The Role of a Lawyer in Navigating Personal Injury Claims

Have you been injured in an accident? Are you in the East Hartford, CT, area? A personal injury lawyer may be able to help you negotiate with insurance companies for compensation. Evaluate the Case The first thing a good attorney will do before entering into negotiations with an insurance company is evaluate the case closely. They will look at the details of the accident: the police reports, the witness statements, the medical records, and any photos or videos of the area or incident. more They will gather additional evidence if they can to strengthen your case and show that the other party was entirely or mostly liable for the accident. (Connecticut operates under a comparative negligence system: if you, the victim, are partially at fault, the compensation you may be awarded will be reduced by your percentage of fault. You cannot claim any compensation if you are more than 50% at fault for the accident.) Send an Initial Demand Letter A demand letter will then be sent to the insurance company giving details of the accident, explaining who was at fault for the accident, describing the injuries, and then stating the amount requested for settlement. Your lawyer has evidence to back up the request: a detailed list of your economic damages, e.g., medical bills and lost wages, and non-economic damages, e.g., pain and suffering. They will usually ask for a higher amount than they actually expect to settle for to leave room for negotiation. Counter Low Offers Insurance adjusters usually begin by making an offer to settle for a lower amount than what was requested. An attorney will usually counter a low offer by pointing out relevant evidence in support of the initial demand, or emphasizing the suffering of the victim. They may cite relevant Connecticut case law or statutes, such as precedents on awards for pain and suffering. Apply Time Pressure Connecticut law requires insurance companies to respond in good faith, per the Unfair Insurance Practices Act. A good lawyer will remind insurance companies of that law as well as the statute of limitations that applies to the type of claim you are making, to push the insurer to act. Consider a Bad Faith Lawsuit, If Necessary If the claim is delayed or denied, an attorney may mention that it may be necessary to file a bad faith lawsuit. A bad faith lawsuit could expose an insurance company to additional damages, so insurers are generally eager to avoid this. Consult with a Personal Injury Lawyer in East Hartford, CT An experienced Connecticut attorney knows the characteristics of local insurance companies and can tailor their negotiations to fit. They will be able to play hardball with an adjuster who is stingy, or they can build an airtight case with strong evidence to push for a better deal. If you have been injured in an accident because of someone's negligence, get in touch with Adler Law Group, LLC Attorneys at Law, in East Hartford, CT.

If you have suffered a personal injury in East Hartford, CT, you may be eligible to claim damages. Under Connecticut law, it's possible to claim for economic and non-economic damages without any maximum award limit. This means it's essential to present a strong case and provide evidence of any losses. An experienced personal injury law firm can help you to file a claim for economic and non-economic damages. Economic Damages Economic damages are much easier to calculate, as they mostly relate to fixed expenses that can be objectively proven. Examples of economic damages include: Medical costs (current and future) Traveling expenses Loss of wages Out-of-pocket expenses Damaged property (repair or replacement) Loss of future earning capacity Receipts, invoices, and other documentation relating to the expenses should be kept. These will usually need to be supplied for the economic damages to be agreed upon and settled. more Non-Economic Damages An accident may result in more than just physical pain; individuals may suffer from psychological injuries as well as other types of emotional distress. Non-economic damages cover these types of losses and are much harder to calculate. Some of the factors taken into account include: Pain and suffering Humiliation Loss of enjoyment of life Diminished quality of life Loss of reputation Anguish and distress As non-economic damages don't have a tangible value, there are two different methods a court might use to calculate the settlement. The two sides may negotiate to agree on the method to be used in court. Multiplier Method The multiplier method is based on a formula that is linked to the value of the economic damages. Once the total of the economic damages is known, a multiplier is applied. The multiplier will vary depending on the severity of the injuries, with more severe injuries attracting a higher multiplier. Per Diem A daily rate, known as the Per Diem method, is an alternative way to calculate non-economic losses. This involves attributing a daily rate for the duration of the injury and its effects. Agreeing on a daily rate can be challenging, although one approach is to use the claimant's daily earnings. As Connecticut does not cap settlements, using Per Diem to calculate non-economic damages for long-term claims can result in a large payout. Contact a Personal Injury Law Firm To get an appropriate settlement, you must be able to prove your case. It's even more important due to the modified comparative laws, which could see any settlement reduced or even refused. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help to put together a compelling case and ensure that the compensation calculations are a true representation of your pain and losses. We have been using our extensive knowledge of personal injury law to help clients throughout Connecticut for more than a decade. Contact our team at Adler Law Group in East Hartford, CT to schedule a consultation today.

Personal injuries can have long-lasting emotional and financial effects in addition to their physical ones. At our personal injury law firm in East Hartford CT, we provide thorough legal assistance for a wide range of injury matters. Here are some of the categories of personal injury cases that our skilled attorneys regularly handle. 1. Car Accidents One of the most frequent sources of personal injury claims in Connecticut is auto accidents, which can occur in a number of ways. Whiplash, back and neck injuries, and head trauma are among the injuries that can result from accidents like rear-end and T-bone collisions, or even hit-and-run situations. Tailgating, sudden braking, and distracted driving are typical causes of car collisions. In addition to suffering injuries and losing your car, you may also run into problems getting your medical bills paid for or resolving who is at fault for the accident. You may also be forced to miss work or not be able to perform your normal duties. more 2. Pedestrian and Bike Accidents Vehicle accidents carry a higher risk of injury to pedestrians and cyclists, from minor cuts and bruises to serious spinal cord or brain injuries. As with any victim of a vehicle accident, pedestrians and cyclists can find their entire lives upended and can face soaring expenses as they recover. Distraction and speeding are frequent causes of these kinds of accidents, as are failing to yield at crosswalks and failing to provide a cyclist the required three feet of space on the road. In these cases, having legal representation is vital for gathering evidence and advocating for the rights of the injured. 3. Slip and Fall Cases Wet floors, uneven surfaces, icy sidewalks, or inadequate supports, are common causes of personal injury accidents, where an individual falls, trips, or slips at a property due to hazardous conditions. Injuries can range from bruising to head injuries, and all can impact the victim's quality of life. Victims of slips and falls may feel that there's no point in pursuing a claim. However, property owners are responsible for keeping their premises in a safe condition. If the fall has resulted in medical expenses, physical and emotional distress, and lost wages, there is the possibility of pursuing fair compensation. 4. Motorcycle Accidents Motorcyclists are highly vulnerable if they are involved in an accident or collision. There is a greater risk of serious and catastrophic injuries, as motorcyclists do not have the same level of protection as other vehicle drivers do. There is a greater chance of longer recovery time, economic stress from lost wages, and long-lasting emotional stress. Legal representation during this recovery period can be valuable for mitigating some of the other post-accident stressors, such as settling with insurance companies and gathering evidence. In the event of death as a result of a motorcycle accident, a legal representative can help you explore options for filing a wrongful death suit. Experienced Personal Injury Law Firm in East Hartford, CT Our trusted attorneys are experienced in handling personal injury cases for clients across Connecticut. With over 100 years of combined legal experience, we have a comprehensive understanding of the full personal injury process. We also practice other areas of law, including insurance law and coverage, commercial and business law, and criminal law. Personal injury can happen in a variety of ways, from serious vehicle accidents to preventable slip-and-fall situations. The physical, emotional, and financial costs can be life-changing, and it pays to look into what types of compensation can be accessed to support your recovery. Call us at Adler Law Group, LLC Attorneys at Law in East Hartford, CT, and book your consultation with one of our attorneys today.