While an accident may be a common occurrence, the impact that it has on your life is substantial. Injuries suffered in even a minor accident can cause lifelong issues and require extensive medical care. If you or a loved one has been injured due to someone else’s negligence, get the help you need today from a dedicated personal injury attorney.
At Jacobs & Wallace, PLLC, we are committed to helping people get back on their feet after an accident. Our highly skilled team of lawyers has more than 45 years of experience handling personal injury cases. We are here to guide you every step of the way through the process of seeking compensation for your losses. From our office in Bridgeport, we provide tailored legal services to clients in Stamford and throughout Connecticut.
At Jacobs & Wallace, PLLC, we have represented thousands of clients in various personal injury cases. Some of the personal injury cases we handle include:
Though it is not always guaranteed, it may be possible to obtain compensation for the injuries you have suffered. When we file a personal injury claim on your behalf, we are aggressive in our pursuit of compensation for lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering. It is important to us that you can focus on your recovery from your injuries while we hold the negligent party responsible. Whether you have been burned, scarred, disfigured, paralyzed, or left with a brain injury, our team can help you in the fight for compensation.
We are here to help you understand your rights and options after suffering an injury in an accident. To learn more about how our firm handles personal injury cases, schedule a free consultation with a member of our highly respected legal team. Call our firm today at 203-332-7700 or contact us online. All personal injury matters are handled on a contingency basis.
Trampoline parks have increased in popularity across the U.S., and Connecticut is no different. They have been found to be the fastest-growing segment of the amusement park industry, and there are more than 10 spread across Wallingford, Fairfield County, Hartford, Danbury and Bethel, Connecticut.
Annually, approximately 92,000 injuries are treated in emergency rooms that were caused by trampolines. With reports of concussions, broken necks, shattered leg bones and one death, some doctors believe that the risks of jumping at these parks outweigh the benefits.
Before visiting any trampoline park, follow these safety tips to minimize the risks for you and your family:
Complications are common in a car accident claim and other motor vehicle accident claims. One of the most common is when the negligent driver does not have sufficient insurance coverage. While this poses a unique challenge, it does not mean that the victim has no opportunity to pursue compensation. There may be other avenues available. At our firm, we use more than 45 years of experience to find those avenues and assist clients with uninsured and underinsured motorist claims.
While the law requires people to carry insurance coverage in order to register and drive their cars, many people break the law. Some buy coverage and cancel it, or stop paying immediately after they register. Furthermore, the law requires only a certain amount of insurance coverage. If a driver causes an accident that leads to serious personal injuries and that driver only has the minimum amount of insurance, it may not be sufficient to compensate the victim of a car accident for their injuries and their medical expenses.
Drivers have uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM coverage) as part of their auto insurance policy. This coverage is designed specifically for situations in which a driver is injured by someone with insufficient insurance. Our law firm’s attorneys have significant insurance defense experience. We understand and can address the insurance-related issues that arise from motor vehicle accidents to help our clients obtain JUSTICE.
Whenever possible, our attorneys will attempt to get compensation from the negligent driver. Few uninsured drivers have the resources to cover the damage caused by a serious accident, so we then look to other sources of compensation. In those circumstances where the negligent driver does not have insurance or has inadequate insurance to compensate an injured person, the underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage you have will often cover expenses. The victim’s own insurance can often cover expenses that would have been paid for by the negligent driver’s insurance company.
Connecticut car accidents and truck accidents are far too common at dangerous intersections with blind spots or inadequate traffic signs, but they can occur at any stoplight, highway crossroads or uncontrolled intersection if a driver fails to notice a yield or stop sign, or pulls into traffic without looking.
Intersection accidents can cause serious injuries to vehicle occupants for two key reasons: one vehicle is often traveling at a greater rate of speed than the other, and the potential for side-impact accidents makes the passenger compartment particularly vulnerable. Great risks are also posed by rear-end collisions that result from a driver’s failure to notice that others have slowed or stopped, and passengers can suffer debilitating back and neck problems even when struck at lower speeds.
In city traffic, pedestrians and bicyclists face constant hazards due to distracted drivers as well as delivery trucks that block lanes and hamper visibility. When driver negligence leads to a crosswalk accident or bike crash, injury victims are at a severe disadvantage based on the laws of physics and the elemental differences between flesh, bone and steel.
