Car Accident Lawyers in New Haven, CT

Car accidents are a common sight on Connecticut roads. While automobile manufacturers have ramped up their safety features and innovations, they’re not quite fast enough to keep up with human error. All of this new technology has also given drivers plenty of ways to be distracted, increasing accident numbers across the country.

If you’ve been the victim of a car accident, you could be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and other expenses. Your next step is to call the team at The Dodd Law Firm and set up a consultation. Call us at 203-272-1883 to get started.

Heightened Risk of Accidents in Connecticut

While the numbers for car accidents are never what we’d like them to be, the most recent statistics out of Connecticut are especially alarming. CT Insider reports that 2022 was one of the deadliest years for Connecticut residents, thanks to worsening crash statistics.

By late December of 2022, there were already 70 pedestrian deaths for the year. This makes 2022 the deadliest year for pedestrians since 1988. Wrong-way accidents are another serious issue in Connecticut, indicating a potential issue with impaired and distracted drivers.

In 2022, there were well over 300 crashes that resulted in fatalities. The five years prior saw between 233 and 289 fatal crashes, indicating a worrying trend on Connecticut roads. Research from the University of Connecticut shows that the peak time for accidents in Connecticut was from 2:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. on weekdays, although crashes were also very common between 7:00 A.M. and 8:00 A.M. on weekdays. Wednesday and Friday are the two most common days for accidents.

The Landscape of Car Accidents in New Haven, CT

New Haven, as one of Connecticut’s largest cities, experiences significant traffic, particularly with major highways like I-95 and I-91 running through or near it. This increased volume of vehicles inherently leads to a higher likelihood of accidents. 

What Causes Car Accidents in New Haven, CT?

While mechanical failures or unforeseen roadway issues can occasionally contribute to an accident, the overwhelming majority of collisions in New Haven and across Connecticut are the direct result of human actions or inactions. These human errors manifest in various ways, often involving a disregard for traffic laws, a lapse in attention, or impaired judgment.

Failing to Yield Right of Way

A fundamental principle of safe driving is understanding and respecting right-of-way rules. When drivers fail to yield the right of way, especially at intersections or when merging, it frequently leads to collisions. This can include turning left in front of oncoming traffic, not yielding to pedestrians in a crosswalk, or failing to give way to vehicles already in a roundabout. These situations create immediate hazards, as other drivers or pedestrians expect a certain flow of traffic that is suddenly disrupted. The consequences can range from minor fender benders to severe T-bone collisions.

Driving Too Fast for the Conditions

Speeding is not just about exceeding the posted limit; it also encompasses driving too fast for the prevailing road, weather, or traffic conditions. Even if a driver is within the speed limit, driving 50 mph in a blinding rainstorm or heavy fog is incredibly dangerous. Higher speeds reduce a driver’s reaction time and increase the force of impact in the event of a collision, leading to more severe injuries and property damage. On congested New Haven streets or highways, the inability to stop or slow down in time due to excessive speed is a frequent cause of rear-end accidents and multi-vehicle pile-ups. Speeding has been identified as a chief cause of car accident deaths on Connecticut roads, with some drivers even being caught going well over 100 miles per hour.

Ignoring Road Signs and Traffic Lights

Traffic signs and lights are designed to regulate the flow of traffic and ensure safety. When drivers disregard these crucial indicators, they create chaos and danger. Running red lights or stop signs, for example, is a significant contributor to intersection accidents, often resulting in devastating side-impact collisions. Ignoring yield signs, one-way signs, or lane-specific directives can also lead to confusing and hazardous situations, increasing the risk of a crash. This category also includes making illegal turns or U-turns in prohibited areas, which can surprise other drivers and lead to sudden, unavoidable accidents.

Reckless Driving

Reckless driving encompasses a broad range of dangerous behaviors that show a blatant disregard for the safety of others on the road. This can include aggressive driving tactics such as weaving in and out of traffic, excessive lane changes without signaling, tailgating, or engaging in road rage. Such actions not only increase the likelihood of an accident but also elevate the risk of severe injury due to the high speeds and erratic maneuvers often involved. Drivers who exhibit road rage, for instance, might intentionally cut off other vehicles or brake suddenly, leading to dangerous confrontations and collisions.

