Injured in a Motorcycle Crash? We Can Advise You of Your Rights
Thousands of people ride motorcycles in Connecticut on a regular basis and enjoy the freedom of riding in the open air. However, motorcycles accidents happen all too frequently. Because motorcyclists are virtually unprotected from impacts with other vehicles and the road, they are particularly vulnerable to serious and often fatal injuries. Even non-fatal motorcycle accident injuries may require extensive medical care, compromising your ability to work while your medical bills pile up and your finances suffer.
It is important to realize that you have important legal rights as a motorcycle accident victim. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney can help protect your rights and help ensure the best possible recovery in your case. Each accident is different and the best way to know what to do is to discuss your specific situation with an experienced Norwich motorcycle accident lawyer. At Polito & Harrington, we have represented many injured motorcyclists and we can help evaluate your case and determine when and how you should take legal action to seek compensation for your injuries losses. Please do not hesitate to contact us online or call our office today at 860-447-3300 for more information or to set up your free initial case evaluation.
Motorcyclists Are at Risk of Catastrophic Injuries
Riding a motorcycle can be thrilling – there are no seatbelts, airbags, or even the frame of a vehicle between you and the world flying by. However, those factors also put motorcyclists at an inherently greater risk of injury in accidents than motorists in passenger vehicles.
When a motorcycle crashes, riders have little to no protection from other vehicles, the ground, or other objects. They often suffer direct trauma to multiple parts of their bodies, which can result in serious instantaneous and often catastrophic injuries. Such injuries can be life-changing and may include:
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) – Even a helmet cannot completely prevent a motorcyclist from suffering head trauma. Any blow to the head – even through a helmet – has the potential to damage the brain tissue and result in a TBI. Some motorcyclists may suffer concussions, while others remain unconscious for weeks with a severe TBI. In either case, brain injuries have many harmful cognitive and physical effects, some of which may be permanent.
Spinal cord injury – The spine is extremely vulnerable to trauma in motorcycle accidents. Damage to the spinal cord can result in paralysis and loss of sensation, which can be temporary or permanent depending on the extent of the injury. Some spinal cord injury victims must go through lengthy and intensive rehabilitative therapy to regain movement abilities, while others have to adjust to a life of permanent paralysis requiring use of a wheelchair or similar assistive equipment.
Facial injuries – Motorcycle accidents can often cause a rider to go flying forward from the seat, over the handlebars, and straight into the pavement or another vehicle. For this reason, many motorcyclists suffer serious injuries to the face and head when they crash. Such injuries can include a broken jaw, damaged teeth, broken cheekbones and nose, and skull fractures. Such injuries may require costly reconstructive surgery and may leave a motorcyclist permanently scarred or disfigured.
Shattered or fractured bones – Severe trauma to the body can often cause numerous bone fractures. While a broken bone may not sound too serious, many fractures can require surgeries and implants to repair. If a bone shatters or is crushed by a motorcycle, it may be impossible to repair and an amputation may be necessary. Even a seemingly minor fracture can prevent you from working, driving, helping around the house, and engaging in activities like sports for weeks or months.
Internal injuries – Not every motorcycle accident injury is obvious from the outside. Many motorcyclists suffer internal injuries, which can include internal organ damage, internal hemorrhaging, broken ribs, punctured lungs, and similar conditions that require immediate medical treatment. Many internal injuries can be life-threatening and can require a long period of hospitalization.
These are only a few examples of the types of severe injuries often suffered in motorcycle accidents. Treatment for such injuries is generally costly and you may lose a substantial amount of income if you are unable to work during your recovery. All of these losses can add up quickly and become overwhelming, so it is important to know when you have the legal right to recover compensation for your medical bills and other accident-related damages.
Who Is Liable for Your Losses?
The law allows accident victims to recover compensation if their accident happened because of the negligence of another party. Negligence requires that a party owed the motorcyclist a duty of care to drive safely, and then breached that duty by driving dangerously – and caused a crash. Many types of negligence may cause motorcycle accidents, including:
- Distracted driving
- Aggressive driving
- Speeding
- Drunk driving
- Tailgating
- Running traffic signals
- Violating other traffic laws
- Fatigued driving
- Defective motorcycle design or manufacture
- Dangerous roadway conditions
Figuring out what caused the crash is critical to identifying any parties who were negligent and who may be held liable for the accident victim’s injuries and losses.
Once you have determined any and all liable parties, the process of obtaining financial recovery can be complicated. To fully protect your rights and ensure the best chance of recovery, you should always seek help from a qualified motorcycle accident lawyer. The right lawyer can help you in many ways and can handle each step of your case, including:
- Filing an insurance claim with a negligent party’s insurer.
- Filing a personal injury lawsuit in civil court.
Too many people are tempted to accept the first settlement offer they get, but these offers are often incredibly inadequate. Our legal team negotiates the right settlements for our clients to ensure their losses are as fully covered as possible.
Contact a Norwich Motorcycle Accident Law Firm for More Information
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident in or around the Norwich, CT area, you should not wait to consult with a knowledgeable attorney at Polito & Harrington. Consultations and case evaluations are always free, so please schedule an appointment to discuss your case and your rights. Contact us online or call 860-447-3300 for more information.