The Bridgeport and Stamford car accident attorneys at Jacobs & Wallace, PLLC have more than 45 years of experience helping car, truck and motorcycle accident victims understand their legal options. Quick and aggressive action from our dedicated personal injury lawyers can make a considerable difference for a client who has been injured and has sustained lost income or incurred medical bills. We are here to help get the JUSTICE you deserve.
After a Connecticut intersection accident, clear proof that the other driver was at fault may require everything from an expert assessment of skid marks and vehicle damage, to tracking down a witness who had a clear view of the crash. Injured passengers and drivers who may not clearly recall the moments before they were struck broadside or rear-ended should not hesitate to make sure that they have an attorney so that the intersection accident is fully investigated.
Electronic devices, such as iPhones and other smartphones, GPS devices, onboard video players and laptops, all introduce distractions to the passenger compartment of a vehicle, even if the driver is not personally controlling the device. Daily commutes on regular routes may lead to driver complacency, but any diversion from the road ahead can spell danger for pedestrians and other motorists.
A driver who fails to pay attention to the road poses a particularly hazardous risk in Bridgeport, Stamford and other Connecticut cities because we live in a high-traffic region. Motorists who talk, tweet or text while driving must be held accountable when their lapse in judgment leads to a rear-end collision, intersection collision or another distracted driving accident.
Our team of compassionate personal injury attorneys at Jacobs & Wallace, PLLC has decades of experience with all aspects of motor vehicle accident cases. Disruptions caused by a distracted driving accident may result in minor or serious injuries to those involved. We can help you to pursue and obtain JUSTICE. When motorists, passengers or pedestrians sustain injuries due to a driver’s negligence, the injury victims and surviving family members may need aggressive legal help so they can be compensated for their pain, their suffering, and the medical bills they incurred as a result of their injuries.
Whenever a driver or passenger suspects distracted driving after an accident that causes injury, a free initial consultation with a car accident attorney can help them assess their legal options or better understand an insurance company’s offer of compensation.
Many people believe that slip-and-fall accidents are just simple incidents. You take a tumble, hit the ground, then scramble right up, dust your clothes and move on. In reality, there is nothing simple about a severe fall. Many accident victims require medical care because they suffer serious injuries. And when their slip & fall is caused by negligent parties, then they deserve to get financial compensation for their pain and suffering. At Jacobs & Wallace law firm, a team of experienced personal injury attorneys in Bridgeport with extensive experience is ready to help you understand your legal rights and win your far compensation. No matter what anyone else (especially insurance companies) try to tell you, slip & fall injury victims have the right to pursue property owners and administrators. When you have a legitimate reason to be present on a public or private property, their owner/manager owes you a duty of care. This means that their premises should be reasonably safe for everyone. When lack of duty of care leads to a slip & fall resulting in severe injury or even leading to fatal accidents, then the liable party has to answer for their negligent actions.
A slip and fall accident is caused by a hazardous condition at someone's property, be it a home, a store, a commercial building or a plot of land. Such unsafe conditions may exist in various places where a person is an invitee or an agent, such as:
The state of Connecticut has cold winters that turn roads and walkways into slippery icy surfaces. If you slip on a driveway and suffer pedestrian accidents, you have a claim against the owner of the property.
Safe conditions are a prerequisite for properties for rent. Landlords owe their tenants and their visitors a duty of care. However, many buildings have old, uneven floors, staircases missing a handrail or insufficient lighting to allow people to see where they are stepping.
Store employees should make sure that the entire retail area is a safe environment for all customers. However, on many occasions, various bottles and jars fall from the shelves, creating slippery surfaces on the tile floors. If a person steps on such a surface, they may take a hard fall, suffering a severe or even catastrophic injury.
Swimming pools can be extremely dangerous for people who do not know how to swim. If a pool is left uncovered and a person slips and falls into it, they may even lose their life in the tragic accident.
Workplace accidents involving a slip and fall can happen anywhere: on construction sites, in warehouses, in workshops and even in an office building. Dangerous conditions can appear anywhere, leading to accident victims' bodily injury and property damage.
