Legal Question in Personal Injury in Connecticut
Auto accident, not at fault.
On 8/04/03 I was driving on a main road, and an elderly woman pulled out from a side road while she was stopped at a stop sign. All that I had time to do was hit my brakes. I ended up hitting her, and wrecking my car and hers. My 21 month old daughter was in my car, and her and I were terrified. My daughter had a bump on the head and I have whiplash and wrist, chest and rib pain. The woman's son was offering to rent and/or buy me a car. I talked to her insurance company, and they aren't helping very much. I am out of a car, no way to work, daycare, or anywhere else. I am not 21, so I cannot rent a car. I don't know what to do, or what I am entitled to. Please let me know what my options are.
4 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Auto accident, not at fault.
You have both short term and long term issues to consider and you should be careful to put these into perspective. The offer of relatively low cost aid from the son, and your possible acceptance, could limit your options to collect for damages related to your injuries - and you may not know today when and if your soft tissue injuries will heal completely and what the extent of your out of pocket medical expenses and other losses will be. Unfortunately, persons with limited financial means, such as yourself, are at risk for signing waivers of liability in order to get out of the short term crisis. Consult with an attorney before you sign any documents with either the elderly woman, the son or the insurance companies.
Re: Auto accident, not at fault.
Since the collision was not your fault, you are entitled to have your car fixed or replaced, reimbursement or payment for a rental car, reimbursement of medical costs for you and your daughter, payment for any lost income, and an award of additional money to compensate you and your daughter for non-economic losses.
My advice is to retain an attorney. He/she should work on a contingency fee basis, so you do not need to pay out-of-pocket.
Good luck.
Bob Kaufmann
Re: Auto accident, not at fault.
first, you should see if your insurance provides rnetal coverage. second, if they dont yu really need to hire a lwyer to try and get the other party to pay. If you were injured you also have a right, as does yur child, to mae a clai for injuries. If you need help you can call me at 8000-310-4800.
Scott Diamond, Esq.
Re: Auto accident, not at fault.
Attorney Kaufmann is correct. The liable party's insurance carrier should provide reimb. or direct pay for renting a car. It's not unusual that they drag their feet. If you have collision coverage on your own vehicle, you can pursue that as well, but it sounds like you do not. You don't have to be 21 to rent a car in CT, although it is more difficult to do so. If you hire a lawyer, they handle the property damage and rental issues as part of the also handling the personal injuries that you and your child suffered. Be careful with side deals with the other side (other driver's son). Make sure no strings are attached to anything you accept.
Greg Cantwell
(860)232-9999
cell 965-0456
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