Bridgeport Personal Injury Law

When you’re hurt because of someone else’s mistake, what do you do next? How do you cope when the medical bills are piling up and you’re unable to work? Whether your injuries are from a car crash, a slip and fall, a dog bite, or another type of accident, it’s time to talk to an attorney.

With the team of Bridgeport personal injury attorneys at The Dodd Law Firm, you can fight for the compensation you deserve. We know how hard it is to hold negligent parties accountable, especially when insurance companies start nickel-and-diming your settlement. You focus on your recovery—we’ll take care of your legal needs. Call us at 203-272-1883 to set up a consultation right now.

Why You Need a Personal Injury Lawyer

When an injury turns your life upside down, you might expect it to be easy to get the compensation you’re owed—especially if the facts of your case are cut and dry. Someone else made a mistake, perhaps by driving unsafely, failing to maintain their property, or letting their aggressive dog off-leash. As a result, you were injured. What else is there to know?

Insurance companies know that they have a lot to lose if they pay every single victim what they actually owe. Their priority isn’t you or your injuries; their priority is their executives and shareholders. That means cutting financial corners wherever they can, even when that means leaving victims without the money they need to recuperate.

That’s where the team at The Dodd Law Firm steps in to help. We have navigated claims with every major insurance company throughout our years in personal injury law, and we are very well-versed in the tricks used by insurance adjusters. That means we also know what it takes to push back against those tricks and still get the compensation our clients are owed.

If you take on the insurance company alone, expect them to use everything they can against you—even your own words. Let yourself focus on your healing journey and let us do what we do best and advocate for you.

The Cases We Take

Our team has extensive experience in a wide range of personal injury cases, including:

• Car accidents in Bridgeport
• Bridgeport truck accidents
• Bridgeport motorcycle accidents
• Pedestrian accidents in Bridgeport
• Slip-and-fall cases and other premises liability claims
• Dog bites
• Defective products

 

With our team’s aggressive approach and our commitment to what is best for you, you can rest easy while we work on your case.

Personal Injury Laws in Connecticut

Knowing the personal injury laws in your state can help you take appropriate action after an injury. In Connecticut, the statute of limitations is two years. If you do not file your claim within two years of the date of your injury, you will likely lose your right to pursue compensation.

Connecticut, like many other states, is a comparative negligence state. This means that you can still seek compensation if you are partially to blame for your accident. However, your court award will be reduced proportionately to your share of liability.

Compensation for Your Injuries and Losses

If you can prove the other party’s liability, you may be able to recover compensation for your losses related to your injuries. In Connecticut, damages are separated into several different categories.

The first category is compensatory damages, which are further divided into economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include those losses that are easy to assign a monetary value to, such as medical bills, lost wages, and property damage.

It’s easy to calculate those costs, as long as you keep receipts, repair estimates, and documentation of your out-of-pocket expenses. There are also non-economic damages, which refer to your losses that aren’t necessarily financial in nature. This includes disfigurement, pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and loss of future income opportunities. It’s considerably more difficult to calculate these losses, which is one reason it’s so important to work with an attorney.

The other category is punitive damages. However, it is fair for punitive damages to be awarded. The court will only order punitive damages if the defendant showed gross negligence or caused intentional damage. While compensatory damages aim to compensate victims, punitive damages seek to punish the liable party. The goal is to keep them from engaging in similar behavior in the future and serve as an example and warning to others.

A number of factors contribute to the final settlement or court award you receive as an accident victim. The extent of your injuries and your ability to prove your injuries is obviously important. One benefit of working with a personal injury lawyer is the safe collection and protection of evidence, which strengthens your claim. Another important factor is your choice of attorney.

While there are many Connecticut lawyers who take personal injury claims, you don’t want just any lawyer. You want an attorney who will really dig into the details of your accident, fully explore the evidence available to them, and build the strongest case possible on your behalf.

The right attorney will explain how much your case is worth and help you understand the different offers made by the insurance company. They won’t encourage you to accept the first offer just because it’s faster. Instead, they’ll do whatever it takes to get the settlement or court award your injuries truly deserve.

Finding the right lawyer can make a huge difference to the outcome of your case. We believe that the team of personal injury lawyers at The Dodd Law Firm has what it takes to get the job done and protect your best interests.