As we mentioned at the beginning of this article, slip-and-fall accidents can have serious consequences. An experienced attorney specializing in premises liability cases know that accident victims suffer both physical pain and emotional distress. Among the more severe injuries suffered by personal injury victims after a slip & fall are:
Some injury accidents never fully heal, leaving the person with a lifelong medical condition, from chronic pain to seizures or even paralysis.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the statistics of fall accidents across the US are serious:
As the statistical data show, older people are frailer and more likely to suffer severe injuries. In any situation, and irrespective of the injured clients, experienced personal injury attorneys will pursue all the parties responsible for their pain and financial damages.
The final amount of your accident injury compensation depends on how well you can prove your case. This means that you have to prove that your accident meets all the requirements of a personal injury case:
Also, you will get favorable outcomes in civil litigation cases if you avoid making a series of mistakes after your incident. In all legal matters, make sure that you follow the advice of an experienced attorney, and not your own instincts or what your friends tell you to do.
Here are some main aspects that may affect personal injury compensation claims after a slip & fall incident:
After your incident, ask the nearest person to find someone in charge - store manager, building administrator, property owner - and tell them that you suffered an accident on their property. Do not be aggressive and do not attempt to get any kind of financial compensation from them directly. Simply inform them of what happened and give as many details as possible.
If your slip and fall takes place in a store or in a commercial building, the person in charge has to fill in an incident report. Read it very carefully, especially the fine print. Many stores add waivers in these forms, stating that you will not pursue legal action against the store. If any such information is included in the form, do not sign it.
You must receive emergency medical treatment after a slip and fall accident. There are many injuries that do not have immediate symptoms, from internal organ damage and bleeding to various forms of brain injury.
Also, if you do not have medical records proving that you suffered injuries as a result of your fall, the parties accountable may claim that you do not have a case against them and you are exaggerating your compensation demands.
Accident attorneys are the only ones you can trust to fight on your behalf and win the maximum compensation you deserve. On your own, you will be faced with insurance adjusters and experienced lawyers whose job is to find as many holes as possible in your case and dismiss your personal injury claim. From getting you confused on specific accident details to making you say something that may be interpreted as an admission of guilt, insurance companies and their representatives will do anything within the law (and breaching it sometimes) to determine you to drop your case.
Now let us explain the importance of letting an accident attorney prepare your claim and negotiate your settlement or win your accident verdict. First of all, the attorney will investigate the circumstances of the accident in order to have a clear picture of how it happened and who is responsible for it.
For this purpose, personal injury attorneys may resort to:
Next, the attorney will carefully evaluate the damages you are entitled to receive - both the economic damages and the non-economic damages. They cover everything from your medical expenses and lost wages to physical pain, emotional trauma and loss of enjoyment of life.
Finally, the attorney will file your accident claim and negotiate with the insurance company representing the person or legal entity who failed to keep their property safe for everyone using it. They will use every legal tactic available, from the findings of accident investigators and medical experts who treated your injuries to similar cases that represent a legal precedent. If no amicable settlement can be reached in terms of a fair compensation for you, the attorney will represent you in a premise liability lawsuit.
At Jacobs & Wallace law firm, you can count on a team of accomplished accident lawyers with a combined experience spanning decades. We encourage you to seek our legal consultation as soon as possible after your accident, because you only have 2 years available to take legal action (the statute of limitations).
We work on a contingency fee basis, so you do not have to pay upfront legal fees. Call us now for a consultation with injury attorneys with a proven track record: 203-332-7700!
Meta description: If you were injured in a slip and fall accident on someone's property, an experienced personal injury attorney can help you file your compensation claim successfully.
Ridesharing services are extremely convenient when you need to get somewhere on short notice. All you have to do is open an app on your mobile phone and you find an available Uber car. Unfortunately, not all Uber rides end with the client stepping out of the car safely to get on with their business. Many passengers and other drivers on the road are injured in a traffic accident caused by a negligent driver of an Uber car. In the State of Connecticut, accident victims have the right to seek compensation for their physical and emotional pain, as well as for the financial and property damage they suffered. If you were involved in an accident with an Uber vehicle, we encourage you to contact a personal injury attorney at Jacobs & Wallace law firm to discuss your case.
