Bicycles are a common way for Bridgeport residents to recreate, exercise, and commute. Statistics show that over 54 million people in the US rode bikes during 2022. Although biking is good for your health and the environment, it can also put you at risk for accidents and injuries.
Even a minor bicycle accident can result in severe injuries. If you have been harmed while riding a bike, you will need time to rest and heal. The last thing you should have to worry about is filing a personal injury claim and negotiating with the insurance company.
Have you suffered an injury while cycling in Bridgeport, Connecticut? Was your injury caused by driver negligence? The bicycle accident lawyers at Cellino Law are here to help. Give us a call today or complete the contact form to schedule a free consultation.
Common Causes of Bridgeport Bicycle Accidents
Bicycle accidents can happen for a variety of reasons, many of which involve collisions with motor vehicles. Understanding these causes can help both riders and drivers take safety precautions to avoid accidents and injuries.
Bike accidents are frequently caused by:
- Distracted drivers: When drivers are texting, talking on the phone, or distracted by something in the car, they may fail to see a bicyclist on the road or near a bike path
- Failure to yield: Bicycle accidents occur at intersections when drivers make turns and fail to yield the right-of-way to riders
- Door collisions: Bicyclists face a unique danger known as “dooring” when they collide with the doors of parked cars that are suddenly opened in their pathway
- Speeding: Driving at high speeds reduces reaction times and increases the severity of injuries in accidents
- Poor road conditions: Poorly maintained roads, inadequate signage, and uneven surfaces can pose a risk to riders
- Unsafe lane changes. Accidents occur when drivers fail to look in mirrors or check blind spots before changing lanes where bicyclists may be present
Bicycle Accidents Can Result in Severe Injuries
Accidents can leave bicyclists struggling with painful, debilitating injuries.
Our Bridgeport personal injury attorneys handle all types of bicycle accident injury cases, including those involving:
- Road rash
- Broken bones
- Shoulder injuries
- Soft-tissue damage
- Skull fractures
- Eye injuries
- Dental injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord damage
Steps to Take Following a Bike Accident in Bridgeport, CT
The actions you take immediately following your bicycle accident can make a difference in your physical and financial recovery.
Make sure to:
- Prioritize safety: Your main concern should be your safety and the safety of those around you. If you are able, move to a safe area away from the path of traffic.
- Call 911: The responding police officers will prepare an incident report containing contact information for all parties, witness statements, and an initial determination of fault.
- Obtain contact information: Some parties may choose to leave the scene before the police arrive. Try to obtain contact info from all involved parties and witnesses of the crash.
- Take videos: Physical evidence can be quickly lost by rain, wind, or passing vehicles. Take videos to document debris, skid marks, damage to other vehicles involved, and anything else that seems relevant.
- Seek medical attention: Some serious injuries may not present symptoms for hours or days after the crash. A doctor can assess your condition after the accident and advise whether you need further medical care.
- Don’t give a recorded statement: The driver’s insurance company may quickly contact you after the accident and try to pressure you into giving a recorded statement. Be wary. This could be used to deny or devalue your insurance claim.
- Contact a bike accident lawyer: Lawyers are knowledgeable in traffic laws, bicyclist’s rights, and factors that commonly contribute to bike accidents. A lawyer will work hard to ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries.
- Preserve physical evidence: Keep your bicycle, safety gear, and the clothing you were wearing in its post-accident condition. Do not wash or repair it until you have consulted a personal injury lawyer.
- Follow medical advice: Adhere to the medical treatments and follow-up care recommended by your doctor. This benefits your recovery and creates a paper trail of your injuries for your accident claim.
- Keep detailed records: Maintain a detailed record of all expenses related to the crash, including medical bills, lost income, and property damage. You may also want to keep a journal of your symptoms and the progress of your recovery.
Why Hire a Bridgeport Bicycle Accident Lawyer
After a bicycle accident, you may be debating whether you should hire a bicycle accident attorney or try to file a claim on your own. There are many benefits to having an experienced personal injury law firm on your side.