Car Accident Lawyer in Bridgeport, CT 

If you’ve been in a car accident in Bridgeport, Connecticut, you might be wondering if you really need a lawyer. While it’s true that some minor fender-benders can be handled directly with insurance companies, for anything more serious, working with a car accident lawyer today can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case. Here’s why.

Dealing with Insurance Companies

Perhaps one of the most compelling reasons to hire a car accident lawyer is their history in dealing with insurance companies. Insurance adjusters are trained negotiators whose primary goal is to minimize payouts. They may offer you a quick, lowball settlement that doesn’t fully cover your damages, or even try to shift blame to you.

A lawyer acts as your advocate. They know the tactics insurance companies use and can negotiate effectively on your behalf. They’ll communicate with adjusters, counter low offers, and fight for a settlement that truly reflects the full extent of your losses, making sure you don’t get taken advantage of.

Investigating and Gathering Evidence

Proving fault and the extent of your damages requires a thorough investigation and collection of strong evidence. This can be a complex and time-consuming process that you might not be equipped to handle while recovering from injuries.

A car accident lawyer will take on this burden. They’ll investigate the accident scene, gather crucial evidence such as police reports, medical records, photographs, and surveillance footage. They can also interview witnesses, analyze vehicle damage, and even work with accident reconstruction professionals to build a compelling case that clearly establishes the other party’s negligence.

Accurately Assessing Your Damages

After a car accident, your losses go beyond just vehicle damage. They can include current and future medical bills, lost wages from time off work, reduced earning capacity due to long-term injuries, and non-economic damages like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Calculating the full value of these damages can be incredibly complex. A car accident lawyer has the background to accurately assess all your losses, working with medical experts, economists, and other professionals if needed. This ensures that your claim accounts for both your immediate needs and any long-term consequences of your injuries.

Navigating Medical Treatment and Bills

Dealing with injuries after a car accident can be overwhelming, especially when medical bills start piling up. A car accident lawyer can help you manage your medical treatment and ensure that all your medical records are properly documented. This documentation is crucial evidence for your compensation claim. If you don’t have medical insurance, some lawyers can even help you find doctors who will provide treatment in exchange for a lien on your personal injury settlement.

Protecting Your Rights and Interests

Without a lawyer, you might inadvertently say or do something that harms your case. For example, admitting any fault at the scene of the accident, even if you’re not sure, could be used against you. Insurance companies might also try to get you to give recorded statements that could be twisted.

A car accident lawyer will advise you on what to say (and what not to say) to protect your rights. They’ll shield you from direct communication with the other party’s insurance company, ensuring that your interests are always prioritized.

Expediting the Process

While a car accident claim can take time, having a lawyer involved can often speed up the process. They know the legal procedures and deadlines, and their involvement signals to insurance companies that you are serious about your claim. This can lead to quicker negotiations and a more efficient resolution, allowing you to focus on your recovery.

Courtroom Presentation (If Needed)

While most car accident cases settle out of court, there’s always a possibility that your case might need to go to trial. If negotiations fail, you’ll need a lawyer with courtroom experience to represent you. They can skillfully present your case, cross-examine witnesses, and argue for your right to compensation in front of a judge or jury.

No Upfront Fees (Contingency Basis)

Many car accident lawyers in Bridgeport work on a contingency fee basis. This means you don’t pay any upfront fees for their services. Instead, their payment is a percentage of the compensation they win for you. If they don’t win your case, you generally don’t pay them. This makes legal representation accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial situation after an accident.

Peace of Mind and Reduced Stress

The aftermath of a car accident is often a time of immense stress, pain, and uncertainty. By hiring a car accident lawyer, you can offload the burden of legal complexities, investigations, and negotiations. This allows you to focus on your physical and emotional recovery, knowing that a dedicated professional is fighting for your best interests.

Choose the Team at The Dodd Law Firm

If you’ve suffered an injury due to another person’s negligence, don’t wait any longer to secure the legal representation you deserve. At The Dodd Law Firm, we’re committed to representing our clients aggressively and effectively for the best possible outcome. Set up your consultation with our Bridgeport personal injury lawyers now by filling out our online contact form or calling us at 203-272-1883.