Filing an accident claim against an Uber driver is complicated if you want to obtain a fair compensation that covers all your financial losses. Apart from the fact that the insurance company will fight you all the way, you must know for sure what type of coverage is applicable to your personal injury case: the driver's own third party liability insurance policy or the one Uber must provide for all its drivers. In this article, we will detail all the specific challenges of personal injury claims against Uber drivers and the importance of hiring an experienced auto accident attorney to advise you on your legal rights and options.
As any experienced Uber accident attorney can tell you, in this type of accidents it is extremely important to establish the actual party liable for the personal injury victim's losses. First of all, let us explain to you how Uber operates.
The company has to follow the Connecticut regulations concerning the transportation network companies and taxicabs. This means that Uber is responsible to:
However, there are many loopholes that may allow Uber to avoid being held liable for motor vehicle accidents caused by their drivers. The number one challenge to filing a Uber accident lawsuit is the fact that Uber drivers are not employees, but independent contractors. This means, that the company that operates the Uber network of vehicles cannot be held liable by vicarious responsibility (the employer's responsibility for an employee's negligent actions).
The second challenge is proving that the automobile accidents or pedestrian accidents were caused by an Uber driver on duty. To understand the difference this aspect makes to your financial compensation or damage award, let us look at the insurance requirements for Uber drivers in Connecticut.
Any driver using the roads of Connecticut must have insurance coverage for motor vehicle collision causing bodily injury and property damage. According to the law, this coverage must cover two key aspects:
It is important to note that the underinsured/uninsured motorist policy does not cover property damage and non-economic damages.
Now let us look at the insurance requirements for ridesharing services. They are treated as transportation network companies (TNC), just like taxicabs. The minimum legal requirements in the State of Connecticut are:
For drivers connected to the Uber digital app and available to accept rides:
For drivers who are actually giving a ride to a client:
As you can see, the difference between the maximum compensation you may get from the driver's insurance policy versus the Uber coverage is staggering. For this reason, you need to get legal representation from an experienced car accident lawyer to ensure that you get the fair compensation you deserve.
Uber drivers should be carefully screened before they are accepted to work for the ridesharing company and provide public transportation services. In reality, many drivers pass under the radar and are later involved in a fatal accident caused by:
Distracted driving accidents happen with alarming frequency. Uber drivers are using various apps on their cell phone - including traffic apps - and fiddling with their car entertainment system. Some of them are even texting and driving while carrying a passenger. Unfortunately, it takes just one moment of not paying attention to cause serious traffic accidents, from pedestrian accidents to truck accidents.
Drunk drivers claim thousands of lives every day across the US. Both alcohol and drugs impair a person's ability to process visual and audio information and their reflexes. Thus, DUI means driving while impaired and unable to be in full control of the vehicle.
A reckless driver is usually aggressive, speeding, tailgating other vehicles and changing lanes frequently. In our decades of experience, we know that these drivers are prone to causing traffic accidents, often resulting in catastrophic injuries or death.
Whether you are a passenger in a Uber car, a passenger or another driver, you must know how to act if you want to maximize your chances of winning the maximum compensation you deserve. In our auto accident practice, we know exactly the steps you must follow. These are:
After rideshare accidents, you need to call 911 and request an ambulance and a law enforcement team to investigate the accident scene. The police report they will prepare will be extremely useful to your Uber accident attorney at a later date to determine exactly what happened and who is liable for your accident injuries and associated medical costs.
You should not rely only ton the report prepared by the police. Use your phone to take photos of the crash scene, focusing on:
At the same time, you should get the Uber driver's contact and insurance details and identify any eyewitnesses who may provide testimonies.
You must accept medical care - including being taken to hospital and subject to various costs. The medical records prepared right after the accident will prove that your injuries were caused by the Uber accident. Moreover, you may suffer from serious injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, that require immediate medical attention.
Other injuries, such as internal organ damage or whiplash, may not show symptoms for hours, even days. However, the later you decide to see a doctor, the more complex your recovery may be. Plus, a lawyer representing the insurance company may claim that your injuries were caused in a separate incident, at a later date.
