The Life-Changing Consequences Of Bicycle Accidents
Last updated on August 15, 2024
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, you should not hesitate to talk to an experienced Hamden bicycle accident attorney at our firm for help.
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Safe Bike Commuting In New Haven County
New Haven and other Connecticut communities work hard to enhance safety for its 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 offers a secure route for cyclists away from the many hazards 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 In New Haven
Despite any faults in bike path safety, it is driver negligence that accounts for 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:
- 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 ways to understand what happened is to check the accident report and how the Connecticut State Police reported the incident. A local New Haven County bicycle accident lawyer can help make sense of your situation and advise you on recovering compensation for injuries.
Pursuing Damages In A New Haven County Bike Accident Claim
If you believe your accident was caused by another party’s negligence, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim. At Sette & Parnoff, PC, we represent individuals who have suffered a wide range of injuries in bicycle accidents, from broken bones, lacerations and concussions to head injuries, brain injuries and loss of limbs.
Regardless of the severity of your injuries, you can rely on our personal injury team to fight until you recover the full and fair compensation. Although we understand that no amount of money can undo your injuries or the experience you have gone through, you may be entitled to a certain amount of compensation for your losses.
We aim to recover compensation for the following after a bicycle accident:
- Current and future medical bills and expenses
- Emergency room bills and expenses
- Rehabilitation expenses
- Property damage
- Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
- Pain and emotional suffering
Even if your injuries seem minor, you should still see a doctor immediately to check for any injuries that may not be visible to the eye.
We also pursue wrongful death damages for grieving families who have lost a lost a loved one in a fatal bicycle accident.