New BritainPersonal Injury Lawyers

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. A New Britain personal injury lawyer may be able to get you compensation for your injuries. At the Tehrani Law Group, we can investigate your accident, determine liability, and file a personal injury claim on your behalf.

Types of New Britain Personal Injury Claims

Personal injury claims include a wide variety of accidents. They can arise from many types of negligence. At Tehrani Law Group, we commonly handle the following types of personal injury claims:

Car Accidents

According to the Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT), there are more than 21,550 miles of roadway in the state, increasing the likelihood of daily accidents. Car accidents in New Britain are often caused by another driver’s negligence, which commonly involves aggressive driving, failure to follow traffic laws, and speeding. Common types of car accidents that occur in New Britain include rear-end accidents, t-bone collisions, and intersection accidents. 

Truck Accidents

Truck collisions typically result in injuries that are more severe than other motor vehicle accidents. Characteristics that make truck accidents more dangerous include their large size and weight, their maneuverability, their stopping distance, and high driver demands. Another factor that complicates truck accidents is that there are often several parties who can be held responsible for collisions, including the driver, trucking company, and repair shops.

Bus Accidents

There are several types of buses in New Britain, including school buses and CTtransit, which offer several types of bus services. All these buses have inherent risks that can lead to accidents resulting in devastating injuries. The common risks of buses include their size, number of passengers, and limited safety features. 

Motorcycle Accidents

In 2021, there were nearly 1,270 motorcycle accidents in Connecticut. Motorcyclists are at high risk of suffering serious injuries or even death in accidents because they have little protection and are not enclosed by a vehicle’s shell. The injuries sustained in motorcycle collisions can cause severe physical, financial, and emotional damage.

Bicycle Accidents

Bicyclists are also at high risk of obtaining devastating injuries in an accident. Careless driving, distracted driving, and driving under the influence are frequently to blame for bike collisions. Despite Connecticut’s campaign for motorists to share the road with bicyclists, negligent drivers are often to blame for the injuries bikers sustain in accidents in New Britain.

Scooter Accidents

To operate a scooter or moped in New Britain, you must have a valid Connecticut driver’s license and follow the state’s laws regarding their operation. However, even if you are following the rules regarding the operation of a scooter, a negligent driver can cause an accident. The injuries sustained in a scooter or moped accident can be severe, as riders are largely unprotected.

Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrians in Connecticut are at high risk of being injured in accidents, with the state averaging up to 60 pedestrian fatalities each year. Most pedestrian accidents in New Britain involve the pedestrian and a motor vehicle. If a motorist’s negligence causes injuries to a pedestrian, a personal injury lawyer may be able to file a claim for compensation on behalf of the injured party.

Rideshare Accidents

Accidents involving rideshare companies, such as Uber and Lyft, can be complex based on the circumstances of the collision and the status of the driver at the time of the accident. Insurance coverage for injuries sustained in a rideshare accident can vary based on whether the driver was logged into their rideshare app at the time of the collision. Further, determining liability in rideshare accidents can be complicated because companies like Uber and Lyft classify their drivers as independent contractors rather than employees.

Drunk Driving Accidents

Nearly 40% of Connecticut’s fatal car accidents are caused by drunk driving. Alcohol and other drug impairments impede an individual’s ability to make rational decisions while driving or traveling by bicycle or on foot. Such impairment can lead to serious injuries or even fatalities.

Dog Bites

Despite being considered man’s best friend, any dog can attack and cause severe injuries to a person it bites. In Connecticut, a dog owner is liable for injuries and damage caused to a person or property in most circumstances. Exceptions to liability include trespassing, assault, and abusing or teasing the dog.

Personal injury accidents can cause a variety of injuries that can range from mild to fatal. These injuries can cause lasting physical damage and tremendous financial harm. Injuries that are commonly sustained in personal injury accidents include the following:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Neck and back injuries
• Burn injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Catastrophic injuries, including paralysis, amputation, or quadriplegia
• Wrongful death

If you have suffered an injury in an accident that was caused by someone’s negligence, you may be entitled to file a personal injury claim for compensation. A New Britain injury lawyer can investigate your injury, determine who may be liable, and file a claim for damages. Our personal injury attorney at Tehrani Law Group can advise you on whether you can file a legal claim.

In Connecticut, there are four elements your New Britain personal injury attorney must prove to establish negligence in a claim. Demonstrating these elements will increase your chances of obtaining damages in your lawsuit. As a personal injury victim, you must prove the following:

• Duty of care: The person who caused your accident owed you a duty of care to exercise reasonable attention under the circumstances.

• Breach of duty: That person breached their duty through an act or omission.

• Causation: Their breach caused your injuries, and had it not been for their actions or failure to act, you would not have been harmed.

• Damages: You suffered actual damages in your accident.

