Bicycle Accident Lawyers Serving Massachusetts and Connecticut
When Drivers Don’t Respect Cyclists, We Make It Count
Most bicycle crashes in Massachusetts and Connecticut happen because drivers don’t follow the law. They text behind the wheel, crowd bike lanes, turn without looking, or open doors into passing cyclists. The rider on the bike does nothing wrong, yet they are the ones who pay the price with serious, lasting car accident injuries.
Raipher, P.C. represents injured cyclists and their families across both states, handling cases that involve everything from local intersections to major highways and downtown traffic corridors. Based in Springfield, our bicycle accident attorneys bring decades of trial experience and more than $100 million in verdicts and settlements to every case. We investigate crashes, expose negligence, and fight for the full value of what was taken from you.
When you’ve done everything right and still end up in a hospital because someone else didn’t share the road, that’s when our work begins. Contact us for a free consultation. We’re ready to fight for the win.
Common causes of bicycle crashes
Most bicycle crashes are preventable. They happen when drivers ignore safety laws or act carelessly. The most common causes include:
- Distracted Driving: Phones, food, and navigation systems take attention off the road.
- Unsafe Passing: Failing to leave the legally required three feet of clearance.
- Dooring: Opening a car door into a cyclist’s path.
- Speeding or Aggression: Cutting off or tailgating cyclists in traffic.
- Failure to Yield: Ignoring right-of-way laws at intersections and crosswalks.
In this type of car accident, each cause represents negligence that can be proven with investigation and evidence. Early legal involvement helps preserve proof and strengthen your case before insurers minimize what happened.
Where and why these crashes happen
Western Massachusetts riders face the highest crash rates in Springfield, Northampton, and along State Street and Route 5. In Connecticut, common danger zones include Hartford, New Haven, and Bridgeport, especially where bike lanes disappear or traffic merges near construction zones.
Narrow shoulders, poor pavement, and limited visibility make these roads even riskier. When a municipality or contractor contributes to unsafe conditions, they may share liability. Identifying every responsible party increases the potential recovery and helps secure justice for the injured cyclist.
Local experience matters. Our firm knows these routes, traffic patterns, and municipal procedures can move quickly to preserve video footage, witness statements, and maintenance records before they are lost.
Laws that protect cyclists in MA and CT
Cyclists in Massachusetts and Connecticut have the same rights as motorists. State laws require:
- Safe Passing: Drivers must leave at least three feet when overtaking cyclists.
- Right of Way: Cyclists in bike lanes and crosswalks have legal priority.
- Dooring Prevention: Drivers and passengers must check before opening doors into traffic.
When a driver violates these laws, they are liable for the damage they cause. Proving that violation is the key to compensation, and our experienced attorneys know how to turn evidence into results.
Liability and damages after a bicycle crash
Liability rests with the driver and any other party that contributed to the hazard. That can include an employer for a company vehicle or a contractor that left a roadway unsafe. Clear liability increases leverage and shortens the path to fair value.
Damages should cover the full cost of the harm. Medical care, future treatment, lost wages, and reduced earning ability are only the start. Pain, suffering, and loss of normal life belong in the calculation because a crash affects far more than bills on paper.
Insurers often undervalue bicycle claims by calling them minor or blaming recovery delays on the rider. A trial-ready case shuts down those tactics. Preparation is pressure, and pressure produces results.
Free consultations and no fee unless we win
Raipher handles bicycle accident cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing up front and no attorney’s fee unless we recover money for you. Consultations are always free.
From Springfield and Worcester to Hartford and New Haven, we represent cyclists across Massachusetts and Connecticut. If you were hit while riding, contact us today. Let our team take it from here. This is your shot at justice. Make it count.