Have you suffered injuries in an accident on your bicycle in Waterbury, CT? Whether the accident involved a careless driver hitting you or occurred due to someone else’s negligence or fault, you deserve to seek compensation for the financial and personal consequences of your injuries.
But pursuing legal claims can quickly become a complex, time-consuming process, especially when you have already focused your time and energy on your physical recovery.
A Waterbury bicycle accident lawyer from The Flood Law Firm can take the stress of your legal case off your shoulders and advocate for your right to maximum compensation.
Since 2012, our attorneys, paralegals, and staff have dedicated themselves to offering accident victims throughout Connecticut compassionate, professional, results-focused legal representation. We protect the interests of people hurt through no fault of their own. We take on insurance companies to help our clients pursue the maximum compensation. Our attorneys tirelessly seek the financial resources injured bicycle accident victims need to restore their lives.
Our firm’s team brings decades of combined legal experience to our pursuit of justice for injured people through tailored legal strategies that reflect each client’s unique situation. We have the skills and experience to handle even the most challenging cases.
Contact The Flood Law Firm for a free initial consultation with our Waterbury bicycle accident attorneys about your legal options. Let our dedicated legal team fight to hold the at-fault driver or party accountable for the harm they caused you.
- Why Choose The Flood Law Firm for Your Bicycle Accident Claim?
- Compensation You Can Recover After a Bicycle Accident
- Bicycle Accidents in Waterbury
- How Long Do I Have to File a Bicycle Accident Lawsuit in Waterbury?
- Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Waterbury
- Common Injuries Suffered by Bicycle Accident Victims
- Don’t Fight the Insurance Companies on Your Own
- What Steps Should You Take After a Bicycle Accident?
- Frequently Asked Questions About Bicycle Accidents
- Contact a Waterbury Bicycle Accident Lawyer at The Flood Law Firm for a Free Case Review
Why Choose The Flood Law Firm for Your Bicycle Accident Claim?
After suffering severe injuries in a bicycle accident, you need dedicated legal representation to give you the best chance at seeking the financial relief you need for your medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses.
For years, accident victims in Waterbury and throughout Connecticut have turned to The Flood Law Firm for our advice and advocacy because:
- We take the time to get to know every client and provide clear communication and legal advice.
- We have a proven reputation among insurance companies for getting maximum results and a track record of success in the courtroom, so we often settle cases for more money without going to trial.
- Over the years, we have recovered millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for our clients.
- Unlike some personal injury lawyers who have never filed a lawsuit, our team of experienced litigators won’t hesitate to take your case to trial if necessary.
- We hold ourselves accountable for providing clients with excellent customer service, handling all of the legal details of every case so injured clients can focus on their health.
- We have the resources necessary to take on cases involving the largest corporations and insurers and to fight those cases as long as needed. Many lawyers actually call us to help them out on cases that require more work or resources than they can afford to invest.
- We handle bicycle accident claims on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t need to pay any money upfront to get the legal representation you need, and our firm only gets paid if we win compensation in your case.
The Flood Law Firm has an office to serve the residents of Waterbury, located a short walk from Fulton Park at 144 Buckingham Street.
Compensation You Can Recover After a Bicycle Accident
A bicycle accident lawsuit can provide you with compensation for losses you incurred due to the crash, including for your:
- Repair or replacement costs of your bicycle, bike helmet, and other damaged property
- Medical care and rehabilitation, including hospitalization, surgeries, prescriptions, medical/mobility equipment, and physical therapy
- Long-term care and support for permanent disabilities that result from your injuries
- Loss of income from missed work or reduced earning capacity after transferring to a light/modified duty role
- Loss of future earning potential and employment benefits after incurring permanent disabilities that prevent you from being gainfully employed
- Pain and suffering and reduced enjoyment/quality of life
Bicycle Accidents in Waterbury
According to the Connecticut Department of Transportation, 445 road accidents involving bicycles occurred statewide in one recent year. These accidents led to two fatalities, one of which occurred in Waterbury, and 41 cases of severe injuries. Waterbury had 15 bicycle-involved accidents that year, eight of which occurred at intersections.
Two intersections in Waterbury rank among some of the most dangerous in all of Connecticut:
- Union Street and Route 69
- Union Street and East Main Street
How Long Do I Have to File a Bicycle Accident Lawsuit in Waterbury?
Connecticut’s statute of limitations on injury claims gives you only two years to file a lawsuit after suffering injuries in a bicycle accident. If you fail to file your lawsuit before the statutory deadline, the at-fault driver or liable parties can file a motion to dismiss your case permanently. If the court dismisses your case, you may lose your opportunity to seek compensation for your injuries in civil court. Don’t hesitate to talk to a Waterbury bicycle accident attorney from The Flood Law Firm to get started on your case.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Waterbury
Many bicycle accidents occur due to the carelessness or recklessness of drivers.
Some of the most frequent causes of bike accidents include:
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Passing too closely
- Reckless driving
- Aggressive driving/road rage
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Turning or changing lanes without signaling or checking mirrors
- Illegal turns or lane changes
- Backing out of parking spots or driveways without looking
- Drowsy/fatigued driving
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Distracted driving
Common Injuries Suffered by Bicycle Accident Victims
Bicyclists have little protection in accidents or collisions with motor vehicles.
As a result, a bike accident can cause riders:
- Lacerations and abrasions
- Degloving injuries
- Burns
- Crush injuries
- Whiplash
- Nerve damage
- Dislocated joints
- Broken bones
- Ligament sprains/tears
- Muscle and tendon strains/tears
- Herniated spinal disc injuries
- Internal organ injuries and internal bleeding
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Facial injuries
- Head injuries and traumatic brain injury
- Amputation/limb loss or disfigurement/dismemberment
Don’t Fight the Insurance Companies on Your Own
The insurance company will likely fight to minimize or deny your injury claim after a bicycle accident. They increase their profits by paying you as little money as possible. Insurers have no end to their tricks and tactics to avoid liability.
