Bristol, CT Car Accident Lawyers

Car accidents are one of the most common causes of death in the United States, and unfortunately, Connecticut is not immune to this sad statistic. Crashes are incredibly common, with most resulting in mild property damage and minimal injuries. However, those who suffer moderate to major injuries may find their lives changed forever.

That’s why it’s so important for car accident victims to assert their rights after a crash. If someone else caused your crash, you could be entitled to compensation. Find out more now by calling The Dodd Law Firm at 203-272-1883.

Car Accident Trends in Connecticut

Recent years have shown troubling trends in Connecticut. In general, car crashes are trending the way they should. They were at an all-time high prior to the pandemic, and in the years since 2020, they have not yet hit their pre-pandemic levels. However, this same research shows that even though there are fewer accidents, they are more severe. 

Traffic fatalities were relatively low prior to the pandemic, with a low of 255 deaths in 2019. In 2022, though, there were 368 fatalities—the highest number in recent history. This shows a steady increase in recent years, and experts say it’s due to changes in driver behavior. Infrastructure is safer and vehicle technology has improved. However, drivers are more frustrated, less concerned about those around them, and more prone to road rage. That all comes out on the road and it results in more severe collisions.

Common Causes of Collisions

As part of your crash investigation, your attorney will likely try to figure out what happened to cause your crash. By figuring out what triggered the collision, they can then determine who is liable. Common causes reported in Bristol include:

• Speeding

• Failure to yield the right of way

• Changing lanes unsafely

• Unsafe turns

• Failure to heed traffic lights and stop signs

• Aggressive driving

• Fatigued driving

• Driving while impaired
• Driving while distracted

As you can see, most of these causes relate to driver error. Some collisions are caused by unsafe or poorly maintained roads, malfunctioning vehicle components, or unsafe vehicles, but the vast majority are caused by careless or reckless drivers.

Your Next Steps After a Bristol Car Accident

What you do in the hours, days, and weeks after a Bristol car accident can play a big part in the outcome of your personal injury claim. We recommend the following steps:

• Calling the police: You may choose to call 911 or call the non-emergency line of the Bristol Police Department. If there are obvious injuries, it may be better to call 911 so you can receive immediate medical attention. Report any visible injuries so that they can send the proper help.

• Surveying the scene: You only get one chance to document the accident scene, so take advantage of it. You should take photos and video footage of the vehicles’ final resting spots, damage to both vehicles, your injuries, and shots that show road conditions. Some of your photos should also include weather conditions, nearby street signs, and other markers showing where and when the accident occurred. Ensure that the vehicle’s license plates are in at least one photo. As soon as you can, back up your photos and video footage to a cloud-based storage system and a physical hard drive.

• Exchanging information: You should exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver involved in the crash. If they are aggressive, the police may help you do so. If there are eyewitnesses or people who stopped to help, don’t forget to get their contact information as well. What they observed could be helpful to your case.

• Seeking medical care: Your next step must be to seek medical attention. Whether you go to an urgent care facility or emergency room, it’s important to document your injuries and receive any necessary treatment. The Bristol area is home to many healthcare facilities that may help you, including PhysicianOne Urgent Care, GoHealth Urgent Care, and the Emergency Center at Bristol Hospital.
• Talking to a personal injury lawyer in Bristol: Once you’ve gotten the medical care you need and you’ve had a chance to process what happened, reach out to a car accident lawyer in Bristol. You could be entitled to compensation if someone else caused your accident, and if that’s the case, you should not shoulder these financial burdens on your own.

If you have a strong personal injury claim, you could be able to recover various types of compensation. You may receive compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, mental anguish, property damage, and other accident-related losses.

Why You Should Choose The Dodd Law Firm

Having the right attorney for your personal injury case can have a big impact on how your case plays out. Insurance companies make their money in a variety of ways, but a big way they protect profit margins is by paying out as little as possible on accident claims. They may do this by blaming your injuries on a preexisting condition, pinning the accident on you somehow, or trying to find ways that their client is not liable.

Trying to negotiate with insurance adjusters on your own is a nightmare. They know what it takes to get people to admit fault, accept a low settlement offer, or give up entirely. When you choose The Dodd Law Firm, you protect yourself from these underhanded tactics. We’ll build an ironclad case against the liable party and showcase your injuries and their impact on your life. During negotiations, we’ll put the insurance company in a position where they must negotiate fairly to avoid a lawsuit. But if your case goes to court, don’t worry—we are prepared for that too. No matter what, we are with you the entire way.

Reach Out Today to Start Your Claim

Whenever you are ready to move forward with your car accident claim, the team at The Dodd Law Firm is here to support and guide you. Get started now by calling us at 203-272-1883 or sending us a quick message online.