Motorcycle Accident Attorney in West Hartford, CT
Riding a motorcycle offers freedom and excitement, but when an accident occurs, the consequences can be devastating. Bias against motorcyclists often makes it difficult to prove fault, even when the accident wasn’t your fault.
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle crash, contact the skilled team at Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge today to fight for the compensation you deserve and start rebuilding your life.
Riding a motorcycle can be an exhilarating experience, but it can quickly turn into a life-altering one. Most people would be surprised at the grimness of motorcycle accident statistics, including the average of 5,932 motorcyclists killed in accidents each year throughout the United States.
People tend to have the idea that motorcyclists are reckless and don’t obey traffic laws, and every accident they’re involved in is their fault. However, that’s rarely the case. If you’ve been in a motorcycle accident that wasn’t your fault, it can be tough to prove it because of this bias.
To have the best chance of getting the compensation you deserve, turn to a motorcycle accident attorney in West Hartford, CT. Contact Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge to get started with a motorcycle accident lawsuit.
Comparative Negligence Laws in Connecticut
When determining fault in vehicular accidents of all types, Connecticut follows modified comparative negligence laws. These laws allow you to receive compensation even if you were partly to blame for the accident. Your percentage of blame can’t be above 51%, though.
When you’re assigned a percentage of fault, that number will be subtracted from your recoverable damages.
But how is negligence established in motorcycle accidents in West Hartford, CT? With any kind of vehicular accident, the first thing the plaintiff has to demonstrate is that the other party owed them a duty of care. This is generally simple because all drivers have a duty to follow traffic laws and operate their vehicles safely.
Once you’ve established a duty of care, you must show that the other party breached it. If they drove over the speed limit or were texting while driving, for example, they’ve breached their duty.
You then have to show that the other party’s actions and breach of duty led to your injuries. You have to establish a direct link.
Finally, you must show that you can be compensated for your injuries and losses. If you didn’t suffer injuries that required medical care, you probably don’t have a claim.
To prove all this, you need an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in West Hartford, CT. That’s where Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge can help.
John Kennedy Jr.
Founding Partner
John J. Kennedy, Jr., is the founding partner of Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge, P.C. In 1988, John formed Kennedy & Johnson, along with David Johnson. John is an accomplished trial attorney, spending most of his more than 42 years practicing in Connecticut, representing injured clients before juries.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in West Hartford, CT
Motorcycle accidents can occur for a variety of reasons, from human error to road conditions and more.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is a serious issue throughout the country. Anyone who takes their eyes off the road even for a second or is focused on something other than driving can cause life-altering accidents. That’s especially true when there’s a motorcycle involved.
Motorcycles don’t offer the same level of protection that cars do. There are no airbags riders can depend on or even a metal structure around them that can take the brunt of the force. A driver who’s not paying attention and hits a motorcyclist can easily cause catastrophic injuries.
Distracted driving can involve texting, eating, and even speaking with passengers while driving.
Intoxicated Driving
As in the rest of the country, the blood alcohol concentration limit in Connecticut is 0.08%, but having just one drink can be enough to make someone an unsafe driver. If the driver of a car or truck is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, they can have issues with their reflexes or could fall asleep behind the wheel.
Road Conditions
Bumps, cracked pavement, and other similar issues don’t usually faze cars, but they can be deadly for motorcycle riders. Hitting a bump or other road imperfection with a bike could mean losing control of the vehicle, which could send you crashing into other drivers or leave you with serious injuries.
Road condition problems can also involve a lack of visibility, missing lights, and much more. Because these types of claims involve the municipality, it’s essential that you rely on a motorcycle accident attorney for help.
Aggressive Driving
Many car drivers dislike motorcyclists and may not want to share the road with them. That could put them on the defensive and lead to aggressive driving and even road rage. It can involve following too closely behind your motorcycle, rapidly switching lanes to block your passage, and much more.
These kinds of actions can be deadly. Even a relatively minor rear-end collision can send you sprawling on the pavement.
Speeding
The faster a vehicle is going, the less time it has to respond appropriately to changes on the road. A speeding car hitting a motorcycle can result in catastrophic injuries because the force behind the hit will be significant.
Keep in mind that speeding means more than just going over the speed limit. It also refers to driving faster than road conditions allow. For example, the speed limit may not be appropriate on days when it’s raining or snowing.
Why Having a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Is Crucial
Because Connecticut follows a modified comparative negligence law, you must ensure you can get the compensation you deserve. The other party will try to put most of the fault on you, which can mean missing out on the chance to get help paying for medical expenses and more.
With a motorcycle accident attorney helping you, you have assistance from the start. The right lawyer will take a close look at your claim to ensure you have a viable one. This can save you a lot of time and stress.
A lawyer will know what evidence can make the most difference in a motorcycle accident lawsuit. They will be able to put together a claim that shows exactly what occurred. Lawyers also have access to expert witnesses who can provide crucial testimony.
One of the most important things a motorcycle accident lawyer in West Hartford, CT, can offer is help dealing with insurance companies. It’s never something you want to tackle on your own. Insurance companies aren’t out to help you. They want to find any excuse to pay you less than you deserve or avoid paying you altogether.
When you have a lawyer helping you, this isn’t the case. You can get a powerful advocate to effectively negotiate on your behalf.
If the negotiations don’t go as planned, your motor vehicle accident lawyer will also be able to take your case to court.
Don’t wait to get the representation you need. Contact Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge.
Contingency Fees
At Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge, P.C., we handle all Motorcycle Accidents cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that we do not get paid unless and until you receive a settlement or a jury award.
Schedule a free, confidential consultation with a skilled Connecticut motorcycle accident attorney today. Contact us online or call our New Haven law firm directly at 203-865-8430.
Motorcycle Accidents FAQs
What Kind of Compensation Can I Get After a Motorcycle Accident?
It’s important to understand that each claim is unique, but you can claim economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages refer to those that have a price tag attached to them. One of these is medical expenses to cover the injuries you may have sustained.
If you suffered an injury that requires long-term care, you can also get coverage for future medical expenses.
Many times, getting treatment for your injuries means having to take time off from work. This results in lost wages. You can claim these losses, too. If you won’t be able to return to work or if you won’t be able to perform the same job you did before, you could also get compensation for that.
Non-economic damages are a bit more complicated because they’re subjective. They can include pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life.
What Steps Should I Take After a Motorcycle Accident?
The first thing you need to do after a motorcycle accident is call emergency services and the police. Not only will this ensure you get medical help as quickly as possible, but it also starts a record of the accident.
If you’re capable of doing so, you should gather information on the other parties involved. Take pictures of the accident and get contact details from any eyewitnesses.
You should then contact a motorcycle accident lawyer in West Hartford, CT. The sooner you do this, the better.
What Kind of Evidence Can Help Prove the Claim?
You can turn to police reports, medical records, eyewitness accounts, and much more. Your lawyer can help you gather the necessary evidence.
Turn to Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge After a Motorcycle Accident
After being in a motorcycle accident in West Hartford, CT, you need to rely on experienced lawyers. Contact Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge today for a free consultation.
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15 N. Main Street #100 Suite 217
West Hartford, CT 06107
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