Cellino Law has been representing accident victims for over 65 years. Our Bridgeport bicycle accident lawyers understand Connecticut law and know how to obtain maximum compensation for our clients.
Consider some reasons to hire a lawyer to handle your bicycle accident case:
- The insurance company will do everything possible to deny or devalue your personal injury claim
- The other parties involved in the crash may try to blame you for the accident and your injuries
- There may be various parties at fault and financially liable for your injuries
- You may not know the full value of your claim
Who Is Liable for Your Injuries Following a Bicycle Accident in Bridgeport, CT?
Under Connecticut state law, anyone who contributes to your bicycle accident could be liable for resulting injuries. This means you could have a valid claim against the parties whose negligence or carelessness caused you harm.
Liable parties in bicycle accident cases may include:
- Drivers
- Other bicyclists
- Pedestrians
- Employees of negligent parties
- Transit companies
- Government entities
- Manufacturers of defective bike or auto parts
A bicycle accident lawyer can work hard to identify all parties at fault for your injuries, helping you obtain maximum compensation for your losses from each of them.
How a Bridgeport, Connecticut Personal Injury Attorney Can Help
Bicycle accident lawyers have years of training and experience in working on legal cases. They will know how local and federal laws apply to your situation.
Your lawyer will fight aggressively to obtain fair compensation for your losses. During the process, you can expect the following efforts from your bicycle accident lawyer.
Gathering and analyzing evidence
Solid evidence is needed for your bicycle accident case to be successful. The sooner you hire a lawyer, the more quickly he or she can start investigating your accident. This is important since evidence can quickly get lost or destroyed over time. Additionally, memories begin to fade as time passes, so testimony from eyewitnesses becomes less reliable.
Your lawyer will compile information such as:
- Police reports
- Video surveillance footage
- Photos of the accident scene
- Witness statements
- Medical records
Assessing the value of your claim
Your bicycle accident lawyer will know how to calculate the full value of your claim accurately. You don’t have to worry about making sure you are asking enough to cover all your losses.
Examples of bicycle accident damages include:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of quality of life
If you suffered the tragic loss of a loved one in death due to a bicycle accident, a personal injury lawyer can help you pursue a wrongful death claim. You may be entitled to damages for funeral expenses, past medical bills, and other damages.
Negotiating a fair settlement
The at-fault driver’s insurance company may quickly contact you after a bicycle accident and attempt to pressure you into accepting a low settlement offer. When you hire a bicycle accident attorney, he or she will handle all communication with the insurance company on your behalf.
Most personal injury lawyers are skilled negotiators. They won’t back down until their clients get the compensation they deserve.
When you have an experienced lawyer on your side, you can have the peace of mind that you aren’t getting taken advantage of financially by the insurance company.
What If Your Bike Accident Was a Hit-and-Run?
A hit-and-run occurs when a bicyclist is struck by a vehicle, and the driver responsible for the collision leaves the scene without stopping to give identification or offer assistance. Victims of hit-and-run accidents are not without legal recourse. A personal injury lawyer can help you understand your rights and compensation options.
The main challenge of a hit-and-run is identifying the at-fault party. It is understandable that you may not have been able to obtain the license plate number of the fleeing vehicle.
An experienced lawyer can work with law enforcement and other resources to help gather evidence and identify the at-fault driver. This could involve reviewing traffic camera footage, interviewing eyewitnesses, and collaborating with accident reconstructionists.
Schedule a Free Case Evaluation With a Bridgeport, CT, Bicycle Accident Lawyer
A bicycle accident can happen in a split second—yet the effects of the crash can alter the course of your life. You should not have to pay the price for someone else’s negligence. Let our personal injury lawyers help you get the compensation you deserve.
Our law firm accepts bicycle accident cases on contingency, meaning you do not have to pay us anything upfront. We care about our clients and have helped them recover over $2 billion in compensation.
Contact the bicycle accident lawyers at Cellino Law to discuss your legal options and preserve your rights before it’s too late. Your initial consultation is free, so don’t hesitate to call our law office or complete our contact form today.
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