Connecticut’s capital, Hartford, is a beautiful, historic city with lots to offer both residents and visitors alike. The Connecticut River flows through the heart of the city, and Hartford has many parks and recreational areas as well as numerous shops, restaurants, and other attractions.
Many people in Hartford ride bicycles, either to take in these sights, for pure recreation, or as a primary means of transportation. With so many cyclists on the roads and surrounding areas, Hartford sees its share of bicycle accidents each year.
If you suffered serious injuries or lost a loved one in a Hartford bicycle accident that someone else caused, you may obtain compensation for your injuries and losses. You will need an attorney for help with the complex and challenging bicycle accident claims process.
The experienced Hartford bicycle accident lawyers at The Flood Law Firm LLC have helped hundreds of clients just like you. We will review your case for free and explain your options for pursuing compensation. If you have a valid claim, you can count on us to fight hard to obtain the maximum amount you deserve.
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How The Flood Law Firm Can Help?
Experienced attorneys and brothers Brian and Chris Flood founded our law firm in 2012. Since then, we have grown into one of the most prominent personal injury law firms in Connecticut. Our success is the direct result of our commitment to delivering stellar client service, and we promise to provide you with the highest representation possible.
Other aspects to consider about our law firm include:
We have recovered millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for our clients, including several multi-million-dollar awards. We will fully prepare your case and fight zealously for you to help you recover the maximum compensation.
We are a family-run practice and will treat you with the same care, compassion, and respect as a member of our own family. We also foster open communication with our clients, and you can always reach out to us with questions or concerns regarding your claim.
We work on a contingency fee basis and offer free consultations. As such, you won’t pay us anything upfront to speak with you and represent you, and we will only accept a fee if we obtain compensation for you.
Other lawyers frequently ask us to collaborate on or take over their harder cases because our resources and experience allow us to succeed in cases they couldn’t win by themselves. (If you’re a lawyer with a strong case that exceeds your capabilities or that falls outside of your practice area, please call us about a referral or co-counsel arrangement.)
You do not need the added stress and worry about how you will pay your medical bills and other related expenses while you recover. You also don’t need the hassle of dealing with the insurance company. Our experienced legal team can handle all aspects of your claim for you and ensure you can pay for the proper medical treatment you need so you can focus on your physical recovery.
Contact the Hartford bicycle accident attorneys at The Flood Law Firm LLC today for a no-cost assessment of your claim and trustworthy advice regarding your options. You can contact us for your free consultation.
What Causes Bicycle Accidents in Hartford?
Connecticut saw 25 bicycle accident fatalities in 2022, and Hartford had the highest number of occurrences, with six fatal bicycle accidents in the city. In many cases, bicycle accidents involve other vehicles, such as cars and trucks.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the leading causes of bicycle accidents between cars and cyclists are:
Speeding
Failure to yield
Distracted driving
Drivers not seeing a bicyclist
Around 78 percent of bicycle accidents happen in urban areas, and bicycle accidents increase during the warmer months between May and September. Also, around one-third of fatal bicycle accidents involve alcohol.
Bicycle accidents between vehicles and drivers typically occur in these scenarios:
Intersections. Approximately 27 percent of fatal bicycle accidents occur at intersections, often when a vehicle driver does not yield the right of way to a cyclist or speeds through the intersection. Sometimes, the vehicle driver may not notice the cyclist, or misjudge speed and distance.
Vehicles turning left. A so-called left cross accident occurs when a vehicle driver turns left in front of a cyclist, such as at an intersection, driveway, or parking lot entrance.
Vehicles turning right. Vehicles can also hit cyclists when they turn right. Scenarios include:
The vehicle and cyclist wait at a stop light. When the light turns green, the cyclist goes straight, and the vehicle turns right and collides into them.
A vehicle turns into a cyclist who wants to pass the car on the right.
The vehicle passes the cyclist and turns right at a nearby intersection, colliding with the cyclist.
A driver may speed or drive distracted and collide with a cyclist. A driver could also back out of a driveway and strike a bicyclist.
If you sustained injuries in a bicycle crash a vehicle driver caused, speak with our attorneys right away to determine your rights and options for obtaining compensation.
Defective Bicycle Parts
A defective component or part on the bicycle can fail and cause a bicycle accident. Brake failures, tire failures, chain failures, and even frame defects can lead to serious bicycle accidents that cause severe injuries.
If a defective component failed and caused the accident and your injuries, you may hold the product manufacturer responsible. Consult our experienced bicycle accident attorneys immediately for a full evaluation of your case and advice regarding your options.
How Do I Hold Another Party Accountable for My Bicycle Accident Injuries?
To obtain compensation from a vehicle driver or some other party who caused the bicycle accident and your injuries, you must prove their liability for the accident and your injuries. To do this, you will need a lawyer to gather evidence and documentation to support your claim.
Your attorney will need to collect:
Your medical bills
Your medical records and treatment plan
Doctor’s notes regarding the extent of your injuries and any disabilities that may result
Police and accident reports
Eyewitness statements
Surveillance video from traffic cams or store security cameras
Photographs and videos of the accident scene and your injuries
Proof of lost income
Your attorney may also include other evidence, and they should work diligently to build the strongest case possible to prove the vehicle driver or other party’s liability for your injuries.
