Connecticut Motorcycle Laws
Connecticut has a number of laws in place to protect motorcyclists and promote their safety on the roads. The state’s motorcycle laws include the following.
Motorcycle License Requirements
In order to operate a motorcycle, you must have a valid motorcycle license or a motorcycle endorsement on your regular driver’s license. To obtain a motorcycle license, you must be at least 16 years old and pass a vision test, a knowledge test, and an on-cycle skills test.
Helmet Law
In Connecticut, all motorcyclists and their passengers are required to wear helmets. The helmet must meet the standards set forth by the state’s Commissioner of Motor Vehicles.
Eye Protection
All motorcyclists are required to wear eye protection unless their bike is equipped with safety glass or a windshield.
Headlights
Motorcycles are required to have their headlights on at all times, regardless of the time of day or weather conditions.
Lane Splitting
Connecticut law prohibits motorcyclists from passing other vehicles in the same lane of traffic. This is known as “lane splitting.” Motorcyclists are also prohibited from driving between lanes of traffic, even if the vehicles are stopped or moving slowly.
Motorcycle Passenger Laws
Motorcyclists are allowed to carry passengers in Connecticut. However, the motorcycle must be equipped with a seat and footrests for the passenger. The passenger must keep his or her feet on the footrests at all times.
Motorcycle Equipment Requirements
Connecticut has several laws in place regarding the equipment on motorcycles. These laws are as follows.
Mirrors
All motorcycles must be equipped with a rearview mirror. This mirror must be positioned in a way that allows the operator to see at least 200 feet to the rear of the motorcycle.
Turn Signals
All motorcycles must be equipped with turn signals. However, if the bike was manufactured before January 1, 1973, it is not required to have turn signals.
Passenger Seat
Motorcycles with a passenger seat must also have a passenger footrest and handlebars for the passenger to hold on to.
Helmet Speakers
Motorcyclists are permitted to wear helmet speakers, as long as they are used for communication purposes only. Wearing helmet speakers to listen to music is not permitted.
Do You Have to Wear a Helmet on a Motorcycle in CT?
Yes, Connecticut law requires all motorcycle operators and passengers to wear helmets that meet state safety standards. This includes passengers in sidecars and on motorcycles with a windscreen or windshield.
In order to meet state safety standards, a motorcycle helmet must have a label on the back that says it meets the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 218. The label must also include the manufacturer’s name, the model name and number, the size, the month and year the helmet was manufactured, and the materials the helmet is constructed from.
What Is the Motorcycle Helmet Law in Connecticut?
Connecticut is one of many states that have universal helmet laws, which means all motorcycle riders and passengers are required to wear helmets. However, there are a few exceptions to Connecticut’s helmet law:
- Motorcyclists and passengers who are 18 years old or older and have at least $20,000 in medical insurance coverage are not required to wear helmets.
- Motorcyclists who are 18 years old or older and have successfully completed an approved motorcycle training course are not required to wear a helmet if they have at least $20,000 in medical insurance coverage.
- Motorcyclists who are 18 years old or older and have at least $20,000 in medical insurance coverage are not required to wear helmets if they have been licensed to operate a motorcycle for at least two years.
Even if you are not required to wear a helmet under Connecticut law, it is highly recommended that you do so. Wearing a helmet can significantly reduce your risk of sustaining a severe or even fatal head injury in a motorcycle crash.
Call (203) 687-4050 or online for a free consultation with our motorcycle accident attorneys in Connecticut.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident
Any type of motor vehicle accident can be terrifying and disorienting. When you are involved in a motorcycle accident, the consequences are often much more severe than a typical car accident. However, it is important to stay as calm as possible and take the necessary steps to protect yourself and your right to compensation. If you are involved in a motorcycle accident, follow these steps.
Check for Injuries
Immediately after the accident, check yourself and others involved for injuries. If anyone is injured, call 911 right away.
Move to Safety
If you are able to do so, move yourself and your motorcycle out of the roadway and to safety. This can help prevent a secondary accident from occurring.
Call the Police
Even if the accident is relatively minor, it is important to call the police and report the accident. This will help ensure that an official report is filed, which can be used as evidence later on if you decide to take legal action.
Exchange Information
After a motorcycle accident, it is important to exchange information with the other driver. Be sure to get the following information:
- The driver’s name and contact information
- The driver’s insurance information
- The driver’s license plate number
- The make, model, and year of the driver’s vehicle
It is also a good idea to write down the names and contact information of any witnesses to the accident.
Document the Accident Scene
Take pictures of the accident scene and any damage to your motorcycle or the other vehicle involved. If you are unable to do so, ask someone to take pictures for you.
Seek Medical Attention
Even if you do not believe you are injured, it is important to seek medical attention after a motorcycle accident. Some injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries, do not always present with symptoms immediately following the accident. If you wait to seek medical attention, the insurance company may argue that your injuries were not caused by the accident.
Get a Copy of the Police Report
After the police have completed their investigation, you can request a copy of the accident report. This report can be useful evidence in your case.
Do Not Give a Statement to the Insurance Company
After the accident, you may be contacted by the other driver’s insurance company. The insurance adjuster may ask you to provide a statement about the accident or offer you a settlement. Do not agree to give a statement or accept a settlement until you have spoken to an attorney. Anything you say to the insurance company can be used against you and may damage your case.
Contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Motorcycle accident claims can be complex, and the insurance company will do everything it can to deny your claim or pay you as little as possible. An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer can help you understand your rights and options and advocate for your best interests.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents can occur for a wide variety of reasons. Some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents include:
- Left-Turn Accidents: When a driver makes a left turn in front of a motorcyclist, the results can be catastrophic. The driver may not see the motorcyclist or may misjudge the speed at which the motorcyclist is traveling.
