If you have been injured in a Connecticut car accident, you will need to be able to prove that the other driver was at fault in order to receive compensation for your damages. The Connecticut car accident lawyers at Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP will investigate your accident and gather evidence to prove the other driver was at fault, but you can help increase your chances of success by taking some important steps right after the accident. Please contact Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP today to schedule your free initial consultation. Our Connecticut car accident lawyers serve clients throughout Connecticut including but not limited to Danbury, Waterbury, New Haven, Stamford, and Ridgefield.
If you believe the other driver was at fault, contact the police and request that an officer be dispatched to the scene of the car accident. The police report will often contain important information to support your claim, including:
- Who the officer believed was at fault for the car accident
- Whether the other driver violated any traffic laws or received any citations
- Whether the officer believed the other driver was under the influence of alcohol
A police report indicating the other driver was at fault can substantially increase your likelihood of success.
In addition, you should take notes about the details of the accident. If the other driver violated any traffic laws, such as running a red light, it will help you prove fault. In some types of car accidents, fault is almost always obvious. These include:
- Rear-end collisions
- Left turn accidents
In rear-end collisions, the driver who hit you from behind is almost always at fault. A basic driving rule requires all vehicles to leave enough distance behind the car in front of them to stop safely under any circumstances. If the damage to your vehicle is in the rear and the damage to the other vehicle is in the front, it is a clear indication he is at fault.
In left turn accidents, the car making the left turn is almost always at fault since the car going straight through the intersection has the right of way. As with rear-end collisions, the location of damage will be a clear indicator of who is at fault.