We Are an Experienced Connecticut Motorcycle Accident Law Firm That Can Help
Getting behind the wheel of any motor vehicle is dangerous. This danger is increased tenfold for motorcyclists whose only protection is what safety gear they choose to wear. According to preliminary numbers released by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), “4,990 people were killed on motorcycles in 2017” across America.
Top contributing factors for motorcycle accidents include driving under the influence, distracted driving, and speeding. Oftentimes, motorcyclists are hit by motor vehicle drivers turning left — unaware that motorcyclists are continuing straight beside them. Whatever the circumstances, if you were injured by a negligent party while lawfully riding your motorcycle, then you deserve compensation for damages.
Walsh Woodard, LLC is a Connecticut motorcycle accident law firm that sees many personal injury cases arise from motorcycle accidents.
If you are injured due to the negligent conduct of another driver, then you are likely entitled to compensation from that person. You may even be entitled to receive compensation under your own insurance under certain circumstances — if you were hurt by an uninsured or underinsured motorist (and you have included this coverage on your policy), for example.
We have handled many cases involving difficult motorcycle accident scenarios — many of which have required expert testimony to prove that another driver’s negligence was the cause of a client’s injury.
We have built trusted respected relationships with experienced engineers and other experts who can investigate and testify on a variety of complicated motorcycle accident-related issues, including full accident reconstructions.
While this can be expensive, we only incur costs that are necessary to maximize your case’s potential and we usually front all costs associated with the claim. Our Connecticut motorcycle accident law firm would be happy to review your case to determine the best possible legal recourse.
Motorcyclists are often more consistently injured when involved in an accident. However, if you or the person you are with is able, it is best to do the following:
- Get Medical Attention. First and foremost, it is important to get medical attention for anyone who needs it. You can stay on the line with the emergency dispatcher and provide preliminary first aid with his or her help. In fact, doing so will mitigate your liability should the injured person decide to press charges in the event their injury is worsened. Be sure not to move the injured person unless absolutely necessary (ie: he or she is in immediate danger) in case of a spinal cord and/or neck injury.
- Gather Evidence. After medical help has arrived, start taking pictures of the damage to both vehicles, all injured persons and the surrounding area. If there were any witnesses, talk to them and get their contact information. Even if a witness did not see the actual accident, their testimony about the aftermath could be just as useful should the case go to court. Of course, you should also exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver(s) involved.
- Call Your Insurance. You have to report a motorcycle accident to your insurance. However, it is extremely important how you do so. Since it is better to report an accident sooner rather than later, you may not have the opportunity to speak with an attorney before talking to an insurance adjuster. It is best to not get into any specifics with them, but rather tell them the facts about what happened. If they press for anything further, politely decline and say you are seeking legal representation before continuing. They may be insistent about getting the details from you — it is within your rights to be just as insistent about discontinuing the conversation until you have an attorney present.
After following these steps and ensuring that your health is in order, it is in your best interest to contact an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer. One of the attorneys from our Connecticut motorcycle accident law firm can negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf and perform investigative work in order to fill in any gaps in the information provided.
The circumstances surrounding every motorcycle accident is unique. From distracted driving to “Acts of God”, the following are three of the most commonly reported causes across the country as reported by the GHSA:
- Weather. Whenever it rains or snows, even if just for a moment, that can make roadways slick. As a result, they are more dangerous. When motor vehicle drivers, especially truck drivers, drive irresponsibly on a wet or snowy roadway, the risks of causing an accident are heightened exponentially. States that reported a milder than average winter saw an increase in motorcycle accidents and fatalities in 2016 due to motorcyclists being out on the road for a longer portion of the year.
- Driving Under the Influence. It is against the law to operate a motor vehicle (be it a car, motorcycle or bicycle) with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. The GHSA reports that “alcohol was determined to be the largest contributor to crash risk for all vehicle types”. The GHSA goes on to say that the “risk of crashing is approximately four times” higher when a person is inebriated than when they are sober.
- Speeding. We are all trying to get to our destinations in a timely manner, be it for leisure or pleasure. We want to get where we are going, and we want to get there now. However, when drivers are speeding everywhere, they are putting other drivers — as well as themselves — at risk. Due to the lack of protection available to a motorcyclist, accidents involving speed and motorcycles often yield more consistently catastrophic results.
These are only three ways that an accident can occur. There are many more, but whatever the cause of your motorcycle accident, our Connecticut motorcycle accident law firm has the experience and resources to help prove liability.
The personal injury attorneys at our Connecticut motorcycle accident law firm have seen firsthand the damage a motorcycle accident can leave in its wake. If you have been injured — or have lost a loved one to a wrongful death — in a motorcycle accident caused by someone else’s negligence, then you deserve compensation for damages.
As of 2018, we have seen all types of cases spanning across a wide range of personal injury law. It has been our goal for almost 30 years to help those who have been wrongfully injured at the hands of another. Contact us online or call us at (860) 549-8440 today to see how we can help you.
