Bodily Injury Liability Insurance

Understanding Bodily Injury Liability Insurance in Connecticut

Bodily injury liability insurance is a critical type of coverage that helps pay for injuries to others after a car accident. Since this is a liability policy, it covers the medical expenses and other losses of the other driver or their passengers—not those in your own car.

What Are Connecticut’s Bodily Injury Liability Insurance Requirements?

In Connecticut, drivers are required to carry a minimum amount of liability insurance, which includes coverage for bodily injuries:

• $25,000 per person for bodily injuries.
• $50,000 per accident for bodily injuries involving multiple people.

This coverage is part of the broader insurance requirements aimed at ensuring drivers can take financial responsibility for accidents they cause.

Why Is Bodily Injury Liability Insurance Necessary?

There are two main reasons bodily injury liability insurance is essential for Connecticut drivers:

1. Legal Requirement
   • Connecticut law mandates that all drivers carry minimum levels of liability insurance, including bodily injury coverage.
2. Connecticut Is an “At-Fault” State
   • In Connecticut, the driver who causes an accident is financially responsible for the resulting damages and injuries. Bodily injury liability insurance helps fulfill this obligation by covering the costs of injuries caused to others in the accident.

If you’re injured in a car accident caused by someone else, you’ll typically seek compensation from their bodily injury liability insurance for your medical bills, lost wages, and other losses.

What Does Bodily Injury Liability Insurance Cover?

This type of insurance covers losses related to physical and mental impairments sustained in an accident. Commonly covered expenses include:

1. Medical Expenses
   • Emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries, physical therapy, and follow-up treatments are all covered under bodily injury liability insurance.
2. Lost Wages
   • If the injuries sustained in the accident prevent you from working, bodily injury liability coverage can help replace the income you’ve lost during your recovery.
3. Pain and Suffering
   • This includes compensation for non-economic damages, such as physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident.
4. Legal Fees
   • If you decide to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver, their bodily injury liability insurance may cover their legal defense costs. However, this does not cover your legal fees, which is why having an attorney working on a contingency basis can be beneficial.

Filing a Bodily Injury Liability Claim

Because this coverage comes from the other driver’s insurance, you’ll need to gather the necessary details about their policy. Here’s how to file a claim:

1. Collect Insurance Information
   • Ensure you get the other driver’s insurance details at the scene of the accident.
2. Notify the Insurance Company
   • The at-fault driver should notify their insurer about the accident. However, if they fail to do so, you can report the incident yourself.
3. Share Basic Details
   • When speaking to the insurance company, provide only essential information, including:
     • The date, time, and location of the accident.
     • A general description of the injuries and damages.
     • Whether you received medical treatment.

   Avoid making definitive statements about your injuries or damages in case something is overlooked or not immediately apparent. For instance, you can say, “These are the injuries I’m aware of at this time.”

4. Prove Fault
   • To secure compensation, you’ll need to demonstrate that the other driver was at fault. This may involve:
     • Accident reports.
     • Witness statements.
     • Photos and videos of the scene.
     • Expert evaluations (e.g., accident reconstruction).

How Bert McDowell Injury Law Can Help You

Filing a bodily injury liability claim can be overwhelming, especially when you’re recovering from an accident. At Bert McDowell Injury Law, we’ll guide you through every step of the process, from proving fault to negotiating with insurance companies.

Why Work with Us?

• Proven Track Record: We’ve helped countless clients secure the compensation they need after an accident.
• No Fees Unless We Win: You don’t pay us anything upfront—we work on a contingency basis.
• Dedicated Support: We’re here to handle the paperwork, gather evidence, and advocate on your behalf, so you can focus on healing.

Contact Us Today

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, don’t wait to take action. Connecticut law imposes strict deadlines for filing claims, and evidence can disappear over time.

Call Bert McDowell Injury Law at (475) 231-3274 or fill out our online form for a FREE consultation. Let us help you get the compensation you need to move forward with your life.