Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle Accidents in Connecticut

Riding a motorcycle offers unmatched freedom and exhilaration, but it comes with significant risks. Motorcyclists are highly vulnerable to adverse weather, vehicle malfunctions, and other drivers’ errors, which can lead to catastrophic accidents and severe injuries.
Navigating the aftermath of a motorcycle accident can be challenging due to Connecticut’s complex personal injury and motorcycle laws. Securing fair compensation—especially for claims involving uninsured or underinsured motorists—requires a deep understanding of fault, insurance policies, and legal deadlines.
At our law firm, we provide honest, high-quality representation to help you recover the maximum compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. With candid advice and tireless support, we guide you through every step, from evidence collection to negotiations with insurers, ensuring your rights are protected.

Why Motorcycle Accidents Are Different

Motorcycles offer minimal protection compared to cars, making riders more vulnerable to serious injuries like traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), fractures, or spinal cord damage. Connecticut’s roads pose unique risks for motorcyclists. These factors make legal representation critical to secure fair compensation.

Key Connecticut Motorcycle Accident Laws

Connecticut’s laws govern motorcycle operation and accident claims, impacting your rights and recovery. Here’s what you need to know:

• At-Fault System: Connecticut is a “fault” state, meaning the party responsible for the accident is liable for damages (e.g., injuries, property damage). You can seek compensation through the at-fault party’s insurance or file a lawsuit if necessary.
• Modified Comparative Negligence: You can recover damages if you’re less than 51% at fault, but your compensation is reduced by your fault percentage. For example, if you’re 20% at fault for a $100,000 claim, you’d receive $80,000. If you’re 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover damages.
• Statute of Limitations: You have 2 years from the accident date to file a lawsuit for personal injury or property damage due to negligence. Missing these deadlines typically results in case dismissal.
• Insurance Requirements: Motorcyclists must carry minimum liability insurance.
  • $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident for bodily injury
  • $25,000 for property damage
  • Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is recommended to protect against uninsured drivers or hit-and-run cases.
  • Unlike car policies, underinsured motorist coverage isn’t automatic for motorcycles due to higher risk, so confirm with your insurer.
• Helmet Laws: Connecticut has a partial helmet law (CGS § 14-289g):
  • Riders and passengers under 18 must wear DOT-approved helmets.
  • Riders with a motorcycle learner’s permit (any age) must wear helmets.
  • Adults 18+ with a full endorsement aren’t required to wear helmets, and failure to wear one typically doesn’t affect your claim unless you were legally required to.
  • Insurers may try to reduce payouts by arguing contributory negligence, so helmets are strongly recommended.
• Lane Splitting: Illegal in Connecticut (CGS § 14-289b). Motorcyclists are entitled to a full lane but cannot ride between lanes, pass vehicles in the same lane or ride side-by-side with a car. Violations may impact fault allocation.
• Equipment Requirements:
  • Eye protection is mandatory unless the motorcycle has a windshield (CGS § 14-289d).
  • Motorcycles made after 1979 require daytime running lights.
  • Handlebars must not exceed shoulder height, and mufflers must comply with noise limits (e.g., 80–86 dba depending on manufacture year).

Steps to Take After a Motorcycle Accident

Taking immediate action protects your health and strengthens your claim. Follow these steps:

• Call 911: Report injuries or property damage over $1,000 to police immediately. A police report is critical for proving fault.
• Seek Medical Care: Visit a doctor promptly, even if injuries seem minor, as conditions like TBIs may not appear immediately.
• Document the Scene: Take photos of your motorcycle, other vehicles, skid marks, road conditions, and injuries. Collect witness contact information.
• Exchange Information: Share your name, address, driver’s license, registration, and insurance details with other parties involved.
• Avoid Admitting Fault: Even casual apologies can be used against you. Let evidence determine liability.
• Contact Our Firm Quickly: Preserve evidence and meet deadlines. We offer free consultations to evaluate your case.

Types of Recoverable Damages

Motorcycle accidents often result in significant losses due to the rider’s vulnerability. We fight to recover:

• Medical Expenses: Doctor visits, hospital stays, surgeries, physical therapy, prescriptions, and assistive devices (e.g., crutches, wheelchairs).
• Lost Wages: Income lost during recovery or medical appointments, including used sick leave.
• Pain and Suffering: Physical pain and emotional distress. Keep a daily diary to document this.
• Disability: Physical limitations affecting daily tasks or work. List impacted activities.
• Scarring/Disfigurement: Photograph injuries to show severity.
• Diminished Earning Capacity: Reduced ability to work due to temporary or permanent disability.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Activities you can no longer do (e.g., riding, sports, hobbies). List all affected activities.
• Outside Help: Costs for hiring help with tasks like housekeeping, lawn care, or childcare. Keep receipts.
• Loss of Consortium: Impact on your marriage, including physical intimacy or shared activities (e.g., vacations, outings).
• Property Damage: Motorcycle repairs or replacement, plus gear (e.g., helmet, jacket).
• Punitive Damages: Possible in cases of reckless behavior (e.g., DUI), up to double/triple compensatory damages.

Why You Need Our Firm

Motorcycle accident claims are complex due to severe injuries, bias against riders, and insurer tactics to minimize payouts. We provide:

• Evidence Collection: We gather police reports, witness statements, photos, and expert testimony (e.g., accident reconstruction) to prove fault.
• Insurance Negotiations: We counter lowball offers, ensuring fair compensation for all damages, including non-economic losses like pain and suffering.
• Timely Lawsuits: We file within the 2-year statute to protect your rights.
• Maximum Recovery: We account for every loss, from medical bills to loss of enjoyment, to maximize your verdict.

Our free consultations and contingency fee basis (no fees unless we win) remove financial barriers, letting your focus on recovery.

Unique Challenges in Motorcycle Accidents

• Rider Bias: Insurers or juries may unfairly blame motorcyclists, assuming they’re reckless. We counter this with strong evidence.
• Severe Injuries: Motorcyclists are 28 times more likely to die and 5 times more likely to be injured than car occupants, increasing claim value but also scrutiny.
• Lane Splitting Disputes: Though illegal, insurers may falsely claim you were lane splitting to shift fault. We use evidence to refute this.
• Helmet Non-Use: If you’re 18+ with a full endorsement, not wearing a helmet typically doesn’t bar recovery, but insurers may argue it worsened injuries.

Practical Tips

• Wear Protective Gear: Helmets reduce brain injury risk by 69% and fatalities by 42%. Use gloves, boots, and jackets for added safety.
• Check Your Motorcycle: Inspect brakes, tires, lights, and mirrors before riding to avoid accidents and fault claims.
• Avoid Risky Conditions: Rain, fog, or high winds increase crash risk.
• Take a Rider Course: The Connecticut Rider Education Program (CONREP) enhances safety and is mandatory for endorsements.
• Act Fast: Contact us promptly to preserve evidence (e.g., skid marks fade) and meet deadlines.

Contact us today for a free case evaluation to start your path to recovery.