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Many people love riding their bicycles, and Cheshire, Connecticut, has plenty of scenic bike routes. Whether you’re riding through Farmington Canal Heritage Trail or cruising to Hamlin Pond, Cheshire boasts many bike-friendly paths and trails. However, bicycle rides can unexpectedly become dangerous. If you were involved in a recent bicycle collision, contact an experienced Cheshire bicycle accident lawyer.
At Loughlin FitzGerald, P.C., we have a strong understanding of the complicated Connecticut bike laws, which are meant to keep cyclists safe. If an accident happens, our team can use our knowledge from representing prior clients to benefit your case. We can investigate your specific wreck and protect your rights as a cyclist. Contact us to hire a trusted bike accident attorney. We can pursue full compensation for your injury and property damage.
In Connecticut, bicycles are considered vehicles, just like cars, motorcycles, and riders must follow most traffic rules, including obeying roadway traffic signals and stopping at stop signs. Riders must follow bike laws, such as:
Bicyclists can ride in crosswalks and on sidewalks, but they must yield to all pedestrians and give a loud signal when passing.
To recover financially for a bike accident, you must prove negligence under the state’s bicycle accident laws. Negligence means someone else acted irresponsibly and caused your accident. With a bicycle accident, you can usually demonstrate that the other driver was under the influence, distracted, failing to obey traffic laws, or otherwise irresponsible.
Connecticut follows a legal system called modified comparative negligence. This means you can recover compensation if you’re not 51% or more at fault for your bicycle accident. An attorney can prove that you were not negligent under Connecticut law.
If you have a winning claim, you can usually recover compensation for your:
However, it’s important to quickly contact a Cheshire bicycle accident attorney about filing a claim. An attorney can make sure you file an insurance claim quickly and on time. They can also help you decide whether to file a civil court case in the New Haven Judicial District Court. A knowledgeable attorney can discuss your available legal options and maximize your overall bicycle accident recovery.
In 2023, Connecticut had about 3.6 million residents and recorded four bicycle accident fatalities, which is four too many. This number reflects 1% of all reported vehicle fatalities that year. If you find yourself involved in your own bike accident, reach out to an experienced Cheshire attorney who is familiar with bike accident collision hotspots.
In our area, there are some places that are known for having a higher risk of bike accidents. These hotspots include:
Since these roads don’t necessarily have dedicated bicycle travel lanes, they increase cyclists’ exposure to moving vehicles. Inattentive drivers, narrow roads, and busy local traffic can create dangerous accident zones. When vehicles are entering or exiting our highways, it can increase the risk of a wreck involving a bike.
If you are riding through these areas, it’s important to remain hypervigilant and extremely cautious. Always wear brightly colored clothes and a helmet. Also, consider lights for your bike, especially at night. If you’re unable to avoid a wreck, contact a trusted attorney who can improve your financial recovery after a bicycle accident.
After a bike wreck in Cheshire, it’s important to make sure you’re safe and off the roadway. Then, call for emergency assistance. If you can, document the accident scene by taking videos and pictures. Get contact information for all involved parties, and answer questions from the police.
One of your first calls should be to a Cheshire attorney familiar with Connecticut bike wreck claims. They can make the entire recovery process less stressful and optimize your damage compensation.
If you’re not at fault and have a winning bike wreck claim in Cheshire, you can typically recover financially for your medical expenses and lost wages. You may also recover compensation for your emotional distress. However, each claim is unique, so it’s important to contact an attorney to discuss how much you might recover for your specific accident. An attorney can evaluate the value of your claim and answer any questions you might have.
If the driver of a motor vehicle hits a bicyclist in Connecticut, that driver is usually considered at fault for the wreck. Drivers are required by law to share the roadways with bicyclists, and they also must yield to bicyclists.
There are many reasons a driver may hit a bicyclist, and an experienced attorney can prove their fault for your unique accident.
Every attorney in Cheshire determines their own fee structure for bike accident claims. Their fees and costs are usually based on their level of experience and the case’s complexity. More experienced lawyers who regularly succeed in more complicated cases typically cost more.
Many firms, including ours, can schedule an initial consultation to discuss your specific injury and damages. That is an excellent time to discuss an attorney’s written fee agreement so you don’t have any unexpected surprises.
It can be challenging to seek what you deserve after a bike accident without an attorney. When you partner with Loughlin FitzGerald, P.C., we can protect your right to recover financially and secure full compensation for your losses.
Whether you were hit riding along Cheshire’s busier roads, like Route 10 or Route 70, or in a quiet neighborhood, our attorneys can focus on your legal claim while you concentrate on getting better. Contact us to schedule an initial evaluation.
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