Who covers costs in bicycle accidents?

Bicycling remains a popular activity for several reasons. Besides offering opportunities to improve health, a bicycle allows someone to travel less expensively. Routine commutes could put a bicyclist in the path of vehicles or other bicyclists, though. If an accident occurs in Connecticut, legitimate concerns arise about who is responsible.

Negligence and questions of responsibility

Ultimately, bicycle accidents may lead to an investigation about who caused the collision. A vehicle with a dashcam or a bicyclist with a camera mount might have convincing evidence to tell the tale. Witnesses could provide their testimony to suggest who is at fault.

A driver who doesn’t come to a complete stop at a stop sign or drifts into a bike lane at an unsafe and reckless speed may be at fault. In the aftermath, the negligent party may become the one facing a serious lawsuit.

Similarly, a bicyclist hit by another bicyclist would examine questions about negligence. A bicyclist not looking where he or she was going or distracted by talking on a mobile device could be liable. Bicyclists who ride recklessly may also end up being found negligent.

Other issues about negligence and damages

Auto insurance might come into play when a car and bicycle collide. If a bicyclist hits another bicyclist, insurance coverage homeowner’s or renter’s insurance may come into play. Was the at-fault bicyclist delivering food or working? Maybe “gig economy” or another commercial insurance policy factors into things.

What if both parties contributed to the accident. Be aware that Connecticut follows a “modified comparative negligence” rule. Damage awards reflect the percentage of contribution to fault. Anyone who contributed more than 51% of the fault might not recover anything.

Bike accidents could lead to severe injuries. Injured persons might find discussing the incident with an attorney to be helpful.