Waterbury Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Our Top-Rated Legal Team Fights for Just Compensation

Motorcyclists are extremely vulnerable in vehicle accidents. Unfortunately, these incidents are quite common due to rising rates of driver distraction and the carelessness of others. If you or a loved one was in a motorcycle accident, it’s important to begin pursuing justice as soon as possible. At the Law Offices of James A. Welcome, we are backed by years of experience and our motorcycle accident attorneys are passionate about helping our clients receive the compensation they need to move forward into a secure future. Speak with one of our Waterbury motorcycle accident attorneys today at (203) 753-7300.

When to Contact a Waterbury Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

The insurance claims process for a motorcycle accident can be confusing, especially if the victim suffered catastrophic injuries. An insurance company can use many tactics to avoid paying a victim what he or she deserves. A Waterbury motorcycle accident lawyer can deal with insurance companies and protect you from tactics an insurer may use to devalue your claim from the start.

Your lawyer can allow you to focus on healing by handling the legal process from start to finish. This includes assessing the value of your claim, connecting you to top doctors in your area, gathering evidence, hiring accident reconstruction experts and taking many other steps to achieve a fair case outcome on your behalf.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Waterbury

There are many scenarios in which a motorcyclist can become injured, and not all of those scenarios involve other vehicles. A skilled Waterbury motorcycle accident attorney can work with you to determine who might be held liable for your injuries depending on your specific circumstances.

Causes of motorcycle accidents may include the following:

• Distracted drivers
• Drunk drivers
• Faulty motorcycle parts
• Hazardous road conditions

Almost all motorcycle accidents are preventable. If one or more parties should have prevented your collision and carelessly failed to do so, that party may be financially responsible for your serious injuries and property damage repairs.

Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries in Waterbury

One of the factors that make motorcycle accident claims unique in Connecticut is the severity of the victim’s injuries. A motorcyclist can suffer more serious and catastrophic injuries than a vehicle occupant due to a lack of protection. With no metal shell, seat belt, airbag or even a helmet in some cases, motorcyclists can sustain life-threatening injuries in collisions. This is why it is especially important for motorcyclists to use attorneys during the recovery process.

Some of the most common injuries associated with Connecticut motorcycle accidents are:

• Head trauma and brain injuries
• Neck, back and spinal cord injuries
• Permanent injuries, such as paralysis
• Nerve damage
• Cuts, scrapes and road rash
• Permanent scarring or disfigurement
• Broken bones
• Muscle and tendon injuries
• Crush injuries
• Internal injuries

These injuries can cause significant physical pain, emotional suffering, psychological trauma, expensive medical bills and other losses. Many motorcycle accidents are fatal for the rider or his or her passengers. In these scenarios, surviving family members may be eligible for financial compensation through a wrongful death claim.

Who Is Liable in a Motorcycle Accident?

Finding out who can be held liable for your injuries will be wholly dependent on the facts of your specific case. In many cases, another driver can be held liable for your injuries and damages. However, in certain scenarios, you may be able to hold the government responsible for bad road conditions, or the manufacturer of a flawed motorcycle part accountable for their product that caused the accident.

Since Connecticut is a fault-based state, you or a lawyer will have to determine and prove liability before you can recover financial compensation for your motorcycle accident. If you are not sure who or what caused your motorcycle crash, your lawyer can return to the scene of the accident, collect evidence, speak to eyewitnesses and hire qualified experts to thoroughly investigate the crash. Then, your lawyer can go up against the liable party or parties in pursuit of fair financial compensation.

Does Every Motorcycle Accident Case Go to Court?

No, every motorcycle accident case does not go to court. The vast majority of automobile accident claims in Connecticut are resolved at the pre-trial insurance settlement stage. A settlement is an agreement between an injured accident victim and an insurance company to resolve a legal dispute for an agreed-upon amount of financial compensation. The only time a motorcycle accident case has to go to trial is if the insurance company fails to offer an adequate settlement or wrongfully denies benefits.

Do not be afraid that hiring an attorney means you will have to take your motorcycle accident case to trial. On the contrary, an attorney increases the odds of obtaining a full settlement from the defendant(s) and his or her insurance provider. An insurance company is more likely to offer a fair amount after you hire an attorney, as the insurance company knows that your attorney has the power to go to court. Since a trial is more costly and time-consuming for an insurance provider, trial capabilities can lead to a greater settlement offer.

What Is the Statute of Limitations on a Motorcycle Accident Case in Connecticut?

A statute of limitations is a law imposing a time limit on an injured victim’s right to file a claim. Every state has different statutes of limitations. In Connecticut, it is two years from the date the injury is sustained or the date the victim discovered or reasonably should have discovered the injury. For the most part, you will have two years from the date of your motorcycle collision to file an injury lawsuit in Waterbury.

There are exceptions to the rule, however, that can lengthen or shorten your statute of limitations. You will have two years from the date of a loved one’s death to file a wrongful death lawsuit, for example, even if this was a few weeks days or weeks after the collision. There are other exceptions that apply to injured minors, cases involving criminal activity, claims against the government, and more. Speak to an attorney as soon as possible after a motorcycle crash in Waterbury to make sure you don’t miss your deadline.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Waterbury, CT

If you get injured in a motorcycle collision in Waterbury, stay calm and try to remember certain steps you should take to protect your rights. Although the aftermath of a motorcycle collision can be confusing and overwhelming, it is important to do certain things soon after the crash, such as collecting evidence.

If you can, take these steps after a motorcycle accident:

• Call the police. Any traffic collision that causes injuries, deaths or at least $1,000 in property damage must legally be reported to the police in Connecticut.
• Exchange information. Before you leave the scene of your wreck, exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver.
• Don’t admit fault. Do not say you were at fault for the wreck to the other driver, the police or an insurance company.
• Take pictures. If you have a camera, take pictures of the scene of the wreck and the damage to your motorcycle before you leave.
• Go to a hospital. Visit the nearest hospital or emergency room in Waterbury immediately for a checkup, even if you don’t think you have any serious injuries.
• Call the insurance company. Call your insurance company to make an initial report of the wreck. Don’t admit fault or give a recorded statement.
• Consult with an attorney. Before you complete the insurance claims process or accept a settlement, call a motorcycle accident lawyer for a free consultation.

A Waterbury motorcycle accident lawyer can review your case and help you fight for fair financial compensation for your injuries and other losses. If you forget to do any of these steps or you can’t because of your injuries, an attorney can help you build a claim while you focus on recuperating.

Contact the Law Offices of James A. Welcome Today. Se Habla Español

For years, our offices in Danbury, Waterbury, and Norwalk have offered personal injury services that are focused on getting the results our clients deserve. We can thoroughly investigate the facts of your case and advise you of your best options moving forward.

For aggressive representation and personal service, contact us today.