Using your bicycle as a means of transport is a great alternative to driving, but this increases the risks involved. When you are on your bike, you do not have the protective shell that your car offers, and this leaves you far more vulnerable to serious injuries in an accident.
If a negligent motorist leaves you injured in a bike accident, you should contact an injury attorney right away. An experienced Bridgeport bicycle accident lawyer at Berkowitz Hanna is ready to assist.
Cyclists share the road with vehicles that are many times larger and heavier than they are. This means that cyclists are far more likely to be seriously injured in an accident than vehicle occupants.
Cyclists are more difficult to see than vehicles and can go unnoticed in the blind spots of drivers. While they can navigate the road more nimbly, they are also more vulnerable to the dangerous effects of poorly maintained roads and bad weather. It is more difficult for other drivers to accurately assess a cyclist’s speed and distance from them. This can play a critical role in accidents that take place in intersections. Cyclists require much less stopping distance, which makes motorists who travel too closely dangerous.
In Connecticut, cyclists must abide by the same rules of the road as motorists. You also have the same rights as pedestrians when you are using sidewalks and crosswalks.
When traveling on the road, however, you must always ride with traffic in the rightmost portion of the lane, other than when you are doing one of the following:
Cyclists may ride on sidewalks if they yield to pedestrians and if a local ordinance does not specifically forbid bikes on the sidewalks. While cyclists can ride two side-by-side, they can only use one lane while doing so. The state’s driving under the influence and anti-texting laws also apply to cyclists. Those who are under 16 must wear a helmet when operating a bicycle in Connecticut.
Furthermore, cyclists can only ride on a state highway or parkway equipped with a bike lane. Passing motorists must afford those on bikes at least three feet of space. Finally, the law requires cyclists to enhance their visibility at night with a front light, rear reflectors, and reflective material on both sides.
If a driver did not obey the rules of the road or otherwise led to your bike accident in Bridgeport, one of our skilled attorneys can provide you guidance on the best way forward.
Everyone who uses roadways owes the other users a significant duty of care. This translates to having a responsibility for the safety of others, and it naturally applies to cyclists on the road.
Too many motorists fail to look for, notice, or safely accommodate cyclists in their midst, resulting in dangerous bike accidents. Some of the primary culprits when it comes to driver negligence include:
A Bridgeport lawyer familiar with bicycle collision claims can help you determine whether someone’s negligence contributed to your accident.
If a driver’s negligence caused your injuries, a key element of your claim will be identifying your full range of losses. You can trust a seasoned bike accident attorney in Bridgeport to ably handle this important task. The primary damages you can seek compensation for include your current and ongoing medical bills, your lost wages, and your physical and emotional pain and suffering.
A dedicated Bridgeport bicycle accident lawyer at Berkowitz Hanna has the experience, drive, and legal skill to fight for a favorable resolution that upholds your rights and secures fair compensation. Our Berkowitz Hanna team has secured awards of over $400 million in verdicts and settlements for our clients. Call us today to learn more about how we can help you.
Berkowitz Hanna
1087 Broad St
Bridgeport CT
06604
