Milford Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Milford Bicycle Accident Attorney

When you are involved in a bicycle accident in Milford, Connecticut, the resulting injuries can be serious and even fatal. If you survive the accident, the mounting medical bills can cause increasing stress and uncertainty over your financial future, not to mention your concern over your own health and recovery. In these difficult times, having the legal support and guidance of a Milford bicycle accident lawyer can be essential to the outcome of your claim.

When you are injured in a Milford bicycle accident, you need a personal injury attorney you can trust to handle your accident claim. Since 1918, the law firm of Jacobs & Jacobs has been fighting to secure the compensation their personal injury clients deserve following a devastating accident. When you hire one of our attorneys to represent your claim, you can rest and recover while we worry about the legalities.

Common Types of Milford Bicycle Accidents and Their Causes

Many individuals in Milford ride their bikes to and from work and to various other destinations such as school or the grocery store to save gas, money, and the environment. However, this mode of transportation can leave the rider exposed and, therefore, at risk for serious injuries when they collide with a car or commercial truck. At Jacobs & Jacobs, our attorneys have countless years of experience handling the following types of bicycle accidents:

• Hit-and-run accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Collisions with other motorized vehicles
• Bicycle lane accidents
• Accidents caused by defective bicycle parts
• Dangerous road conditions, such as potholes or cracked pavement

Your attorney can conduct a thorough investigation of your bicycle accident and will not miss a detail when it comes to uncovering all evidence in support of your case.

When you share the road with motorcycles, cars, vans, pickup trucks, and commercial trucks, there is always a risk of injury in a collision with these larger vehicles. The most common causes for bicycle accidents in Milford, Connecticut can include:

• Distracted driving, such as texting, eating, or drinking while driving
• Speeding or other forms of reckless driving
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Failing to yield to an individual’s right-of-way
• Poor road maintenance by the municipality of an area
• Weather conditions such as snow, rain, or ice

If you suffer a bicycle accident for any of the above reasons, you may have grounds to hold an at-fault party responsible for the damage and injury you have suffered. Contact the attorneys at Jacobs & Jacobs. We have the knowledge and experience necessary to review the cause of your case in order to determine who the at-fault party is and who you may be able to file this claim against.

Jacobs & Jacobs: Defending Your Rights in a Milford Bicycle Accident

When you hire a personal injury attorney from Jacobs & Jacobs, you can rest assured knowing that your bicycle accident case will handled by a seasoned professional dedicated to achieving a positive outcome. You can expect the following from your attorney from Jacobs & Jacobs:

• Investigation: The first step in ensuring your personal injury case is the strongest it can be, our attorneys will turn their time and attention to gathering evidence in your case to prove your claim. We can consult with the police, speak with witnesses, review any surveillance footage, and sift through any pertinent news reports.
• Negotiation: We have the experience necessary to negotiate and communicate with any involved insurance companies, knowing when it is a suitable time to settle for a fair amount of compensation and when to make a counteroffer. When an insurance company faces a skilled attorney, they know they cannot take advantage of the client.
• Litigation: If we are not able to negotiate a fair settlement amount with the insurance company involved, we can confidently take your case to court. We can advocate for you before a judge in order to obtain the maximum compensation you are entitled to.

Connecticut State Bicycle Laws

When determining who is liable for a bicycle accident in Connecticut, it is necessary to look at the bicycle laws in the state. When navigating Milford streets, one should follow these bicycle laws:

• Helmet Laws: In most cases, helmets are not required for cyclists unless they are under 16 years of age. Regardless, it is always wise to wear a helmet when riding a bicycle.
• Lane Use: In Milford, cyclists are allowed to use the full lane when it becomes too narrow for them to travel alongside a car in a safe manner. This can be especially true for roads that do not have a designated bike lane.
• Bicycles on the Roadways: Individuals riding their bicycles on the roadways have the same rights and responsibilities as those operating motorized vehicles. They are therefore required to operate their bicycle while following all the same traffic signs and signals.
• Lighting Requirements: When riding a bicycle at night, all cyclists must be equipped with a front white light visible from 500 feet and a red rear reflector light visible from at least 600 feet.

It is essential to educate oneself on these laws before operating a bicycle on state roadways. At Jacobs & Jacobs we have a thorough knowledge of bicycle laws and have represented many individuals after a bicycle accident. With this experience we can work to determine what is the correct course of legal action to take in pursuing the maximum amount of compensation.

Common Forms of Bicycle Accident Compensation

There can be several forms of compensation available in cases of personal injury bicycle accidents. Once your attorney is able to prove who is at fault for your accident, they can determine what forms of compensation you may be eligible to pursue. The following damages may be recoverable in a bicycle accident injury claim:

• Medical costs such as transportation, medications, surgeries, hospital or doctor visits, procedures, medical equipment, or devices
• Future anticipated medical expenses
• Any lost wages from being unable to work due to the injury
• The loss of future earning capacity from being unable to work
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Emotional distress
• Property damage, such as damage done to your bike or a phone or laptop
• Punitive damages, in rare cases
• Wrongful death damages if the bicycle rider is killed. The spouse, children, or dependents of the victim can claim these damages in order to cover funeral or burial expenses

Following a bicycle accident, your life can change in a significant number of ways. At Jacobs & Jacobs, our compassionate attorneys want to do whatever we can to ensure that you receive compensation for the damages you have sustained.

What to Do Following a Bicycle Accident in Connecticut

There are several steps you will want to take following a bicycle accident in Connecticut, not just for your own safety but also for the sake of any potential future claim. These steps include:

• Call the police so that the accident can be reported and obtain a copy of the official police report
• Seek medical attention by contacting the emergency services even if you do not think you are seriously hurt, as you may be suffering from internal injuries
• Document the scene, if physically capable, by taking a picture of the road, the vehicles involved, and your own injuries
• Exchange contact information with the other parties involved and any eyewitnesses to the scene, but do not admit or discuss fault
• Consult an attorney who can assist you in filing your personal injury claim

Who Is Usually at Fault in a Bicycle Accident?

There are many parties who could be at fault in a bicycle accident and held accountable for the injuries that happen as a result. The party who is responsible depends on the nature of the accident and how it was caused, which is why it is so important to hire an attorney who can review your case and make these determinations. The parties who could be held at fault include:

• Other motorists on the roadways
• The manufacturer or designers of the bike’s components
• Certain city governments or other municipalities
• Any defective vehicles on the roadways and their manufacturer or designer

Speak with a Milford Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today

If you have suffered a personal injury due to a bicycle accident in Milford, Connecticut, it is crucial that you consult with legal counsel and representation, who can hold the at-fault party liable for your damages. At Jacobs & Jacobs, our hard-working and award-winning attorneys can review the details of your case and determine who the at-fault party may be. We can then work to hold this party accountable and pursue damages that you can recover in order to get back on your feet.

Contact our offices today. You never have to suffer a personal injury alone. We can advocate for you every step of the way and assist you in navigating the complicated claims process.