When dealing with insurers:
- Never admit fault for an accident. Avoid saying anything that the adjuster might construe as an admission of responsibility for the accident, such as, “I didn’t see the car,” or even, “I’m sorry.”
- Avoid exaggerating or speculating. Don’t exaggerate when describing the severity of your injuries or try to blame the other driver or another party for the accident. Avoid speculating about details when describing the accident. You can always say, “I don’t remember.”
- Don’t sign a medical records release. Insurers want to review your medical records for any prior injuries or pre-existing conditions they can blame for your injuries.
- Decline to give a recorded or written statement. If you agree to provide a written recollection of the accident, the insurance company has a record they may use to contradict your claims or attack your credibility.
- You don’t have to accept the first settlement offer. Don’t feel pressured into accepting the insurance company’s initial settlement offer. You can wait until you have obtained a diagnosis and prognosis of your injuries before pursuing a settlement. You can make a counteroffer once you understand the full extent of your losses.
The Waterbury bicycle accident lawyers of The Flood Law Firm can help you take on the insurance companies to seek maximum compensation by:
- Thoroughly investigating the accident to secure evidence for your case
- Identifying liable parties and applicable insurance coverage
- Working with accident reconstruction experts and other medical/vocational/financial experts to prepare persuasive arguments for your case
- Documenting your injuries and losses to help you pursue fair compensation
- Keeping you updated on the status of your case and preparing you for each stage of the claims process
- Ensuring the timely filing of your insurance claims and lawsuits
- Aggressively negotiating with insurers to seek maximum financial relief in a settlement
- Going to court and trial if necessary to pursue the best possible result in your case
What Steps Should You Take After a Bicycle Accident?
After a bicycle accident, you can protect your legal rights and put yourself in a better position to pursue compensation when you:
- Get contact, license, registration, and insurance information from the driver who hit you and any other motorists involved in the accident
- Gather contact information from any eyewitnesses to the accident
- Take photos of the accident scene, including damage to your bike, visible injuries you suffered, skid marks, and traffic signs/signals
- Seek immediate medical attention to get checked for injuries you sustained in the accident
- Follow your doctor’s treatment recommendations and instructions, and do not put off recommended treatment or end your course of treatment/rehabilitation early
- Obtain copies of the police accident report and your medical records
- Gather your bills, invoices, receipts, and pay stubs/income statements
- Contact The Flood Law Firm for legal help from a Waterbury bicycle accident lawyer
Frequently Asked Questions About Bicycle Accidents
Bicycle accident victims often have the following questions about their legal rights and the claims process following an accident:
Should I Talk to an Insurance Adjuster After a Bicycle Accident?
Avoid giving a recorded or written statement to an insurance adjuster after a bicycle accident. Adjusters have training and experience in asking questions of accident victims designed to elicit comments that the insurance company can take out of context to undercut an injury claim or the victim’s credibility.
If an insurance adjuster contacts you after the bicycle accident, you can direct the adjuster to call your bicycle accident lawyer. Your attorney can communicate with the insurance company to protect your rights and interests as you pursue your injury claim.
Can I File a Claim if I Bear Partial Responsibility for the Accident?
Connecticut operates under a modified comparative negligence rule for bicycle accident claims. This rule states that an accident victim can pursue compensation even if they share responsibility for the accident, as long as their share of fault does not exceed that of the opposing party or parties.
You may still seek financial relief for a bicycle accident that you bear some responsibility for causing. Our Waterbury bicycle accident lawyers can help you pursue compensation for your injuries, even if you assume partial responsibility.
How Long Do Bicycle Accident Claims Take?
No one can predict how long it may take to seek compensation for your bicycle accident claim.
Various factors will affect the timeline of a case, such as:
- The severity of your injuries
- The duration of your medical treatment and rehabilitation
- Whether you suffer from permanent disabilities
- The time it takes you to return to work
- The number of people injured in the accident
- The number of at-fault parties
- Whether you share any fault for causing the accident
- The complexity of the evidence in your case
- The availability and policy limits of insurance coverage
- The promptness of the insurance company’s investigation and communications
- Whether you need to file a lawsuit
- The trial court’s schedule if your case ends up in court
Will My Bicycle Accident Case Go to Court?
Most bicycle accident claims end in a settlement rather than going to court or trial. Our experienced attorneys at The Flood Law Firm have an established record of success inside and outside the courtroom.
We often settle cases more quickly and for more money because insurers know we win at trial. But our team of personal injury litigators will not hesitate to pursue litigation if it will give you the best chance of maximizing your financial relief and getting the justice you deserve for your injuries.
Contact a Waterbury Bicycle Accident Lawyer at The Flood Law Firm for a Free Case Review
Contact The Flood Law Firm today at (203) 575-1153 for your free, no-obligation consultation with our knowledgeable Waterbury bicycle accident attorneys and learn how we can assist you while you heal from your injuries. Our firm can pursue the financial compensation and justice you deserve after a Waterbury bicycle accident.
Client Testimonial
"Treated with respect by everyone I came into contact with at the Waterbury office. They are very good at communicating with their clients and responsive. Very professional staff and attorneys! I was very pleased with the outcome of my settlement and would def recommend them! Thank you Flood Law Firm!" -Christina K. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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THE FLOOD LAW FIRM - WATERBURY OFFICE
144 Buckingham Street
Waterbury, CT 06710
P: 203-575-1153