New London Car Accident Lawyer

Connecticut’s scenic roadways and coastal routes make it a popular destination for motorcycle riders. Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents can happen in an instant and often result in severe or life-changing injuries. Unlike occupants of passenger vehicles, motorcyclists have little physical protection during a collision, leaving them especially vulnerable to catastrophic harm. If you were injured in a crash caused by another driver’s negligence, an experienced New London motorcycle accident lawyer can help you pursue the compensation you deserve for your medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents in New London are often preventable, and frequently result from negligent drivers, dangerous road conditions, or poor decision-making by motorists operating larger vehicles. Because motorcycles are smaller and less visible than passenger vehicles, riders face a higher risk when other motorists fail to exercise proper care. Some of the common causes of motorcycle accidents include:

• Distracted driving: Behaviors such as texting while driving, adjusting in-vehicle controls, or becoming distracted by passengers can take a driver’s attention off the road and significantly increase the risk of a crash.
• Speeding and reckless driving: Exceeding the speed limit reduces a driver’s reaction time, and reckless actions like swerving in and out of traffic make a crash more likely. In fact, speeding contributes to 29% of all fatal crashes.
• Driving under the influence: Driving while drunk or under the influence of drugs impacts a motorist’s reaction time and decision-making abilities.
• Failure to obey traffic signals: Running red lights, ignoring yield signs, and failing to stop at stop signs can easily lead to crashes with vehicles that are properly following the rules of the road.
• Hazardous road conditions: When roads are wet, icy, or snow-covered, crashes are more likely. The same is true of poorly maintained roads with potholes and a lack of proper signage.

Understanding the common causes of these accidents can help determine fault following a crash and can also keep riders safer while on the road. If you’ve been injured in a crash, your New London motorcycle accident attorney can help you pursue compensation.

Compensation You Can Recover After a Motorcycle Accident

A motorcycle accident in New London can leave you facing serious physical, emotional, and financial challenges. If another person’s negligence caused the crash, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. Depending on the circumstances of your case, there may be several categories of economic and non-economic damages that can be evaluated as part of your claim.

• Medical expenses: This includes emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries, medication, physical therapy, and future medical treatment.
• Lost wages: If your injuries prevent you from working, you can recover compensation for lost income.
• Loss of earning capacity: When injuries impact your ability to work in the long term, you can be compensated for lost future earnings.
• Property damages: This covers the cost of repairing or replacing your damaged property, like your motorcycle.
• Pain and suffering: If you suffer emotional distress or physical pain, you can recover compensation.
• Wrongful death damages: In cases where an accident victim dies, their family can pursue compensation for funeral and burial costs, as well as related losses. In 2023, motorcyclists accounted for 15% of all traffic fatalities in the U.S.

Why Choose The Reardon Law Firm, P.C.?

At The Reardon Law Firm, P.C., our team has recovered more than $380 million on behalf of injured clients throughout Connecticut. We know what it takes to build strong, persuasive cases and pursue the most compensation possible through strategic settlement negotiations or aggressive courtroom advocacy when necessary. No matter how complex or challenging a case may be, we stand ready to advocate for you and protect your interests every step of the way.*

FAQs

Q: Who Is at Fault in a Motorcycle Accident?

A: Several different parties may be responsible for a motorcycle accident, depending on the circumstances of the collision. In many cases, another driver’s negligence causes the crash, making both the driver and, in some situations, the driver’s employer potentially liable for the resulting damages. Vehicle manufacturers or parts manufacturers may also bear responsibility if a defective vehicle component contributed to the accident. In addition, local or state government entities may be implicated when dangerous or poorly maintained road conditions play a role in causing the collision.

For this reason, a motorcycle accident claim often requires a detailed investigation into how the crash occurred, who was involved, what insurance coverage may apply, and whether there are additional entities that contributed to the accident. Properly evaluating these issues is important because liability, insurance coverage, and available sources of recovery are not always immediately apparent at the outset of a case..

Q: Do I Need a Lawyer for a Motorcycle Accident Case?

A: Connecticut law does not require a person injured in a motorcycle accident to hire an attorney. However, motorcycle accident claims often involve complex factual and legal issues that can be difficult to properly evaluate without legal guidance. Determining how the collision occurred, whether multiple parties may share responsibility, what insurance coverage is available, and how Connecticut’s comparative negligence laws apply can all significantly impact a claim.

A thorough investigation is often necessary to identify all potentially responsible parties and sources of recovery, which are not always immediately apparent after a crash. In addition, an attorney can handle communications with insurance companies, gather evidence, coordinate records and expert review when necessary, and represent the injured party during settlement negotiations or court proceedings while the injured person focuses on medical treatment and recovery.

Q: How Long Do I Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Claim?

A: Set by Connecticut General Statutes § 52-582, you generally have two years from the date of the crash to file a motorcycle accident claim. If you miss this deadline, you may lose your right to recover compensation entirely. It’s important to speak with an experienced attorney to know how much time you have to file your claim.

Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle crash, you deserve compensation for the damages caused by someone else’s negligence. Hire a motorcycle accident lawyer to help you recover compensation and pursue justice. At The Reardon Law Firm, P.C., we are available to assist you with navigating the motorcycle accident claim process and pursuing your legal claim.

Contact our firm today to schedule a consultation. We can discuss your case and work with you to create an effective legal strategy. Trust our team to be by your side every step of the way.

Read about a motorcycle accident matter previously handled by our firm in which a Plainfield motorcyclist recovered a $1.3 million settlement. (https://www.law.com/article/almID/1202664650890/)

*Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different and must be evaluated on its own merits.