ManchesterMotorcycle Accident Attorney

Motorcycle accidents are known for being some of the most devastating types of accidents you could be involved in. While car accidents may be terrifying, motorcyclists lack the same protection that people traveling in other types of motor vehicles do. When bikers are involved in collisions, they often suffer catastrophic and even disabling injuries after absorbing the full force of the crash. If your life has been turned upside down by the injuries you sustained, with help from our highly skilled Manchester motorcycle accident lawyers from Tehrani Law Group, you can demand justice and the fair compensation you deserve. 

Your dedicated personal injury attorney from our firm will be by your side every step of the way. We can help you navigate the claims process, identify liable parties, negotiate with the insurer, and fight for a fair settlement at trial. When you are ready to take charge of your finances and future but are unsure of where to begin, look no further than Tehrani Law Group, with many years of trial experience and millions of dollars recovered. Contact our Manchester personal injury lawyers for a free consultation today to get started.

You Can Sue For Any Type of Devastating Injury if Someone Else is At Fault

If you believe someone else’s negligent actions were the cause of your injuries, you may be able to recover fair compensation for your losses with help from a trial-proven motorcycle accident lawyer. There is no one specific type of injury that warrants legal action. In fact, many of our clients have dealt with one or more of the following injuries:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Back injuries and spinal cord trauma
• Deep lacerations that require stitches and cause nerve damage
• Shoulder and collarbone injuries
• Knee, ankle, foot, and leg injuries
• Arm, hand, and wrist injuries
• Paralysis, including paraplegia or quadriplegia
• Whiplash and other soft tissue injuries
• First, second, and third-degree burns

Far too many motorcycle accident victims do not take advantage of their right to hold the liable party accountable. They may be worried they will be accused of filing frivolous claims or that their injuries are not “severe enough” to take legal action. However, it is the severity of your injuries, not the injury type, that determines your right to sue. More than that, someone else must be primarily responsible for causing your accident and subsequent injuries. There are two factors that will need to be taken into consideration: 

1. The elements of negligence
2. The burden of proof

According to the CT Judicial Branch, the elements of negligence include four stipulations:

1. Duty of care
2. Breach of duty
3. Causation
4. Damages

The defendant must have had a responsibility for your safety. They must have breached the obligation, their breach must be the cause of the injuries you suffered, and you must have endured considerable economic or non-economic damages. We must prove the elements of negligence based on a preponderance of evidence as the burden of proof. According to the Connecticut Code of Evidence, when the burden of proof is based on a preponderance of the evidence, your motorcycle accident attorney will need to provide evidence that convinces the jury that the defendant is “more likely than not” at fault for causing your motorcycle wreck and your resulting injuries.

Before You File a Lawsuit, Start With an Insurance Claim

If you can avoid going to trial, you should. After all, if we can recover the compensation you deserve by filing an insurance claim alone, we should. However, most Manchester catastrophic injury victims require far more damages than the insurance company is responsible for.

Connecticut Motorcycle Insurance Laws

All motorcyclists and motorists across the state are required to carry auto insurance coverage as outlined by the CT Insurance Department. Here, drivers must have at least the following types and amounts of coverage:

• $25,000 bodily injury liability coverage per person
• $50,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per accident
• $25,000 in property damage liability coverage per accident
• $25,000 in uninsured or underinsured motorist bodily injury liability coverage per person
• $50,000 in uninsured or underinsured motorist bodily injury liability coverage per accident

What to Expect From Your Insurance Settlement

Unlike most states, where auto insurance laws are either “fault” or “no-fault,”  Connecticut is a little different. Here, according to the CT General Assembly, the state follows a modified no-fault insurance system. While drivers are not required to carry personal injury protection coverage, they are required to carry liability insurance coverage, which can cover a portion of the injury victim’s damages when the policyholder is at fault. However, drivers can also file a claim with their own insurance companies if they carry personal injury protection (PIP) coverage.

The liable party’s auto insurance coverage will determine how much compensation you can be awarded through an insurance claim and whether you should file a claim against your own no-fault insurance policy. Our Manchester motorcycle accident lawyers will help you maximize your insurance settlement and ensure the insurance company compensates you fairly. Unfortunately, this may still not be enough to fully meet your needs, which is why it is always in your best interests to plan to move forward with a personal injury lawsuit.

Getting started with your motorcycle accident case can be intimidating. You are likely overwhelmed with the trauma of your accident and the resulting injuries. While you might hope to hold the liable party accountable, the thought of going to trial or pushing back when an insurance company denies your claim can be more than a little intimidating. During this time, you should be able to recuperate without the stress of insurance negotiations and litigation. 

For that reason, your trial-tested Manchester motorcycle accident lawyer from Tehrani Law Group has put together this quick FAQ discussing motorcycle accident claim intricacies below. You will likely have even more questions that pertain to the specific details of your case after you start to learn about your legal options. When you are ready, connect with our motorcycle accident attorneys to schedule a confidential and free case evaluation.

What are the motorcycle helmet laws in Manchester, CT?

