Middletown Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Middle Bicycle Accident Lawyer at The Flood Law Firm

If a bicycle accident caused by a motorist or another party recently injured you in Middletown, you might not know what to do next. You may feel overwhelmed, especially if you sustained severe injuries that require costly medical treatment.

You don’t have to face this challenging time alone. The Middletown bicycle accident lawyers at The Flood Law Firm can help. We have a track record of helping injury victims receive the compensation they deserve for their medical bills, lost income, and other losses. Contact our office today for your free, no-obligation consultation.

Why Partner with our Middletown Bicycle Accident Attorneys?

The Flood Law Firm has years of experience helping individuals injured through no fault of their own. We are fearless in taking on large corporations and insurance companies to help clients seek the fair compensation they deserve. Our firm takes a personalized approach to every case to give clients the excellent customer service and attention they deserve.

Our attorneys can review your case, discuss your legal options, and give you straightforward advice. We don’t make promises we can’t keep. Our attorneys will give you honest answers to all of your questions and provide you with updates throughout your case.

Our firm has a track record of obtaining settlements and verdicts for our deserving clients, especially when the insurance companies try to deny, delay, or underpay their claims. We can’t guarantee results, but we have experience successfully handling various cases in which we fought to get clients the compensation they deserved. The insurance companies know that we can negotiate aggressively and take them to court if they refuse to make fair offers.

We have significant resources to investigate an accident, gather crucial evidence, and build a robust case in your favor. We can bring in expert witnesses to prove that the other party is responsible for your injuries and other losses. There is a reason why other injury attorneys turn to us to handle particularly challenging bicycle accident cases, and why we’re always ready to assist lawyers in other practice areas who find themselves with a bicycle accident claim. If you are another legal professional who needs assistance with a bike accident case, contact us today.

Dangers to Bicyclists in Middletown, CT

Riding a bicycle can keep you fit and save fuel costs, but it also presents unique dangers. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 1,000 bicycle riders died, and 130,000 sustained injuries in crashes nationwide in one recent year. According to data from the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CDOT), there are an average of 1,000 bicycle crashes statewide each year. Of those crashes, approximately 10 occur in Middletown yearly.

Despite laws aimed at protecting bicyclists, many motorists fail to share the road with bicycles. State highway departments and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) push safety campaigns for a reason. Bicycle infrastructure is still relatively new in some states, and that often means teaching drivers new habits to keep bicycles safe.

Most Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents

Some of the most common causes of bicycle accidents include reckless or careless driver behaviors, including:

• Distracted driving
  
• Failure to yield the right-of-way
  
• Speeding
  
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  
• Road rage or aggressive driving
  
• Drowsy driving
  
• Failure to check mirrors or blind spots before changing lanes or backing up

Some of the specific maneuvers that motorists make that put bicyclists in danger include:

• Turning in front of bicycles
  
• Failing to yield or stop before entering a road from a driveway
  
• Opening car doors in front of bicycles
  
• Failing to give bikes three feet of distance when passing them
  
• Recklessly passing or speeding near cyclists

Cyclists can suffer injuries even if vehicles do not hit them. Motorists that crowd cyclists can cause them to get stuck in road grates or run into parked cars, while drivers who honk at cyclists can startle them, causing them to lose control of their bicycles and crash.

Common Injuries in Bicycle Accidents

Bicycle accident injuries may run the gamut from bruises and lacerations to life-changing disabilities. Injuries can be minor when collisions occur at low speeds. However, crashes at high speeds significantly increase the risk of severe injury and fatalities.

Some of the most common bicycle accident injuries include:

• Head injuries. According to CDOT, nearly three-quarters of all bicycle fatalities statewide involve a head injury. Head injuries are among the most prevalent injuries in bicycle crashes, which is why many states, including Connecticut, require helmets for children 15 and younger.
  
• Back and neck sprains and strains. Many bicyclists fall off their bikes when cars strike them. Cyclists that land hard on the ground can strain the muscles in the back and neck.
  
• Facial injuries. A cyclist that falls suddenly and without time to shield their face can suffer broken teeth and fractured facial bones. These injuries often result in permanent scarring or require cosmetic surgery.
  
• Fractures. Hard falls or impacts can fracture bones in the arms, legs, hips, hands, and feet. Some riders experience dislocated shoulders and joint problems.
  
• Spinal injuries. Cyclists struck by cars could suffer serious injuries, including damage to the spinal cord. These injuries can result in permanent complications, including paralysis.

These injuries often require medical treatment and rehabilitation. Even soft tissue injuries heal quicker when patients receive physical therapy or chiropractic care to address pain. An experienced bicycle accident attorney can help you seek the compensation you need to treat your injuries.

Middletown Bicycle Accidents: What to Do Next

If you’ve been in a bicycle accident, you likely went to the emergency room from the crash scene. Even if you feel fine, you must see a doctor immediately, as you could have internal injuries or hairline fractures that are not apparent.

