Motorcycles are considered motor vehicles for purposes of traffic law. This means that riders are responsible for following the laws to the same extent as other motorists. Motorcyclists should follow traffic laws to protect themselves and others on the roads. The Connecticut General Assembly is the entity that may change the motorcycle laws if they wish to do so. Then, the city police are responsible for enforcing those laws on Manchester’s roads.
Additionally, traffic regulations may influence the outcome of an injury case because judges and juries consider the violations of any laws as a contributing factor in the cause of an accident. Therefore, understanding the Manchester traffic laws for motorcyclists is extremely important both in daily practice and legal situations. If you were involved in a motorcycle wreck, you should speak with a knowledgeable attorney who could determine how your case may be impacted by local traffic laws.
Traffic Violations and Assigning Fault
Manchester is a contributory negligence jurisdiction. This means that if a plaintiff is partially to blame for their injuries, the judge may reduce their recovery by their percentage of fault. For example, if a motorcyclist is 20 percent at fault, they may only receive 80 percent of their damages. Additionally, a claimant may not be able to recover anything if they are 51 percent or more at fault.
Whether or not a motorcyclist was following traffic regulations at the time of an accident can impact the outcome of an injury case in Manchester. If a motorcyclist was not following the law, they may be considered negligent, and this could impact their recovery amount. Similarly, if another motorist violated the law by running a stop sign or red light or making a turn in front of a motorcycle, then a court may assign fault to this driver. Overall, traffic laws help assign fault, and if there was no violation of these regulations, there may be any recovery for damages.
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Helmet Laws
There is no contributory negligence under state law for failing to wear a helmet. This means in Manchester, choosing not to wear protective headgear does not amount to negligence on behalf of the rider.
However, by not wearing a helmet, a jury may assign some blame to the motorcyclist for their injuries, especially if they sustained head trauma. Therefore, even though it may be legal not to wear a helmet and they are not going to be found to be negligent as a result, plaintiffs should be aware that the jurors may not award a full verdict in these cases.
Additionally, the insurance company also may place blame on the motorcyclist if they failed to wear a helmet and suffered severe injuries in their crash. One of the exceptions to this helmet law is that minors must wear protective headgear while operating or riding a motorcycle.
Contact a Manchester Attorney to Learn More About Traffic Regulations for Motorcyclists
Motorcyclists should be aware of all traffic regulations as they are designed to keep them safe, and they could impact their ability to recover compensation in the event of an accident. Consult with an attorney to learn more about Manchester traffic laws for motorcyclists. To schedule a consultation, call today.
