Middletown Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Did someone hit you while riding your motorcycle in Middletown, CT? Are you struggling with expensive medical and repair bills, lost wages from time missed at work, and debilitating pain? You should not have to pay the price of someone else’s careless, reckless, or otherwise negligent behavior. You deserve compensation, and The Flood Law Firm can help you pursue it.

For more than a decade, our legal team has fought on behalf of clients across Connecticut, helping them rebuild their lives after accidents that weren’t their fault. We are ready to represent you and hold the negligent party liable for their misconduct. Call or contact us online today for a free consultation with a trusted Middletown motorcycle accident lawyer.

Why Choose The Flood Law Firm?

Since 2012, The Flood Law Firm has represented injured clients in Connecticut. Our dedication and hard work contribute to the favorable case results we have achieved over the years. The legal community recognizes us as trusted lawyers who get the job done, which is why we have received awards from prestigious organizations, including Super Lawyers and the Best Lawyers in America. It’s why other lawyers frequently refer their most difficult cases to us.

We believe in protecting people harmed by others’ wrongdoings. Do not suffer the consequences of someone else’s actions. We’re unafraid to take on insurance companies and large organizations for the compensation our clients deserve. We can provide the guidance and support you need to get through this traumatic ordeal.

The Flood Law Firm offers free consultations and takes personal injury cases on contingency. That means we don’t charge upfront costs and only charge a fee if we secure compensation for you. Call us for a free consultation in our Middletown office, conveniently located less than a mile from Route 9 on Washington Street.

Motorcycle Accidents in Connecticut

According to the Connecticut Department of Transportation, over 50 motorcyclists die yearly on roadways statewide. In 2021, 68 motorcyclists died in accidents in Connecticut, the highest number in over three decades.

Some of the most important motorcycle laws in the state include:

• Every operator and passenger under 18 must wear a motorcycle helmet.
• All operators and passengers must wear protective eye gear such as a face shield, glasses, or goggles unless the motorcycle has a windscreen or windshield.
• A person with a training permit applying for a motorcycle endorsement must wear a helmet while operating a motorcycle.
• Someone with a learner’s permit cannot operate a motorcycle with passengers. Transporting passengers is not allowed until 90 days after obtaining a motorcycle endorsement. Operators who are 16 or 17 can’t transport passengers for six months after acquiring a motorcycle endorsement.
• Furthermore, any operator transporting a passenger must have a motorcycle equipped to do so.
• Motorcyclists have the same rights and privileges as operators of other motor vehicles, including the right to use an entire traffic lane. Motorcycles may not travel side by side in a single lane.

Furthermore, if you wish to bring legal action against someone who injured you in a motorcycle accident, you have a limited time to do so. In Connecticut, the statute of limitations allows a two-year timeframe to file a lawsuit. That means you have two years from the crash date to initiate your lawsuit against the party responsible for your injury.

Common Types of Motorcycle Accidents and Injuries

Motorcycle accidents can occur for numerous reasons. Negligent actions on the part of motorists, such as speeding, driver distractions, and ignoring traffic laws, are common contributing factors.

The most common types of motorcycle accidents include:

• Head-on collisions. A head-on accident can be deadly, particularly because motorcyclists don’t have anything to keep them restrained to their bikes. They can get ejected and sustain fatal injuries.
• Lane splitting. A crash can occur if an inattentive driver suddenly changes lanes without checking their blind spots, striking a motorcyclist traveling between lanes.
• Left-turn accidents. Motorists approaching left-hand turns must check for oncoming traffic before proceeding. Turning without looking can lead to a collision with a rider already crossing their path.
• Dooring accidents. A dooring accident involves a driver opening the door of their parked car without checking for passing motorcyclists. Doing so in the path of a motorcycle rider can cause blunt force trauma and other injuries.
• T-bone crashes. A T-bone accident occurs when the front bumper of a vehicle collides with the side of a motorcycle. They’re common at intersections if drivers run a red light or stop sign.
• Rear-end collisions. Tailgating doesn’t allow enough time or distance for the following motorist to brake if the person in front of them slows down or stops suddenly. Motorcyclists are at particular risk of such collisions, as drivers often have difficulty gauging their distance from these smaller vehicles.

Motorcyclists are at serious risk of injury in collisions. While wearing a helmet can decrease the risk of severe head or brain damage, padding and riding leathers provide minimal protection to the rest of the body.

The type of injuries caused by motorcycle accidents depends on the circumstances of the crash. Some are minor and heal with minimal medical attention, while others are debilitating and require significant treatment.

The most common injuries in motorcycle accidents include:

• Lacerations
• Paralysis
• Traumatic brain injury
• Road rash
• Spinal cord injuries
• Internal bleeding
• Nerve damage
• Torn tissue, muscle, and tendons
• Loss of limb
• Internal organ failure
• Burn injuries
• Broken bones

Motorcycle Accident Compensation

State law requires every motor vehicle driver, including motorcyclists, to purchase liability insurance with these minimum limits:

• $25,000 for bodily injury per person
• $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $25,000 for property damage

You can file an injury claim with the at-fault driver’s liability insurance provider for a settlement to compensate for your losses. If the insurance company does not offer a fair settlement, you may need to file a lawsuit to pursue compensation.

