New Haven Car Accident Lawyer

Car Accident Attorney in New Haven, CT

Car accidents happen every day in New Haven and the surrounding areas of Connecticut for various reasons, and sometimes they result in tremendous losses for those involved. If you were recently hurt in a car accident and another driver is responsible, it’s vital to know how you can hold them accountable for your losses and the value of working with an experienced New Haven car accident lawyer in your efforts to recover.

Why Hire Bartlett & Grippe, LLC for Your Car Accident Case

The legal team at Bartlett & Grippe, LLC has years of experience representing injured car accident victims in New Haven, and we are ready to leverage this experience in your case. To date, we have reclaimed more than $50 million for our clients through favorable court verdicts and settlements.

Our law firm is also a frequent recipient of awards and recognitions from prominent legal groups. We welcome prospective clients to read about our proven track record of favorable court outcomes. You have limited time to pursue your recovery. You may need to file an auto insurance and/or personal injury claim. If you lost a family member in a fatal accident, you can trust our team to represent you in a wrongful death case. Navigating Connecticut car accident laws requires a clear strategy to ensure you receive the full value of your claim.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in New Haven, Connecticut

Some areas of New Haven are downright notorious for collisions. For example, the crossing at Willow and Nicoll streets underwent a safety study in March of 2025 due to repeated collisions at the intersection. Speeding is one common cause of collisions in the area. Victims of these crashes often seek help from a dedicated New Haven high speed accident lawyer. Tragically, 104 people were killed in state-wide collisions involving high speeds in 2023. When drivers surpass the speed limit, they may lose maneuverability or fail to stop in time to avoid a crash.

Distracted driving is another cause of collisions in the state. Smartphones are a leading cause of distraction. When drivers fail to observe the road, even momentary lapses can lead to catastrophic collisions that can leave innocent drivers and passengers contending with serious injuries and urgent trips to Yale New Haven Hospital Saint Raphael Campus, which is located at 1450 Chapel Street. Working with an experienced New Haven distracted driver accident lawyer can help you prove liability in these cases.

Drunk driving is another unfortunate reality along Connecticut’s roadways. Drivers who make the reckless decision to get behind the wheel while intoxicated can jeopardize the safety of those around them. Even when someone faces criminal charges, they can still be held civilly liable for the harm they cause. No matter the type of collision, injured victims have the right to pursue compensation with the help of a knowledgeable injury firm.

Building a Car Accident Case in New Haven

In Connecticut, the fault rule applies to all motor vehicle accident cases. This means that the driver at fault for the accident is responsible for the resulting damages. All drivers in Connecticut must maintain auto insurance that meets the basic coverage requirements, and this insurance is meant to pay for the damages a policyholder causes. However, dealing with insurance companies is often challenging, and liability for a car accident may initially be unclear. You can review New Haven car accident statistics to better understand the frequency of these incidents.

The first step in building a car accident case is proving fault for the accident. Most car accidents in the New Haven area are caused by driver negligence, such as distracted driving, speeding, or moving violations, including running red lights or making illegal turns. Your car accident lawyer will know how to gather the evidence you may need to prove the exact cause of your accident.

Connecticut adheres to a modified comparative negligence rule, which allows more than one party to be found at fault for a personal injury, and each liable party will have a percentage of fault assigned. It’s possible for a plaintiff to be partially at fault for their accident and still be eligible to recover compensation, but only as long as they are found less at fault than the defendant. Their fault percentage is deducted from their compensation.

Filing an Auto Insurance Claim in New Haven

Every Connecticut driver is required to have auto insurance that includes bodily injury liability coverage and property damage liability coverage. In accidents caused by drivers, their insurance policy will pay for the resulting damages. However, insurance companies will almost always push back against claims for compensation, seeking ways to justify lowball settlement offers or outright claim denials.

A car accident lawyer can make dealing with insurance companies much easier. They can help you file your claim, gather any supporting evidence and documentation you need to send to the insurance company, and resolve any disputes the insurer might raise against you. Your attorney can advise you if the settlement offer you receive is fair and help you with the next steps to take regarding your recovery efforts.

Building a Personal Injury Claim After a New Haven Car Accident

A personal injury claim is a civil claim in which an injured party seeks compensation for damages from the party responsible for injuring them. When insurance cannot fully cover your losses, or if the at-fault driver does not have insurance, building a personal injury case offers the greatest chance of maximizing your recovery. Our reliable New Haven personal injury lawyer can help you assess your total damages.

In Connecticut, it’s possible for a personal injury plaintiff to pursue compensation for damages a defendant caused. Economic damages are typically straightforward and include the direct financial losses the victim suffered as a result of the defendant’s negligence or misconduct.

In car accident cases, these can include vehicle repair or replacement costs, medical expenses, lost income, and lost future earning capacity if the victim has become permanently disabled as a result of their injuries. Non-economic damages are more subjective and include emotional suffering, physical pain, and psychological trauma.

Wrongful Death Cases for Fatal Car Accidents in New Haven

Unfortunately, some car accidents cause fatal injuries. If you have lost a loved one in a fatal car accident caused by another driver, you may have grounds to file a wrongful death claim against the at-fault driver. This type of personal injury case seeks to compensate the victim’s family and beneficiaries. While it follows similar procedural rules to a standard personal injury case, the available damages are different.

