Bicycle Accident Lawyers in Hamden
Protecting Cyclists’ Rights Throughout New Haven, East Haven, West Haven, North Haven, and Throughout Connecticut
In a busy city like Hamden, many individuals choose bicycling as their primary mode of transportation and even as a leisure activity. However, as popular as they may be, many drivers on the road are not accustomed to sharing roads with cyclists. When drivers ignore traffic laws and fail to pay attention to bicyclists, serious collisions can occur.
If you or someone you care for has been injured in a bicycle accident, don’t hesitate to talk to an experienced Hamden bicycle accident attorney at our firm for help. Call (845) 622-6590 or contact us online to begin.
Safe Bike Commuting in New Haven County
New Haven and other Connecticut communities work hard to enhance safety for their many bicycle commuters. Unfortunately, biking accidents still occur with alarming frequency, sadly resulting in serious injuries and sometimes death.
In response to the continuing threat, the city has implemented several safety initiatives, including the development of safer trails. For instance, the Farmington Canal Trail provides a safe route for cyclists, away from the numerous hazards that motor vehicles present.
However, many bicycle riders commuting to work or school (or just out for a ride) must navigate less safe passages, where the risk of accidents may increase.
The question of why bicycle accidents and fatalities continue to plague New Haven cyclists has a complex answer. Motorist negligence (impaired driving, speeding, etc.) is responsible for many mishaps that injure cyclists.
However, poor road design may also contribute to or even cause bicycle accidents through:
- Inadequate and unprotected lanes
- Poorly designed intersections
- Lack of clear signage
- Obstructed bike paths
- Unmarked crosswalks
- Lack of separation barriers
- High-speed traffic areas (arterial roads)
- Inadequate road space allocation
These dangerous elements often combine to create hazardous conditions that can lead to tragic outcomes.
Filing a Lawsuit for Driver Negligence After a Bicycle Accident
Despite any faults in bike path safety, driver negligence is the primary cause of many accidents in New Haven. Looking at reports from the Connecticut CRASH data compiled from the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT), many accidents where bicyclists are hit by cars occur during afternoon rush hour when people are most likely to be in a hurry, speeding home from work, or not completely focused on safe driving.
Driver negligence can take many forms, such as:
- Speeding
- Running a stop sign or red light
- Drifting into a bike lane
- Texting while driving
- Failing to yield
- Dooring
- Failure to use turn signals
- Not checking blind spots
After recovering from an accident, one of the first steps in understanding what happened is to review the accident report and how the Connecticut State Police reported the incident. A local Hamden bicycle accident lawyer can help clarify your situation and advise you on recovering compensation for your injuries.
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