Following Too Closely

Also known as tailgating, following too closely is a primary factor in rear-end collisions. When a driver does not maintain a safe following distance, they have insufficient time and space to react if the vehicle ahead suddenly slows down or stops. 

This is especially dangerous in heavy traffic or at higher speeds, where stopping distances are significantly increased. A good rule of thumb is the “three-second rule,” allowing at least three seconds between your vehicle and the one in front of you, with more time needed in adverse conditions. Failure to adhere to this basic safety measure frequently results in avoidable crashes.

Unsafe Lane Changes and Turns

Changing lanes or making turns unsafely can lead to sideswipe collisions or impact with oncoming traffic. This includes failing to check blind spots, not using turn signals, or making turns from an incorrect lane. When a driver swerves into another lane without warning or cuts off another vehicle during a turn, it leaves little to no time for other drivers to react, increasing the risk of an accident. These maneuvers are particularly hazardous on multi-lane roads and busy intersections in New Haven.

Driving While Impaired

Driving under the influence of alcohol, illicit drugs, or even certain prescription medications is one of the most dangerous forms of human error on the road. Impaired drivers suffer from reduced coordination, slower reaction times, distorted perception, and impaired judgment, making them a significant threat to themselves and others. 

Despite decades of public awareness campaigns and strict laws, impaired driving continues to be a leading cause of severe and fatal accidents in Connecticut. Statistics show that a substantial percentage of fatal crashes in the state involve a driver under the influence.

Driving While Fatigued

Fatigued or drowsy driving can be as dangerous as impaired driving. When drivers are overly exhausted, their reaction times are significantly slowed, their attention wanders, and they may even fall asleep at the wheel. 

This is particularly risky during late-night or early morning hours, or for individuals with irregular sleep schedules. Drowsy drivers often exhibit behaviors similar to those under the influence, such as weaving, drifting, or failing to maintain a consistent speed, dramatically increasing their risk of a collision.

Driving While Distracted

Distracted driving has become a pervasive and alarming problem in recent years, largely due to the increased use of mobile devices. Distraction can be visual (taking eyes off the road), manual (taking hands off the wheel), or cognitive (taking mind off driving). 

Texting, talking on a handheld phone, eating, grooming, adjusting GPS or radio settings, or interacting with passengers are all common forms of distraction. Even a momentary lapse in attention can have devastating consequences, especially at higher speeds. Connecticut has laws prohibiting the use of handheld cell phones and texting while driving, yet these behaviors remain a leading cause of accidents.

Commonly Reported Injuries in New Haven, CT Car Accidents

The impact of a car accident can range from minor property damage to catastrophic injuries, or even fatalities. The type and severity of injuries sustained depend on various factors, including the speed of impact, the angle of collision, the type of vehicles involved, and whether occupants were properly restrained.

Broken Bones

Fractures are common in car accidents, affecting bones throughout the body, including arms, legs, ribs, and facial bones. The force of impact can cause bones to break or shatter, often requiring surgery, casts, or other medical interventions. While many broken bones heal, some can lead to long-term pain, limited mobility, or permanent disfigurement.

Lacerations, Cuts, and Scrapes

Broken glass, sharp debris, or even contact with the vehicle’s interior can cause lacerations, cuts, and scrapes. These injuries can range from superficial to deep, potentially causing significant bleeding, nerve damage, and scarring. Severe lacerations may require stitches, reconstructive surgery, and ongoing wound care.

Spinal Cord Damage

Spinal cord injuries are among the most debilitating consequences of a car accident. The sudden force of a collision can cause fractured vertebrae, herniated discs, or direct damage to the spinal cord itself. Such injuries can result in chronic pain, loss of sensation, weakness, and, in severe cases, partial or complete paralysis below the site of the injury. The long-term impact of spinal cord damage often requires extensive rehabilitation, assistive devices, and lifelong medical care.

Soft Tissue Damage

Soft tissue injuries involve damage to muscles, ligaments, and tendons. These are very common in car accidents, even in low-speed collisions. Examples include sprains, strains, and tears. While often not immediately apparent, soft tissue injuries can cause significant pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion, potentially leading to chronic discomfort if not properly treated.