Accident victims should never try to negotiate their settlement amount on their own. Auto insurance companies have teams of experienced adjusters and lawyers who will try to minimize your claim amount or even deny your accident claim.
If they cannot deter you, they will apply various delay tactics, until the statute of limitations (2 years in the State of Connecticut) expires and you no longer have the option to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Uber auto accident lawyers know exactly how to investigate your accident in order to determine whether the driver was on duty or off duty. Moreover, they know how to counteract the insurance adjuster's delay tactics and will prepare a comprehensive claim file, detailing all the damages you are entitled to receive:
At Jacobs & Wallace, you will find a team of dedicated car accident injury attorneys with decades of experience in similar cases. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that we do not get paid until we win your fair compensation. Call us now to discuss your case with us: 203-332-7700!
Roads are made mainly for motor vehicles. However, car drivers have to share the road with others: motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians. The latter may need to cross a road or walk along it where there is no sidewalk. In many cases, they become victims of pedestrian accidents when a negligent driver hits them. If you or someone you know suffered such an accident, a Bridgeport personal injury lawyer at Jacob & Wallace law firm can help you file and negotiate auto accident claims.
Personal injury law in Connecticut allows injury victims to recover their economic damages and other damages, which we will discuss in detail in this article. However, you need to retain the legal services of experienced auto accident lawyers to help you win your case. As we will explain, the fault driver's insurance company will try to deter you from filing a claim or will use all the possible delay tactics so that when you decide to start the legal process it is too late.
A motor vehicle accident involving a pedestrian is usually caused by the car driver's negligence. In some cases, the accident victims share a percentage of fault for the accident. Nonetheless, as you will learn in this article, you are still entitled to receive a fair compensation for your pain, suffering and financial losses.
The most frequent causes of car or truck accidents with pedestrian victims are:
In each of these cases, the injured person has the right to hold the liable party responsible for their medical expenses and other economic and non-economic damages. An experienced Connecticut pedestrian accident lawyer can identify all the persons whose negligent actions caused your severe injuries and help you file a claim or a pedestrian accident lawsuit.
A pedestrian hit by a car or a truck usually suffers catastrophic injuries. The sheer size of the vehicle can cause devastating damages to an unprotected pedestrian, such as:
Pedestrians who are injured in an automobile accident usually have to spend a lot of time in hospital and require specialized medical care to heal. Some of them suffer fatal injuries and their families can hire an accident attorney to help them file a wrongful death lawsuit. Others are left with permanent disabilities and the financial burden of long term life care.
For this reasons, you need to hire an attorney with extensive experience to help you file your pedestrian accident claim and win the maximum compensation that covers all your damages.
Your lawyer will include all the eligible damages in your accident injury compensation and seek to negotiate the maximum financial compensation for you. Personal injury law in Connecticut allows victims of auto accidents to seek economic damages, non-economic damages and punitive damages.
Economic damages will take into account all your present and future expenses related to the accident injuries, such as:
Non-economic damages compensate personal injury victims for the physical pain caused by the severe injury they suffered, as well as for the emotional distress, loss of quality of life and loss of consortium.
You may also seek punitive damages if you can prove that the traffic accident was caused not just by negligent action, but by gross negligence, recklessness or willful intent. For example a drunk driving accident caused by a speeding driver may be qualified as reckless action.
Personal injury attorneys know that no case is cut and dry, with 100 percent of fault belonging to the driver. In our legal experience, many pedestrians are partly responsible for their accident - for instance, crossing the road without looking out for oncoming traffic.
However, the state of Connecticut applies the comparative fault principle to personal injury cases. This means that an injured person who is less than 50 percent at fault for the incident has the right to obtain financial compensation from the other party. However, the actual amount they will collect will be reduced by their percentage of fault from the damage award. Thus, a $100,000 compensation for a pedestrian accident in which the victim was 10% at fault results in a $90,000 payout.
Our personal injury law firm has handled many pedestrian accident cases over the year, which allowed us to create a list of best practices that anyone should follow after an accident. Acting in a certain manner can help your pedestrian injury claim or personal injury lawsuit, while other actions can be detrimental.
