Drivers have a responsibility to ensure the safety of others sharing the road, including bicyclists, pedestrians, and other motorists. Sadly, inattentive or impatient drivers sometimes fail to take adequate care to avoid hitting bicyclists. The resulting accidents often cause catastrophic or fatal injuries.
If you or a loved one sustained injuries in a collision, our bicycle accident attorneys in Bridgeport, CT can help you seek compensation for medical expenses and other damages. Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC has been serving injury victims for over 85 years. Contact us to discuss your bicycle accident with a personal injury lawyer. We offer free, no-obligation consultations to help accident victims determine their next steps.
Bridgeport Roads Pose Many Hazards for Bicycle Riders
Some Bridgeport streets have bike lanes, but many of the narrow roads require bicyclists to ride in traffic. Even bikers on sidewalks face risks at intersections and driveways. A careless or negligent motorist can harm even the most cautious biker, and these parties should be held responsible for the harm they cause.
Some examples of driver negligence that can cause bicycle accidents include:
- Dooring: A motor vehicle operator opens their car door into the path of a bicycle rider.
- Failure to yield: A driver fails to provide adequate space or does not allow a biker legal right of way at an intersection.
- Inadequate space: A motorist does not give a biker three feet of space, as required by Connecticut law.
- Distracted driving: The driver of a motor vehicle is texting, talking on the phone, eating, or otherwise distracted.
- Impaired driving: A driver is impaired by alcohol or drugs while behind the wheel.
- Speeding: A motor vehicle driver fails to obey the speed limit or reduce speed in poor visibility conditions.
- Inattentive driving: A vehicle operator changes lanes abruptly, veers into the bike lane, and fails to check blind spots.
While vehicle occupants in car accidents have some protection from impact, this is not the case for bicyclists. As a result, bike accident injuries are often serious or deadly. No matter how severe your injuries are, Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC can help you get the compensation you deserve.
What We Do for Injured Bicyclists in Bridgeport
Our personal injury law firm has been helping injury victims seek justice since 1938. We offer comprehensive legal support, including:
- Constant communication about your case
- A personalized case strategy tailored to your needs
- Representation for no up-front fees or costs
Every case is unique, so every case deserves focused time and energy. We facilitate a client-first approach by limiting the number of cases our firm accepts. This allows us to treat every client like family, with attentive support and care throughout the legal process.
Handling Communications During the Duration of Your Case
During your case, your assigned team becomes the point of contact for insurance representatives, opposing attorneys, and any other parties involved in your case. While we take care of building your case and negotiating a settlement, you can focus on getting better.
Proving Negligence
When you hire us, we investigate your accident, determine who is responsible, and fight to hold them accountable for your injuries. Our investigation into your case focuses on securing quality evidence to establish negligence by showing:
- Duty of care: Drivers must obey traffic laws and take care to avoid collisions.
- Violation of duty: The driver who struck you failed to take reasonable care.
- Causation: Your accident occurred because of the driver’s violation of duty.
- Damages: You sustained injuries or losses in the accident.
Using photos, videos, witness statements, and police reports, we identify the responsible party. We also obtain medical records, expert testimony, financial statements, and other evidence to establish the extent and severity of your losses.
Filing a Timely Claim
While you recover from your injuries, we will submit a claim to the appropriate insurer and file a lawsuit within the statute of limitations. Bike accident victims usually have two years to file, but the timeline can be shorter. Prompt legal action is crucial.
Our Bridgeport bicycle accident attorneys will keep your case on track and represent you in negotiations. Many accident claims are settled before trial, but we are prepared to fight your case in the courtroom, if necessary.
Fighting for the Best Results
Insurance companies often fight claims to reduce payouts and protect their own profits. We are accustomed to the tactics representatives use to avoid paying claims. Rest assured, we will not back down, and we will not settle for less than you deserve. Your legal team’s primary goal is getting the best results for your case, rather than going after a quick resolution. Damages we could recover on your behalf include:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost current and future income
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
Our meticulous case-building and aggressive advocacy gets results – we have won millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for our clients. Let us use our experience and knowledge to fight for you.
Recognizing the Value of Safety on Bridgeport’s Roads
At Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC we advocate for Connecticut bicyclists in a variety of ways. We have seen how biking injuries can change victims for the rest of their lives. Research shows that children 14 and younger account for approximately 12% of all bike accident injuries nationwide. Helmets can reduce the potential for serious head injuries, but getting kids to wear a helmet can be a challenge.
To combat the risk of bicycle head injuries in children, Attorney Vincent Trantolo started a safety initiative over 20 years ago in Hartford and Bridgeport. The program, called “Heads Up For Safety,” aims to give away bicycle helmets to children in the community who are riding without them.
We have made it our mission to serve our community both in the courtroom and on the roads. When you work with Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC, you get a firm that is passionate about the rights and needs of families.
Let Our Team Help You Get Justice
Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC is an established local personal injury firm focused on getting results for our clients. We have the resources, reputation, and experience to fight for your legal rights. Don’t fight solo – contact our bicycle accident lawyers in Bridgeport, CT today for a free case review.