Auto collisions can leave severe injuries and plunge someone into financial debt with the amount of medical and property damage expenses. Securing compensation from a settlement or trial can help ease the burden but there are no guarantees. The best way to increase your odds of success is by hiring an experienced car accident attorney. There are a number of important factors in a Bridgeport car accident case that Attorney George W. Ganim, Jr. can explain to you in order to put you in a good position to recover damages.
Important Things to do After an Accident
The three most important things to do after an accident are to call the police, seek immediate medical attention and contact an experienced attorney who can help protect your rights.
You first want to call the police so the accident can be properly reported and documented. Next is to seek immediate medical attention so that your injuries are properly attended to in order to prevent further injury, damage or pain. After your injuries are addressed it is important for you or someone on your behalf to contact an experienced accident attorney. The reason it is important that you contact an attorney as soon as possible after an accident is because the negligent party’s insurance company will attempt to take advantage of you by reaching out to you in order to secure information it is not entitled to. The insurance company will also make an effort to try to devalue your case in order to pay less compensation than you are owed. Attorney Ganim can act as your advocate and ensure that the insurance adjusters receive no more information about your case than is necessary and you receive no less than you are entitled to for your injuries and losses.
Unique Factors About Car Accidents in Bridgeport
Bridgeport is the most populous city in the State of Connecticut, which means its emergency services get inundated with phone calls. Many of these calls are not regarding serious accidents, so it may take time for the police to arrive at a scene. The Bridgeport police department has installed body cameras and dash cameras, which can be important evidence in a case. If there is a dispute about what somebody may have said, the damage that was done to a vehicle or the positioning of a vehicle, these devices can serve to determine the truth.
A person who has just been in an accident should not move their vehicle until police arrive, unless it is in a dangerous position. Photographs of the accident scene, the position of the cars, and damage to the cars should be taken in order to have proof to be used as evidence later.
Is Bridgeport a Contributory or Comparative Negligence Jurisdiction?
Bridgeport is a comparative negligence jurisdiction. This means that if you are 50 percent or less at fault, then you can still recover damages for your injuries. If you are 51 percent or more at fault, then you are barred from recovering damages.
For example, if the at-fault driver is 90 percent at fault for the accident and you are deemed to be 10 percent at fault, your final damages award will be reduced by 10 percent. If you were determined to be 51 percent at fault, then you are not going to recover anything at all, because the jury deemed you more at fault for the accident than the other driver.
There are a number of factors that affect liability or fault, such as: testimony of witnesses, adverse weather conditions and vehicle speed, among other things. These factors can play an important role in determining the outcome of an auto collision case in Bridgeport.
Why is it Important to Contact an Attorney Early?
It is important to contact an attorney early on after a crash because the at-fault party’s insurance company will attempt to contact you. Despite what the insurance adjuster tells you, the company is not there to protect your interests, they are only looking to pay out as little as possible or nothing at all. The insurance company will try and secure personal information from you that you normally would not release if you had an attorney to protect your interests.
The other reason you should contact an attorney right away is, if there is damage to your vehicle, then you will want to start repairing it. You will likely need to rent a vehicle in the interim period and may need help acquiring one. Attorney Ganim can help ensure that you receive proper medical care or treatment by coordinating your visits and billing with the medical provider.
Learn About the Important Factors in a Bridgeport Car Accident from an Attorney
Insurance companies will try to reveal sensitive information about you to be used against you in your accident case. It is important not to speak to them until you have Attorney George W. Ganim, Jr. on your side. Schedule a free consultation with Attorney George W. Ganim, Jr. to learn about the important factors in a Bridgeport car accident case and what you should do to maximize your recovery.