Riding your bike through the streets of New London is a great way to get exercise or even make your commute to Stanford or your MTA New York City Transit stop more eco-friendly.
But if you get in a collision with a car or truck, you’ll end up much worse off than the driver, even if you wore a helmet.
If bike wreck hurt you we can help. Polito & Harrington LLC’s Waterford bicycle accident attorneys can help victims like you seek compensatory damages from the party that caused your accident. Contact us today to learn about your legal options.
Why Choose Polito & Harrington as Your Waterford Bike Accident Attorneys?
We are a local personal injury law firm focused on helping victims of accidents. It’s our job to help fight for your legal rights while you focus on recovery.
We believe in protecting your rights, and since 2002, we’ve fought hard for families in Waterford, New London, Stamford, Bridgeport, and across the state.
The personal injury attorneys at our firm have secured tens of millions of dollars in accident settlements and jury verdicts on behalf of our clients, and we believe our success speaks for itself. Polito & Harrington is here for Waterford families just like yours.
The Most Perilous Areas for a Waterford Bicycle Accident
Some places are safer to ride your bike than others. Although a cyclist is entitled to use a lane on most roadways, with the exclusion of highways and interstates, it’s more dangerous to ride in places with no designated bike lanes. Drivers may not see you until it’s too late, even if you’re riding to the side of the far right lane.
Distracted drivers are one of the most common causes of bike accidents. If a driver is texting while driving, playing with the radio station, or checking their GPS, they may not see the smaller cyclist until it’s too late. Drunk and drowsy driving are also common causes of cyclist wrecks.
Bike riders should use caution when riding in places without a bike lane or where there is road construction. A bike’s tires and lighter structure make it more likely to wreck if the rider hits a pothole or other road construction debris. You, as the rider, could go flying in the path of a car and suffer serious injuries.
Connecticut Bike Laws
The success your bicycle accident attorney will have in litigating your case often depends on whether you or the driver in your bike accident followed Connecticut’s bicycle traffic safety laws.
Whether traveling alone or as part of a cycling club, all bike riders must wear helmets if they’re under 16. They must follow all rules of the road that a car or truck follows.
These rules include riding with the flow of traffic, using bike lanes if available, and staying to the far right side of the road as the slowest moving vehicle. Bikers must also come to a full stop at all marked intersections and follow all traffic signals.
If you caused the collision because you didn’t follow biking laws, you might still have rights under Connecticut law. A New London bicycle accident lawyer can evaluate your case.
Common Injuries After a Waterford Bicycle Accident
A cyclist is much more likely to suffer a catastrophic injury after a car accident than the vehicle driver. Without the protective shield of metal, there’s a chance that the cyclist’s injuries will forever change their lives.
Common bicycle accident injuries include:
- Fractures and broken bones
- Road rash or other deep cuts and lacerations
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI) or a concussion
- Facial injuries, including damage to the eyes or teeth
- Neck, spine, and back injuries
- Crushing injuries, including hands, feet, and limbs
- Internal organ damage and internal bleeding
Tragically, some cyclists may not survive the accident. If this happened to your beloved family member, a bicycle accident attorney might be able to file a wrongful death suit for your family.
FAQs About Bicycle Accidents in Waterford
Who Was Responsible for My Bike Accident?
Many times, the driver of the car or truck is to blame for a collision with a cyclist because they have a greater duty of care to watch for cyclists and pedestrians while driving. Your bicycle accident lawyer will evaluate all the facts of your case and put together a strong case for negligence on the driver’s part.
How Can a Waterford Bicycle Accident Lawyer Help My Case?
How your Polito & Harrington attorney builds your case depends on the circumstances of the accident.
If you have an official police report and medical records from calling an ambulance after the wreck, we can use this as evidence that the driver caused the collision and your injuries.
We may also interview witnesses, collect video footage of the accident, or even have an accident reconstruction expert analyze your case.
What Damages Will My Bicycle Accident Lawyer Ask For?
You may be entitled to economic damages, which is the calculated cost of making you financially whole after the wreck. This includes your medical bills and recovery treatments (like physical therapy) as well as property damage, such as the cost of repairing or replacing your bike.
You may also be eligible for non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering. Many accident victims develop PTSD or situational anxiety after being hit by a vehicle. You likely are unable to enjoy the activities you used to and may have a diminished quality of life.
Rest assured that your bicycle accident attorney will seek the maximum compensatory damages for you.
If the Driver’s Insurance Company Offers Me a Settlement, Why Do I Need a Bicycle Accident Attorney?
The benefits of having legal representation are numerous experienced in handling cases involving Medical Treatment After an Accident. Our attorneys will negotiate with the other party’s insurance company for a fair settlement that covers your medical bills now and any anticipated future costs. We know the insurance company’s tricks and the legal requirements for seeking compensation. Non-lawyers, however, often make novice mistakes that cost them thousands of dollars in compensation.
Do You Need an Experienced Waterford Bicycle Accident Law Firm?
If a cycling accident hurt you, it’s important to seek the assistance of a Waterford personal injury lawyer to help you understand your legal options, such as filing a lawsuit to recover your damages after the wreck.
You don’t have to navigate the legal process alone. We can help you. Contact a Waterford bicycle accident lawyer at Polito & Harrington LLC today at (860) 447-3300 for your free case evaluation.
Polito & Harrington LLC – Waterford Office
567 Vauxhall Street Ext.
Suite 230, Waterford, CT 06385
Phone: (860) 447-3300
Fax: (860) 447-3389
Mail: hpolito@politolaw.com
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