Consider this scenario: you’re driving along, minding your own business and stopped at a red light. Suddenly, your car is struck from behind by an out-of-control vehicle. Before you can even process what has happened, the offending driver quickly speeds away. There were no witnesses and no time to get the license plate number. You’re now left with a damaged vehicle, serious injuries, and seemingly no recourse for this mess.
Whenever you are involved in an automobile accident, you should call 911 and wait (patiently) for a police officer to arrive and investigate the scene. While this is not always convenient, an official accident report is invaluable when pursuing automobile insurance claims and future litigation. The investigating officer will document all relevant details from the scene and will take initial statements from the drivers and any witnesses. In many instances, the officer will also determine who was responsible for causing the accident.
Even for a minor accident, you should resist the urge to simply “exchange information” and work things out later. Even when the other driver seems honest and admits fault at the scene, that story often changes a few days later. Moreover, the other driver may present you with insurance information that is expired or altogether fabricated. Thus, the best and perhaps the only way to establish a clear record of what happened and to protect your rights is to call the police.
You should always contact a licensed attorney to discuss any specific legal questions that you may have. The following blog post is intended as a general overview of personal injury law in Connecticut and is not an attempt to offer specific legal advice. For a consultation with Attorney Carrington, please contact our office at (475) 559-7745.