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Because of the physical vulnerability bicyclists face on the road, bicycle accidents can result in incredibly damaging injuries. If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident due to another party’s negligence, contacting a Middletown bicycle accident lawyer is an essential next step.
Weber & Rubano, LLC, is a Connecticut law firm founded by attorneys Louis Rubano and R. J. Weber III. With a team of over 10 legal professionals, we collaborate with each other on every case that comes into our New Haven and Wallingford offices.
Weber & Rubano, LLC, is proud to serve the local community. We participate in charitable initiatives and events that support youth athletics, food banks, and local chapters of the NAACP. Our commitment to both our clients and our Connecticut community is a core part of our identity.
Although Connecticut has made progress since the 2009 Complete Streets law, which requires roads to be designed for all users, serious safety issues remain. From 2016 to 2022, there has been a rise in deaths among pedestrians and bicyclists.
For example, in 2022 alone, 75 pedestrians and four bicyclists were killed in crashes. While these groups are involved in fewer than 5% of all crashes, they make up 20 to 25% of the fatalities.
In 2022, over 200 miles of Connecticut roads were repaved with wider shoulders for cyclists. Locally, many towns have adopted plans to improve walking and biking. Projects like the trail expansions in places like Middletown show how local and state agencies are working together to ensure bicyclists’ safety.
Despite improvements, crash numbers remain high. In fact, the number of fatal crashes in 2022 was the highest in 34 years. Common types of bicycle accidents include:
Cyclists face severe injuries because they lack the protection of a vehicle. Even with helmets, injuries can be life-altering. Common injuries in bicycle accident claims include:
If you’re involved in a bicycle crash, it’s vital to act quickly to ensure your safety. Call 911 and seek medical attention, even if you feel fine. Internal injuries and concussions may take longer to become apparent, especially if your adrenaline is heightened.
Be sure to take photos of the scene and any visible injuries. Get copies of your medical records and the accident report. Then, get the contact information of all involved parties and eyewitnesses. Do not admit fault or apologize for the incident, as this can be held against you later on.
Then, hire a bicycle accident lawyer. They’ll be able to help you navigate insurance claims and filing a legal claim with the Middlesex Courthouse, located at 1 Court Street.
Our Middletown personal injury attorneys and paralegals understand the devastating consequences accidents can have on survivors and their loved ones. They can result in not only long-term physical injuries or lifelong disability but also emotional trauma. We offer free consultations to those struggling after a bicycle accident in Middletown, and we treat every unique case with the care it needs.
We’re proud to say that we’ve secured multi-million-dollar settlements for many of our injured clients. While compensation doesn’t rewrite what happened to you, it can help ease the burdens in your present and future.
As long as you aren’t more than 50% responsible for the accident, you can pursue compensation for a bicycle accident. All parties are given a percentage of fault for the accident, and any settlements given to the filing party are reduced by that amount. For example, suppose you are awarded $100,000 in a trial. If you are found to be 20% at fault for the accident, and the party responsible was found to be 80% at fault, that final award would become $80,000.
The deadline for filing your bicycle accident claim is two years. The clock starts either from the date of the accident or the date the injuries were reasonably discovered. For example, if you develop chronic back issues months after the incident, the two-year clock starts then. While this may seem like a long timeline, it’s important to preserve case evidence as early as possible, as evidence becomes altered, and memories change over time.
In Connecticut, injured parties can request both economic and non-economic damages in a bicycle accident case. Economic damages are easier to calculate and include medical bills, lost wages due to missed work, and reduced future job earnings. While less tangible, non-economic damages are equally important. They can include things like pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life.
Punitive damages are extra damages that a court may decide to award the filing party. Punitive damages may be pursued in dire cases, such as the responsible party driving under the influence. They are added to economic and non-economic damages and are generally used to punish dangerous, reckless, or intentional behavior that caused the accident.
With over 75 years of combined legal experience, our knowledgeable team is here to support you through every step of your case. Weber & Rubano, LLC, offers free consultations to those needing legal guidance after suffering a bicycle accident in Middletown and the surrounding areas. Contact our team today to learn how we can help.