First-Party Liability
If a vehicle driver hit you in their own car and wasn’t using the vehicle to carry out work-related duties, you may hold the driver responsible. The law regards this as first-party liability.
To prove a vehicle driver’s negligence and liability for your injuries, your attorney must establish:
The driver had a legal duty to ensure your safety. All drivers have an inherent duty not to endanger others.
The driver failed in that duty by driving carelessly or recklessly.
The accident would not have happened were it not for the driver’s failure to drive safely.
The driver’s negligence led to the accident.
You suffered injuries and damages as a result.
The driver may receive a ticket for a traffic infraction like speeding or driving recklessly, or even get arrested for DUI, but you can pursue compensation regardless of whether the driver receives any citations or charges. However, your attorney can use any criminal charges, if they exist, to strengthen your case.
Third-Party Liability
If the driver drove a company vehicle or conducted work-related duties in their own automobile, you may pursue a third-party liability claim. Under Connecticut law, you can hold the driver’s employer partially liable for damages because of the employee’s actions in certain cases. If either of these situations applies to your case, consult our Hartford bicycle accident attorneys immediately for advice on your options.
Product Liability
As mentioned previously, you may also seek compensation from a product manufacturer if a defective component on your bike failed and caused your crash. Depending on the circumstances, you may also pursue compensation from others responsible for bringing the product to market, as well as the parties responsible for the component’s installation and maintenance.
What Compensation Can I Receive for My Bicycle Accident Injuries?
If a driver or some other party caused the bicycle accident and your injuries, you shouldn’t have to pay for your medical costs and other associated expenses. You also shouldn’t have to miss out on income and other financial compensation from your job for having to take time off work to recover.
If you suffered severe, debilitating injuries in the bicycle accident, you may require extensive medical treatment, surgery, and years of physical therapy and rehabilitation. Your injuries may have left you permanently disabled, and you may need medical devices, mobility aids, or modifications to your home and vehicles.
To cover the costs of all you need to make as full of a recovery as possible, you may recover compensation from those responsible for your injuries.
Some of the compensation you could receive include:
Medical costs, including the emergency room visit, inpatient hospitalization, surgery, and other treatment
Lost income for work you missed recovering from your injuries or going to the doctor
Loss of future earnings if your injuries result in a disability that keeps you returning to work at the same level or at all
Pain and suffering for the ongoing physical pain, emotional distress, and other issues your injuries have caused
Property damage for the costs to repair or replace your bicycle
In some cases, you may also pursue punitive damages if the driver was intoxicated, acted maliciously, or intentionally caused the crash. Insurance companies do not award punitive damages, but courts can. You can discuss with your attorney your options for pursuing punitive damages and taking your case to court.
Connecticut only allows you two years after your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit in court. Therefore, you have no time to waste getting started, and you need to contact an experienced bicycle accident attorney as soon as possible.
How Much Compensation Can I Get?
The compensation you receive depends largely on the severity of your injuries and the nature and circumstances of the accident. It’s impossible to predict how much you will receive because so many factors affect the outcome.
Consult our lawyers and have us carefully analyze your case and offer a realistic opinion on the types and amounts of compensation you can receive. If your lawyer promises you a big settlement or award and guarantees results, take that as a red flag and search for a more ethical attorney to represent you no lawyer can guarantee an outcome.
Speak With an Experienced Hartford Bicycle Accident Attorney Today
Brian Flood, Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Hartford
The experienced Hartford bicycle accident attorneys at The Flood Law Firm LLC are here for you. We have the experience and resources to handle your claim efficiently, and you can trust we will fight hard each step of the way to maximize your financial recovery.
Contact our personal injury attorney in Hartford for free consultation about your bicycle accident claim. We are ready to help you get the compensation you deserve.
Connecticut’s capital, Hartford, is a beautiful, historic city with lots to offer both residents and visitors alike. The Connecticut River flows through the heart of the city, and Hartford has many parks and recreational areas as well as numerous shops, restaurants, and other attractions.
Many people in Hartford ride bicycles, either to take in these sights, for pure recreation, or as a primary means of transportation. With so many cyclists on the roads and surrounding areas, Hartford sees its share of bicycle accidents each year.
If you suffered serious injuries or lost a loved one in a Hartford bicycle accident that someone else caused, you may obtain compensation for your injuries and losses. You will need an attorney for help with the complex and challenging bicycle accident claims process.
The experienced Hartford bicycle accident lawyers at The Flood Law Firm LLC have helped hundreds of clients just like you. We will review your case for free and explain your options for pursuing compensation. If you have a valid claim, you can count on us to fight hard to obtain the maximum amount you deserve.
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Connecticut saw 25 bicycle accident fatalities in 2022, and Hartford had the highest number of occurrences, with six fatal bicycle accidents in the city. In many cases, bicycle accidents involve other vehicles, such as cars and trucks.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the leading causes of bicycle accidents between cars and cyclists are:
A defective component or part on the bicycle can fail and cause a bicycle accident. Brake failures, tire failures, chain failures, and even frame defects can lead to serious bicycle accidents that cause severe injuries.
If a defective component failed and caused the accident and your injuries, you may hold the product manufacturer responsible. Consult our experienced bicycle accident attorneys immediately for a full evaluation of your case and advice regarding your options.
