Uninsured Motorist Accident Attorney in New Haven, CT
Although driving without the required amount of insurance is against the law, 14% of drivers are uninsured. In an at-fault state like Connecticut, being in an accident with an uninsured motorist can leave you wondering what your options are.
To have the best chance of recovering losses, you need to hire a New Haven car accident lawyer. At Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge, we can help you understand your rights and file a claim correctly.
New Haven is a beautiful coastal city in Connecticut that, unfortunately, experiences all types of vehicular accidents. Any time you’re involved in a collision, you could struggle with getting coverage for losses you sustained, and this is only made worse if the other person is uninsured.
How Motor Vehicle Insurance Works in New Haven, CT
To legally be able to drive a vehicle in Connecticut, you need both liability and uninsured motorist insurance. Liability insurance pays for injuries and property damage in accidents that you cause. Uninsured motorist insurance (UMI) helps to cover the losses you sustain in accidents with a person who doesn’t have any or enough insurance.
By law, New Haven drivers must have a minimum coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in both liability and uninsured motorist insurance. You have the choice of getting more of the latter.
If you have an accident with someone without insurance, you can’t file a claim against their liability insurance, so you have to turn to your UMI to cover your losses. If the other person has some coverage but is underinsured, their insurance can cover some of the damages and your UMI covers the rest.
Anyone who’s been in an accident with an uninsured driver has the chance to claim compensation. Contact us at Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge to schedule a consultation with an attorney for uninsured motorist claims.
John Kennedy Jr.
Founding Partner
John J. Kennedy, Jr., is the founding partner of Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge, P.C. In 1988, John formed Kennedy & Johnson, along with David Johnson. John is an accomplished trial attorney, spending most of his more than 42 years practicing in Connecticut, representing injured clients before juries.
Common Causes of New Haven Motor Vehicle Accidents
In 2020, New Haven experienced 5,000 motor vehicle accidents. Although they happen for a variety of reasons, distracted driving is the most common cause. Distracted driving refers to a driver doing anything else while behind the wheel.
With the advent of smartphones, texting, scrolling through social media, and checking emails are all common things people do while driving. New Haven prohibits holding a cell phone while driving, but the problem persists.
However, it’s not just phone use that can cause distraction. Drivers who are fiddling with the radio, checking the GPS, or even speaking with passengers are distracted. They’re less likely to see if hazards appear on the road, leading to accidents.
Intoxicated driving is another issue that impacts New Haven. Of all of the traffic-related fatalities in New Haven County, 39% involve a drunk driver. A driver under the influence of drugs or alcohol has slower reflexes and can experience coordination issues, making them more dangerous behind the wheel.
Another cause of traffic accidents in New Haven is speeding. The driver of a vehicle traveling at a high velocity will have less time in which to stop to avoid a collision if there’s a hazard on the road. The speed is also more likely to cause catastrophic injuries like spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries.
Reckless driving also leads to accidents. Reckless driving refers to operating a vehicle with a willful disregard for the safety of others. It involves actions like running red lights or stop signs, tailgating, and racing other vehicles. All of these actions can lead to serious accidents.
Benefits of Hiring a Lawyer for Uninsured Motorist Cases
Perhaps one of the most crucial benefits of getting a lawyer to help you with an uninsured motorist claim is that they can advise you on your rights. The complexities of filing a personal injury claim can sometimes intimidate people, making them unsure of whether they can recover damages.
Lawyers experienced in uninsured motorist claims will help you gather the right evidence to prove that you don’t hold the majority of fault in the accident. Even if you’re filing a claim against your own UMI, you still need to demonstrate that the other person was the one most responsible for the collision.
That’s because Connecticut follows modified comparative negligence rules. If you were more than 50% to blame, you can’t recover damages, so you must present clear evidence.
At Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge, our New Haven lawyers will gather medical records, police reports, and eyewitness statements to corroborate your claim.
We also have expert witnesses who can provide testimonies regarding your injuries. Accident reconstruction experts and medical professionals can all contribute to proving you deserve damages.
Negotiating with insurance companies is always difficult. They’re not out to help you but instead will try everything possible to keep from paying you what you deserve. Often, they try to threaten plaintiffs with not paying at all if they don’t accept a low offer. With a lawyer helping you, this is not something you have to worry about.
Our team will aggressively advocate for you so that you can get the compensation you need to cover your losses. If we see that your UMI provider isn’t negotiating in good faith, we can take your case to court.
Whether you’ve suffered mild or severe injuries after an accident involving uninsured motorists, we at Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge can help. Contact our New Haven attorneys to get started.
Contingency Fees
At Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge, P.C., we handle all Uninsured Motorist Claims cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that we do not get paid unless and until you receive a settlement or a jury award.
Schedule a free, confidential consultation with a skilled Connecticut personal injury lawyer today. Contact us online or call our New Haven law firm directly at 203-865-8430.
Uninsured Motorist Claims FAQs
What Damages Can I Claim After a New Haven Uninsured Motorist Accident?
Uninsured motorist insurance covers medical expenses up to your limit, as well as property damage. If you have to miss work while getting treatment and healing, you could also receive coverage for lost wages.
Keep in mind that if the injuries are severe and your UMI can’t cover all losses, you may need to file a lawsuit against the at-fault person.
How Much Can I Get From an Uninsured Motorist Claim?
To get an idea of what you can claim, you have to speak with one of our New Haven lawyers. We’ll assess your claim, taking into consideration the severity of the injuries, the kind of damage your vehicle sustained, and any other losses you’ve had so that we can give you a broad estimate.
Can I File an Uninsured Motorist Claim on My Own?
You can file on your own, but it’s not the best option. These claims are complex and you’ll be dealing with insurance companies looking for any excuse not to pay you what you deserve. They could try to bully you into accepting a low offer.
With a Connecticut uninsured motorist lawyer helping you, you’ll have a better chance of getting fair compensation. One of the reasons for this is that we can take the case to court. Often, the threat of doing this is enough to get insurers to offer fairer deals.
What if I’m Partly to Blame for the Accident?
Connecticut follows a modified comparative negligence doctrine, which means you can still recover losses if you were partly to blame — as long as your percentage of fault is 50% or less. To ensure that you don’t get saddled with more blame than is fair, you need to hire a lawyer who will gather all of the necessary evidence.
What Legal Fees Do I Have to Pay to File a Claim?
At Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge, we work on a contingency fee basis. If we don’t get you compensation, you don’t have to pay us at all. We even offer a free consultation to help you get started. Contact our firm to speak with one of our New Haven lawyers about how we can help.
Beginning a Claim in New Haven, CT
If you’ve been in an accident with an uninsured motorist and suffered losses, you may not be sure what your next steps should be. At Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge, we can guide you through the claims process so that you have the best chance of recovering damages.
We have years of experience offering legal representation to the people of Connecticut. With a dedication toward helping those who need us most, we’re here to provide support. Contact our firm to speak with our Connecticut car accident attorneys about your claim.
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15 N. Main Street #100 Suite 217
West Hartford, CT 06107
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