Enfield Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Traveling by bicycle is a wonderful choice for getting around the area while enjoying the weather, supporting the environment, and getting a little exercise. Unfortunately, like any other mode of travel, cycling has its risks. Other vehicles sometimes struggle to share the road with bikes, and severe injuries are common for cyclists in these incidents.

When you or a loved one are hurt while cycling, an Enfield bicycle accident lawyer may be able to help you receive financial compensation for your injuries and could help relieve the pressure of dealing with insurance companies and negotiating with the other people involved in the wreck. Call the auto collision experts at Berman, Russo & Merwin today to begin working with a trusted local personal injury attorney.

Fault in Bicycle Accidents

To hold another driver financially and legally responsible for injuries and losses after an accident, an injured biker has to prove the motorist caused or was at fault for the wreck, usually by showing that they acted carelessly or negligently. This could mean providing evidence that the motorist was speeding, driving distracted, driving under the influence, or otherwise breaking safe driving practices and traffic rules. In some circumstances, fault for an accident may not be apparent. A trusted Enfield attorney from our firm could explore all avenues of evidence including police reports, witness testimony, and video footage, or even work with expert witnesses to establish liability.

Comparative Negligence

Connecticut has adopted comparative negligence by enacting Connecticut General Statutes § 52-572h. This means an injured person can recover after an accident, even if their actions partially caused the accident, as long as their fault is equal to or less than the other person involved in the wreck. For example, if a jury finds that a driver was 70% responsible for a crash and a cyclist was 30% responsible, the cyclist can still recover for their injuries. However, the amount the cyclist can recover will be reduced in proportion to the amount of fault assigned to them; in this example, the cyclist could recover 70% of their damages.

Connecticut Bicycle Laws

Because of comparative negligence, being aware of and complying with the relevant traffic laws related to bicycle riders is critical to helping protect and maximize potential compensation after a wreck. Some of these laws include:

• Any vehicle that passes a bicycle must maintain at least three feet between the vehicle and the bicycle
• No vehicle that passes a cyclist traveling in the same direction may make a right turn unless the turn will not slow down or stop the cyclist’s progress
• Any cyclist riding on a sidewalk or on any road with a crosswalk must yield the right of way to pedestrians, and, before passing a pedestrian or another bicycle, a cyclist must audibly let the other person or rider know before they pass
• Any cyclist traveling at less than the flow of traffic on a given road must stay as close to the right-hand side of the road as possible; and cyclists cannot ride more than two abreast unless they are within a designated bike lane

Being aware of these and other relevant rules and following them could help both drivers and cyclists avoid accidents. In the event a bicycle wreck does occur, our local Enfield attorneys could analyze the details of the event as well as the extent of injuries and losses to help an injured cyclist recover comprehensively for their damages.

Seek Advice From a Bicycle Wreck Attorney in Enfield

Sustaining harm in any kind of accident can have lasting effects on all areas of your life. You do not have to manage the stress of knowing what steps to take next alone. At Berman, Russo & Merwin, our trusted team is here to advocate on your behalf. Beyond protecting your legal rights, we could help you manage all of the information and documentation related to your case, make recommendations and introductions to relevant medical specialists, and make sure that all your needs are being met so that you can focus on healing.

Call an Enfield bicycle accident lawyer today to learn more about what we could do in your situation.