It’s possible for a wrongful death claim in Connecticut to yield compensation for the family’s financial losses related to the death, as well as damages to the estate of the deceased. The family may also receive pain and suffering compensation to account for the pain of losing the victim. The legal team at Bartlett & Grippe, LLC has extensive experience handling difficult wrongful death cases for clients throughout New Haven and can provide compassionate representation.

Types of Motor Vehicle Cases Bartlett & Grippe Handles in New Haven

When injured drivers and passengers in New Haven seek compensation and accountability after a collision, they trust Bartlett & Grippe to deliver exceptional legal services in motor vehicle cases. Our attorneys handle a wide range of motor vehicle collisions. 

• Motorcycle collisions: Motorcyclists are among the most vulnerable parties on the road. They are often hit or forced off the road due to other drivers’ negligence. Motorcycle riders can face catastrophic injuries following a collision.
• Pedestrian accident: Pedestrians often come into close proximity with vehicles at intersections and crosswalks. When drivers fail to yield or drive dangerously close, they can cause serious bodily harm to bystanders.
• Rideshare crashes: Rideshare collisions can lead to complicated questions about liability and fault. When a driver has their phone app active, Uber or Lyft may be liable for any harm caused during the collision.
• Truck collisions: The sheer size and weight of a commercial truck can cause devastating collisions. Injured passengers and victims often face unique challenges when trying to collect compensation from the driver’s insurance carrier or the trucking group.
• Uninsured motorist claims: When an at-fault driver is uninsured, injured victims can turn to their own uninsured motorist coverage or a civil claim against the negligent driver to secure compensation for medical bills and other damages.

Why You Should Hire a New Haven Car Accident Lawyer

Following a vehicle collision, one of your first steps should be to hire a car accident lawyer. When you work with a New Haven car accident attorney, you benefit from their years of experience and understanding of car accident laws. An injury attorney can manage the complexities of your car accident claim so you have one less thing to worry about during a difficult time.

Injury lawyers do more than represent clients in court. They can help you assess the strengths and potential challenges of your case. If you have questions about potential outcomes of the decisions you make along the way, your attorney can provide you with honest feedback and advice. Legal representation can also be a source of encouragement and support during a challenging time.

FAQs

How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost?

The cost of a car accident lawyer depends on their years of experience and the time and resources that they put into your case. Most injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that they are only paid once they secure compensation for you through a settlement or a favorable court verdict. A reputable attorney should disclose their billing policy and fee structure. That information should also be disclosed in the attorney-client agreement.

What Is the Average Settlement for a Car Accident in Connecticut?

The average settlement for a car accident in Connecticut varies from case to case, so there is no fixed amount to generalize settlements. The extent of your injuries and the setbacks caused by the harm you endured are all key factors that can influence the outcome of your case and the amount of compensation that you ultimately receive. Working with an experienced injury lawyer can position you for maximum compensation.

Is It Worth Hiring a Car Accident Attorney?

If you suffered serious harm due to someone else’s negligence, it can be well worth it to hire a car accident attorney. Legal representation ensures that your rights are protected and you are not falsely blamed for causing the collision. Attorneys understand the traffic and personal injury laws that apply to injury cases and can build strong claims that lead to fair compensation for the harm you endured.

What Are the Odds of Winning a Car Injury Claim?

The odds of winning a car injury claim can be very favorable when you work with an injury lawyer who brings years of experience managing complex car crash claims. Cases are often determined by the strength of the evidence and the ability of the attorney to establish fault and secure a fair settlement. Being proactive and researching the right lawyer for your case can be a crucial first step toward securing accountability and compensation.

What Type of Attorney Handles Car Collision Claims?

Car collision claims are handled by personal injury attorneys. They may also refer to themselves as car injury lawyers if they focus on such cases. Injury law requires plaintiffs to show that a preponderance of evidence supports their legal arguments. The civil court provides an important venue for injured drivers and passengers to pursue and collect compensation following a preventable car collision.

What to Expect From Your Car Accident Lawyer

When you choose the team at Bartlett & Grippe, LLC to represent you in a car accident case in Connecticut, you can trust our team to gather the evidence needed to prove fault, accurately assess the full scope of your claimable damages, and provide responsive legal counsel through all stages of your case. You have a limited time to file your case, so it is important that you contact our team as soon as possible after your accident.

If you are worried about the cost of hiring legal counsel, our firm does not charge any fees unless and until we secure compensation for your damages. We charge a percentage of the compensation we secure on your behalf, but if there is no recovery, there is no fee. This policy ensures that the legal counsel you need is accessible when you need it most.

Our skilled car accident attorneys can help you build and file a personal injury case or wrongful death claim after a car accident in New Haven. The legal team at Bartlett & Grippe, LLC is ready to help you approach your case with confidence. Contact us today to schedule your consultation and learn how we can help.

New Haven, CT Car Accident Resources

• What to Do After a Car Accident in Connecticut?
• How to Get a Car Accident Police Report in Connecticut
• How to Choose the Right Car Accident Lawyer in Connecticut?
• How Long Does a Car Accident Lawsuit Take in Connecticut?
• Connecticut Car Accident Statistics – Updated Crash Data
• Average Car Accident Settlement in Connecticut