As a biker, you know how important it is to constantly be aware of other drivers. You also know that a single crash can change your life forever. If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, it’s important to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney as quickly as possible; you’ll need support in dealing with insurers, or even the courts, to help recover compensation for your injuries. You might be entitled to a settlement to compensate you for things like medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, a replacement bike, and more, and we’re here to help you recover what is rightfully yours.

Attorneys Mike and Jeremy D’Amico are passionate about representing injured bikers because it’s close to their hearts. Part of their local biker community, Mike and Jeremy both ride. D’Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC takes great pride in representing the men and women who ride and have been injured due to the negligence of other drivers. We’d be honored to offer you a free, confidential consultation with a Watertown motorcycle accident lawyer by phone or remotely so that, together, we can discuss how we can support you going forward.

Common Motorcycle Accident Causes: Other Drivers

Every biker is aware that they need to ride with their head on a swivel. The fact is that, no matter how aware you are, most motorcycle accidents are caused by the negligence of other vehicle drivers. They may claim they didn’t see the motorcycle or couldn’t react in time, but there are typically other factors at play on the part of other drivers, including:

  • Failing to check blind spots
  • Changing lanes without looking
  • Turning in front of motorcycles
  • Not allowing motorcycles enough space
  • Locking up their brakes
  • Failing to use turn signals

For bikers, the crash isn’t the key issue– it’s the aftermath. Motorcycle crashes can result in a range of serious injuries, including broken arms and legs, head injuries, brain injuries, neck injuries, and even worse. Insurance companies take these cases seriously because they know how costly, extensive, and potentially painful the injuries sustained can be. You should too. Our Watertown motorcycle accident attorneys have extensive experience handling the most complex and serious of injury claims, and we’ll put that experience to work for you.

What to Do After Your Motorcycle Accident

First and foremost, seek medical help. You may not even realize you’re injured. Once you’ve been examined by a doctor, take these steps to ensure you can strengthen and support any injury claim:

  1. Call the police/authorities
  2. Contact a lawyer. If you’ve been injured, it helps to have a well-practiced law firm like D’Amico & Pettinicchi support you through the difficult and complex process of filing a motorcycle accident claim. Your motorcycle crash lawyer in Watertown understands all the related legal issues and will have your back at every step in the process. Remember, it’s important to act quickly before evidence disappears and legal deadlines expire.
  3. Notify your insurance company. Report your motorcycle accident and any injuries sustained to your own insurance company as soon as possible. Make sure that you are thorough in describing your injuries. Then, be sure to contact an attorney right away. You want to avoid having an ongoing dialogue with the insurance company without speaking to a lawyer. One note: Do not contact the other driver’s insurance company or sign anything they send you.
  4. Document the accident. Often, if there is a police report, it can be used for documentation. In addition, your insurance company will generally offer a printed template that can help you document it in words and rough drawings. Include specific details, such as the weather and traffic conditions at the time of the accident, time of day, the lane and direction in which you were traveling, and any other pertinent details you can remember. You should contact a lawyer to review any forms you fill out for the insurance company before they are submitted.
  5. Photograph any injuries you’ve sustained and property damage. Make sure you take pictures of any injuries you’ve sustained as soon as possible. In addition, if your bike is repairable, take pictures of any damage resulting from the crash before you get it fixed.
  6. Document your treatment and recovery. Think of keeping a daily journal of your treatment and how you’re progressing. Make sure you include the names and contact information for any doctors or other healthcare professionals you’re seeing, your medication, and any other related rehab or treatment you’ve gotten while you’re healing from your injuries.

How Long Does a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit Settlement Take?

There is no hard-and-fast rule regarding the length of the process. If your insurance company is willing to compensate you fairly in a settlement without filing a lawsuit, it might take as little as six months or as long as two years to resolve your claim. In some cases, the insurance company will simply not negotiate fairly, and we will be forced to take your case to trial. Given the wide range of variables involved at that point—e.g., the extent of injuries, available evidence, coverage limits, the court docket, etc.—a claim may take several years to resolve. That said, regardless of the length of time it takes, rest assured that the committed legal professionals at D’Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC will support you every step of the way and ensure that you get the maximum compensation to which you’re entitled.

How a Watertown Motorcycle Accident Attorney Can Help

We understand the challenges of dealing with the aftermath of a motorcycle crash. We know the insurance companies will fight hard to reduce or deny your claim. We also know that many jurors still have a bias against motorcyclists, even though the reality is that most are safe, responsible operators.

Our legal team has the experience and skill needed to level the playing field. We’ll listen to your story, launch our own investigation, and fight for the compensation you need. We’ll deal with the insurance company while you focus on getting better, and while we’re often able to settle out of court, we’re always ready to go to trial, including testing strategies in our in-house courtroom.

If you or someone that you love has been injured in a motorcycle accident, contact our team of motorcycle accident lawyers today to learn more about your legal options. We support clients throughout Connecticut through every stage of a claim or lawsuit, from initial consultation and a review of your legal options through settlement or trial verdict.

Watertown Motorcycle Accident Lawyer FAQs
What should I do after a motorcycle accident?

When a person is involved in a motor vehicle accident, Connecticut law requires that all drivers come to a stop and call the police in the case of any injury, or risk potential criminal prosecution. In addition, if there is any property damage, all parties must provide contact information to each other.

What other key steps should I take in the immediate aftermath?

First off, preserve your rights. Do not admit any fault or sign anything, especially any forms from the other driver’s insurance company. Meet with an attorney and inform your insurance company as quickly as possible.

Do I have to go to court for a motorcycle accident?

Not necessarily. In fact, the vast majority of automobile accident claims in Connecticut—including motorcycle accidents—are resolved through insurance settlements.

Does my health insurance coverage or paid sick leave limit what can be recovered from my motorcycle accident?

No. However, your health insurance carrier may require that you reimburse some or all of the amount paid to treat your injuries, and those costs come out of your settlement or award.

I was injured in a motorcycle accident, but I wasn’t wearing a helmet. Can I still recover damages from the other driver?

Connecticut does not have a mandatory helmet law. Even if your state has a mandatory helmet law, it will likely not prevent you from recovering from your injuries if someone else caused the accident. It might impact the amount of damages you can recover if it is proven that your failure to wear a helmet contributed to your injuries.