If you have been involved in an accident in Connecticut, the law generally requires you to remain at the scene until help arrives. However, the law does not require you to make any statements to drivers, passengers or pedestrians who may have been impacted by the crash. Ideally, you will wait to make a statement until after you have hired an attorney.
What to do immediately after a crash
After you have found a safe place to stop, you should check yourself for any signs of physical injury. If you have passengers in your vehicle, check to make sure that they are awake, alert and able to talk.
It’s important to note that symptoms of a concussion, internal bleeding or whiplash may not become apparent for hours after an accident occurs. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to seek treatment after being involved in a motor vehicle accident. Furthermore, seeking medical attention makes it easier to prove that the crash was the cause of your injuries.
What to do after making sure that you’re okay
Assuming that you are able to move without pain, you should collect as much evidence as possible. Generally speaking, this means taking pictures of the crash scene, seeking statements from witnesses and exchanging information with the other drivers involved in the crash. If you don’t feel comfortable interacting with others at the scene of the accident, a police officer will be able to obtain that information on your behalf.
Do you need to talk to your insurance company?
Generally speaking, you’re required to make a statement to your insurance company within days of the accident. However, you are not required to make a statement to the other driver’s insurance company.
If you have been hurt in a car crash, you may be entitled to compensation. A financial award may be obtained through a negotiated settlement or after a trial. An attorney may use multiple lines of evidence to prove that the wreck was caused by a drunk, impaired or otherwise negligent driver.
