New Haven Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Motorcycle Accident Attorney in New Haven, CT

Anyone who has suffered the devastating effects of a motorcycle injury knows the impact it can leave on someone’s life. Injuries can be lifelong, and while most are physical, there are emotional scars, too. If you or a family member has been injured in a motorcycle accident caused by another driver, our firm can help. Consult an experienced New Haven motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible.

Representing Motorcycle Accident Victims in New Haven, CT

The attorneys at Bartlett & Grippe, LLC have extensive experience representing injured motorcycle accident victims in New Haven and throughout Connecticut. We have successfully assisted many past clients in proving fault in these accidents and will put this experience to work for you. Whether you are pursuing a personal injury case or a wrongful death claim on behalf of a lost loved one, we are ready to assist you.

Recovering from any motor vehicle accident in New Haven can be challenging in several ways. You will need to prove fault for the accident and show the full extent of the damages you suffered to successfully recover compensation. You will likely need to deal with the other driver’s insurance carrier, and you should expect them to do everything they can to minimize your claim payout. Our team can help you understand Connecticut car accident laws and how they apply to your specific situation.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Collisions in New Haven

Motorcycle collisions along Chapel Street, Elm Street, and Whitney Avenue can leave injured victims contending with broken bones, head trauma, and other serious types of injuries. Negligent driving is a leading cause of these types of collisions. When a driver fails to keep their eyes on the road or takes their hands off the wheel, they can create dangerous conditions that lead to a crash. If your accident involved a driver under the influence, a skilled New Haven DUI accident lawyer can provide specialized support.

Speeding is another potential cause of a motorcycle collision. In 2023, 104 people were killed in Connecticut due to speeding. Drivers who break the speed limit have less time to react to changing road conditions or to stop when needed. Drunk driving can also play a role in motorcycle collisions. Whether you suffered an injury due to another driver’s negligence or misconduct, you have the right to pursue compensation from them.

Proving Fault for Your Motorcycle Accident in New Haven

Motorcycle accidents may happen for many of the same reasons that other vehicle crashes happen in New Haven, but they have a much greater chance of resulting in catastrophic or fatal injuries. A motorcycle provides little physical protection in a crash, and the victim may suffer injuries from the initial impact with the other vehicle as well as from the secondary impact with the ground.

Most accidents in New Haven are caused by negligence while driving. Distracted driving, moving violations such as running red lights or failure to yield, and speeding are just a few of the most common causes. Accidents can also occur when drivers break the law, such as by driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Your New Haven motorcycle accident lawyer will gather the evidence needed to prove the exact cause of your accident.

Recovering Compensation With an Auto Insurance Claim

Connecticut law requires every driver to have auto insurance coverage that meets minimum coverage requirements. When a driver causes an accident, their insurance policy can pay for resulting damages up to the policy’s coverage limits. However, insurance companies almost always fight back against claims in any way they can, so it is important to have a skilled attorney’s help when filing your claim and dealing with the insurance carrier. An experienced New Haven car accident lawyer can help you navigate these negotiations.

The team at Bartlett & Grippe will help you gather evidence and documentation you may need for your insurance claim. If the insurance company raises any disputes against you, we will resolve these issues on your behalf to ensure you receive a suitable settlement offer. In the event insurance cannot fully cover your losses, you will need to prepare a personal injury claim to recover compensation for your damages. For insights into potential outcomes, you can review the average personal injury settlement amount in Connecticut.

Building Your Personal Injury Case After a Motorcycle Accident

The objective of a personal injury case is for the injured plaintiff to prove the cause of their damages and hold the at-fault party accountable. The plaintiff has the right to seek compensation for any and all losses they suffered due to the defendant’s negligence, and this can include both economic and non-economic damages resulting from their motorcycle accident.

Economic damages are likely to include vehicle repair costs, medical expenses, and lost income if you are unable to work after the accident. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, and the amount you can recover will depend on the severity of your injuries and whether you suffered any permanent harm.

Your New Haven motorcycle accident lawyer can help you figure out what your next step should be. Proving fault for the accident and uncovering all the various forms of compensation you are eligible to claim are their first goals. However, even that isn’t an exact science. The value of your case will largely depend on the severity of your injuries, whether the defendant has insurance coverage, and whether you suffered any serious long-term or permanent harm.

Filing a Wrongful Death Claim After a Fatal Motorcycle Accident in New Haven

Sadly, the fatality rate for motorcycle accidents is high. In fact, it is much higher than it is for standard passenger car accidents. Motorcyclists are at a much higher risk of dying in a collision than passengers and drivers in vehicles.

If you have lost a family member in a fatal motorcycle crash caused by another driver, your loss is more than financial. However, it can help make some aspects of your recovery easier. It is also vital to be aware of the Connecticut wrongful death statute of limitations so you do not miss your window for filing.

The administrator of the estate likely has grounds to file a wrongful death claim against the at-fault driver.

How a Lawyer Can Help: The Damages You Could Recover

In this situation, our trusted New Haven wrongful death lawyer can walk you through each legal step with compassion and precision. This type of personal injury case allows the estate’s representative to seek compensation for various damages.

While a standard personal injury case in New Haven aims to recover compensation for the victim’s damages, a wrongful death claim can help the family recover compensation for their pain and suffering as well as the financial toll of the victim’s death. Bartlett & Grippe excel at resolving complex wrongful death claims and approach every case we accept with the goal of maximizing our client’s recovery as efficiently as possible.