In Connecticut, there is no universal motorcycle helmet law. Motorcyclists over the age of 18 can make the decision not to wear a motorcycle helmet if they wish. However, according to CGS § 14-289g, anyone under the age of 18 who is operating or traveling as a passenger on a motorcycle must wear a motorcycle helmet. Failure to do so could result in a citation, punishable by a fine. It also leaves you open to the potential for shared liability accusations when you file your claim against the liable party. This could have a significant impact on your ability to get the most out of your claim.

Is there a deadline for filing my motorcycle accident lawsuit?

Yes, according to Chapter 25 Sec. 52-584. of the Connecticut General Assembly, the statute of limitations for Connecticut motorcycle accidents and personal injury claims is two years. Typically, the statute of limitations will run out exactly two years from the date of your motorcycle accident. If your lawsuit is not filed in time, you may not be able to have your case heard at trial. 

It is important to know that there are limited circumstances under which the statute of limitations deadline could be temporarily paused. This is known as “tolling” the statute of limitations. This may be possible if it takes longer to identify the liable party who is from another state, you are diagnosed with motorcycle accident injuries sometime after the initial accident, or your minor child was injured. If you believe the statute of limitations may have been paused in your case or you are otherwise unsure how much time you have to sue, do not hesitate to contact our Manchester motorcycle accident lawyers with Tehrani Law Group for the clear answers you deserve.

Can I hire a motorcycle accident lawyer on contingency?

Absolutely. In fact, Tehrani Law Group works for all personal injury clients on contingency. We do not believe it is right to charge injury victims, who have already been through so much, a retainer fee or make them pay an hourly rate. You may be temporarily out of work and unable to cover your regular monthly expenses, let alone the cost of a legal representative. For that reason, we offer contingency agreements in line with Chapter 901 Sec. 52-257, fees of parties in civil actions, so our clients can get the support they need without tapping into their own finances. You will not have to pay even one dime in legal fees unless we win. If we are successful, our attorney’s fees will come out of your settlement at a predetermined percentage based on the complexity of your case and other factors.

The driver who hit me is blaming me for the collision; what should I do next?

Try not to panic. Blaming the victim is one of the most common tactics liable parties use to avoid their financial responsibility for your damages. If they can blame you for the accident, they may be able to reduce the amount of compensation they are required to pay you. This is because Connecticut follows a modified comparative negligence system per Chapter 925 Sec. 52-572o. Statutory Rights of Action and Defenses when it comes to personal injury claims. Sharing fault will not necessarily prevent you from receiving a settlement. 

However, since CT follows modified comparative fault rules, there is a limit to the amount of liability you can share. Under the law, if your portion of liability is greater than the 51% limit, you could be barred from recovering compensation for your damages through a personal injury lawsuit. This would be the liable party’s best-case scenario, which is why it is so common for at-fault parties to blame the victim. Fortunately, when you have an experienced Manchester car accident attorney on your side, you can breathe a little easier. We will carefully investigate the specific circumstances of your case to ensure we have the evidence we need to establish the defendant’s culpability. 

It is also important to note that sharing responsibility will impact the amount of compensation you can recover. Even if your percentage of blame is less than the 51% bar threshold, you may not be entitled to the total value of your motorcycle accident award. This is your percentage of culpability, which will be taken out of your payout. For example, if you were not wearing your motorcycle helmet at the time of the accident, the judge might agree that you are partially responsible for the injuries you sustained and determine that you are 10% liable. When you are awarded $750,000 for your damages, before you can receive your settlement, 10% of your award will need to be deducted. This would leave you with a total payout of $675,000.

What are the top causes of motorcycle accidents in Manchester? 

Identifying the cause of your motorcycle wreck will be one of our top priorities. The liable party should cover the total value of your damages. Tehrani Law Group has handled hundreds of motorcycle accident cases over the years. In our experience, some of the top causes of motorcycle accidents include:

• Distracted driving
• Failure to leave enough stopping distance
• Drunk driving 
• Failure to check blind spots
• Driving while fatigued
• Aggressive driving
• Driving over the speed limit
• Failure to stop at a stop sign or traffic light
• Malfunctioning or defective auto or motorcycle parts
• Lack of sufficient street signs
• Failure to yield to the right of way
• Failure to make road safety repairs, such as filling potholes
• Using faulty, defective, or recalled parts to make vehicle repairs

The cause of your accident will help us identify the liable party. Negligent drivers, auto parts manufacturers, government agencies, municipalities, vehicle dealerships, and other third parties could all share culpability. Our comprehensive investigation into the cause of your wreck will reveal the truth.

Turn to Our Respected and Trustworthy Manchester Motorcycle Accident Attorneys for Help Today

Your motorcycle accident injuries may have taken over your life, but they do not need to define your future. With a top-rated Manchester motorcycle accident attorney from Tehrani Law Group on your side, you can bring the liable party to justice and get the most out of your insurance and civil claims. We will work tirelessly to build the strongest case possible so you can maximize your payout. 

If you are struggling to cope with your catastrophic injuries, mental anguish, and extreme financial losses, it is time to take action. Connect with our law firm and request a free, no-obligation consultation today. You can reach us by phone or through our quick contact form to take your first step in making the liable party pay.