Steps to Take Immediately After a Fatal Accident in Connecticut

Vehicle accidents are a leading cause of accidental injuries and deaths in Connecticut and throughout the United States each year. Losing a family member in a car accident is a traumatic experience, and it is vital to know the steps to take immediately after a fatal accident in Connecticut. If another driver is responsible for causing the victim’s death, the first steps you take can significantly impact your legal proceedings.

Steps to Take Immediately After a Fatal Accident in Connecticut

The first and perhaps most important of the steps to take immediately after a fatal accident in Connecticut is to hire a skilled fatal car accident lawyer at your first opportunity. If you believe your loved one died in an accident caused by another driver, your attorney can gather evidence and witness testimony to help you prove liability.

Some of the evidence you may need to establish fault for the accident may not be available for very long. Additionally, witness statements from those who saw the accident happen firsthand will be more reliable if they are obtained as soon as possible after the accident. Bartlett & Grippe have extensive experience representing clients in fatal car accident cases, so you can reach out to our team right away so we can get started building your case.

Once you have hired a fatal car accident lawyer, they can begin gathering the evidence needed to establish fault for the death in question. Evidence, including traffic camera recordings, cell phone data, GPS data, and police reports, needs to be collected right away. Your lawyer can also help you obtain a Connecticut car accident police report and ensure no critical evidence is overlooked.

After any accident in Connecticut, auto insurance is typically one of the first options an injured victim will have to recover compensation for their losses. Every driver in the state must have insurance that meets minimum coverage requirements, but insurance companies will typically try to minimize claim payouts as much as possible.

Even if you are successful with an auto insurance claim against the at-fault driver, the claim payout may only cover a portion of the total damages the defendant caused. You may be able to recover some compensation for vehicle repair costs and the victim’s final medical expenses, but other damages will need to be recovered with a wrongful death case.

Filing Your Wrongful Death Case in Connecticut

Motor vehicle accidents cause thousands of deaths throughout the United States each year. The National Safety Council reported 44,762 fatalities from vehicle crashes throughout the country in 2023. In Connecticut, there were 261 fatal crashes throughout the state in 2024, according to the Connecticut Crash Data Repository. Filing a wrongful death suit may be your most viable option for legal recourse after losing a family member in a fatal crash.

Understanding Connecticut’s wrongful death statute of limitations is crucial, as you only have two years from the date of death to take legal action. The sooner you act, the stronger your case can be.

To succeed with a wrongful death case in Connecticut, the plaintiff must present evidence that shows the defendant is more likely than not responsible for causing the victim’s death. When you hire a fatal car accident lawyer to represent you, you are more likely to meet this standard of proof, and once fault is established, you can claim compensation for the damages the defendant inflicted.

It also helps to know how to file a wrongful death lawsuit and what types of damages are available to surviving family members. This preparation can give you clarity in a difficult time.

Ultimately, any fatal car accident case can be difficult to resolve, but knowing the steps to take immediately after a fatal crash in Connecticut is a valuable advantage that will increase your chances of success with your legal proceedings in the aftermath of a family member’s unexpected death. Bartlett & Grippe can help with your case, so reach out to us today to learn why you should hire a fatal car accident lawyer at your first opportunity.

FAQs

How Do You Prove Liability for a Fatal Car Accident in Connecticut?

You can prove liability for a fatal car accident in Connecticut with evidence such as the police report from the accident, statements from witnesses who saw the accident happen in real time, the at-fault driver’s cell phone records, vehicle computer data, and more. Some of this evidence will not be available for very long, so it’s important to consult an attorney as soon as possible after the accident so they can begin building your case.

What Are the Penalties for Causing a Fatal Car Accident in Connecticut?

The penalties for causing a fatal car accident in Connecticut could include liability for wrongful death as well as criminal prosecution from the state. For example, if the defendant caused the fatal accident because they were driving while intoxicated, the state is likely to press criminal charges. Penalties for breaking the law in Connecticut can increase dramatically when a defendant has caused a fatal injury with their actions.

Why Should I Hire a Fatal Car Accident Lawyer?

You should hire a fatal car accident lawyer to have a better chance of ensuring accountability for the driver who caused your family member’s death. Resolving a wrongful death case successfully in Connecticut can be extremely difficult without an experienced attorney’s help. Your legal representative can assist you with proving fault and accurately determine the full scope of the damages you are eligible to claim from the defendant.

How Long Does It Take to Settle a Fatal Car Accident Case?

The time it could take to settle a fatal car accident case depends on whether the defendant accepts liability and is willing to negotiate a settlement. Pretrial settlement may take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to complete and will be more expedient than litigation. However, some cases may not be resolved through settlement, and litigation will be unavoidable. Your attorney can estimate the most likely timeline for your case.

Contact Our Fatal Car Accident lawyer Today

The team at Bartlett & Grippe can provide compassionate and results-driven legal representation for you and your family after a loved one has died in a fatal car accident. If you’re unsure where to start, reviewing Connecticut car accident laws and seeking prompt legal advice will put you in a better position to secure justice. Contact us today and schedule a free consultation with an experienced attorney who can help you make sense of your legal options.