Connecticut Car Accident Lawyer

Car Accident Attorney in Connecticut

Your top-rated Connecticut car accident lawyer answers very important legal questions we’ve been repeatedly asked over the last fourteen years. The answers can greatly change the outcome and value of your case. If you have additional questions call us today for a free, no-obligation consultation with our top rated car accident lawyers.

Connecticut Accident Information

Recent data shows just how dangerous Connecticut roads continue to be. In 2023, more than 33,000 Connecticut residents were treated in emergency departments for crash-related injuries, nearly 1,000 people were hospitalized, and 289 people died as a result of motor vehicle crashes statewide. (Source: 2023 Connecticut Motor Vehicle Injury Fact Sheet)
In 2024, there were more than 98,000 reported crashes across Connecticut and at least 203 of those crashes were fatal, according to recent statewide crash data.

Connecticut has also created a statewide Vision Zero Council, which is focused on policies to eliminate transportation-related fatalities and serious injuries, but crashes involving drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and passengers still cause thousands of preventable injuries each year.

These numbers explain why it is so important to understand your legal rights after a crash. When you contact a Connecticut car accident lawyer at Bartlett & Grippe, LLC, we can help you file an insurance claim, evaluate a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit, and pursue the maximum compensation available for your medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses. This data helps identify some of the most dangerous roads and intersections in Connecticut, where crash rates are significantly higher than average.

In 2015 there were 5,182 crashes in Hartford alone, of which 9 were fatal crashes with 10 fatalities. There was 1752 injury crashes with 2,635 injuries.

The above data can be found in the 2015 CT Crash Facts Book

When you get in touch with one of the top personal injury attorneys you start the process of making yourself whole again. Many insurance companies will try to settle quickly for less than your case is worth. There’s nothing wrong with taking a settlement if it is fair, but it’s important to realize you need an experienced car accident lawyer on your side. We will work on your behalf to achieve fair compensation for your injuries.

Many accidents bring added complexities such as:

• Distracted Driver Accident, cell phone accident, and texting while driving accident. Too often today, drivers use cell phones and text while driving. When texting or cell phone use leads to an accident, a distracted driver accident attorney at Bartlett & Grippe can help you recover the compensation you deserve.
• Hit and Run Accident cases often leave victims with serious injuries and many questions about what can be done. By contacting a hit and run accident attorney at our firm, you will learn how your own insurance may provide you an avenue to recover from your injuries. If you have been injured, you are not alone, contact us today and let a hit and run accident lawyer at our firm guide you on the road to the recovery you deserve.
• Drunk Driver Accident – If you or a loved one was injured by someone intoxicated there may be several sources to recover money for your loss or injury such as the person or establishment that served the driver drinks. This falls under what’s called Dram Shop Law. Call Bartlett & Grippe today for a free consultation to discuss what can be done in your particular case since every case is different and we have handled hundreds of cases.

Unique Car Accident Lawyer Experience

Our expert car accident attorneys possessive unique and valuable insight gained from experience in the field of insurance company defense. Working as insurance defense attorneys allows us to gain valuable knowledge about how insurance adjusters handle and evaluate claims. We learned first-hand the maximum amount insurance adjusters would pay. We use this knowledge and the experience gained from hundreds of car accident cases to help maximize your compensation and get you a fair and just settlement. Car accident lawsuit take time in Connecticut, and the sooner you begin, the better positioned you are to build a strong claim.

It’s not just about physical damage. A serious car accident can leave emotional scars that take a long time to heal. You don’t have to settle for less than you deserve when it comes to compensation for a car accident. Our lawyers and staff works as per the latest car accident laws and we can help protect your interests and maximize your compensation. Don’t accept less than you should from the other party’s insurance company. They want to settle for the lowest amount possible, but you deserve better than that and we can help you get what you deserve.

We serve auto accident clients throughout Connecticut, including but not limited to:
Waterbury
Cheshire
New Haven
Fairfield
Bridgeport
Hartford

Finding the best Connecticut accident attorney can be difficult.