A thorough examination can detect hidden injuries, and your doctor can treat these injuries and add them to your medical record. If you have not seen a doctor, make time for that now. Some injuries do not show symptoms for hours or days, so getting checked out is essential.

Once you start medical treatment, follow your doctor’s orders. Attend all follow-up appointments, and if you must miss one, reschedule it immediately. Keep receipts for copays, prescriptions, and other medical costs. You may need to see a specialist if your pain doesn’t resolve. Keep documentation of all your expenses and appointments, as this could be crucial evidence if you pursue compensation for your injuries.

Do not discuss the accident or your injuries on social media or post any pictures of yourself. Insurers often look at claimants’ social media accounts to find an excuse to deny or minimize claims. For instance, if you claim you have serious injuries but post a photo of yourself at a party, the insurance company could use that to discredit you. It’s best to stay off social media entirely for the duration of your case.

Gather evidence from the scene of the accident if you can. Take photos of the damage to your bicycle and other vehicles involved, your injuries, skid marks on the road, traffic signs, and road conditions.

Get the names and contact information of witnesses who saw the crash. Look for nearby traffic or surveillance cameras that might have captured the accident. Be sure to get a copy of the police crash report, which could be crucial evidence in your case. If you’re too injured to do these things, our attorneys can gather this evidence for you.

Filing a Bicycle Accident Claim

You can file an insurance claim directly or delegate that task to your bicycle accident attorney. It is likely best to wait to file that claim until you’ve consulted with or hired an attorney.

An injured cyclist’s first instinct may be to immediately contact the motorist’s insurance company and start their claim. That is understandable. You likely have medical bills, lost wages, and a damaged bicycle you want to fix as soon as possible.

However, we don’t recommend that course of action. The insurance company is not on your side. Its primary focus is to avoid paying a claim, especially if your injuries are documentable and severe. So, the adjuster seeks to discredit you and determine the accident is your fault. The insurer might offer you a lowball settlement.

Adjusters may also attempt to delay or avoid your personal injury claim. They may question every fact you present and excessively request medical records. Others fail to return telephone calls or emails, hoping you give up on receiving a fair settlement. Even if you have a valid claim, the insurance company will pressure you to settle quickly and for as little as possible.

Once you hire our attorneys, insurance adjusters will start taking your claim seriously. Even if they fail to do so, you at least know you have options and that our attorneys will stay with you every step of the way. Most people don’t want to represent themselves at trial, so an attorney becomes reassuring when insurance companies don’t cooperate.

Compensation From Bicycle Accident Claims

If a bicycle collision injures you, you could seek compensation for:

• Medical costs, including ambulance rides, hospital stays, ER visits, doctor’s appointments, prescriptions, medical equipment, and physical therapy
  
• Lost wages if you miss work while healing from your injuries
  
• Repair or replacement costs for damage to your bicycle
  
• Costs of in-home care, including home nursing, housekeeping, landscaping, or childcare
  
• Physical pain and suffering
  
• Future costs of medical treatment of your injuries
  
• Diminished earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to work or being gainfully employed
  
• Costs to modify your home or car

How a Middletown Bicycle Accident Attorney Can Help

If you suffered injuries in a bicycle accident, your chances of pursuing the compensation you need would significantly increase if you hire an experienced lawyer.

At The Flood Law Firm, our attorneys can help you build a solid case and give you peace of mind by:

• Investigating the circumstances of the accident to determine who is liable for your injuries
  
• Gathering evidence to prove that another party is responsible for the accident
  
• Identifying all possible sources of compensation, including insurance coverage, to help you seek maximum compensation
  
• Answering your questions and tailoring a legal strategy to your unique needs
  
• Informing you of developments in your case and advising you on sound legal decisions
  
• Negotiating with the insurance companies on your behalf
  
• Filing the necessary paperwork promptly and correctly to ensure that you do not miss any crucial deadlines
  
• Helping you obtain a settlement that covers all of your current and future costs
  
• Taking your case to trial, if necessary, to help you seek the accountability and justice you deserve

An atorney can navigate the legal system for you so that you can focus on healing from your injuries. Many people find it challenging to handle a legal case after accidents, especially if they have painful symptoms or worry about their finances. The bicycle accident attorneys at The Flood Law Firm have experience taking on bicycle accident cases and can stand up to the big insurance companies to help you seek the financial relief you need.

We understand that accident victims often face financial challenges, which is why we take cases on a contingency basis, so you only pay for legal fees when we secure a favorable outcome.

Get Legal Help from a Middletown Bicycle Accident Lawyer

If a motorist or another party injured you on your bicycle, you do not have to face this challenging time alone. Let our experienced lawyers help you seek the compensation you need for medical bills, lost income, and other losses. We can pursue justice and accountability from responsible parties. Reach out to a Middletown personal injury lawyer.

Contact the Middletown bicycle accident lawyers at The Flood Law Firm today at (860) 530-2256 for a free consultation.

The Flood Law Firm - Middletown Office

190 Washington St
Middletown, CT 06457
P: 860-346-2695