When a motorcycle crash turns your life upside down, you need more than just legal representation—you need a dedicated advocate who understands what Connecticut riders face. At the Law Office of Michael E. Skiber, we bring decades of combined experience fighting for injured motorcyclists across Norwalk, Bridgeport, and Stamford. Our attorneys know that motorcycle accidents often result in catastrophic injuries, mounting medical bills, and insurance companies too quick to blame the rider.
Why Motorcycle Accidents Require Specialized Legal Representation
Motorcycle accidents are fundamentally different from car crashes. Without the protection of airbags, seatbelts, or a vehicle frame, riders often suffer severe injuries even in relatively minor collisions. These cases demand attorneys with specific experience and knowledge:
- Overcoming bias against motorcyclists: Insurance companies and juries often harbor unfair prejudice against riders
- Understanding unique injury patterns: From road rash to traumatic brain injuries, motorcycle crashes cause distinctive trauma
- Navigating complex insurance issues: Connecticut’s insurance laws create challenges specific to motorcycle policies
Attorney Michael Skiber personally handles motorcycle accident cases with the tenacity and attention they deserve. We know Connecticut roads, local traffic patterns, and the intersections most dangerous for riders.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Connecticut
While motorcyclists are often unfairly blamed, our experience representing injured riders across Fairfield County reveals that most serious crashes result from driver negligence:
- Left-turn accidents: Drivers failing to yield when turning left at intersections
- Distracted driving: Motorists texting, using phones, or otherwise not paying attention
- Blind spot negligence: Drivers changing lanes without checking for motorcycles
- Dooring incidents: Parked motorists opening doors without looking for approaching riders
- Road hazards: Potholes, construction debris, and poor maintenance that particularly affect two-wheeled vehicles
- Following too closely: Drivers not allowing adequate stopping distance behind motorcycles
Our firm’s investigative team moves quickly to preserve evidence from the crash scene before it disappears. From securing traffic camera footage to documenting road conditions, we build compelling cases that establish liability.
Motorcycle Accident Injuries and Their Financial Impact
The physical, emotional, and financial toll of motorcycle accidents can be overwhelming. Our Connecticut clients often face:
- Traumatic brain injuries: Even with helmets, riders risk life-altering head trauma
- Spinal cord damage: Potentially resulting in partial or complete paralysis
- Road rash and soft tissue damage: Requiring extensive skin grafts and rehabilitation
- Broken bones: Often complex fractures needing surgical intervention
- Internal injuries: Damage to organs that may not be immediately apparent
The financial implications extend far beyond initial medical bills:
- Ongoing rehabilitation and therapy costs
- Lost income and diminished future earning capacity
- Home modifications for accessibility
- Long-term personal care assistance
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma and diminished quality of life
Attorney Skiber works with leading medical experts to document the full extent of your injuries and their long-term impact. We fight for compensation that covers not just today’s bills, but tomorrow’s needs.
How Connecticut Law Affects Your Motorcycle Accident Claim
Several aspects of Connecticut law directly impact motorcycle accident claims:
Comparative Negligence
Connecticut follows a “modified comparative negligence” standard. This means you can recover damages as long as you’re found to be less than 51% responsible for the accident. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Insurance companies often try to exploit this by assigning unwarranted blame to motorcyclists. Our attorneys counter these tactics with thorough accident reconstruction and expert testimony.
Statute of Limitations
You have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Connecticut. Missing this deadline typically means losing your right to compensation permanently. This makes it critical to consult with a motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible after a crash.
Helmet Considerations
While Connecticut law only requires helmets for riders under 18, not wearing a helmet doesn’t prevent you from filing a claim. However, defendants may argue that your injuries would have been less severe with a helmet. We develop effective strategies to address these arguments when they arise.
The Skiber Law Difference for Motorcycle Accident Cases
When you choose the Law Office of Michael E. Skiber to handle your motorcycle accident claim, you benefit from our:
- Immediate investigation: We secure physical evidence and witness testimony while it’s fresh
- Medical documentation: We work closely with your healthcare providers to establish the full extent of your injuries
- Accident reconstruction: We employ experts to create compelling visual evidence of how the crash occurred
- Insurance negotiation expertise: We know the tactics insurance companies use against motorcyclists and how to counter them
- Trial readiness: While many cases settle, we prepare every file as if it’s going to court
Most importantly, Attorney Skiber takes a personal interest in every motorcycle case we handle. From our offices in Norwalk, Bridgeport, and Stamford, we serve riders throughout Connecticut with dedicated, client-focused representation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Motorcycle Accidents
How much are most motorcycle accident settlements?
Motorcycle accident settlements in Connecticut typically range from $25,000 to well over $1 million depending on injury severity, liability clarity, insurance coverage, and long-term impact on the victim’s life and earning capacity.
Who is at fault in most motorcycle accidents?
Contrary to popular belief, other motorists are at fault in the majority of motorcycle accidents, with left-turning drivers, distracted driving, and failure to yield being the most common causes of serious motorcycle crashes in Connecticut.
What not to do after a motorcycle accident?
After a motorcycle accident, never admit fault, refuse medical treatment, give recorded statements to insurance companies, accept quick settlement offers, or post about the accident on social media—these actions can seriously damage your ability to recover fair compensation.
What to do if there is a motorcycle accident?
If involved in a motorcycle accident, prioritize safety by moving to a secure location if possible, call 911, seek immediate medical attention even for seemingly minor injuries, document the scene with photos, collect witness information, and contact an experienced motorcycle accident attorney before speaking with insurance companies.
Can I recover damages if I wasn’t wearing a helmet?
Yes, you can still recover damages in Connecticut even if you weren’t wearing a helmet, though the defense may argue “failure to mitigate damages.” Our attorneys develop strategies to counter these arguments and maximize your compensation regardless of helmet use.
How long will my motorcycle accident case take?
The timeline for resolving motorcycle accident claims varies significantly based on injury complexity, liability disputes, insurance company cooperation, and whether the case settles or goes to trial. Simple cases may resolve in months, while complex cases can take one to two years to reach resolution.
What if the driver who hit me is uninsured?
If you’re hit by an uninsured driver, you may still recover compensation through your own uninsured motorist coverage. Connecticut requires all auto insurance policies to include this protection, which extends to motorcycle accidents. Our attorneys can help you navigate these complex claims.
Contact Connecticut’s Trusted Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Today
The aftermath of a motorcycle crash is overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. At the Law Office of Michael E. Skiber, we offer:
- Free, no-obligation consultations
- Contingency fee representation (you pay nothing unless we win)
- 24/7 accessibility for client emergencies
- Personal attention from Attorney Skiber
- Decades of experience fighting for Connecticut riders
From our offices in Norwalk, Bridgeport, and Stamford, we proudly serve motorcyclists throughout Connecticut. When insurance companies try to blame the rider or minimize serious injuries, we fight back with aggressive, results-focused representation.
Contact us today at (203) 615-0090 to schedule your free consultation. Remember: With Skiber, You’re Stronger.