Whiplash

Whiplash is a specific type of soft tissue injury that commonly affects the neck. It occurs when the head is suddenly jerked forward and backward, straining the muscles and ligaments in the neck. Symptoms can include neck pain, stiffness, headaches, dizziness, and radiating pain into the shoulders and arms. Whiplash can range from mild discomfort to chronic pain and disability, sometimes lasting for months or even years.

Concussions

A concussion is a form of traumatic brain injury (TBI) resulting from a sudden jolt or blow to the head. In car accidents, concussions frequently occur when the head strikes the steering wheel, dashboard, window, or even from the rapid acceleration and deceleration of the brain within the skull. Symptoms can include headaches, dizziness, confusion, nausea, memory problems, and sensitivity to light and sound. While many concussions resolve over time, some can lead to post-concussion syndrome with persistent symptoms.

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)

Beyond concussions, more severe traumatic brain injuries can occur, involving more extensive damage to the brain. These can range from mild to severe and may result in a wide array of cognitive, physical, and emotional impairments. Depending on the severity, a TBI can lead to long-term issues with memory, concentration, speech, motor skills, personality changes, and even permanent disability. Life after a severe TBI often requires extensive medical care, rehabilitation, and lifestyle adjustments.

Paralysis

In the most severe cases of spinal cord or brain injury, a car accident can lead to paralysis, which is the loss of muscle function in part of the body. This can be partial or complete, affecting one limb (monoplegia), two limbs (paraplegia), or all four limbs (quadriplegia). Paralysis has profound and life-altering consequences, requiring extensive medical support, adaptive equipment, and often round-the-clock care.

Amputations

While less common, the extreme force of certain collisions can result in limbs being crushed or severed, leading to the need for amputation. This devastating injury requires complex surgical procedures, extensive rehabilitation, and the use of prosthetics. Amputations carry not only significant physical challenges but also profound psychological and emotional impacts.

Fatal Injuries

Tragically, some car accidents result in fatal injuries. The loss of life in a motor vehicle collision is the most severe outcome, leaving families and communities devastated. 

What to Do After a Crash in New Haven, CT

It’s important to make the most of the minutes, hours, and days after a New Haven, CT car crash. Not only is it crucial to be proactive about your health after an injury, but you also want to protect your right to seek compensation with a personal injury claim. After a car accident, we recommend:

• Reporting the accident: Depending on the severity of the accident, you may call 911 or you may call the non-emergency line of the New Haven Police Department. Make sure to tell them about any obvious injuries, as they may choose to send an ambulance.
• Gathering evidence: Much of the evidence available after a car crash is only available for a limited time. There’s a rush to clean up after a crash in order to keep the roadways safe and keep traffic moving smoothly. That’s why you should use this time to take photos of the crash scene. Take photos from a variety of angles and distances, and try to get some photos with road signs, nearby businesses, or other identifying features in the frame. You’ll also want some photos that show both cars’ license plates. If possible, you may want to take video footage of the crash. Back up these photos as soon as possible.
• Exchanging contact information: You will need to exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver before leaving the scene. If the other driver is aggressive or unruly, you may want to ask the police to help you with this step.
• Talking to the police: Make sure you tell your side of the story to the police. The police report is crucial evidence for the insurance companies, and you don’t want the other driver to control the narrative.
• Get checked out at a medical facility: Local options include Yale New Haven Hospital, Hartford HealthCare Urgent care, and Concentra Urgent Care. You need a paper trail tying your injuries to the accident.
• Talk to a personal injury lawyer: Your next call should be to a New Haven car accident attorney. An experienced and committed attorney will fight to recover the compensation you are owed.

How the Dodd Law Firm Can Help You

When you choose The Dodd Law Firm for your personal injury claim, you know that your case is in reliable hands. Our team has handled many car accident cases, and we know what it takes to hold the negligent party accountable. While you focus on healing and recovering, we will start investigating your claim.

Our goal is to determine what happened, find out who is liable, and demand full and fair compensation on your behalf. Most cases settle outside of court, but our team is more than ready to take your case to court and fight for you there. We aren’t here to rush your claim through, get whatever settlement we can, and tie up your case. We are here to get what you are owed.

Reach Out Today—We’re Here to Help

The sooner you connect with the team at The Dodd Law Firm, the sooner we can start working on your claim. Set up a time to talk now by contacting us online or calling us at 203-272-1883.