Any collision between a motorcycle and another vehicle is a serious matter. Even at low speeds, contact with a vehicle can force a biker to the ground and may cause severe injuries. However, the fact that contact occurred does not necessarily mean that the driver in the larger vehicle is at fault.
In order to recover civil damages, injured motorcycle riders must prove that the other driver’s negligence caused the accident. Fortunately, a Glastonbury motorcycle accident lawyer may be able to help you do so in such a case. Your dedicated personal injury attorney could listen to their side of the story, conduct their own investigation into the incident, and pursue a positive resolution to your case with compassion and diligence.
Proving Fault for a Motorcycle Crash
Motorcycle accidents can happen in many of the same ways as any other accident. Drivers who ignore stop signs, exceed the speed limit, or text while driving create hazards on the roads that can—and often do—cause collisions. In order to prevail in a motorcycle accident case, though, a plaintiff must prove that the defendant was at-fault for the collision, which typically involves proving that the defendant was legally negligent.
All drivers assume a duty to protect all other people that they encounter while on the road. Even though a biker is in an exposed position, this does not change a driver’s duty to provide protection. If an injured biker can prove that a defendant driver failed in this duty and directly caused injury to them as a result, the defendant’s actions would constitute legal negligence.
Legally negligent defendants may be obligated to provide compensation for any damage that resulted from a collision for which they bear fault. A Glastonbury motorcycle accident attorney could help an injured biker achieve this outcome by gathering evidence of defendant negligence and presenting that evidence in settlement talks and/or in court.
The Potential Effects of a Motorcycle Accident
Any collision that occurs on Glastonbury’s roads is a serious matter. Even small vehicles weigh in excess of 2,000 pounds and can impart a massive amount of force in a crash with other vehicles. This could cause injuries that have a permanent effect on all parties involved, especially in accidents involving motorcycles.
Since riders on motorcycles are in an exposed position. A minor collision could knock these riders off their bikes and cause them to slide along the pavement. More violent collisions may toss a rider into oncoming traffic or even cause them to be trapped under the at-fault driver’s car.
Common examples of physical injuries in motorcycle accident cases include:
- Broken bones
- Separated joints
- Severe cuts and scrapes
- Concussions
- Spinal cord injuries
Recovering Damages
Any sort of physical injury is sufficient to start a motorcycle accident case if it requires medical treatment. In addition, an injured biker could also claim economic losses resulting from the accident. This typically includes lost wages from missing time at work and medical expenses for the required treatment.
Furthermore, a claim can demand compensation for emotional damages and suffering. A motorbike accident attorney in Glastonbury could work with an individual plaintiff to properly value their claim and demand appropriate compensation for these intangible kinds of losses.
However, potential plaintiffs must be sure to act quickly. Connecticut General Statutes §52-584 states that all cases alleging personal injury must be in court no more than two years from the date of loss, so time is often of the essence.
How a Glastonbury Motorcycle Accident Attorney Could Help
Bikers enjoy all the same rights and protections on the road as all other travelers, including the right to protection against the negligent or reckless driving of others. When other drivers fail in this obligation to protect bikers, they may be liable to pay compensation for any damage that results.
A Glastonbury motorcycle accident lawyer could help you pursue at-fault drivers for compensation after a motorcycle crash. This can include payments for medical bills, lost wages, and emotional trauma. Call today to see what options are available for your case.
