Who is at fault?

A Lawyer Handling Auto Accidents in Stamford, Bridgeport & Danbury

Stamford, Bridgeport & Danbury auto accidents attorney can assist you

The determination of fault in an auto accident is one of the most crucial parts of a car crash claim, because liability depends on who is found to be the at-fault driver. This has an effect on insurance issues and, in some cases, criminal matters. At The Reinken Law Firm we have years of experience dealing with auto accident claims, which enables us to help you determine who was at fault.

Fault versus no-fault

Prior to January 1, 1994, Connecticut had a no-fault insurance system. In this system, people injured in auto accidents obtain compensation from insurance companies and are restricted in their ability to bring lawsuits against at-fault drivers. However, the law establishing this system in Connecticut was repealed, and Connecticut now has a fault-based system.

This means you aren’t restricted to only pursuing the claim with your insurance company or the insurance company of the driver who was at fault; you may also choose to bring a personal injury claim in court against the at-fault driver. It also means a no-fault insurance defense is no longer available to the at-fault driver. We know the importance of obtaining fair compensation for your injuries, and we work with you to create the most optimal strategy for pursuing your claim.

Mandatory insurance requirements in Connecticut

Under Connecticut law, all registered motor vehicles must carry insurance. Drivers must carry the following minimum amounts of insurance:

• $20,000 per person
• $40,000 per accident for bodily injury liability
• $10,000 per accident for property damage liability

Collision coverage and comprehensive coverage are also available, but are not required by law. Drivers are, however, encouraged to obtain higher insurance amounts and fuller coverage.

What if I was partially at fault for my accident?

In many motor vehicle accidents, drivers share the fault. Under Connecticut law, as long as you are not more than 50 percent at fault in an auto accident, you can still bring a claim for compensation against the other party or parties involved in the accident. The amount of compensation you would receive is reduced by the percentage of your responsibility.

Insurance companies may attempt to claim you have a larger percentage of fault so they can pay you a reduced amount of compensation. Because of this, it’s important to speak with a Stamford auto accidents lawyer who can protect your rights and your entitlement to the compensation you deserve as soon as possible after your accident. With our extensive experience handling auto accident claims, we can assist you with meeting the challenges that come with the determination of degrees of responsibility.

Make an appointment today with a Stamford, Bridgeport and Danbury auto accidents attorney

At The Reinken Law Firm, we offer free consultations in which you speak directly with a lawyer. With offices conveniently located in Stamford, Bridgeport and Danbury, we make it easy for you to meet with us. And if you are home- or hospital-bound, we can come to you. Call us at 203-541-0090 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation today.