It’s important that motor vehicles and bicycles share the road safely. Crashes can impact cyclists, motorists, vehicle passengers, and pedestrians, but in most cases, the biggest risk of injury lies with the cyclist.
Have you been hit by a vehicle while riding your bike in Litchfield or neighboring counties? The skilled injury attorneys at D’Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC, are here to help. Our lawyers have over a century of combined experience advocating for injured accident victims, including cyclists. Call today to schedule a free consultation with a Litchfield bicycle accident lawyer at our firm.
If you’re struck by a vehicle while cycling, the first thing you should do is contact the police and report the accident. This will not only provide you with access to the emergency medical care that you may need, but it also establishes a record of the accident for your future injury claim.
After receiving any medical attention at the scene, it’s a good idea to document the crash if you are able to. You can do this by:
It’s also important that you do not:
Finally, you should reach out to a Litchfield bicycle accident attorney as soon as possible after a crash.
Just as there are traffic laws for cars and other motor vehicles, Connecticut has laws that bicyclists must abide by. When you are following the rules of the road and a car causes an accident, it is likely that they will be found liable for your injuries. However, even if you are partially at fault for your bicycle accident, you may still be able to recover damages.
Connecticut allows injured parties who are less than 50 percent at fault for the accident to recover economic and non-economic damages, including medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering. It’s important to keep in mind that your compensation will be decreased by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are determined to be 10 percent responsible for the bicycle wreck and you are awarded $150,000, your actual compensation would equal $135,000.
Before filing a claim with the other party’s insurance company, discuss your claim with a qualified bicycle accident lawyer in Litchfield. They will be able to help you determine all the possible damages you should include in the value of your accident claim to ensure you receive the compensation you’re entitled to.
The lawyers at D’Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC, provide valuable support and guidance as you navigate Connecticut’s complex accident and injury laws. You need someone on your side when dealing with insurance companies to ensure they offer a fair settlement amount and to take your case to the next level if they don’t cooperate with negotiations. Please feel free to contact us to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case with a Litchfield bicycle accident lawyer.
