Injured Cyclists Have Rights

Our Bicycle Accident Attorneys Fight For Them In Massachusetts & Connecticut

Cycling has become increasingly popular among riders of all ages in recent years. Unfortunately, even the safest riders get seriously hurt in accidents caused by drivers on back roads and busy streets in Boston, Hartford and everywhere in between in Massachusetts and Connecticut. Our bicycle accident lawyers know because we deal with these types of cases all the time in both states.

When these accidents happen, the consequences can be devastating. Cyclists frequently sustain serious injuries that require weeks or months to recover after being knocked off a bike. And even then, many injured bike riders never fully recover. Bicycle accidents that result in fatalities also sadly sometimes occur.

Whatever type of bicycle injury you’re dealing with, make sure you take your bicycle accident seriously right from the start. Make sure you contact The Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone in Massachusetts or The Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone & Morelli in Connecticut. Our bicycle accident lawyers can help you make things right.

What are common causes of bicycle accidents in Massachusetts and Connecticut?

Bicycle accidents caused by someone else happen for many different reasons. The most common causes of bike crashes include:

• Drivers failing to stop at intersections – Many drivers crash into cyclists at intersections. Often, it’s because the drivers claim they didn’t “see” the cyclist riding through the intersection or crossing the street. That’s no excuse. Cyclists have just as much right as anyone else to use the road, and drivers need to respect their space.
• Drivers not paying attention – Many drivers don’t focus on the road or the people around them. Instead, they’re texting while driving, talking on the phone, or engaging in other dangerous activities behind the wheel. As a result, distracted drivers often cause accidents involving cyclists who are following the rules of the road.
• Speeding drivers – Many people drive too fast. And when they do, they don’t have time to slow down or react to other people around them, including cyclists. Because cyclists, like pedestrians, have little protection against collisions involving speeding cars or trucks, the injuries riders sustain can be severe.
• Aggressive drivers – Motorists are supposed to share the road with cyclists. Unfortunately, many drivers consider cyclists a nuisance and don’t leave enough space between their cars and bikers using the road. Nearly every cyclist has a story involving motorists who drove too close or sometimes even ran them off the road. Who knows why certain people have declared war on the bicyclist, but they have – and they put your life at risk.
• Drunk drivers – Drinking and driving can be a dangerous combination, especially when bicycles are added to the mix. Drunk drivers often don’t drive straight; they may veer off the road and hit cyclists. And when they do, many drunk drivers flee the scene, leaving injured cyclists on the side of the road instead of calling the police for help.
• Failure to yield – In many cases, drivers fail to yield to bicyclists and don’t share the road. This often happens due to unfamiliarity with traffic laws, as well as disrespect and disregard for the rights and safety of bicyclists.

Whatever type of cycling accident you’re dealing with, make sure you have someone on your side who stands up for your rights and helps you get the compensation you rightfully deserve. Make sure you contact our law firm today. A delay could affect your ability to win your case.

What are common bicycle accident injuries?

Bicycle accidents often result in serious injuries, including:

• Leg pain: A leg injury from a bicycle accident may include a strain, sprain, fracture, or other direct trauma.
• Chest pain: This can result from direct impact or falls. In severe cases, chest pain can be linked to a life-threatening internal injury or rib fracture.
• Bruising: Bruises are common in bicycle accidents due to blunt force trauma. They can appear anywhere on the body, including underlying tissue.
• Broken bones: Bicyclists often sustain bone fractures to the arms, wrists, hands, legs, and hips due to being hit by a car.
• Head injuries: Even a mild blow to the head can cause a concussion or another type of traumatic brain injury (TBI), resulting in severe headaches, confusion, and dizziness. In severe cases, a skull fracture or permanent brain damage can occur.
• Road rash: This occurs when a bicyclist slides across the pavement and sustains serious abrasions.

If you sustained a bike injury due to being hit by a car, see a doctor as soon as possible. Worried about the cost of treatment? One of our experienced bicycle accident lawyers can fight to recover every dollar you deserve for your bicycle accident injury claim or lawsuit.

