Connecticut Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Connecticut's Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
According to collision data, Connecticut saw 1,269 motorcycle accidents in 2021, and these victims faced an uphill climb to recover. At Tehrani Law Group, we have fought for the rights of countless motorcycle accident victims in our state. Our legal experience includes negotiating settlements, filing lawsuits, and investigating crashes. If you were hurt in an accident, you deserve the best representation. Call us today to speak with our Connecticut motorcycle accident lawyer.
Lane Splitting Laws
Motorcyclists often think lane splitting is legal and is common practice around the country. Many motorcyclists like to lane split because they believe it saves them time and offers them protection. Lane splitting involves riding in between lanes. Many motorcyclists lane split at intersections and in traffic jams.
While it may save them only a few minutes or even seconds in their travels, it is very dangerous to do as car and truck drivers do not pay as much attention to motorcyclists as they should. Drivers often attempt to change lanes in busy traffic to cut down their travel time without checking for motorcyclists in between lanes.
Unfortunately, lane splitting is illegal in Connecticut under General Statutes § 14-289b. If you lane split, you could receive an infraction. Also, the defendant might blame you for your own accident, which is always a concern in Connecticut. With our state’s comparative fault laws, if you (a motorcyclist) is found at fault for the incident, you may not be able to recover as much as you would be able to if the accident was caused solely by the other party.
Types of Motorcycle Accidents
Accidents come in all shapes and sizes. Some are at high speeds, while others are at lower speeds. Regardless of the type of accident, many bikers end up seriously hurt in a wreck.
We have helped clients injured in the following types of collisions:
- Left-Hand Turn Accidents: These accidents are very common. A motorist waiting to make a left-hand turn doesn’t see a motorcycle coming at the tail end of traffic. Because bikes are smaller, many motorists overlook them and pull directly in their way.
- Head-On Collisions: Motorists can slam head-on into a motorcycle in several situations. For example, a car might pull into the adjoining lane to pass a car, only to see a motorcycle coming at it. These head-on collisions are often deadly.
- Rear-End Collisions: A motorist can slam into the back of a stopped motorcycle in a parking lot or at an intersection. These accidents are common when a motorist is fatigued or intoxicated and doesn’t hit the brakes in time. Motorcyclists are helpless to protect themselves in these situations.
- Lane-Splitting Accidents: Too many motorists lane split even though it is illegal. You can easily get hit when someone opens their door or even turns slightly.
What Causes Motorcycle Accidents?
In our experience, negligent motorists are most often to blame. These are people who refuse to drive carefully around motorcyclists. They often follow too closely, squeeze past, or cut them off. Other drivers are simply unable to pay close enough attention to the task at hand.
- Common examples of negligence include:
- Texting and driving
- Eating
- Talking with a passenger
- Tending to a pet
- Talking on a cell phone
Other motorists fail to drive carefully because they are fatigued or possibly intoxicated. With delayed reflexes, they can’t take defensive action to avoid a wreck—and motorcyclists bear the brunt of any collision.
Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Motorcycles suffer serious injuries because they have so little protection, and many will suffer permanent disabilities.
- Some of the most serious injuries include:
- Abrasions, cuts, or burns—especially on exposed skin which can be torn off
- Fractures—especially fractures in the pelvis, legs, and arms
- Head injuries—including concussions and brain contusions
- Chest injuries—punctured lungs, heart contusion, and fractured ribs
- Back injuries—herniated discs, shattered vertebrae, and spinal cord injury
Motorcycle accident injuries require immediate attention so they do not worsen. If necessary, call an ambulance to pick you up. The sooner you receive treatment, the greater your odds of recovery.
Who Can You Sue for a Motorcycle Accident?
Under Connecticut law, you can sue anyone who is at fault for the crash. Most frequently, we end up suing the negligent driver who hit us or forced us off the road. We will need to establish that this driver owed you a duty of care, which they breached by driving carelessly. We then can connect your injuries to this careless driving.
For other crashes, we might sue other entities. If your motorcycle was defective, we might sue the manufacturer or a mechanic who did poor repair work.
When a person is injured due to a defective road, we can sue the municipality in charge in many situations. Some common defects include crumbling shoulders or missing or obscured stop signs. We will analyze whether you can sustain a viable suit in these types of cases.
Injured? Let Our Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Fight For Your Rights
Our firm offers a free consultation to those in need. Call us today or send an online message. You owe it to yourself to hold negligent motorists accountable for your injuries, and we can begin the process after reviewing the facts of your case.
With years of experience handling motor vehicle accident claims, you can trust our firm to handle your case efficiently and with the respect it deserves. We know what it takes to maximize our clients’ compensation.
