In 2022, Connecticut ranked in 20th place on the League of American Bicyclists’ report card for bicycle-friendly states. Despite the state making great efforts to implement the League’s recommendations for improving safety and accessibility for bicycle riders, numerous accidents and injuries are still reported each year. Nonprofit organization Watch for Me CT reports that there were 31 bicycle accident injuries and five fatalities in Connecticut in 2023.
If you are injured in a bicycle accident, it’s important to understand what is required in Connecticut so you can increase your chances of recovering financial damages. One crucial consideration is the statute of limitations. You could lose your chance to pursue legal action if you’re unfamiliar with this requirement. Contact our team at D’Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC, to learn about Connecticut’s bicycle accident statute of limitations and how it applies to your case.
The statute of limitations is the legal term for a deadline by which you must start legal action. It represents the amount of time you have to file an initial claim or lawsuit with the court. If the statute of limitations lapses, you will not be able to seek compensation for the damage you’ve suffered in your bicycle accident.
Bicycle accidents are considered a type of personal injury claim, which is covered under the state’s tort laws. Generally, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims, like bike accidents, is two years. The time starts counting down on the date the accident occurred. So, you typically only have two years from the day you were involved in the accident to file a lawsuit.
There may be exceptions to this two-year rule, some that require a shorter timeframe and some that allow for additional time. For example, if your bicycle accident involved a State government vehicle or entity, Connecticut law requires that you notify the State Claims Commissioner within one year of the accident. It’s a good idea to contact a bicycle accident attorney in Connecticut to discuss your timeframe for filing a lawsuit.
You may lose your opportunity to seek financial compensation from the at-fault party if the statute of limitations passes before you file your bicycle accident claim in Connecticut. Not only that, but it’s preferable to get started on your injury claim or case sooner rather than later. Even if you don’t miss the deadline for filing, putting off legal action can have consequences for your case.
Waiting too long can adversely affect evidence. Records may have been destroyed or lost, which could make building your case more challenging.
Memories fade over time, so postponing legal action after a bicycle accident may mean that witnesses can no longer remember the incident clearly or accurately.
Thorough investigations and preparations are more likely if you take quick action to start your injury claim. Mounting medical bills combined with missed work create an incredible strain on household finances, which often puts pressure on injured accident victims to rush through the process as quickly as possible.
Contact the attorneys at D’Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC, if you have questions about how Connecticut’s bicycle accident statute of limitations applies to your case. We can help you through the state’s legal processes and requirements to ensure you have the best chance at a favorable outcome. Schedule your free consultation with us today.
