Motorcycle accidents often leave victims with severe and long-term injuries, resulting in significant medical bills and time off work. If you suffered a motorcycle accident injury in Bristol, Connecticut, that was caused by someone else, it’s essential that you understand your rights and how to seek the compensation you deserve as an injured motorcyclist.
An experienced Bristol motorcycle accident lawyer can help you identify the liable parties and hold them financially accountable for your injuries. Contact Jainchill & Beckert, LLC, today for a free consultation and to learn more about how our team puts our clients’ well-being above all else.
Why Are Motorcycle Accidents More Severe Than Other Motor Vehicle Accidents?
Motorcycle injuries are often more severe than those suffered in other motor vehicle accidents because riders aren’t as protected as vehicle occupants. Motorcycle riders don’t have the benefit of a metal frame around them, airbags, or seat belts. Instead, their bodies take the brunt of the collision, and they can be thrown from their motorcycles.
What Are Some Possible Causes for a Bristol Motorcycle Accident?
Determining the cause of the motorcycle accident is the first step in securing compensation for your injuries. Once you know how the accident occurred, you can identify the liable parties and work toward holding them accountable.
Some of the most common causes of motorcycle crashes are:
- Poor Road Conditions – Slippery surfaces, large potholes and cracks, and faded road lines can all contribute to motorcycle accidents.
- Negligent Motorists – Many motorcycle crashes are due to negligent motorists who don’t share the road with riders.
- Defective Products – Faulty brakes and other motorcycle components can cause a rider to lose control and crash.
What Are the Most Common Injuries That Occur in a Motorcycle Accident?
Motorcycle accident victims don’t always immediately realize that they’re injured due to a combination of adrenaline and delayed symptoms. For this reason, you should seek immediate treatment after a crash so a medical professional can check for the following common injuries:
- Road Rash – These are abrasion injuries caused by sliding across the pavement while not wearing adequate padding.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries – TBIs can result in permanent cognitive and physical disabilities.
- Spinal Cord Injuries – Mild spinal injuries can cause chronic pain, while severe spinal injuries can lead to total paralysis.
- Broken Bones – Broken and fractured bones are among the most common injuries in any type of motor vehicle accident. Motorcycle rider’s wrists, forearms, legs, and ribs are at particular risk.
- Internal Organ Damage – The blunt force of a crash can damage internal organs, such as the lungs, spleen, diaphragm, or intestines. These injuries can be life-threatening and require immediate treatment.
Who Could Be Held Liable for a Bristol Motorcycle Accident?
Multiple parties could be liable for your injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident.
The most commonly liable parties for motorcycle accidents include:
- Other Drivers – If another driver cut you off, slammed on their brakes ahead of you, or collided with you, they could be liable for your injuries.
- Vehicle Manufacturers – If a defective bike part contributed to the crash, the motorcycle manufacturer could be liable for the resulting injuries.
- Commercial Entities – If the driver who hit you was working at the time of the accident, and they are someone’s employee, their company could be liable for injuries their driver caused in some cases.
- Government Entities – Government agencies are responsible for maintaining public roads. If poor road maintenance, such as large potholes, contributed to your crash, you may be able to hold the government liable.
What Should I Do if I Am in a Motorcycle Accident in Bristol?
If you are in a motorcycle accident, knowing what to do can significantly impact your compensation claim. After you receive emergency medical treatment at the scene, the next steps you should take are:
- Follow Up with Medical Treatment – Always seek follow-up treatment for your injuries and keep track of all your medical records so you can seek compensation for them.
- Document the Accident – Write down everything you remember about the accident for future reference.
- Avoid Providing a Statement – Connecticut law provides for modified comparative negligence after an accident. Under this rule, your compensation is reduced by your degree of fault, and you are barred from seeking compensation if you are more than 50 percent at fault. If you provide a recorded statement to the insurance company, they will use those statements against you to undervalue your claim if they can.
- Contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer – The best way to protect your rights is to contact an experienced Connecticut motorcycle accident lawyer. They can perform a thorough investigation and consult with professionals like accident reconstruction experts to build a strong case.
Can I Be Compensated for My Damages and Injuries from My Accident?
Through a motorcycle accident claim, you can seek damages (compensation) for the losses related to your injuries. These losses may include:
- Medical Expenses – You can seek compensation for your past and future medical treatments, surgeries, medical devices, physical therapy, and prescription medications in a motorcycle accident case.
- Lost Wages – You can seek compensation for the income you lost while recovering from your injuries and for the future income and work benefits your injuries will cause you to lose.
- Pain and Suffering – You can seek compensation for the physical pain and emotional suffering you experienced because of your injuries.
- Disability – You can seek compensation for permanent disability suffered in the accident.
If your loved one died due to injuries sustained in a Bristol motorcycle accident, you can recover compensation for loss of companionship and their funeral and burial expenses through a wrongful death lawsuit.
Do I Have a Time Limit for Filing a Bristol Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit?
Under Connecticut’s statute of limitations for personal injury, motorcycle accident victims have two years to file lawsuits against the at-fault parties. If you don’t file your lawsuit within this period, you may lose your right to seek compensation for your injuries in court.
Contact a Bristol, CT, Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
If you were injured in a Bristol motorcycle accident, contact Jainchill & Beckert, LLC, for a free case review. Our firm has more than 55 years of combined experience providing legal representation for hard-working clients in Bristol and surrounding areas. During your initial consultation, we’ll review the accident that caused your injuries and explain your options for seeking the compensation you deserve.