Therefore, this is what you need to do after an accident:
You must seek medical attention as soon as possible after the accident. The impact with a vehicle can lead to a catastrophic injury which may threaten your life if left untreated. The ambulance will usually arrive accompanied by a law enforcement team who will investigate the accident scene. If you did not suffer life threatening injuries, you should remain at the scene of the crash and answer the questions the police will ask you.
However, do not say anything that may be interpreted as an admission of fault. Simply be honest and describe the way the events unfolded.
Insurance adjusters are skilled at making accident victims accept a lowball settlement or even being persuaded that they do not have a case. Thus, you should refuse to talk to the adjuster and sign any document at all. Every word you say may be recorded and will certainly be used against you.
Accomplished accident lawyers know how to build a solid case on your behalf. They will collect all the relevant evidence, including an accident reconstruction, if necessary, the accident details from the police report and your own hospital record indicating the extent and cause of your injuries.
Once you hired the attorney, they have the right to take care of all the legal issues pertaining to filing your claim or lawsuit. There is a statute of limitations of 2 years starting from the date of your accident and exceeding it will bar you from getting any kind of compensation.
Finally, the Bridgeport personal injury lawyer will estimate the total amount of your compensation conduct negotiations with the insurance company on your behalf.
At Jacobs and Wallace personal injury law firm, we have decades of experience in helping accident victims obtain the maximum compensation they deserve. We have the know-how to obtain good results even in challenging cases.
If you were injured by a car while walking or crossing the road, remember that you have legal options to recover your financial losses. You do not have to pay any upfront legal fees, as we work on a contingency fee basis. Call us now to discuss your case with an experienced pedestrian injury attorney in Bridgeport CT: 203-332-7700!
To win an injury claim against a negligent driver, you need a bicycle accident lawyer in Bridgeport, CT. Learn about bicycle accidents and compensation options.
Cycling has several health benefits like increased cardiovascular system, improved coordination, and posture. So, it's not surprising that residents of Bridgeport, Connecticut, love cycling. However, the more bicycle riders there are on the road, the greater their chance of an accident. A bicycle accident could be due to the carelessness of motor vehicle drivers or bicyclists.
When a careless driver causes an auto accident that injures a bicycle rider, the person can commence an accident claim to recover financial compensation. This legal matter requires expert legal representation from personal injury attorneys in Bridgeport, Connecticut. In addition, our lawyers at Jacobs & Wallace have experience handling legal issues of this nature. So, contact us if you wish to pursue a personal injury claim against a negligent driver.
The factors that contribute to traffic accidents like a truck, pedestrian, and motorcycle accidents also play a role in bike crashes. In 2019, 843 bicyclists died in collisions with motor vehicles. However, this number was a 3 percent decrease from the 868 bicyclist deaths in 2018.
Common causes of bicycle crashes are:
Under Connecticut laws, cyclists must adhere to bike laws and traffic safety laws. One of such rules is using a designated bike lane or trail. In addition, riders should check their air, brake, and chain before setting out. The preceding is known as the ABC check. Finally, Connecticut bicycle riders must also wear safety gear like a bicycle helmet when on the road. All these are to avoid injuries in the event of a bicycle accident.
The Department of Motor Vehicles created the Connecticut Rules of the Road to help vehicle drivers and bicyclists know their expectations. The rules also help to prove fault when auto-bicycle accidents happen. For example, one common law is that motorists must leave a three feet distance from a cyclist, and they cannot honk if there is no reason to warn the bicyclist of danger.
Furthermore, drivers must always assume that a bicycle rider is traveling across the intersection when making a right or left turn. Therefore, a driver who violates any of these rules would be deemed negligent. As such, the cyclist can recover compensation from the negligent driver once they prove fault.
Like motorcycle accidents, bike accidents often result in severe or catastrophic injuries. Common examples of this type of injury are:
Catastrophic injuries can sometimes result in death or leave the injury victim in a state where they require special care. When the accident victim dies, their legal beneficiaries can commence a wrongful death claim. A successful wrongful death action means compensation for the victim's survivors. However, you need legal counsel from compensation attorneys with decades of experience to win such an action.
