash has immediate symptoms. This is another common myth about whiplash injuries. The truth is that whiplash typically does not cause immediate pain. Many people don’t start to experience symptoms until days or weeks after their car accident. That is why it is important to seek immediate medical care following an accident, even if you feel fine.
- Rest is the best treatment for whiplash. If you sustain whiplash during a car accident, you might think that you need a lot of rest. However, too much rest can actually be detrimental. It can increase your stiffness and hinder your recovery. That is why your family physician may advise you to see a physical therapist. He or she can show you how to perform various exercises to improve your whiplash injury.
- Whiplash always improves on its own. While some people may be able to recover from whiplash on their own, others may deal with chronic pain that makes it difficult to perform daily activities. To avoid long-term issues, seek emergency medical care right after a car accident.
- Wearing a seatbelt can prevent whiplash. Although it is always important to wear your seatbelt, it will not necessarily prevent you from sustaining whiplash. In fact, wearing a seatbelt might actually increase your risk of suffering the neck injury.
- Whiplash only causes neck pain. This is another common misconception about whiplash injuries. Since many of your muscles are interconnected, you may experience pain in areas besides your neck, such as your shoulders and upper back.
Ways To Improve Your Car Accident Case Outcome
Car accidents can be traumatic experiences to go through, whether you have suffered minor injuries, as a Shelton, CT car accident lawyer knows. To recover your losses, you may want to speak with a lawyer right away about filing a claim. There are steps that you can take to obtain a better outcome if you are filing a car accident claim. Planning ahead and being mindful can help you make better choices throughout your claim process and keep you from making careless mistakes that can hurt your case. Don’t wait to speak to a lawyer like one from Willinger, Willinger & Bucci, P.C. if you need a more detailed explanation of how to navigate the claims process.
Seek medical treatment
There are many things that you should do after a car accident, but one of the most important things is to get medical attention. See a doctor or medical professional right away so you can be treated. If you do not see a lawyer, you may experience issues getting the compensation for your case. If a first responder approaches you after an accident, you should not refuse their request to evaluate your condition. You may not be aware of the full extent of your injuries. Having medical records also adds to your body of evidence, helping you increase your compensation amount.
Understand your rights
You should take the time to get to know your basic legal rights. If you are not sure what your rights are or have questions regarding what they mean, a Shelton car accident lawyer like one from Willinger, Willinger & Bucci, P.C. can provide you with more information. Since every case is unique, you may want to meet with a lawyer to understand the full details of your case. Not many people are aware of their legal rights, so it will be helpful to meet with a lawyer.
Gather as much evidence as possible
You will want to have as much evidence as possible if you hope to build a strong case. Without enough evidence that is compelling and persuasive, you are not likely to get the compensation that you deserve. Whatever information and evidence that you are able to give to a lawyer, the stronger your case will be. They will do the work of evaluating your evidence so bring whatever evidence you can to a lawyer.
Don’t say yes to the first offer
Insurance companies may give you an offer if you have recently been injured in a car accident. However, it is important to be wary of the first initial offers that you get. If you do receive a settlement offer, have a personal injury lawyer evaluate it.
File a claim right away
You should not take too long to decide whether you want to file a claim or not. If you intend to file a claim, do so early. You can meet with a lawyer for more details if you are ever stuck and are not sure what to do. They will explain everything for you so that you can get the legal counsel you need. For more information about navigating car accident claims so you can get the case results you deserve, meet with a lawyer right away.