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Christopher Duby- Connecticut
Personal Injury Lawyer
Connecticut is a comparative negligence state. This
means you can recover compensation for your damages as long as you
are not more than 50 percent at fault. Types of damages include
medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, any degree of permanent
disability, the future harm resulting from your injuries and loss
of enjoyment of life.
Damages must be documented, often through the use
of expert witnesses such as doctors and economists. If you have
suffered a catastrophic injury such as brain damage or spinal cord
injury, a life-care planner can estimate the cost of your care over
your lifetime. If expert witnesses are needed to prove your case,
our law firm will advance those expenses. We handle all personal
injury cases on a contingency fee basis, which means we are paid
attorney's fees only if we are successful in recovering compensation
for you.
The Behavior of the Other Driver
The behavior of the other driver can be a factor in
your case. If the other driver had been drinking, a jury may award
punitive damages. Juries may also award additional compensation
if the at-fault driver was rude.
An example of rude behavior would be where a driver
does not ask how you are after a car crash, does not offer to get
help or only seems concerned about the effect the accident may have
on his or her insurance. While rude behavior may not be illegal,
it can make an impression on a jury.
Preventing Accidents
It is obvious but important to remember. The best
way to keep from needing my help is to avoid an accident altogether.
Keep within the posted speed limit and wear your seatbelt. Never
drink and drive. Avoid using a cell phone, Ipod or other device
while driving. Keep your car in good condition and make sure children
are buckled up. Avoid hanging things from the rearview mirror.
Low Speed Cases
Insurance companies have made millions of dollars
over the years telling juries that you can't get hurt in a low speed
collision. The argument, as it goes, is that a "bump" of 8 or 10
mph could not hurt anyone in the car since, in some instances, the
car wasn't even dented.
And this argument has been effective over the years.
To the layperson, it makes sense. Only it isn't really true. Cars
today are designed to save lives during high speed crashes, not
protect the passengers in low speed collisions.
As a consequence of this new design, most of the energy
generated by a low speed collision is not absorbed by the metal
of the car, but by the bodies of the passengers. Unfortunately,
the weakest parts of our bodies absorb this impact: our necks, lower
backs and shoulders.
The small muscles in these areas are stretched and
strained and may never return to their original form.
So do not think that just because someone hit you
and it was not at top speed that you could not have been hurt. And
once you have been hurt, you have one chance to get the help you
need. Do not miss the chance without speaking to an attorney who
can and will protect your rights.
Rear End Collisions
Most people think that if you get hit from behind
that the other person is automatically at fault. Unfortunately,
this is not true. Even though you were hit from behind, an insurance
company may still seek to blame you for some, part or all of the
accident. If they are successful, you may lose your case.
"Rear-enders" are not automatic. They require the
same effort, diligence and hard work as any legal matter. You still
need to prepare, take the time to know your case in and out and
compile all the evidence.
Your Insurance Coverage
It is common for people to fear that their insurance
company will "drop them" if they file a claim due to injuries from
a car accident. This concern has to be put in its proper perspective.
Car insurance is just like health insurance in many ways. You pay
premiums for it and use it when needed.
You would never think to avoid using your health insurance
because your rates will increase merely because you went to a doctor.
You paid for your car insurance in case there was an accident. Why
not get the benefits that you paid for?
What should you say after an accident?
You should never discuss fault with the other driver.
However, you should be polite and offer assistance if you are not
too badly injured. If the other driver's insurance company contacts
you, do not answer any questions and refer them to your lawyer.
The only insurance company you should talk to after an accident
is your own and even then, talk to a lawyer first.
Free Attorney Consultation
To discuss your case with Connecticut lawyer Christopher
Duby, call 203-234-2888 24 hours a day or complete our simple contact
form.
My philosophy as a lawyer is simple:
- Put the client first
- Respond to phone calls
- Schedule a free initial consultation no matter
what your case is about
The Law Office of Christopher Duby LLC is located
at 22 Broadway, North Haven, CT 06473. View
Google Map and directions.
Connecticut Attorney
Christopher Duby represents clients in New Haven County, Hartford
County, Fairfield County and Middlesex County in Connecticut, including
the communities of New Haven, Hamden, North Haven, East Haven, Branford,
Madison, Milford, West Haven, Cheshire, Meriden, Wallingford, Guilford,
North Branford, Woodbridge, Bethany, Monroe, Trumbull, Easton, Fairfield,
Stratford, Bridgeport, Oxford, Beacon Falls, Seymour, Ansonia, Derby,
Orange, Shelton, Clinton, Westbrook, Old Saybrook, Middletown, Middlefield,
Portland, Durham, Prospect, Naugatuck, Wolcott, Waterbury, Watertown,
Middlebury, Woodbury, Southbury, Southington.
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