Aside from physical injuries, accident victims often suffer emotional and property damage. Connecticut law recognizes this and allows victims to recover maximum compensation from the fault driver. The compensation is broadly categorized as economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic damages refer to quantifiable losses, while non-economic damages refer to unquantifiable losses. Common examples of the two are:
In addition, a victim can request punitive damages. However, punitive damages are only recoverable in personal injury lawsuits, not insurance claims. Courts only award it after seeing proof of gross negligence or malicious intentions by the defendant. Most injury accident victims don't know when to request punitive damages, hence the reason to always work with a personal injury law firm with experienced trial lawyers.
Under the Connecticut Statute of Limitations, accident victims have two years to file a claim against an at-fault party. The time starts counting from the accident date. Once the two-year period elapses, your case becomes statute-barred. Insurance adjusters are aware of this, so they delay investigations and negotiations. They aim to get you to miss the deadline and take a meager settlement. Working with a personal injury lawyer is the best way to ensure you file your claim within the limitation.
Winning a compensation claim starts from the accident scene. You need to take several steps after the crash if you want a chance at fair compensation. So, after a bike crash, do the following:
The fault party's insurance carrier has a legal team on retainer to help them find legal loopholes to avoid paying victims of auto accidents. Therefore, the only way to level the playing field is by having an experienced injury attorney by your side. You should hire experienced lawyers for the following reasons:
At Jacobs & Wallace, we understand how an accident affects a victim's life. This is why our lawyers dedicate their time to giving you the best representation and securing the maximum settlement. We offer a free initial consultation and work on a contingency fee basis. So contact us today to speak with one of our attorneys.
Are you a motorcyclist in Bridgeport, Connecticut? Then, learn about motorcycle accidents and why you may need a motorcycle accident lawyer in Bridgeport, CT.
Motorcycles are a fun way of moving around. Motorcycle riders love to feel the air against them as they ride through towns and cities. Unfortunately, this means of transportation is also fraught with dangers. Motorcycle accidents are a frequent occurrence on American roads. Bridgeport, Connecticut, also has its fair share of motorcycle crashes.
Fortunately, just like any other motor vehicle accident, injury victims can recover financial compensation following a collision. However, the legal process would be challenging if you don’t have a personal injury lawyer. Fortunately, our personal injury law firm has excellent motorcycle accident attorneys. We can thus help you during this difficult time.
Motorcycle accidents are traffic accidents that involve a motorcycle operator. Another motorcyclist, passenger vehicles, trucks, or pedestrians could be the other party. Notably, any of these parties could be the fault or the injured party. There’s a very high rate of motorcycle crashes in the US. In 2019 alone, 5,014 motorcyclists died.
This figure is slightly lower than 2018’s 5,038 motorcycle fatalities. Furthermore, this data showed that motorcyclists were 29 times more likely to die in a crash. This increased fatality propensity is per vehicle miles traveled. Fortunately, though, there’s some hope.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that helmets saved the lives of 1,872 motorcyclists in 2017. Therefore, Bridgeport motorcyclists can reduce fatalities by wearing helmets.
Below are some possible injuries that can follow Bridgeport bike accidents:
Motorcycle crashes can also cause fatal injuries. Here, the deceased’s estate can then file wrongful death claims. Luckily, a bike wreck may only leave a victim with a minor injury. However, this doesn’t mean that such a person doesn’t require legal services. Beyond physical injuries, personal injury victims can also suffer property damage.
Motorcyclists have a higher chance of sustaining catastrophic injuries in a crash. They’re also more likely to die in a collision. This is primarily because of the nature of bikes. Firstly, motorcycles are less visible to other drivers on the road. Even pedestrians may struggle to sight a motorcycle from afar. Therefore, these sight issues can increase the chances of a motor vehicle accident involving a motorcycle.
In addition, motorcycles are less stable than four-wheeled vehicles. So, it can fall easily during an accident. Suppose the biker falls; the bike doesn’t have any protective frame. So, the motorcyclist can quickly fall onto the hard road. Vehicles have seat belts, airbags, and windshields. Therefore, their occupants are safer.
The two-wheel motorcycle design even makes it harder to control a bike. Braking and cornering can thus be challenging activities for bikers. Furthermore, a motorcycle’s design makes it more difficult to navigate bad roads. Therefore, bad roads and weather can easily cause a motorcycle crash.
