Helping You after a Serious Bike Accident
Many people ride bicycles to stay active and in shape or as an economically and environmentally-friendly way to get around town. Kids ride bikes to school and for fun with their friends after school. However, no matter how many benefits there are to riding a bicycle, there are also serious risks that you may crash and sustain severe injuries.
Bicycle accidents happen every day and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicates that about 50,000 bicyclists suffered injuries in traffic accidents in a single year in the United States. If you are one of those injured bicyclists, you should not hesitate to discuss your legal rights and options with a highly skilled bicycle accident attorney at the law office of Leighton, Katz & Drapeau as soon as possible.
Common Causes of Connecticut Bicycle Accidents
Bicycle accidents happen when you least expect them and for many different reasons. The following are only a few of the reasons why bicyclists may crash and sustain devastating injuries:
Negligent drivers - Bicyclists have the right to use the roadways like any other type of vehicle and drivers of motor vehicles are expected to share the roads and be aware of potential bicyclists around them. Drivers who are not paying attention often crash into bicyclists on turns, in intersections, or when opening their doors on the side of the road. In addition, drivers who are speeding, following too closely, or dangerously trying to pass bicyclists can often cause collisions.
Road hazards - Large cracks, uneven roads, potholes, and similar hazards on the roads can be especially dangerous for bicyclists. For example, if a bicyclist suddenly hits a pothole, the front tire can get stuck and they can go flying off the bike forward onto the road and possibly in the path of oncoming traffic. Government entities who fail to maintain roads that are safe for bicycles should be held liable in these situations.
Defective bicycle parts - Bicycles have many different parts that can be defective. If tires, brakes, gears, or other essential parts suddenly malfunction, a rider may not have time to react and may lose complete control of the bicycle. This can often result in a crash or collision with a car.
Financial Recovery for Victims is Critical
If a driver, manufacturing company, or government entity was responsible for causing your injuries in a bicycle accident, you deserve to recover for all of your injury-related losses. Medical bills, lost wages, physical pain, emotional trauma, and permanent disabilities can all amount to extensive and overwhelming losses following a bicycle accident. It is important to take the steps necessary to seek compensation for all of your losses.
Call a Connecticut Bicycle Accident Attorney to Discuss Your Situation
At Leighton, Katz & Drapeau, we are committed to helping bicycle accident victims recover for their losses after an injury. If you need help, please feel free to contact us at our Vernon, CT office by calling (860) 875-7000, our Enfield, CT office at (860) 749-4000, or our Middletown, CT office at (860) 347-6500.
