Boston Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one were injured in a motorcycle accident in Boston, consider the benefits of working with an experienced car crash attorney. Having a skilled Boston motorcycle accident lawyer by your side can make a substantial difference in your ability to recover compensation after a collision. The Boston legal professionals in CarAccident.Law’s network are available for a free consultation about your recovery options after a motorcycle accident.

Boston traffic is some of the worst not only in the United States, but also in the world. The City of Boston ranks second-worst when it comes to time lost to traffic congestion across the country and fourth-worst across the globe. Boston drivers spend almost six full days out of every year trapped in traffic and waste over $2,000 in gasoline during that time, according to a 2023 study by INRIX, a company that analyzes traffic data worldwide. With this in mind, it’s no wonder that many Boston residents choose to travel by motorcycle instead.

Motorcycles are fast, efficient, and can fit into smaller spaces that cars and trucks cannot. They’re also often fun for riders. However, Boston motorcycle riders are also at higher risk for crashes and fatalities because of the city’s dangerous traffic patterns.

Common Case Types for Boston Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

Boston area injury lawyers in our network most commonly handle the following motorcycle crash case types:

• Blind spot accidents: Boston’s narrow and historic streets are full of blind spots, making motorcycle accidents unfortunately common in the city. Trucks in particular must be particularly aware of their larger blind spots when making turns in Boston. Failure to do so may be considered negligence in a subsequent motorcycle accident lawsuit.
• Hit and run accidents: Hit and run accidents are among the most difficult crashes to recover compensation from. Often, hit and run drivers do not carry Massachusetts minimum coverage, and pursuing a claim can involve increased involvement with law enforcement. It is unwise to face a hit and run motorcycle accident in Boston without legal guidance and representation from a lawyer.
• Tailgating crashes: A driver engages in tailgating when they follow the vehicle in front of them too closely. This behavior creates a dangerous situation for all surrounding motorists, but especially for motorcyclists who are particularly vulnerable to the elements and the impact of a crash. In many Boston motorcycle accident lawsuits, the tailgating driver is held liable for the bulk of the damages.
• Left-turn and T-bone accidents: Intersection accidents are common in Boston, where some lights and roundabouts cause confusion in tourists and locals alike. Many motorcycle crashes occur when cars or trucks turn into the path of a motorcycle. Motorcyclists need to be more aware of their visibility than other motorists and should drive defensively on the road, especially at intersections. However, other drivers at intersections are responsible for yielding the right of way to any motorist turning left in front of them or passing through the intersection, including motorcyclists.
• Rear-end collisions: Liability for a rear-end motorcycle accident may be clearer, since the rear driver is responsible for maintaining a safe distance between themselves and the vehicle in front of them. If distracted or inattentive riving caused them to collide with a motorcyclist who was following roadway safety laws, a Boston attorney could help hold them liable for the resulting damages.
• Head-on collisions: Head-on accidents tend to be the most dangerous kinds of crashes for motorcyclists in Boston and elsewhere. With little protection from the impact of a collision, head-on crashes can quickly turn deadly for bikers, especially if speeding is involved.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Boston

How the accident occurs is an important factor in determining liability and calculating your potential recovery from a Boston motorcycle wreck lawsuit. Some cases have clear-cut liability, while others have a less straightforward path to success, depending on the testimony of witnesses and evidence collected from the crash site.

Common causes of motorcycle accidents in Boston include:

