The biggest money leak is missing evidence that ties each driver or company to a specific mistake, because in Connecticut a weak file lets insurers shave off blame and leave you chasing unpaid medical bills, liens, and copays.

• Basic proof in a Connecticut multi-vehicle crash: get the Connecticut Uniform Police Crash Report, photos of vehicle positions and damage, names of all drivers and witnesses, 911 audio if available, dashcam footage, and medical records that connect the crash to your injuries. In a chain-reaction wreck on I-84 near Waterbury's steep grades and curves, skid marks, impact points, event data recorder downloads, and tow-yard photos often show who hit whom first and whether a commercial driver was following too closely.

• More than one person can be at fault: under Connecticut General Statutes § 52-572h, fault is usually apportioned. That means each defendant generally pays their share, not automatically the whole loss. So you need evidence against every liable party - the driver who started the crash, the one speeding behind, and sometimes an employer if a work vehicle was involved.

• If one driver was working: a company can be responsible for an employee driving on the job. Look for delivery logs, dispatch records, GPS data, driver qualification files, and vehicle maintenance records. Those disappear faster than people expect.

• If road conditions or a highway defect played a role: claims against the state or a town are different. A notice to the state under § 13a-144 has a short deadline, often 90 days. For Bridgeport streets or local roads, municipal notice rules can matter too.

• If your own fault is raised: Connecticut's modified comparative negligence rule bars recovery if you are more than 50% at fault. Seat belt issues, lane changes, and following distance will be picked over closely.

• If medical bills were paid by Medicare, Medicare Advantage, or workers' comp: lien and subrogation claims can eat into settlement funds. Workers' compensation intervention under § 31-293 and Medicare reimbursement issues matter early, especially when several insurers are still pointing fingers and no one wants to fund treatment first.