Challenges You May Face During an Injury Claim

Securing compensation for a motorcycle collision can pose challenges, from false accusations by the negligent party to lowball settlement offers by their insurer. If your injury requires a lengthy recovery, that can pose challenges when it comes to calculating the value of your settlement. You should be aware of costly mistakes to avoid after getting injured to keep your claim on track.

If the at-fault party fails to make a fair settlement offer, that could require further involvement by the courts or the need to gather new evidence to support your claim. To address these and other potential challenges, you can work with an injury lawyer. Legal representation can play a crucial role in addressing these and other matters before they lead to major setbacks. Consulting a skilled New Haven catastrophic injury lawyer can be helpful for severe, long-term injuries.

Understanding Shared Liability

Connecticut follows a comparative fault rule. The modified comparative fault framework allows injured parties to seek compensation even when they are partly at fault for their injuries. One example may be a motorcyclist who was forced off the road by a negligent driver. If the motorcycle rider was driving over the speed limit at the time, they may share liability for the collision.

However, if the injured party is found to be more than 50% at fault for the collision, they would be barred from seeking compensation in court. Insurance carriers are aware of this rule and often try to minimize their liability by falsely blaming claimants for causing or heavily contributing to their own injuries. Legal representation can play a crucial role in holding the at-fault party accountable for the harm they cause.

What to Expect During Settlement Negotiations

Many injury claims are resolved through settlements. This is true for both negotiations with insurers and civil claims filed at New Haven Superior Court, located at 235 Church Street. Before an injury claim can be filed, you’ll need to work with an attorney to gather evidence to back your claim. Then, your attorney can initiate the settlement negotiation process on your behalf. An experienced New Haven personal injury lawyer can advocate for you throughout this process.

Your attorney’s goal is to secure the compensation you are owed so you do not suffer financial setbacks due to someone else’s negligence on the road. With that figure in mind, your lawyer can rely on direct talks to secure a fair settlement. They may present evidence to back that request. If direct negotiations fail to yield a favorable outcome, your attorney can take the case to court, where a court may ultimately decide who is liable and what is owed.

Why You Should Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Trying to secure compensation from a negligent driver or their insurer without legal representation could be costly. By hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer, you get the critical legal support of an advocate who understands Connecticut motorcycle accident laws and how to hold the at-fault party accountable for the harm they cause.

A New Haven motorcycle accident lawyer understands how to gather the evidence that is needed to decisively establish fault. If needed, they can file an injury claim with the New Haven Judicial District Superior Court, located at 235 Church Street in New Haven.

Legal representation can play a critical role in protecting your rights and ensuring that any filings are made on time. Throughout your claim, your lawyer can keep you updated on important developments while explaining potential outcomes of important decisions you make throughout your case.

FAQs

What Happens When Someone Accidentally Hits a Motorcyclist?

When someone “accidentally” hits a motorcyclist, they may still be liable for any harm or damage they cause. The goal of an injury claim is not necessarily to prove intent. Rather, the focus of negotiations with an insurer or a civil claim court is to establish whether the driver’s negligence played a role in causing the collision. Even if someone did not intend to cause an injury, they can still be found to be at fault for a motorcycle crash.

What Are the Motorcycle Laws in Connecticut?

The motorcycle laws in Connecticut cover safety and liability. Riders and passengers under 21 must wear a helmet. Connecticut is an at-fault state for motorcycle collisions, meaning the driver who causes a collision is financially liable for the resulting harm.

Motorcyclists must also obey traffic laws just as other drivers are required to under state law. If a motorcyclist violates a traffic law in the moments before a collision, they may share liability in the resulting injury claim.

Who Is Usually at Fault in a Motorcycle Accident?

The driver of a passenger vehicle or operator of a large commercial truck or bus is usually at fault for causing a motorcycle collision. This is because motorcyclists may be harder to see on the road or highway. When drivers fail to remain aware of their surroundings, they can force nearby riders off the road, which can lead to serious and potentially life-threatening injuries for the motorcyclist or any passenger.

Is Connecticut a No-Fault State for Automobile Accidents?

No, Connecticut is not a no-fault state when it comes to automobile and motorcycle collisions. Rather, it is an at-fault state. This means that the party or parties that cause or contribute to a collision bear responsibility for any harm that results from the collision. This legal framework means the at-fault party is financially liable for damages, including medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses incurred by the injured parties.

Contact Our New Haven Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Today

The right attorney can make every aspect of a motorcycle accident case easier to manage and more likely to yield the results you hope to see in Connecticut. Bartlett & Grippe will work closely with you to learn the exact cause of your accident, identify the party or parties responsible, and help you maximize your recovery.

We have years of professional experience dealing with difficult insurance carriers and building cohesive civil cases on behalf of New Haven clients.

Whether you are filing a personal injury claim or a wrongful death case on behalf of a lost family member, there is a time limit for filing, and you also need to gather evidence quickly to ensure it is reliable for your case. Contact Bartlett & Grippe today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced New Haven motorcycle accident lawyer you can trust and learn how we can help you with your case.

New Haven, CT Motorcycle Accident Resources

• Steps to take immediately after a fatal accident in Connecticut
• Most dangerous roads and intersections in Connecticut
• How to pursue legal action without the at-fault driver