There is no average settlement for a car accident in Connecticut, as these values can vary widely depending on the circumstances of your accident. Numerous factors can affect the outcome of your case, including your injury severity, property damage, and potential disability. A Connecticut car accident lawyer can provide legal guidance and explain how these considerations may affect your specific claim value.
The Severity of Your Injuries Strongly Affects Your Car Accident Claim Values
Medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering are damages you could recover in a car accident claim. The value of these losses is largely determined by the severity and extent of your car accident injuries. Medical bills can mount rapidly, especially if you require surgery, hospitalization, or long-term treatment.
Catastrophic injuries from an auto collision may require assistive devices, medical equipment, and medication throughout treatment and recovery. In addition, you may need long-term rehabilitative care to return to your previous state of health.
Typically, if your injuries are more severe, they will require more treatment and care, which means a higher settlement to cover medical costs. A Connecticut personal injury attorney can help you gather medical records, invoices, and receipts to maximize your financial recovery for these expenses.
Your Ability to Work Affects Your Connecticut Car Accident Settlement Amount
When a car accident prevents you from working, whether it’s for follow-up appointments or long-term disability, you can recover compensation for lost income. The value of these types of damages is typically higher for those who miss more work.
Thus, a minor injury that requires two months of treatment and rehabilitation will likely garner a smaller settlement for lost income than, say, a catastrophic spinal cord injury that prevents the victim from returning to work.
The extent of your disability can also affect your settlement value for lost income, as can your previous earnings history. Greater loss of function for a longer period will typically equate to a higher income recovery. Your car accident attorney may seek testimony from medical, economic, and other experts to determine how much your current and future income diminished due to your injuries.
Your Damaged Property Value Can Affect Your Collision Settlement
If your vehicle was totaled, you will likely receive more to replace the vehicle than you would for cosmetic damage. The overall value and condition of your vehicle before the accident can also affect your property damage estimate.
You may also recover compensation for damage to personal property, such as cell phones, gear, and other items damaged or destroyed in the accident. Typically, the more severe your property damage, the higher this portion of your settlement will be.
Non-Economic Losses Contribute to Your Final Car Accident Settlement Value
In addition to the tangible economic costs associated with medical expenses, income loss, and property damage, you can recover subjective losses like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment. Non-economic damages like these are typically higher based on the economic losses the victims suffered.
The goal of non-economic damages is to ensure that injured victims receive monetary compensation to account for the extreme physical and psychological hardship caused by car accident injuries. Generally, someone who sustained a serious disabling injury will experience more negative effects on their quality of life than someone who can make a full recovery.
Out-of-Pocket Costs Related to Your Car Crash Injuries Can Increase Your Settlement Amount
Some injuries require temporary or permanent accommodations to meet all your personal and professional obligations. If your injuries prevent you from performing certain duties or services for your family or household, such as cleaning or shopping, you could include the cost of acquiring these services.
Types of out-of-pocket costs that could affect your settlement include:
- Cleaning and domestic assistance
- Grocery shopping services
- Childcare services
- In-home nursing or caretaking
- Handicap accommodations in your home or vehicle
These types of expenses are unique to each individual claim. If you aren’t sure whether an expense would apply to your settlement claim, speak with your car accident attorney for clarification.
Liability Laws Can Contribute to Your Auto Accident Settlement Value in Connecticut
Connecticut laws governing liability can be strict and confusing. The level of liability carried by the at-fault party can affect your claim’s value. A dedicated personal injury lawyer with experience handling car accident claims in Connecticut can help you understand the way liability laws can affect your final settlement amount.
Timely Filing Can Affect Your Connecticut Car Accident Settlement
Connecticut’s statute of limitations for filing a car accident lawsuit is typically two years, but the time frame varies depending on the case details. If you miss the deadline to file a lawsuit, you could lose the chance to recover compensation through legal action.
Contact a car accident attorney in Connecticut as soon as possible after your accident to avoid losing settlement money due to missed deadlines.
Quality Evidence Can Support Your Claim for a Higher Motor Vehicle Accident Settlement
A prompt call to a personal injury lawyer has other benefits for your potential auto collision settlement. By working with our car accident law firm, you will have a better chance of recovering quality evidence to support your case, which can help you secure a higher settlement.
Certain types of evidence can disappear or degrade with time. For example, witnesses may forget important details when too much time passes. Videos from traffic cameras, dashcam footage, and CCTV footage from nearby businesses may be overwritten within a few days.
A Connecticut car accident attorney can work to investigate your accident and recover critical evidence while you are still receiving treatment.
Speak With a Car Accident Lawyer About Your Potential Settlement
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a motor vehicle crash in Connecticut, the personal injury attorneys at Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC can help you gather evidence and file a timely claim to recover fair compensation.
Our law firm has spent more than 85 years fighting for the legal rights of car accident victims and recovered millions in settlements and verdicts. Let us bring our extensive knowledge and resources to fight your case. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a Connecticut car accident lawyer.
