Bicycle Accident Attorney In Branford, CT
If you were hit while riding your bike in Branford, whether cruising along East Main Street, navigating the downtown crosswalks by the Branford Green, or pedaling along Maple Street, you know how quickly a peaceful ride can turn into a painful ordeal. Unfortunately, many collisions happen because drivers fail to share the road responsibly. When you’re injured, you deserve a Branford bicycle accident lawyer who understands the local challenges cyclists face.
About Us
Our approach at Williams, Walsh & O’Connor, LLC, is to prioritize your requirements because your recovery and future matter to us. The personal injury, wrongful death, and professional malpractice lawyers at our New Haven, Connecticut law firm provide the highest quality representation in every case, with skill, compassion, and personal service.
We have over 150 years of combined experience in complex and routine injury, death, and malpractice claims, and are strategically located near I-91, I-95, and I-84 to serve clients who have been injured due to negligence in Branford and throughout the shoreline area. Our firm earns recognition for delivering high-quality, experienced personal service.
Your Rights as a Cyclist
Connecticut’s laws are very clear about bicyclists’ rights on the road, and those rights must be respected. Connecticut General Statutes §14-232 requires drivers to provide no less than three feet of safe clearance when passing a bicyclist. Unfortunately, drivers do not always follow this law, and sideswipe collisions are among the most frequent bike-injury situations we handle in Branford and other shoreline towns.
Connecticut General Statutes §14-286b is also very clear in that a bicyclist has the same rights and responsibilities as the operator of a motor vehicle; that is, a driver owes a bicyclist the same duty of care that they owe to any other recognized user of the road. If a motorist violates the law, they should be held accountable for the damage they cause.
Common Accident Locations in Branford
A large number of bicycle accidents in Branford occur at intersections along South Main Street, Cedar Street, and the heavily traveled Route 1 corridor. In our experience, many of these wrecks involve drivers turning left or right without yielding or checking their blind spot. We’ve also handled numerous distracted-driving cases in the area near the I-95 exit ramps, where drivers are often distracted by heavy traffic and the stress of commuting.
The severe injuries people sustain in bicycle crashes usually involve concussions and broken bones, along with spinal cord trauma and long-term joint damage, which requires years of continuous medical treatment. After suffering these injuries, you shouldn’t be left on your own to deal with mounting medical bills and lost income. Our law firm stands with injured cyclists to win the compensation they deserve to rebuild their lives.
Recovering Compensation
According to preliminary CTDOT data, there have been six bicycle deaths in Connecticut so far in 2025. This year, there have also been 102 minor injuries and 21 serious injuries among cyclists in the state.
In bicycle accident cases, the issues often do not end with establishing liability. You may be entitled to recover the cost of emergency medical care at Yale New Haven Health’s Shoreline Medical Center right here in Branford, CT, as well as physical therapy, orthopedic treatment, lost time from work, and future medical needs.
Our clients also often experience a considerable amount of emotional distress after a crash, including the anxiety of riding again, sleeplessness, or the general stress of having their life so suddenly disrupted. These losses are important, and bicycle accident laws allow you to recover monetary damages for these things.
Hire a Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today
Crashes involving motor vehicles can result in severe injuries to bicyclists, such as fractures, head trauma, and even permanent disability. Filing an insurance claim or dealing with complex liability concerns alone can be daunting.
Williams, Walsh & O’Connor, LLC, can conduct a thorough investigation of the accident, negotiate with insurers, and litigate in court if needed. A Branford bicycle accident attorney can also help victims maximize their bicycle accident claim by securing reimbursement for medical expenses, lost wages, and non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering.
Victims are well served when they hire a bicycle accident lawyer who handles such cases and is familiar with local court procedures.
FAQs
What Are the Bicycle Laws in Connecticut?
Connecticut law defines a bicycle as a vehicle, and a person riding a bicycle has all the rights and responsibilities of a driver. Motorists must provide at least three feet when passing a cyclist. Traffic signals must be obeyed by both motorists and bicyclists. Bicyclists must ride in the same direction as traffic and use lights at night. Helmets must be worn by bicyclists under 16. Additional local laws may be in effect, including in towns such as Branford.
What Happens if a Cyclist Hits My Car?
If a cyclist hits your car, the cyclist may not be at fault, and Connecticut is a comparative negligence state, which means you may both be assigned a percentage of fault and could be required to share the settlement. The police report, any witness statements, and accident reconstruction can all help determine who is at fault. If the cyclist was partially at fault, you can also have the right to seek compensation.
Do Bikers Always Have the Right of Way?
No, cyclists do not always have the right of way. Bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers to follow traffic controls, signals, and stop signs. However, drivers must yield the right of way to cyclists where appropriate, for example, at a marked crosswalk or when overtaking a cyclist. Rights of way are conditional upon the circumstances, so both drivers and cyclists should always be aware and careful.
Is Connecticut a No-Fault Accident State?
Connecticut is not a no-fault state. Personal injury claims from car and bicycle accidents are resolved under traditional liability rules, with the at-fault driver’s insurance covering injuries and damage. Connecticut has a comparative negligence system, with proportional fault. This means that injured parties can recover even if they are partially at fault, unless they are more than 50% at fault.
Contact Williams, Walsh & O’Connor, LLC
If you were injured or suffered property damage in a bicycle accident in Branford, CT, Williams, Walsh & O’Connor, LLC, can help you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.