Whether you file a claim or lawsuit, the money you receive might cover your:

• Mental anguish
• Rehabilitation, surgeries, prescriptions, and other medical expenses
• Out-of-pocket expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Disfigurement
• Lost wages
• Lost earning capacity
• Cost of repairing or replacing damaged property

Securing compensation after a motorcycle accident can be a complicated process. Insurance companies and defense attorneys often blame motorcyclists for crashes because they believe riders are careless by nature and ultimately responsible for their injuries. That means negotiating a settlement on your own will likely be an uphill battle.

However, there is no reason for you to take on the system yourself. Instead, you can hire a Middletown motorcycle accident lawyer from The Flood Law Firm for help. We can investigate the crash to establish liability and determine the value of your claim.

As we do so, we will consider several factors, such as:

• Whether the injury causes a permanent or disabling condition
• The amount of available insurance coverage
• The type and severity of your injuries
• The emotional effects of the accident
• The duration of your recovery
• The total cost of medical treatment, household assistance, and other necessary expenses
• Whether the injury results in disabilities
• The availability and strength of evidence against the other party
• The estimated cost of treatment needed in the future

At The Flood Law Firm, we know how to negotiate a full and fair settlement with an insurance carrier. We can use our resources to gather the available evidence to show the policyholder should be liable for the accident. If the insurer still doesn’t cooperate, we can take the case to court by filing a lawsuit against the negligent party. We are not afraid of a legal battle to get our clients the compensation they deserve.

Fighting the Insurance Company

If you haven’t had to file one before, you might not understand how an injury claim works. Although it might seem simple, many potential obstacles can cause unnecessary delays or lead to a denied claim. Insurance companies will do whatever they can to protect their profits, even if it means leaving motorcycle accident victims without the money they desperately need.

An adjuster might try to scare you into accepting a lowball offer, trick you into signing away your rights to the maximum insurance coverage limit or ask pointed questions to get you to say something they can use against you. Never communicate with the insurance company during your ongoing case.

Instead, let The Flood Law Firm take over and speak with the insurance adjuster on your behalf. That way, you will not say something that could give the insurer an excuse to undervalue or deny your claim.

Steps to Take After a Motorcycle Accident

You likely already sought treatment for your injury before contacting a Middletown motorcycle accident lawyer from The Flood Law Firm. If not, seek medical care now before doing anything else. Let a doctor examine you to diagnose your injury and develop a treatment plan.

Follow this treatment plan closely. You must attend every doctor’s appointment regularly to show a consistent timeline of necessary treatment. Skipping your appointments or deviating from the recommended recovery plan can hurt your case. The insurer might look at your lack of treatment as evidence of a minor injury that doesn’t require a high settlement offer. They might also argue that you made your injuries worse by not taking them seriously.

While you concentrate on your treatment, the Flood Law firm will concentrate on your case. Do not take on the burden of bringing legal action against the negligent party when you’re in pain and trying to recover. We can handle the responsibility so you can focus on what matters most: getting your life back on track.

Maintain all documentation related to the accident you can. You should keep copies of your hospital records, rehab notes, medical bills, and anything else you receive while treating your injury. Documenting your injuries and symptoms might also benefit your case. Keep a diary about the symptoms you experience and how they interfere with your daily routine. Explain how your injury affects your abilities at work or home.

Forward every record you have to us so we can use this documentation to build your case. However, you don’t have to worry if you haven’t maintained records. We have the resources to acquire key evidence to use on your behalf.

Stay off social media. Although you might think posting about your life is harmless, what you put online can come back to haunt you. Sharing a photo or updating your family on your recovery is risky. Insurance companies and defense attorneys can access your public accounts and twist what you say against you.

For example, if you post pictures of yourself out with friends after claiming a severe leg injury, the insurance company might claim you lied to get more money. They might also question whether you prioritize your physical recovery if you have a busy social life. The insurer doesn’t care that the pictures have an innocent explanation—they just want to get out of paying you what you deserve.

Seek Justice With an Experienced Middletown Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

A motorcycle accident is scary, and the immediate aftermath can be confusing, stressful, and shocking. You suddenly require medical treatment for an injury someone else caused. You need them to compensate you for the harm they caused you, but pursuing your claim is too complex to handle alone. Reach out to a Middletown personal injury lawyer.

That’s where The Flood Law Firm can step in and help. We will start working on your case the second you hire us to avoid missed deadlines and preserve valuable evidence. You don’t have to worry about doing anything other than getting treatment.

If someone else caused a motorcycle accident that injured you, call a skilled and knowledgeable Middletown motorcycle accident lawyer for a free consultation at 860 346-2695. We will protect your rights and seek the justice you deserve.

The Flood Law Firm – Middletown Office

190 Washington Street

Middletown, CT 06457

Phone:860 346-2695