This post is being written to conclude and recap our series on the handling of Hartford, Connecticut accidents involving commercial vehicles. We felt it was necessary to write on this topic due to the fact that, for obvious reasons, these cases are very complicated. Such cases typically involve multiple defendants and are of a complex nature. It is important for victims to be aware of these challenges so that they can receive all damages to which they are entitled. It was our goal to provide information which will help people know what it is they should expect from the process. It has also been our goal to provide information which will assist with the selection of an attorney. If you or a loved one are in need of assistance, then contact our office today to speak with a lawyer.
We have addressed several topics over our recent articles. Issues which we have addressed include:
- The presence of multiple defendants in commercial vehicle accidents
- Settling a case against a commercial driver
- How liability is established in such cases
- The calculation of damages
- What to expect at trial
There are multiple reasons why we chose to address these topics. First, Connecticut is like other states in the country in that it holds employers responsible for the acts of their employees. As a result, accidents involving corporate owned or operated cars and trucks can implicate the driver, the owner, and other entities such as a management company. Second, victims should be aware that a significant amount of time will likely pass before the settlement demand can be sent to the insurance carrier. This is because a victim’s damages must be reasonably ascertained before making the demand. Third, such accidents are inherently complex and can involve additional causes of action, such as negligent hiring and supervision of the employee and more. In order to bring these additional claims at trial, one must obtain evidence of the actual negligence. Fourth, it is important to understand that Connecticut follows the “modified comparative fault” approach when calculating damages. This means that a plaintiff may recover damages even if they were partially responsible for the accident. Finally, individuals bringing such claims should know what to expect at trial. Trials can be very overwhelming, especially for someone who was just involved in a wreck.
One point we cannot stress enough is that it is important to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer if you or a loved one have been hit by a commercial driver. Such cases can require counsel to expend significant resources and often involve very complicated rules and procedures. These types of cases should be handled by attorneys with substantial personal injury experience. Our firm has been serving the area for over fifty years. We are greatly experienced in trucking accident cases and other similar matters. Contact us online or by telephone today to schedule an initial consultation. We also serve the areas of Wethersfield, New Britain, Rocky Hill, West and East Hartford, Bristol, Glastonbury, and Manchester, as well as the Middlesex County cities of Middletown and Cromwell.
