What to do after a car accident in Connecticut
Every rule below is quoted from Connecticut law or a state agency, with a link. Checked September 17, 2026.
At fault state
The short answer
Connecticut is an at-fault state. If another driver's negligence causes a crash, the driver who is at fault is financially responsible, and you can seek payment from that driver or their insurer, including by lawsuit. If a crash injures or kills someone, or damages property, you must stop, help, and give your name, address, license number, and registration number to the other person or a witness. If you cannot do that, you must report the crash right away to a police officer or the nearest police station. You generally have two years from the date you discovered or reasonably should have discovered your injury to sue, but never more than three years from the date of the crash.
Deadlines in Connecticut
- 2 years (3-year outer limit)
- to sue for injuriesConn. Gen. Stat. 52-584
- 2 years (3-year outer limit)
- to sue for car or property damageConn. Gen. Stat. 52-584
- 2 years (5-year outer limit)
- for a family to sue after a deathConn. Gen. Stat. 52-555(a)
- 90 days (state) / 6 months (municipal)
- to notify the government if a public vehicle or road was involvedConn. Gen. Stat. 7-465(a); see also 13a-144 (state highway, 90 days) and 13a-149 (municipal road defect, 90 days)
Miss one of these and you can lose the right to claim, even with a strong case.
At the scene
Stop, share your information and help anyone hurt
After a crash that hurts or kills someone or damages property, you must stop right away, help anyone who is hurt, and give your name, address, license number, and registration number to the other driver, the injured person, or a witness.
“shall at once stop and render such assistance as may be needed and shall give such operator's name, address and operator's license number and registration number”
When you must call the police
If a crash injures or kills someone, or damages property, you must stop, help, and give your name, address, license number, and registration number to the other person or a witness. If you cannot do that, you must report the crash right away to a police officer or the nearest police station.
“shall immediately report such injury or damage to property to a police officer, a constable, a state police officer ... or at the nearest police precinct or station”
Moving your car out of traffic
If you are in a crash on a limited access highway (like an interstate) that only causes property damage, you must move your car out of the travel lanes to a safe spot nearby if you can do so safely.
“Each person operating a motor vehicle who is knowingly involved in an accident on a limited access highway which causes damage to property only shall immediately move”
In the days after
Whether you must file a report yourself
Connecticut does not require you, as the driver, to file a separate written crash report with the DMV. The old law that required that was repealed. If police investigate a crash that kills or injures someone, or causes more than $1,000 in damage to one person's property, the investigating officer must send a report to the state Commissioner of Transportation within five days.
“Section 14-108 is repealed”
Getting a copy of the crash report
You can usually get your Connecticut State Police crash report online through BuyCrash.com within about 30 business days of the crash. Reports not yet posted online, or for serious crashes, can be requested through the state's GovQA records portal or by mail. There is a $16 search fee.
“Many simple motor vehicle accidents may be available online at http://www.BuyCrash.com within thirty business days following the date of the accident.”
Who pays for the damage
Connecticut is an at-fault state. If another driver's negligence causes a crash, the driver who is at fault is financially responsible, and you can seek payment from that driver or their insurer, including by lawsuit.
“Public Act 93-297 repealed the no-fault insurance law. As a result, basic reparations coverage is no longer required.”
Insurance rules in Connecticut
What insurance every driver must carry
Connecticut drivers must carry at least $25,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person, $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 in property damage liability coverage per accident.
“Minimum of $25,000 per person for bodily injury and liability Minimum of $50,000 per accident for bodily injury and liability Minimum of $25,000 per accident for property damage liability is”
Personal injury protection (PIP)
Connecticut does not require drivers to carry personal injury protection or any no-fault medical benefit coverage. Insurance companies only have to include liability and uninsured motorist coverage.
“Public Act 93-297 repealed the no-fault insurance law. As a result, basic reparations coverage is no longer required.”
If the other driver has no insurance
Connecticut requires every auto liability policy to include uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage equal to your liability limits, unless you ask in writing for a lower amount (never below the state minimum).
“shall provide uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage with limits for bodily injury and death equal to those purchased ... unless any named insured requests in writing a lesser amount”
Medical payments coverage
Connecticut does not require medical payments coverage on an auto policy. Insurance companies are allowed to offer it, but it is optional coverage you choose to buy.
“The insurer may undertake to pay reasonable medical expense incurred within one year from the date of the accident”
If an insurance company treats you unfairly
You can file a complaint against an insurance company with the Connecticut Insurance Department online, by email, or by calling the consumer helpline.
“(800) 203-3447 or (860) 297-3900”
The deadline rules, word for word
Deadline to sue for injuries
You generally have two years from the date you discovered or reasonably should have discovered your injury to sue, but never more than three years from the date of the crash.
“shall be brought but within two years from the date when the injury is first sustained or discovered more than three years from the date of the act or omission”
Deadline to sue for car damage
You generally have two years from when you discovered or should have discovered the property damage to sue, but never more than three years from the date of the crash.
“No action to recover damages for injury to the person, or to real or personal property, caused by negligence”
Deadline for a wrongful death claim
An estate generally has two years from the date of death to sue, but never more than five years from the date of the crash that caused the death.
“no action shall be brought ... but within two years from the date of death ... no such action may be brought more than five years from the date of the act”
If a government vehicle or road was involved
If a town or city vehicle or employee is involved, you generally must file written notice with the municipal clerk within six months. If a defective state highway is involved, you must give the state Commissioner of Transportation written notice within 90 days.
“written notice of the intention to commence such action has been filed with the clerk of such municipality within six months after such cause of action has accrued”
Sources on this page
Each one was opened and checked on September 17, 2026.
- P.A. 93-297; Office of Legislative Research Report 2008-R-0493
- Conn. Gen. Stat. 52-572h(b)
- Conn. Gen. Stat. 52-584
- Conn. Gen. Stat. 7-465(a); see also 13a-144 (state highway, 90 days) and 13a-149 (municipal road defect, 90 days)
- Conn. Gen. Stat. 14-224(a), (b)
- Conn. Gen. Stat. 14-108 (repealed); 14-108a(a)(2)
- Conn. Gen. Stat. 14-112(a)
- Conn. Gen. Stat. 38a-336(a)(2)
- Regs. Conn. State Agencies 38a-334-7(a); Conn. Gen. Stat. 38a-334(a) (mandatory list excludes medical payments)
- Conn. Gen. Stat. 29-10b (search fee)
- Connecticut Insurance Department, Consumer Affairs
- Conn. Gen. Stat. 52-251c(b)
Know My Claim is not a law firm or a government agency, and this page is not legal advice. Laws change, so check the linked source before you rely on a deadline.