Category: Other Posted on Dec 19, 2017

I’m From Another State, But My Accident was in Connecticut. Should I Hire a Connecticut Lawyer?

If you’re hurt in a Connecticut accident and aren’t a resident, you may have concerns about how to move forward on a claim from the responsible party. You do still have the right to recover compensation for your injuries, though the process is slightly more complicated. It’s smart to retain a lawyer but, under the circumstances, should you look for representation where the accident happened or in your home state? Hiring a Connecticut personal injury attorney has many benefits to consider, including:

Familiarity with State Law

While many of the fundamental concepts of personal injury cases are similar throughout the U.S., there are still plenty of legal issues that are unique to Connecticut. To protect your interests, your lawyer needs to have in-depth knowledge of the statutes and legal precedents governing your case. Areas of law that may be vastly different from your home state include:

Statute of Limitations: Connecticut law requires you to file a lawsuit related to personal injury within two years after the incident occurs. Cases resulting from car collisions, medical malpractice, and premises accidents are included in this category. In other states, the statute of limitations may vary. The time restrictions may also depend upon whether the case is a car crash or some other type of accident.
Laws on Comparative and Contributory Negligence: Connecticut has established a comparative negligence rule. It holds an accident victim is responsible if his or her actions were a factor in the incident. Compensation may be reduced by the percentage of fault shared by the victim. A few states follow a contributory negligence rule that absolutely bars a victim from recovering any money if he or she was partially at fault.

Knowledge of Procedural Rules in Civil Cases

Connecticut has established a set of procedural rules that attorneys must comply with when practicing before the state’s courts. The rules cover a wide range of topics, from filing pleadings and serving process to motion practice and discovery. These procedures are highly technical and it’s critical for a lawyer to know them down to every last detail.

Hurdles for Out-of-State Attorneys

If you do hire an attorney from your home state, that person must qualify to practice in Connecticut state courts. If they do not have an actual law license in the state, your lawyer would have to request the court’s permission to represent you. This process, termed pro hac vice, adds to the complications of an out-of-state case.

Contact a Local Attorney for Your Connecticut Personal Injury Case

If you are a non-resident and sustain injuries in a Connecticut accident, your best strategy for obtaining the full amount of compensation available under the law is to retain a Connecticut personal injury lawyer. At StangerLaw LLC our attorneys have extensive experience representing clients in personal injury matters. We’re dedicated to serving your needs, wherever you may live, so please contact us today to schedule a consultation.

Bruce Stanger

My litigation experience includes family law, divorce, product liability, construction law, professional negligence, shareholder disputes, legal malpractice, and general commercial litigation.