Finally, you must have noticed high-risk behaviors amongst motorcyclists. This is because bikes allow for rapid acceleration and traffic navigation. These factors thus induce motorcyclists to drive carelessly.
Accidents don’t just happen. Instead, human actions are responsible for the injuries and deaths on our roads. These would include negligent and reckless actions. Below are some of the top causes of motorcycle collisions.
You must have seen motorcyclists riding between lanes of stopped or slow-moving cars. This action is called lane splitting. It’s a top cause of motorcycle collisions because vehicle drivers don’t expect movement from those angles. Furthermore, there’s even little room for the cyclists to move appropriately.
Riding under the influence of drugs and alcohol is another significant issue. These substances dull a rider’s reactionary speed. In addition, both bikers and motor vehicle drivers can be intoxicated.
Over-speeding also contributes to motorcycle crashes. Here, the motorcyclist or other drivers are moving faster than they should. Sport and Supersport bikes can allow outrageous speeding rates. However, over-speeding makes it harder for a biker to brake. So, if the need suddenly arises, they’ll most likely collide with the other object or vehicle.
Finally, terrible road conditions can result in motorcycle collisions. These road conditions will include uneven road surfaces and potholes. That’s why bikers and other road users must remain conscious of their environments. This way, they can know when to apply extra caution on the road.
Yes, you need a motorcycle accident lawyer after injury accidents. Unfortunately, many motorcycle accident victims think they can handle legal issues personally. This thought negatively affects many personal injury lawsuits. So, below we explain why you need a Bridgeport motorcycle accident lawyer.
A typical motorcycle crash can cause severe injury and other losses. Therefore, you need a personal injury attorney to accurately assess your loss’s value. This way, they can know how much to demand in court or settlement negotiations. In addition, an excellent attorney will have technical experience for arriving at an accurate estimate.
Fault is a serious issue in Bridgeport motorcycle accidents. This is because Connecticut is a fault accident state. So, the fault driver or party will pay you monetary damages following the crash. However, establishing responsibility in a Bridgeport motorcycle accident claim can get challenging. With a good lawyer, though, you can find the proper party to sue.
No insurance company loves to pay claims. Instead, they usually devise several means to avoid liability. This can include blaming you for the collision. When they agree to pay, insurance adjusters often offer meager settlements. Fortunately, though, no competent lawyer will sit by as you accept unsuitable compensation.
Strict laws govern Bridgeport, Connecticut’s personal injury compensation system. These laws dictate when you must file personal injury claims. Therefore, Bridgeport motorcycle accident victims have only two years to approach the court. This statutory period starts counting from the accident date.
This two-year period also applies to wrongful death claims from motorcycle wrecks. However, it starts counting from the death date. Notably, you cannot sue for wrongful death more than five years from the date of the underlying accident.
Suppose you don’t file your motorcycle accident claim within this period. Then, the defendant can notify the court of this default. Consequently, you may lose your right to compensation. That is why legal representation is crucial after Bridgeport motorcycle crashes.
Yes, missing the statutory deadline isn’t always fatal. Instead, the law can suspend the statute for some periods. However, there are only a few exceptions to this statute. These exceptions would only apply if:
Suppose you file and win a compensation claim. Then, you can recover a wide range of damages from the fault party. Notably, you can get this money through a settlement. Conversely, our lawyers can file a personal injury lawsuit. Whichever the case, fair compensation will cover your:
In addition, an experienced lawyer can get you non-economic damages. It covers the following:
Courts and insurance companies have different methods for calculating these non-economic losses. Your lawyer has to ensure the calculating process favors you.
Have you been in a Bridgeport motorcycle crash? If you have, then you may be eligible for compensation. You can sue the negligent driver for damages for any bodily injury or other losses from the crash. First, however, you need the best Bridgeport motorcycle accident attorneys.
Our lawyers at Jacobs and Wallace want to help you get the maximum compensation. We have extensive experience in personal injury matters. Furthermore, we have maintained an excellent track record of case success. Therefore, your case will be in excellent and professional hands. All you have to do is call us today for a FREE initial consultation.
