Meriden Car Accident Lawyer

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Car Accident Attorney In Meriden, CT

Meriden is a beautiful community not far from Long Island Sound. While there is plenty to enjoy about the area, traffic is a major concern for locals and visitors alike. Busy highways like I-91, I-691, and State Route 5 see a great deal of traffic every day, and it is possible for accidents to happen on the highway or smaller local roads. If this has happened to you or a family member, you need to consult a Meriden car accident lawyer at your first opportunity.

Representing Car Accident Victims in Meriden, CT

The attorneys at Williams, Walsh & O’Connor, LLC, have more than 150 combined years of experience handling a wide range of personal injury cases for clients in Meriden and surrounding communities of Connecticut. Our firm takes time to learn as much as we can about every client we represent to develop a truly individualized legal strategy aimed at maximizing their recovery.

The aftermath of a car accident in Meriden can be confusing and traumatic. You may have many questions about who is responsible for causing the accident, how you can recover your damages, and what type of compensation you can reasonably expect. Vehicle repair costs combined with medical expenses and inability to work can quickly create a very difficult financial situation for the victim and their family.

You have limited time to pursue accountability and compensation for your losses, so it is important that you connect with an experienced Meriden car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Once you have received medical treatment for your injuries, you can reach out to the team at Williams, Walsh & O’Connor, LLC, to learn how we can assist you with your case.

Talk To An Attorney Free Consultation

To schedule a free initial consultation, contact us online or call 203-902-6128. We are located near New Haven, in proximity to Interstate 91, Interstate 95 and Interstate 84. If your injury prevents you from coming to us, we will meet with you in another location.

Call For a Consultation 203-234-6333

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Meriden

The Connecticut Crash Data Repository recorded 2,297 vehicle accidents in Meriden during 2024 involving 6,180 people. Each year in Connecticut and throughout the United States, vehicle crashes are a leading cause of accidental injuries and fatalities. The National Safety Council reported that in 2022, there were more than 5.1 million medically consulted injuries from vehicle accidents throughout the United States, and the total cost of these injuries exceeded $513 billion.

Car accidents can happen for the same reasons as standard motor vehicle accidents. Driver negligence is the most commonly cited cause, and this is a blanket term used to define any situation in which a driver fails to uphold their duty to operate their vehicle with reasonable care. Some of the most common causes of car accidents in the Meriden area include:

  • Distracted driving. Whenever a driver fails to pay attention to the road and their surroundings, they put themselves and all others around them at risk. Texting behind the wheel and other distractions are a leading cause of serious accidents throughout Connecticut each year.
  • Speeding. Every driver is required to abide by posted speed limits at all times. Speeding not only increases the chances of an accident happening but also the severity of the resulting damages. Speeding is a major contributing factor to the number of fatal accidents in the Meriden area.
  • Moving violations, such as failure to stop for red lights or stop signs, illegal turns, failure to yield the right-of-way, and improper lane changes. These maneuvers can startle other drivers and interrupt the flow of traffic, easily resulting in accidents.
  • Intoxicated driving. It is illegal for anyone to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, but this is a pervasive issue throughout the United States and a leading cause of serious accidents in Meriden. Drivers who cause accidents in this way face criminal charges along with civil liability for the damages they cause to others.

These are just a few examples of how car accidents might happen. If you believe anyone else is responsible for causing your recent car accident, the team at Williams, Walsh & O’Connor, LLC, can gather the evidence you need to firmly establish fault. Vehicle computer and GPS data, cell phone records, the police report from the accident, and eyewitness testimony are just a few examples of evidence that might come into play in your case.

It is important to remember that Connecticut enforces a modified comparative negligence statute that can apply to any civil suit in which an injured plaintiff shares liability with the defendant for the damages in question. If the plaintiff is found partially at fault but less at fault than the defendant, the plaintiff can still claim compensation for their damages. However, if the plaintiff’s fault exceeds the defendant’s, the plaintiff is barred from recovery.

Your Meriden car accident lawyer can explain what to expect if liability for your accident is contested in any way. Once you have resolved the fault for the accident, you can proceed with claiming compensation for your damages. This process usually begins with an auto insurance claim, but you may need to file a personal injury suit to recover your losses.

Filing Your Auto Insurance Claim in Meriden

Every driver in Connecticut is required to have auto insurance, and an individual policy must meet minimum coverage requirements for bodily injury liability coverage and property damage liability coverage. However, the Insurance Information Institute estimated that in 2022, more than 10% of drivers in Connecticut did not have insurance. You may not be able to file an insurance claim after your accident, but if you can, your attorney can help.

Most insurance company representatives will do everything they can to diminish a claim’s value. You should expect the insurer to fight back against your claim in whatever way they can, looking for ways to justify devaluing or denying the claim. They may attempt to use your own words against you, so it is crucial to be careful when discussing your claim with an insurance company representative. It’s a good idea to hire legal counsel before filing your claim.

Your Meriden car accident lawyer can negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf to ensure you are treated fairly. If any disputes are raised against you or if the insurance company sends a lowball settlement offer, your attorney will know how to respond.

The attorneys at Williams, Walsh & O’Connor, LLC, have years of experience dealing with difficult insurance companies on behalf of injured clients and are prepared to address the tactics they may use against you.

Building a Personal Injury Case for a Car Accident in Meriden

You may need to file a personal injury suit against the driver who caused your accident. In this type of civil case, the injured plaintiff will need to prove liability for the accident, identifying the party responsible for causing their claimed damages and showing the full extent of those damages. Many types of evidence can come into play to help an injured plaintiff meet the standard of proof necessary for ensuring accountability for the defendant.

Your Meriden car accident lawyer at Williams, Walsh & O’Connor, LLC, can help you build a compelling personal injury case, collecting various forms of evidence to help you prove that the defendant is directly responsible for causing your claimed damages. It’s possible for a successful personal injury suit to yield compensation for any economic losses you suffered, such as:

  • Vehicle repair costs and other property losses, such as any personal property damaged or destroyed in the accident.
  • Medical expenses. The defendant is liable for the cost of all medical care you need to fully recover from the injuries they inflicted. This can include future treatment costs if your injuries require any type of ongoing care.
  • Lost wages. When you are unable to work after an accident, the defendant is liable for the income you are unable to earn during your recovery. This can include lost future earning capacity if you have been permanently disabled by your injuries and will not be able to return to work in the future.

Aside from your economic damages, you also have the right to claim compensation for your pain and suffering. Connecticut law does not cap or limit non-economic damages in most personal injury cases, so your attorney can help you determine a fair amount that reasonably reflects the severity of the physical pain and emotional distress you experienced from your injuries. Generally, more serious injuries tend to result in more pain and suffering compensation.

Resolving Your Car Accident Case in Meriden

Ultimately, every car accident case is unique, and every injured driver will face different challenges when it comes to proving liability and recovering compensation for their losses. The right attorney can have a tremendous positive impact on the outcome of your case, and the team at Williams, Walsh & O’Connor, LLC, is confident we can guide you to a positive result.

Our firm accepts personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning we will only charge our client a fee if and when we recover compensation on their behalf. Additionally, this fee is a percentage of the total amount we recover, and there is no fee if there is no recovery. This policy ensures that the legal representation you need is available and affordable when you need it most.

You have limited time to pursue compensation for your damages after a car accident. Contact the team at Williams, Walsh & O’Connor, LLC, today to schedule your free consultation with a Meriden car accident lawyer and learn how we can assist you with your case.