Choosing the best Connecticut accident attorney can be a difficult job, so please consider the following 12 questions when choosing a car accident attorney:

1. Commitment– Will the accident attorney devote the many hours of detailed work required or will the case be handed off to an associate with less experience? Continuity from start to finish is critically important if you are to maximize the value of your case.
2. Experience– Has the accident attorney handled hundreds of accident cases that they have learned from? Experience can make a big difference.
3. Trials– Does the accident attorney handle trials, or does he refer cases that require a trial to other attorneys? Has the accident attorney successfully defended his clients’ verdicts in appeals to the Appellate and Supreme Court?
4. Experts– Is the firm willing to devote its resources to retain experts to build a strong case on your behalf? Having a knowledgeable and experienced expert can be the deciding factor in your case.
5. Knowledge– Can the firm analyze complicated medical records? Having a medical expert on staff that knows what to look for based on years of medical experience can affect the value of your case.
6. Recognition– How is the attorney ranked by national rating agencies such as Avvo and Super Lawyers? A lawyer’s experience is key.
7. Insight– Does the accident attorney have a diverse background which includes working as a defense attorney for insurance companies and do they represent any insurance companies now? Knowledge of the process and the tactics used by insurance companies helps to level the playing field between injured parties and insurance companies.
8. Compassion– Will the accident attorney spend the time answering your questions and asking the right questions about how the accident affects you financially, emotionally, physically, and how the accident limits your daily activities? Having a caring and compassionate attorney on your side will ease the process and strengthen your case.
9. Preparation– Does the accident attorney prepare for every case as if it will ultimately go to trial, and if it does, will they be the attorney representing you in court? Favorable settlements don’t just happen on their own. Hard work and preparation are necessary to be successful at trial and to position your case for a favorable settlement.
10. Personality– Will a jury relate to and trust this accident attorney? This can greatly change your outcome. Cases often hinge on whether the jury likes the attorney. If you find the attorney personable and likable so will the jury.
11. Client Satisfaction– Does the accident attorney have positive reviews from past clients?
12. Results– Most noteworthy, does the accident attorney have proven results in court? If an insurance company respects your attorney’s reputation, it should result in higher compensation for you.
    
    Our firm has also received a Tier 1 regional ranking in New Haven from Best Law Firms® and has attorneys listed in The Best Lawyers in America®, reflecting our experience in serious personal injury litigation. (Source: Best Law Firms profile)

The above questions are just a few of the many things you should ask yourself before choosing an accident attorney. Call Bartlett & Grippe now. 203-439-7717

Awards & Recognition

Bartlett & Grippe, LLC has earned a Tier 1 regional ranking in New Haven for Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs from Best Law Firms®.

FAQ’s

What is My Car Accident Case Worth?

First of all, it’s especially important to realize this is a complex process. Despite what’s on the internet, there isn’t a magic formula to evaluate a case. Never assume you don’t have a case. Always contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible after any serious accident. Critical evidence and information may be lost if you delay.

The value of your case depends on many facts, such as how the accident happened, what injuries you sustained, and how these injuries affected your life, physically, emotionally and financially. Finally, the facts of your case can’t change but how Bartlett & Grippe uncovers the facts and presents them can make a huge difference in the outcome of your case. An experienced car accident lawyer at our firm can help you determine the maximum value of your case.

Eight costly mistakes personal injury clients often make.

Do I Have to Talk to the Other Driver’s Insurance Company?

Do not talk to the other driver’s insurance company representatives without first speaking to an experienced attorney at Bartlett & Grippe, LLC.

When to Get an Attorney for a Car Accident?

Not all car accidents require an attorney. You should contact an experienced car accident attorney if there are injuries or there is major property damage. If you’re not sure, call us and we can help. We will walk you through the complex legal process and help ensure you receive all you deserve.

Can I Bring an Auto Accident Lawsuit if I’m Partly to Blame in Connecticut?

Yes. Connecticut uses comparative fault rules. Let’s say we go to court, and after hearing all the evidence the jury finds that you were thirty percent responsible for the accident and the defendant was seventy percent at fault. In other words, if you presented medical bills, lost wages and other reasonable expenses totaling $100,000, then under the modified comparative negligence rule the court would reduce your award by the percentage the jury found you at fault for the car accident. In this example, you should receive $70,000. Unfortunately, if the court finds that you were fifty-one percent at fault or higher, you receive nothing, and you owe your attorney nothing.

Should I Call a Car Accident Lawyer From the Scene of the Accident?

Yes, once police and medical emergency personnel have been notified. You should call an experienced car accident attorney from the scene of the accident if there are injuries or there is major property damage. Calling from the scene is especially relevant and can have a major impact on the outcome of a potential claim or lawsuit. You need to contact an experienced attorney with medical staff to sort through the legal and medical issues. We will stand up to the insurance companies and exhaust every possible means of recovery for you and your loved ones. We will take the case to trial if that’s needed.

Do I Have to Notify the Police?

You must notify police right away when there is an injury, death, or property damage. Most people don’t realize there’s no threshold in CT of estimated property damage for reporting a car accident.

What Do I Need to Do if I’m in a Car Crash in Connecticut?

It depends on the severity of the accident. 

