Motorcyclists are extremely vulnerable in the event of an accident. Although the vast majority of riders are safe and capable and most accidents are caused by the carelessness of the driver of another vehicle, pursuing compensation after a motorcycle accident can be an uphill battle.
The high likelihood of serious injuries combined with the challenges of claims involving motorcycle accidents makes seeking qualified legal counsel essential. A Connecticut motorcycle accident attorney can help you pursue the full compensation you deserve.
At The Flood Law Firm, our attorneys serve injured motorcyclists throughout Connecticut. Contact our office in Middletown, Danbury, Waterbury, or Bridgeport for a free consultation.
Why You Need an Attorney for Your Motorcycle Accident Claim
Generally, it is in your best interest to contact a lawyer after any accident in which you suffer injuries. Considering the high likelihood of serious and catastrophic injury, knowledgeable legal guidance is especially crucial for motorcyclists after a crash.
An experienced motorcycle accident attorney can help with a variety of complex issues in your claim, including:
1. You May Be Seriously Injured
The more serious the injury, the more important it is to have an attorney on your side. In the event of a motorcycle accident, riders may suffer a wide range of life-altering injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Complex bone fractures
- Amputation injuries (a limb may be severed in the accident itself or require amputation if the extremity cannot be saved)
- Road rash (treatment is similar to that performed for burn injuries in severe cases; victims may require skin grafts and be at increased risk of serious infection)
These and other injuries can be expensive to treat. Long-term care and rehabilitation may be necessary, resulting not only in financial losses but physical pain and emotional distress.
Despite the immense impact on your life, insurance companies routinely devalue claims involving serious injuries. Low settlement offers are the rule, not the exception.
An experienced lawyer can review your medical records and hire experts to testify as to the nature and extent of the injuries you suffer in a motorcycle accident. Compelling evidence of the seriousness of your injuries is crucial in settlement negotiations and (if necessary) at trial.
2. Your Damages May Be Extensive
One of the major reasons insurance companies dispute and deny accident claims involving serious injuries is the amount of compensation it takes to make victims whole. Depending on your specific losses, you may be entitled to recovery of damages such as:
- Costs related to medical care and rehabilitation
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity (compensation for the loss of future wages)
- Money you pay for travel to doctor’s appointments, assistive devices, home and vehicle modifications, and other out-of-pocket costs
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Disability
- Disfigurement and scarring
All of these losses add up, potentially totaling hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars. Unsurprisingly, insurance companies do everything within their power to underpay these claims.
Recovering damages in a motorcycle accident claim can make an enormous difference in your ability to pay your expenses and adjust to life after a serious injury. It is important to have an experienced attorney who can advocate for the full compensation you deserve.
3. Liability Can Be Complex
The majority of motor vehicle accidents involve collisions between two or more drivers. In these cases, one or more of the drivers is generally at fault for the crash.
Although driver negligence is a common factor in motorcycle accidents as well (and it usually is the person behind the wheel of the car, not the motorcyclist, who causes the crash), it is important not to overlook other potential factors that may have caused the wreck. For example, motorcyclists are at a greater risk of single-vehicle collisions.
Whether another driver encroaches on their lane or executes a turn in front of an oncoming motorcycle, riders are often forced to take evasive action. Though this quick thinking may avert a collision with the other vehicle, the motorcyclist may still lose control and crash.
Motorcyclists are also more vulnerable to defects and dangers in the road. The following issues may inconvenience or cause slight damage to cars and other vehicles, but they can be serious or even deadly for those on motorcycles:
- Potholes
- Uneven pavement
- Debris in the road, such as loose gravel, pebbles and rocks, etc.
- Improper drainage causing water to accumulate on the road surface
- Edge breaks (worn edges of the road shoulder)
Just because your motorcycle is the only vehicle involved in the accident does not mean the crash is your fault. A careless driver who causes you to crash or a government entity that fails to maintain the road may be held responsible for your injuries and damages. The manufacturer of a part or component on your bike may be liable as well if a defect caused the accident.
Establishing the liability of these parties requires prompt, thorough investigation. It is in your best interest to contact a motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible for qualified assistance building your claim.
How a Lawyer Can Help You Pursue Compensation
Despite the dangers they face, too many people assume that motorcyclists take undue risks and are automatically responsible for accidents. Insurance companies capitalize on this mistaken belief, frequently offering low settlements or denying legitimate motorcycle accident claims altogether on the grounds that the rider is at fault.
Even when this is not true, overcoming such bias can be challenging. When you hire an attorney, you will have a knowledgeable advocate who can protect your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve.
A lawyer can negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf to secure a favorable settlement. In the event that your case doesn’t settle, however, it is crucial to seek a trial attorney who can represent you in court.
How The Flood Law Firm Can Help with Your Motorcycle Accident Claim
One of the factors that sets the attorneys at The Flood Law Firm apart from other lawyers is our willingness to go to trial. We have tried hundreds of cases in court, making us one of the most experienced trial law firms in the state.
The benefits of our trial experience are twofold. First, insurance companies know our reputation for taking cases to court and winning. We leverage this reputation on behalf of our clients in settlement negotiations, often resulting in higher offers. Second, if the insurer refuses to pay what’s fair, we are prepared to fight for a favorable result at trial.
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If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a motorcycle crash, please call The Flood Law Firm at (860) 346-2695 today for a free consultation. Our Connecticut motorcycle accident attorneys serve clients in Middletown, Danbury, Waterbury, Bridgeport, and other areas.
