Did you get hurt in a motorcycle accident in the Bridgeport, CT, area? Are you out of work as the bills keep piling up? If someone else caused the crash, they could owe you compensation for your injuries and related losses.
A motorcycle accident claim could provide the money you need to pay your bills, replace lost income, and more. However, getting that money may prove challenging without help from a seasoned motorcycle accident lawyer.
At The Flood Law Firm, our talented attorneys know how to handle all types of personal injury cases, including those stemming from motorcycle accidents. We understand the unique challenges that motorcycle accident victims face, and we’re here to help you overcome them. In fact, other lawyers frequently refer their more challenging cases to us.
If you’re ready to speak to a Bridgeport motorcycle accident lawyer about your case, contact us today, online or by phone. Our initial consultation sessions are always free, so it won’t cost you anything to learn more about your options.
- Why Choose The Flood Law Firm?
- Compensation for Motorcycle Accident Injury Claims
- Bridgeport Motorcycle Accident Facts and Statistics
- What Types of Motorcycle Accidents and Motorcycle Accident Injuries Are There?
- Filing an Insurance Claim After a Motorcycle Accident
- What to Do if a Motorcycle Accident Hurts You
- Bridgeport Motorcycle Accident FAQs
- Contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Bridgeport Today
Why Choose The Flood Law Firm?
After a motorcycle accident in Bridgeport, C.T., you need the right legal team to pursue the money you deserve. The Flood Law Firm has that legal team.
Our firm has handled motorcycle accident cases like yours for more than a decade. We have recovered numerous multi-million dollar settlements and trial verdicts for our clients, so you can rest assured we know exactly how to demand fair compensation on your behalf. Insurance companies know and respect us, which gives us a leg up during settlement negotiations. While our goal is to get you the money you need without going to court, we won’t hesitate to take a case to trial if necessary.
We believe in providing personalized service to every one of our clients. When you come to us for help after a motorcycle accident, you will never feel like just another case number. You will receive the compassionate and professional attention you deserve. And while we will handle the hard work so you don’t have to, you can also count on us to be available to answer your questions and keep you in the loop while your case progresses.
The Flood Law Firm has a convenient office location on Broad Street in Bridgeport, right across from Baldwin Plaza. If you can't make it to our office, we can conduct your free case review virtually or over the phone. Contact us now to get the information you need at zero upfront cost or obligation.
Compensation for Motorcycle Accident Injury Claims
So, how much could you get for a motorcycle accident injury claim? The answer will vary depending on your unique circumstances. Factors that could increase the value of your claim include the severity of your injuries, more time away from work, and any permanent disabilities you develop.
At The Flood Law Firm, we can help you pursue fair compensation through your Bridgeport motorcycle accident case.
Depending on the circumstances, you could recover money for:
- Hospital bills and other medical expenses you incur due to the accident
- Medical costs you will likely incur in the future due to the accident
- Incidental costs, such as travel expenses for going to doctor’s appointments
- Lost income from any time you miss work during your recovery
- Losses in your future earning potential if you suffer permanent injuries
- Subjective losses, such as your pain, suffering, and reduced quality of life
- Loss of consortium if your injuries affect your relationships with a partner
- The costs of repairing damage to your motorcycle or replacing a total loss
Our motorcycle accident lawyers know how to maximize the value of your injury claim by preparing a strong case and arguing aggressively on your behalf. We can conduct an independent investigation into the motorcycle accident, interview reliable witnesses for testimony, and gather other valuable evidence to support your claim.
Bridgeport Motorcycle Accident Facts and Statistics
Bridgeport is Connecticut’s most populous city, with more than 148,000 residents as of 2021. More people mean more vehicles on the road, leading to heavier traffic congestion and a greater risk of motorcycle accidents. Several major highways, such as Interstate 95 and U.S. Route 1, also run through Bridgeport, putting it on the busy corridor that links New York with New England.
Bridgeport's aging infrastructure and frequent bad weather also present challenges for motorcyclists in the area. Many of our roads and bridges need repairs, and hazards like potholes, uneven pavement, and poor drainage can contribute to accidents. And the risk of motorcycle accidents increases significantly in the wet, snowy, or icy road conditions common from the late fall to mid-spring.
Let’s explore some recent statistics from the Connecticut Crash Data Repository (CTCDR) that show just how often motorcycle accidents occur in Bridgeport:
- From 2020 to 2022, traffic accidents in Bridgeport involved 180 motorcycles.
- These accidents caused injuries to more than 100 motorcycle riders and passengers.
- Four people died as a result of those accidents.
- Although motorcycles represented less than one percent of all vehicles in Bridgeport traffic accidents during those three years, motorcyclists accounted for more than 13 percent of total traffic fatalities.
If you're considering legal action after a Bridgeport motorcycle crash, these laws might apply to your case:
- Connecticut’s motorcycle helmet laws. Connecticut requires all motorcycle riders and passengers under 18 to wear protective helmets when riding on or operating a motorcycle. Those 18 and older may ride without helmets unless they hold only a motorcycle learner’s permit.
- Connecticut’s eye protection laws. Connecticut also requires motorcyclists to use protective eyewear such as goggles, glasses, or face shields while riding unless their motorcycles have acceptable windscreens or windshields.
