Spanish In Connecticut, victims of car accidents generally have two years to file their legal claim. However, for situations where the responsible party intentionally caused the crash, victims have three years to file. This deadline may seem extensive, but the longer you wait to file, the more your chances of a successful outcome decline. Your financial and emotional losses will continue to pile up, while fault will get harder to prove.
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How Long Does a Car Accident Settlement Take in Connecticut? 2025
Survivors of car accidents often wonder if it’s even worth pursuing a legal case. The trauma of the crash is already difficult to deal with, let alone the time and stress that come with going to court. Many find themselves asking, “How long does a car accident settlement take in Connecticut?” A competent lawyer can help shorten the legal timeline as much as possible.
Hire a Car Accident Lawyer With Years of Experience Securing Compensation for Clients
Sorrentino Legal – Injury & Accident Law is a Connecticut-based personal injury law firm dedicated to protecting the legal rights of our neighbors and community members. When you come into our Milton office or Bridgeport office for your confidential consultation, you’ll be greeted with the compassion you deserve.
After explaining the details of your situation and desired outcome, our attorneys can offer transparent legal guidance. Using this, you’ll be able to have the tools you need to make informed decisions regarding your case.
What Factors Can Influence the Timeline of a Car Accident Settlement
Between 2022 and 2024, there were 306,457 car crashes in Connecticut. While each car accident case is different regarding how long it takes to finish, there are factors that can influence the legal timeline. These include:
- How willing the other party is to cooperate with you
- The extent of injuries incurred from the crash
- The quality of evidence provided. If you only have one type of evidence, or evidence that doesn’t help prove fault, proceedings can be stretched out while both sides argue who’s to blame. Between 2022 and 2024, 8,413 of the Connecticut car accidents happened due to driving under the influence, while 4,055 involved a pedestrian. These types of cases tend to be easier to prove fault.
- If the fault is contested or not. Connecticut laws allow survivors of accidents to file claims, but they can only pursue compensation if they’re found to be less than 50% at fault for the incident. Any compensation received would be reduced by their percentage of fault.For example, if you were speeding excessively at the time of the crash, you may be found to be 40% at fault. If the other driver was texting and driving when they swerved into your lane and hit you, they may be found to be 60% at fault. If you’re awarded $100,000, it would be reduced by 40%, making your final settlement award $60,000.
- How many people were involved in the crash. The more people who are involved, the longer the settlement meetings may take. Every side will have to go through the provided evidence and hear every person’s side of what happened, which can lead to contested fault in the incident.
- If insurance companies are willing to be cooperative. These companies are looking for any reason to avoid paying. They’ll commonly use tactics to manipulate victims into settling for less than what’s fair or dismissing the claim entirely. It’s important to hire a car accident lawyer to help you during this time. At Sorrentino Legal – Injury & Accident Law, we know how to deal with insurance companies.
- If you choose to proceed to court or work things out through mediation
The Benefits of Mediation in a Car Crash Case
Survivors of car accidents often feel like they only have two options:
- Accept the offer made by insurance companies
- Take the case to court
These scenarios are tricky to predict the outcome. Many victims choose to attend mediation instead. Mediation is a cheaper and faster alternative to court that allows both sides to sit down with their attorneys and work through their legal issues.
A neutral third party, called a mediator, oversees these sessions. The mediator doesn’t make any legal decisions; they help both sides feel heard and communicate in a healthy way.
Mediation allows both sides to keep control of the outcome. If you and the other driver involved in the crash can come to an agreement, you’ll put it in writing and submit it to the court for final approval. If you can’t agree, the case would then proceed to trial, where a judge has the final say.
FAQs
How Long Do I Have to File My Car Accident Claim in Connecticut?
What Damages Can I Pursue in My Car Crash Case?
There are two main types of damages that can be pursued in a car crash case: economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are calculated based on your financial losses, such as lost income, medical bills, and damage to your vehicle and other personal belongings. Non-economic damages are calculated based on your emotional damages, and they can include pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life.
What Are Punitive Damages?
Punitive damages are a specific type of damages that can be filed based on the details of what happened in your crash. If the responsible party acted with extreme malice or negligence, punitive damages can be requested. For example, if the wrongdoer was driving drunk when they hit you, they may have to pay you punitive damages. These damages are awarded to further punish the wrongdoer and deter any similar behavior from happening in the future.
What Are the Steps I Should Take After Getting Into a Car Accident to Preserve My Legal Case?
After getting into a car accident, the first step to preserve your health and legal case is to call 911 and report the incident. They’ll send out a police officer and medical professionals to check you over. While you wait for them to arrive, get the contact and insurance information of the other driver, as well as the contact information of anyone who witnessed the accident happen. During this time, don’t apologize or admit fault in the incident.
Choose a Trusted Personal Injury Law Firm in Connecticut
Reach out to Sorrentino Legal – Injury & Accident Law today to schedule your confidential consultation. We pride ourselves on helping our clients take back control of their lives after experiencing trauma. While compensation can’t take away the pain of what happened to you, it can make your present and future easier to face. Let us help fight for your rights.
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