The standard of proof in a Connecticut personal injury case is a preponderance of the evidence, as explained more fully in the link above. This means you must show that, more probably than not, your assertions are true. An injury lawyer in New Britain can help collect the evidence needed to demonstrate the elements of negligence in your personal injury case.

Evidence That Can Help Your Personal Injury Claim

All personal injury cases are different. However, there is common evidence that can help you prevail in your claim for compensation. Evidence that can typically support your personal injury claim includes the following:

• Documentation of your accident, including police and incident reports
• Photos and videos of the accident scene, your injuries, and property damage
• Medical records and bills showing your injuries and treatment
• Witness statements from anyone who saw your accident
• Journal entries regarding your symptoms and what you recall about your accident
• Employment records showing your income and work history
• Expert reports discussing liability and the effect of your injuries on your life

It is important to keep all documents and records related to your accident. They will support your claim for damages. An injury lawyer at Tehrani Law Group can assist you in collecting the information that can help your New Britain personal injury claim.

Understanding Comparative Fault in a Personal Injury Claim

You may be wondering if you are still eligible to file a personal injury claim if you were partly to blame for your accident. The good news is that in Connecticut, you can collect compensation for your injuries as long as you are not more than 50% at fault. This is known as modified comparative negligence.

If you share liability in your accident, any damages you are awarded will be reduced by the percentage for which you are at fault. For example, if you are awarded $25,000 for your injuries and are determined to be 50% at fault, your damages would be reduced to $12,500. An injury attorney in New Britain can negotiate with an insurance adjuster who is relying on comparative fault to offer you less than what you deserve for your injuries.

Damages You Can Recover in a Personal Injury Claim

If you can prove that someone’s negligence caused your accident and your injuries, you could be awarded damages for your losses. In Connecticut, there are a couple of types of damages you can recover in a personal injury claim. These damages are as follows:

• Economic: These damages are your past and future monetary losses. They typically include your medical expenses, out-of-pocket expenses for services, and loss of earnings.

• Non-economic: These damages are your non-monetary losses. They can include your pain and suffering, permanent injuries, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium.

• Punitive: These damages are rare in Connecticut, as they are only awarded if the party responsible for your accident acted out of gross negligence, maliciousness, or reckless indifference. They are capped at the amount you spend on your legal case and attorneys’ fees.

There is no statutory cap on damages in Connecticut. This is why it is important to have our experienced New Britain personal injury attorney from Tehrani Law Group to fight on your behalf. We will advocate for you and try to obtain the most amount of compensation for your injuries.

Connecticut Personal Injury Claim Process

Despite there being many accidents that can constitute a personal injury case, the steps in most New Britain personal injury claims are similar. It is important to know the general process of personal injury claims so you know what to expect in your case. The general process for personal injury claims in Connecticut typically includes the following steps:

• Retaining a New Britain personal injury attorney
• Investigating your accident
• Determining liability for your accident
• Reviewing your medical records to identify your injuries and treatment
• Gathering evidence to support your claim
• Hiring expert witnesses to testify about causation, liability, and damages
• Sending a demand letter to the liable party
• Negotiating a reasonable and fair settlement
• Filing a lawsuit if a settlement cannot be reached
• Preparing for, and going to, trial

It is difficult to navigate a personal injury claim by yourself. A personal injury lawyer in New Britain can help you protect your interests and will work to get you compensation for your injuries. You should contact us as soon as possible after your accident so we can begin the process.

Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims in New Britain

You only have a certain amount of time to file your New Britain personal injury claim. In Connecticut, you typically have two years from the date of your accident to file personal injury lawsuits. If you miss this deadline, you will be barred from filing a claim for compensation for your injuries.

Depending on the party you are suing, you may be required to provide notice to the liable party prior to filing suit. For example, if you are suing a municipality or government agency, you must provide written notice to them within 90 or 180 days, depending on the details of your accident. This is why it is important to retain a personal injury lawyer in New Britain to ensure you do not miss any deadlines in your claim.

What a New Britain Injury Attorney Costs

At Tehrani Law Group, we offer free consultations to discuss your claim. If we determine you have a personal injury claim that we can help with, we will review your options for recovery with you. If you would like to proceed with retaining our firm to fight for compensation on your behalf, we will work on a contingency fee basis.

A contingency fee is when we pay your all fees and costs upfront. If we win your case or obtain a settlement on your behalf, our fees and costs will be paid when you are paid. If you do not recover compensation, you will not owe us any attorney’s fees.

Retain a Personal Injury Attorney in New Britain

Retaining an experienced New Britain personal injury lawyer will give you the best chance of obtaining compensation after your accident. If another party’s negligence led to your injuries, contact us at Tehrani Law Group as soon as possible. We will meet with you for a free consultation to determine your legal options for recovering compensation for your injuries and losses.