- Connecticut’s comparative negligence law. Connecticut’s modified comparative negligence doctrine allows you to recover compensation from another party even if you are partially to blame for the accident, so long as you are not primarily at fault. Because this law also decreases the dollar amount you can recover in proportion to your degree of blame, you should consider working with an experienced attorney. A good lawyer knows how to minimize their client’s share of fault and maximize the compensation they receive.
- Connecticut’s statute of limitations law. Connecticut’s statute of limitations imposes a strict time limit on all personal injury lawsuits, including those involving motorcycle accidents. This law prevents you from suing more than two years after the accident, so act quickly if you have a case.
What Types of Motorcycle Accidents and Motorcycle Accident Injuries Are There?
Some of the most common types of motorcycle accidents in Bridgeport include:
- Distracted driving accidents
- DUI and DWI collisions
- Drowsy driving accidents
- Inexperienced driver wrecks
- Reckless driving accidents
- Speeding accidents
- Tailgating collisions
- Blind spot accidents
- Failure to yield crashes
- Rollover accidents
- Mechanical defect accidents
- Head-on collisions
- Sideswipe accidents
- T-bone crashes
- Rear-end accidents
- Dooring accidents
Motorcyclists are incredibly vulnerable to injury in traffic collisions because they lack the enveloping vehicle frames, sophisticated seatbelts, and cushioning airbags that protect passenger vehicle occupants from the direct force of impact.
Consequently, they are at risk of severe injuries like:
- Head and neck injuries
- Facial and dental injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Back and shoulder injuries
- Spinal cord injuries (SCIs)
- Abdominal and internal injuries
- Arm, elbow, wrist, and hand injuries
- Dislocated or broken bones
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
- Amputation and loss of limb
- Bruises, lacerations, and puncture wounds
- Soft tissue strains, sprains, and tears
- Leg, knee, ankle, and foot injuries
- “Road rash” and other burn injuries
- Emotional and psychological injuries
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Filing an Insurance Claim After a Motorcycle Accident
It can be much harder to get fair compensation for a motorcycle accident claim than for other accident claims. There are several reasons for this. For one, motorcycle accidents are more likely to cause severe injuries than other vehicle-on-vehicle accidents. As a result, motorcycle accident claims are often more expensive, and insurance companies are less willing to pay for them.
Furthermore, many people harbor unconscious biases against motorcyclists. Thanks to television and movies, they think of motorcycle riders as rowdy, aggressive, and reckless by nature. These pervasive stereotypes paint bikers in a negative light, leading certain insurance adjusters, judges, and jury members to assume that accidents are inherently the motorcyclist's fault.
These challenges are why it’s best to work with an experienced local lawyer from the beginning. A motorcycle accident attorney will understand what you’re up against and know how to prepare your case accordingly. The Bridgeport injury lawyers at The Flood Law Firm offer free initial consultations, during which we can calculate a fair estimate for your case value. If you decide to let us handle your case, we will keep the pressure on the insurance company for as long as it takes, giving you the time and space to focus on your health.
What to Do if a Motorcycle Accident Hurts You
You should have gotten medical attention immediately after a motorcycle wreck, in which case you've already taken the first important step. Having a doctor diagnose, treat, and document your injuries goes a long way toward protecting your legal rights and health.
To lay a solid foundation for your motorcycle accident claim:
- Follow your doctor's care plan and attend follow-up appointments
- Start a pain journal to record details about your healing progress
- Take photos and gather other evidence from the accident scene
- Get the driver’s contact, employment, and insurance information
- Make and keep copies of your medical records and doctor’s bills
- Gather documentation like pay stubs as proof of any lost income
- Watch what you say to other parties before you consult with a lawyer
- Refrain from posting photos or updates online while your case is pending
- Take your case and paperwork to a Bridgeport motorcycle accident lawyer
Bridgeport Motorcycle Accident FAQs
Here are some answers to our most frequently asked questions about motorcycle accident injury claims in Bridgeport.
Can I Still Get Money for My Claim If I Wasn’t Wearing a Helmet?
Yes, you can recover compensation from an injury claim even if you failed to wear a helmet in a motorcycle accident. Riding without a helmet does not directly increase your risk of getting in an accident, so it shouldn't affect your ability to recover compensation if someone else crashes into you.
However, the insurance company might argue that your injuries wouldn’t have been so bad if you had worn a helmet. You can fight back against this tactic by working with an attorney.
What Kinds of Evidence Can You Use for a Motorcycle Accident Case?
An attorney can gather useful evidence for you, like:
- Copies of police accident reports
- Photos of the motorcycle accident scene
- Video footage of the motorcycle collision
- Statements from witnesses who saw the crash
- Testimony from physicians and other experts
- The driver’s cell phone or GPS records
- The driver’s vehicle maintenance records
How Much Does It Cost to Hire Our Motorcycle Accident Lawyers?
At The Flood Law Firm, we accept all cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay zero upfront costs to hire us and no fees at all unless we win compensation for you. This way, there is no risk to you, and you can trust us to work hard for the best outcome possible.
Contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Bridgeport Today
If you have questions or wish to speak with an attentive attorney about your Bridgeport motorcycle accident, contact The Flood Law Firm. We can provide the answers you need and evaluate your case at no charge during an initial review session. Call us at (475) 273-4100 or fill out our online contact form to speak with a Bridgeport personal injury attorney today.
The Flood Law Firm - Bridgeport Office
1087 Broad Street
Bridgeport, CT 06604
P: 475-273-4100