“What compensation can injured cyclists recover?”

If you were hit by a car while riding your bike, you may be able to recover compensation for far more than just your initial emergency room bill. Depending on the facts of your crash, injured cyclists in Massachusetts and Connecticut can typically seek money for:

• Medical expenses and future medical treatments.
• Lost income and diminished earning capacity.
• Pain and suffering and emotional distress.
• Damage to the bicycle and riding gear.

Both states allow cyclists to pursue claims against the at-fault driver’s auto insurance, and in some situations, no-fault/PIP benefits or their own coverage may also help with certain costs. An experienced bicycle accident lawyer in Massachusetts or Connecticut can identify every potential source of compensation and fight for the full value of your bicycle injury case.

“What if the driver says the bike crash was my fault?”

Drivers and insurance companies often try to blame cyclists by claiming they were “going too fast,” “came out of nowhere,” or “weren’t following the rules of the road.” In both Massachusetts and Connecticut, however, cyclists can still recover compensation even if they are found partially at fault, as long as they are not mostly responsible for the crash.

This system, called modified comparative negligence, simply reduces your financial recovery by your percentage of fault instead of barring your claim outright. Because fault arguments can significantly change how much money you receive, it’s important to have a lawyer who understands each state’s bike laws and knows how to push back on unfair blame. tOur Massachusetts and Connecticut bicycle accident attorneys can gather evidence, work with accident reconstruction experts, and build a strong case based on solid evidence that tells the full story of what really happened during your bicycle accident.

“What should I do after my bike accident?”

We strongly recommend taking the following steps after your bicycle accident in Massachusetts or Connecticut:

• Call the police – Don’t try to deal with the driver who caused your crash on your own. Contact the authorities and ask them to respond to your accident. Having an official police report for your accident can help clear up any possible confusion later about who caused your crash.
• Seek immediate medical attention – Even if your injuries seem minor, have a medical professional examine you. You could have a life-threatening internal injury. Having an independent, medical record of your accident often makes it easier for you to be compensated for your injuries.
• Get the driver’s personal information – People who cause cycling accidents sometimes take a casual view of such accidents. That’s why it’s critical that you obtain the driver’s full name, address, phone number, and insurance information immediately after your accident, before he or she speeds off.
• Talk to witnesses – If someone saw your accident, talk to them immediately. Get their full name, address, and phone number before they leave. Witness testimony can be invaluable when it comes to obtaining compensation for your bicycle accident.
• Take photographs – If you’re still at the crash scene, take photos of your accident. If you have already left the scene of your accident, take pictures of the damage to your bicycle, your injuries, and anything else that might seem important to your case. Details matter. And the more information you have to build your case, the better.
• Contact us – When you have an experienced attorney on your side, you can demand the compensation you rightfully deserve for your accident.

“How can a MA or CT bicycle accident lawyer help me if I was hit by a car?”

Even if your bicycle accident seems straightforward, that doesn’t mean you automatically receive compensation for your injuries. Drivers who cause accidents involving cyclists often deny doing anything wrong. They might even point the finger at you and try to claim that you did something to cause the collision.

We know the games drivers – and insurance companies – try to play. When they point the finger at you, we’re prepared to fight back and stand up for your rights. We know what evidence to look for after a bicycle accident (location and length of skid marks, location of damage to vehicle, etc.) to build a strong legal case.

We’re prepared to do whatever it takes to help you get your life back on track. Whether it’s carefully reviewing your accident report or consulting with bicycle accident experts, our bicycle accident lawyers know how to find the facts you need to win your case. Call 1-800-WIN-WIN-1 and schedule your free case evaluation with a bicycle accident lawyer right now. Our law firms have 18 offices located in Connecticut and Massachusetts, including ones in Boston, Hartford, New Haven, and Worcester. Wherever your bike accident happened, we’re here for you.