Car Accidents with Injury

Your response to an accident with injuries can help save lives and speed rescue personnel to the scene:

• Notify police and other emergency personnel right away. First call 911, and then call a car accident lawyer at Bartlett & Grippe, LLC.
• Don’t try to move an injured person unless there is a vehicle fire or other immediate risk.
• Also, covering an injured person with a blanket can help prevent shock.

Reporting a Car Accident

It’s important to realize that collecting information after an accident will be helpful to police, your insurance company when you make a claim, and especially your car crash attorney at Bartlett & Grippe, LLC.

1. Write down the names and addresses of everyone involved.
2. Get insurance information, license plate numbers and the make, model and year of vehicles.
3. Write down any damage you observe to all vehicles related to the accident. Cooperate with police in answering questions and providing information.
4. Don’t give opinions. State only the facts.
5. If your car hits a parked vehicle, try to find the owner. Leave a note on the driver’s windshield if the owner is not around. Include your contact information and the date and time the accident occurred.
6. Write down as much information about the accident as possible while it’s still fresh in your mind so that we will have all the facts required to mount a strong case.
7. For several weeks document all of your injuries associated with the accident and include re-injured preexisting injuries. It is quite common to feel fine initially but start to feel pain in a day or two. Finally and most importantly, a medical professional must document all of your injuries.

What Information Should I Give the Police?

You must show the following documents to the police:

• Driver’s license
• Registration card
• Connecticut insurance card
• Current address

Bartlett & Grippe, LLC will be able to get a copy of the official accident report.

What Are Car Accident Lawyer Fees in Connecticut?

At our firm, there are no fees or expenses unless you win or you accept a settlement. We pay all expenses, court fees, expert expenses, etc. You only pay us if you accept a settlement or receive an award at trial.

Should I Take an Offer and Who Makes the Decision to Take an Offer?

This is your ultimate decision. We will only advise you to accept or reject an offer, based on our years of experience. If the offer is unfair and we feel strongly that we will do better going to court, we will recommend that we take your case to trial. The car accident lawyer that has handled your case from the beginning will be representing you in court. You have the final say to accept an offer or go to court.

How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in CT?

If you were injured in an auto accident or want to file a suit for property damage (compensation for repairs to your car), Per Conn. Gen. Stat. Ch. 926 Sec. 52-584you have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. The sooner you contact our firm the better. We will collect valuable information that can greatly change the outcome of your case.

Has Your Firm Handled Many Car Accident Cases?

Yes, we are a nationally recognized personal injury wrongful death law firm. Serious car accident lawsuits are one of our firm’s core personal injury practice areas. Our car crash attorneys have successfully represented hundreds injured in car accidents. We are a litigation law firm which means we are the attorneys that actually take your case to court if it doesn’t settle to your satisfaction. Many firms refer their cases to us if their case must go to trial. We treat every case as if it will go to trial. As a result, this extra effort helps maximize the outcome whether you accept an offer or eventually go to trial. Every case is different and past results are not an indication of future results.

Do I Need a Car Accident Attorney Near Me?

We are centrally located in Connecticut. We represent people injured in car accidents from all Connecticut towns and in all of Connecticut’s courts. Distance is not an issue in this age of electronics. In addition, over the years we have established a network of top-rated experienced attorneys across the country that we know and have worked with regularly. Many attorneys across the country refer cases to our firm. Don’t settle for less. Contact us now.

The map shows the numbers and locations of those we’ve helped in CT just in the past four years.

I Was Rear-ended, Why Would I Need a Lawyer?

Rear-end collision accidents – these seem straightforward, but without an attorney, insurance companies will try to minimize the amount they pay. Having a knowledgeable attorney on your side will help to ensure you receive the recovery you deserve. Here’s a real life example of one of our clients that thought she could handle the case on her own. The story was written up in the Connecticut Law Tribune and Attorney Bartlett provided the story behind the story here: How Cheshire Attorney Secured $225,000 Settlement for Woman’s Wrist Injuries.

Car Accident Lawyer Case Referral – Please see link on our firm overview page.

Our mission at Bartlett & Grippe, LLC is to continue to be the best Connecticut car accident law firm and have the highest client satisfaction. Contact our team today to discuss your case.

Joseph R. Grippe

Joseph Grippe, a partner at Bartlett & Grippe, LLC, is an accomplished trial attorney with 15 years of experience in civil litigation. Specializing in catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases, including car accidents, motorcycle accidents, workplace injuries, and medical malpractice, he has recovered millions in settlements for clients. With a unique perspective from representing both plaintiffs and major insurance companies, Joseph has tried numerous cases, earning favorable verdicts reported by the Connecticut Law Tribune. His expertise in Connecticut litigation makes him a trusted advocate for injury victims seeking justice.

Know about Joseph Grippe