• Blind spots: As previously mentioned, riding in a car or truck’s blind spot is particularly dangerous for motorcyclists. Failure to check blind spots can increase the risk of accidents when making turns or changing lanes.
• Distracted driving: Massachusetts law prohibits all drivers from using any electronic device, including mobile cellphones, unless the device is set to hands-free mode. This law covers motorcycle riders as well as drivers. Any violation of this law is subject to fines and other penalties and may also lead to increased liability in a Boston motorcycle crash lawsuit.
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol: Fatal motorcycle crashes where the driver was found to have been impaired have risen in recent years by 19 percent, according to NHTSA data. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is one of the most dangerous choices you can make, not only for your own safety, but also for the safety of those around you on the roads and sidewalks.
• Dangerous lane changes: The Massachusetts Office of Public Safety and Security recommends that motorcyclists use both hand and turn signals at every turn or lane change. Otherwise, motorists are responsible for checking for motorcyclists before changing lanes and must give bikers the proper space. The state enacted a law to protect vulnerable road users that requires drivers to maintain at least four feet of distance between themselves and anyone around them who is not in a car. Cutting off a motorcyclist to change lanes could be a violation of this law and may constitute negligence in the event of an accident.
• Speeding: Speeding is and always has been one of the most common causes of fatal accidents in the Boston area. Speeding exacerbates the damage in a collision, while also lessening the ability of motorists to take defensive action or brace for the impact. Motorcyclists are unfortunately vulnerable to the devastating effects of speeding, given their lack of protected compared to drivers in cars.
• Ignoring the right of way: Drivers who ignore a motorcyclist’s right of way and cause an otherwise preventable accident can be held liable with the help of a Boston lawyer.

Boston Motorcycle Accident Injuries

After a motorcycle collision, it is important to see a doctor right away and document all tests, procedures, and invoices. A good Boston motorcycle injury attorney can help link your injuries and subsequent medical bills directly to your crash. However, if you wait to seek medical care, the opposing side may be able to argue that your condition was either exacerbated by waiting to seek help or is not severe enough to warrant compensation. They may even attempt to argue that your injuries are unrelated to the accident and deny you compensation entirely.

Lawyers serving the Boston area commonly handle motorcycle accident cases involving the following injuries:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Broken bones
• Spinal cord injuries
• Paralysis
• Road rash
• Loss of a limb
• Wrongful death

Helmet Laws in Boston, MA

Helmet laws in Boston are some of the strictest in the nation, and for good reason. The data supports helmet laws as a lifesaving measure. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) finds that the use of motorcycle helmets saved an estimated 1,872 lives in crashes during 2017. It is estimated that an additional 749 lives could have been saved that same year if all motorcyclists had worn helmets.

Wearing a helmet can also lower the total cost of a motorcycle crash by reducing the risk of certain injuries and, therefore, the need for corresponding medical care. In the same 2017 study, nearly $3.5 billion in economic costs and $21 billion in comprehensive costs were saved by the use of helmets. Close to $10.5 billion could have been saved if all motorcyclists were wearing helmets that year.

In Boston, not wearing a helmet at the time of a motorcycle crash has the potential to reduce your overall award amount. Not wearing a helmet, or wearing one that does not conform to minimum safety standards established by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, may be considered negligence in a court of law. For instance, if you or a loved one suffered head trauma or a TBI during a motorcycle crash without a helmet, this may reduce your settlement amount under Boston’s aforementioned standard of comparative negligence.

Let a Boston motorcycle wreck attorney help build the strongest possible case for your recovery under state law. A Boston motorcycle injury lawyer can help assemble evidence and testimony on your behalf that proves you are entitled to the maximum award possible.

Recoverable Damages after a Boston Motorcycle Crash

Filing a lawsuit with a Boston motorcycle accident injury attorney’s help can lead to recovering more of your costs than just filing a simple insurance claim. Expenses that can be included in your Boston motorcycle crash lawsuit settlement which are generally not covered by insurance include:

• Past and future medical bills
• Physical pain and suffering
• Medical transportation
• Emotional distress
• All lost wages
• Disability and loss of earning capacity in the future due to a catastrophic injury
• Childcare expenses
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium
• Mental anguish
• Additional economic and non-economic damages

Boston Motorcycle Accident Lawyer: FAQs

How Can a Boston Motorcycle Accident Attorney Help Your Case?

Boston motorcycle accident lawyers know what kinds of expenses are allowable under state civil law for a personal injury claim. Without a Boston motorcycle collision attorney by your side, you risk missing out on a payout that accounts for the full scope of the harm done. The motorcycle crash lawyers in our network have years of experience fighting on behalf of injured Bostonians. We have the know-how necessary to illustrate liability under the Commonwealth’s comparative negligence standard, and make sure you get the fullest amount possible from your Boston motorcycle crash case.

For a free consultation about the facts of your case, and to find out what you may be able to recover from a lawsuit, contact CarAccident.law today.