Personal injury claims are unfortunately more common than most of us would like to believe. Whether it’s a slip and fall, a dog bite, a car accident, or any other type of injury, accidents happen every day. Sometimes, those accidents are the fault of someone else and you might be entitled to compensation as a result. If you or a loved one has been injured, it’s important to contact a personal injury attorney to see what, if anything, you might be entitled to. The following are some of the most common personal injury claims in Connecticut that should make you seriously consider consulting with a lawyer.
Car Accidents
Car accidents are one of the most common types of personal injury claims that arise in Connecticut. When getting behind the wheel of a car, all drivers are required to exercise their due diligence and drive their vehicles with reasonable care. They have a duty to keep other drivers on the road safe. This means no texting while driving, no drinking while driving, and abstaining from anything else illegal or distracting while operating a vehicle. Most car accident cases must be proven by using a legal negligence framework, meaning you must prove the following in court in order to be successful:
- The driver who caused the accident had a duty of care;
- They breached the duty of care;
- You suffered injuries; and
- The injuries you suffered were a direct result of the other driver’s negligence.
Hiring a Waterbury car accident attorney is an excellent way to make sure you get the justice and compensation you’re entitled to.
Slip and Falls
Slip and falls happen all the time. Whether it’s a homeowner who fails to keep their sidewalk safe or a retail store operator who might have left something dangerous out on the floor, people suffer serious injuries from slip and falls all the time. If you were injured due to a slip and fall and believe someone else’s negligence was the cause of the accident, you should contact a lawyer right away. In Connecticut, you have two years from the date of the incident to file a lawsuit or you could miss out on any compensation that you’d otherwise be legally entitled to. While this seems like a long period time, it goes by quickly.
Dog Bites
Dog bites are very common types of personal injury cases. In Connecticut, a dog owner is typically liable under the following circumstances for any injuries you suffer from their dog biting you.
- You were injured;
- You weren’t trespassing when the dog bit you; and
- You were not teasing, tormenting, or abusing the dog, or behaving in any way which may have caused the dog to bite you.
In Connecticut, if you are injured from a dog bite, the owner is topically strictly liable. This means that they are responsible for your injuries and could be required to compensate you even if they didn’t do anything wrong, and even if they had no way of knowing that the dog might bite you. The simple fact that they had a dog who bit you makes them responsible.
Consult With an Experienced Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional actions, you might have a viable personal injury claim. Consider contacting an experienced personal injury lawyer right away to see what your options are.