New London Bicycle Accident Lawyer
New London Bicycle Accident Attorney
As a bicyclist, you have the same rights to access the road as a driver. Unlike a motorist, however, you aren’t protected by the safety features that come in cars. When an accident happens, you’re more likely to suffer serious injuries that can affect you for the rest of your life. If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident due to another person’s recklessness, you deserve compensation for your losses. A New London bicycle accident lawyer can help you pursue justice and recover your damages.
Common Injuries Caused by Bike Accidents
Bicycle accidents can cause serious injuries for riders, as they have few safety precautions apart from helmets. Common injuries caused by bike accidents include:
- Road rash
- Fractures and broken bones
- Concussions
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Death
Many of these injuries can have long-term effects on your health and livelihood. TBIs in particular are serious concerns following bicycle accidents, with the U.S. seeing 596,972 emergency department visits for bike accident-related TBIs from 2009 to 2018. Wearing a helmet reduces the risk of TBI, but it doesn’t fully eliminate it. That’s why it’s important to work with a New London bicycle accident attorney to help you pursue compensation.
Compensation for Your Bicycle Accident
Following a bike accident, you can suffer serious injuries that come with expensive medical bills and time away from work. You shouldn’t be responsible for those mounting expenses and losses. Following a bicycle crash, you can pursue the following types of compensation:
- Economic damages: Time spent in the hospital, doctors’ visits, time missed from work, property damage
- Non-economic damages: Pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of consortium, mental anguish, disfigurement
- Punitive damages: Awarded by judges to punish reckless behavior by the defendant, meant to dissuade similar behaviors in the future
Each year, there are nearly 1,000 deaths caused by bike accidents. If a crash turns fatal, know that you can pursue damages in a wrongful death claim to receive compensation for the losses listed above, as well as burial costs, loss of benefits, and lost income. Contact a New London wrongful death lawyer if you need any assistance.
Connecticut’s Modified Comparative Negligence Laws
If you’ve been injured in a bike crash, it’s important to understand how the state’s negligence laws can impact your case. Connecticut follows a modified comparative negligence system, which means you can still recover compensation after an accident, even if you were partially at fault. However, the amount of compensation you receive can be reduced by your share of liability, and you cannot recover anything if you are 51% or more at fault.
For example, a cyclist riding at night without proper lights or reflective gear is less visible, but if they’re hit by a driver who is texting, the driver still has the majority of liability. The cyclist may share some fault for not being more visible, but the driver’s reckless behavior places most of the fault on them.
How an Attorney Can Help with Your Bicycle Accident
Pursuing compensation on your own after a bicycle accident can be difficult, especially if you’re still recovering. A New London personal injury attorney can alleviate you of the burden of your case by investigating the cause, collecting evidence, creating a strategy to pursue compensation, and representing you in settlement negotiations and court proceedings.
The firm of Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-at-Law has been serving the New London area for over 80 years. As a general practice firm, we handle nearly all kinds of legal cases. With our knowledge and familiarity with the local court system and the state’s bicycle accident laws, we can work to secure you a fair settlement offer. If those negotiations fail, we have the experience to take your case before a judge and jury.
FAQs
How Long Does a Bicycle Accident Case Take?
It’s difficult to say how long a bike accident case can take without knowing the specific factors of the case and the strength of your evidence. Some cases are resolved within a few months, while more complicated claims can take years to settle. Your attorney can give you a timetable when you meet with them during your initial consultation.
How Much Do Bicycle Accident Lawyers Charge?
Typically, bicycle accident lawyers do not charge a specific amount. Instead, many attorneys bill on a contingency-fee basis, which means their payment is a percentage of the reward you recover. Because there are no up-front fees, this system makes accessing legal representation easy for everyone, regardless of their financial situation.
This is especially helpful since you may miss time from work as you recover, and you’ll likely have mounting medical bills and other expenses.
What If the Driver Who Hit Me Doesn’t Have Insurance?
If the driver who hit you doesn’t have insurance, you still have options for pursuing compensation. You can file a claim with your own auto policy if you have uninsured motorist coverage, even if you weren’t in your car at the time of the crash. You can also sue the driver directly, though you may have a tougher time recovering all of your damages that way.
Can I Still Recover Compensation If I Wasn’t Wearing a Helmet?
Yes, you can still recover compensation if you weren’t wearing a helmet at the time of your accident. Connecticut does not have a universal helmet law, meaning adults are not required to wear a helmet on a bicycle. However, insurance may try to reduce your compensation by arguing that your injuries would not have been as severe if you were wearing a helmet.
Hire a Bicycle Accident Lawyer
If you’ve been injured while riding your bike, hire a bicycle accident lawyer to help you pursue the compensation you may be entitled to. An attorney can investigate your crash and help you collect evidence to prove liability. They can also negotiate on your behalf with insurance companies or represent you in court.
Contact Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-at-Law to schedule a free consultation. Sit down with our team to discuss your case, and we’ll explain your options for pursuing the damages you deserve. We can be your trusted ally throughout the legal process, giving you the support and guidance you need.
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