- Head-On Collisions: Head-on collisions are among the deadliest types of motorcycle accidents. They can occur when a driver crosses the centerline of the road or enters the wrong way onto a one-way street.
- Lane Change Accidents: If a driver fails to check his or her blind spot before changing lanes, he or she may collide with a motorcyclist.
- Dooring Accidents: Dooring accidents occur when a driver or passenger opens a car door into the path of an oncoming motorcyclist. These accidents are especially common in urban areas.
- Speeding: Motorcyclists are often more difficult to see than other vehicles on the road. When a driver is speeding, he or she may not have enough time to react to avoid colliding with a motorcyclist.
- Distracted Driving: Distracted driving is a major problem on Connecticut roads. Motorcyclists are especially at risk of being struck by a distracted driver.
- DUI: When a driver is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, he or she may have trouble judging the speed and distance of a motorcyclist.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Motorcyclists are at a much higher risk of injury and death in a traffic accident compared to those driving in passenger vehicles. This is due to the fact that motorcycles lack the protection offered by the body of a car, such as seat belts, airbags, and the vehicle’s frame. As a result, motorcyclists are often thrown from their bikes in a collision. They may be thrown into the roadway, into a fixed object, or into another vehicle. The injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident can be severe and life-altering.
Some of the most common motorcycle accident injuries include:
- Head Injuries: Even if a motorcyclist is wearing a helmet, he or she may still sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a motorcycle crash. A TBI can result in permanent brain damage and cognitive impairments.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: When the spinal cord is damaged in a motorcycle accident, the victim may suffer partial or complete paralysis.
- Broken Bones: Motorcyclists often suffer broken bones in a crash. The most commonly broken bones include the clavicle, humerus, radius, ulna, pelvis, femur, and tibia.
- Road Rash: When a motorcyclist is thrown from his or her bike, he or she may slide across the pavement. This can result in a painful skin abrasion known as road rash. If the road rash is severe, it may require skin grafting.
- Internal Organ Damage: Internal organ damage is common in motorcycle accidents. This type of injury can be life-threatening and may require emergency surgery.
How Long Do You Have to Report a Motorcycle Accident in CT?
In Connecticut, you must report a motorcycle accident to the police if the accident results in injury or death. The report must be made as soon as possible, but no later than five days after the accident occurs. If you fail to report an accident that results in injury or death, you may face criminal charges.
How Long Do You Have to Report a Motorcycle Accident to the Insurance Company?
After a motorcycle accident, it is important to report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible. Most insurance policies have a provision that requires you to report an accident within a reasonable amount of time. If you wait too long to report the accident, the insurance company may deny your claim.
How Long Do You Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit in Connecticut?
If you wish to file a personal injury lawsuit after a motorcycle accident, you must do so within the state’s statute of limitations. In Connecticut, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years from the date of the accident. If you fail to file a lawsuit within this two-year time frame, the court will likely refuse to hear your case.
However, there are some exceptions to the two-year statute of limitations. If you do not discover your injuries right away, the clock on the statute of limitations may not begin to run until the date you discovered the injury. In Connecticut, the statute of limitations may be extended if the victim is a minor or has a mental or physical disability.
How Can a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Help You?
After a motorcycle accident, you may be wondering whether you need to hire a motorcycle accident lawyer. If you have suffered serious injuries, the answer is almost always yes. A motorcycle accident lawyer can help you in the following ways.
Investigate the Accident
In order to recover compensation after a motorcycle accident, you will need to prove that another party’s negligence caused the accident. This requires a thorough investigation of the accident, which can be difficult to do on your own. An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer can conduct a full investigation on your behalf and gather the necessary evidence to prove your claim.
Value Your Claim
It can be difficult to know how much your motorcycle accident claim is worth. Insurance companies will often try to take advantage of this fact and offer you a low-ball settlement. A motorcycle accident lawyer can help you value your claim and ensure that you are not being taken advantage of.
Negotiate with the Insurance Company
Insurance companies are notorious for using unscrupulous tactics to deny claims or pay as little as possible. An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer will know how to negotiate with the insurance company and will not be intimidated by their tactics.
File a Lawsuit
If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, a motorcycle accident lawyer can file a lawsuit on your behalf. While most personal injury cases settle out of court, it is important to hire a lawyer who is a skilled litigator and is not afraid to go to trial if necessary.
Prove Your Damages
In order to recover compensation after a motorcycle accident, you must prove that you have suffered damages. This can include both economic and non-economic damages. A motorcycle accident lawyer can help you gather the necessary evidence to prove your damages, such as medical records, medical bills, and expert testimony.
Motorcycle Accident FAQs
Does Car Insurance Cover Motorcycle Accidents?
Motorcycle accidents are typically covered by the at-fault driver’s car insurance. However, Connecticut is a fault-based insurance state, which means that you have the option of filing a claim with your own insurance company or filing a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. If you choose to file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company, you will need to prove that the driver’s negligence caused the accident.
Connecticut law requires all drivers to carry a minimum of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage. This coverage is designed to cover the medical expenses and other damages of those injured in an accident that you caused. If the at-fault driver does not have insurance or does not have enough insurance to cover your damages, you may be able to file a claim with your own insurance company if you have purchased uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage.
What Is the Average Settlement for a Motorcycle Accident?
There is no such thing as an “average” settlement for a motorcycle accident. Every case is unique, and the value of your claim will depend on a variety of factors, such as the severity of your injuries, the amount of insurance coverage available, and the strength of the evidence in your case.
The best way to get an idea of how much your motorcycle accident claim is worth is to speak to an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer. He or she can evaluate your claim and help you understand.
