Common Injuries in Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycles have many benefits compared to passenger vehicles, including being cheaper to maintain, easier to park, and more flexible when it comes to weaving through traffic. However, they also leave the rider vulnerable to serious injuries resulting from accidents. Motorcyclists are five times more likely to suffer injuries in a vehicle accident, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and 26 times more at risk of losing their lives in a crash. Even if a motorcycle rider is acting as safely as he or she can, there are still serious risks posed by other drivers who fail to pay attention or who are intoxicated. If you were injured in a motorcycle crash, you deserve competent and responsive legal counsel to help you assert your right to compensation. A skilled Massachusetts motorcycle accident lawyer at our firm can help you evaluate your legal options.

There are virtually endless situations that can lead to a motorcycle accident, meaning there are virtually endless types of injuries that the victim may suffer. One of the most common injuries is road rash, which occurs when skin is chaffed or scraped off as a result of skidding along asphalt, concrete, or another surface in a crash. Road rash may sound minor, but it can be incredibly painful and result in permanent scarring in severe situations. Nerve damage can also occur as a result of road rash on certain parts of the body.

Other common injuries in motorcycle accidents such as broadside collisions include broken bones and fractures, which can lead to permanent disabilities like quadriplegia. Unlike a passenger vehicle, which provides protection to the occupants during a crash, a motorcycle leaves the rider exposed to the surrounding environment. Perhaps one of the most difficult injuries to diagnose in treat is a traumatic brain injury. Even if a rider is wearing a helmet, the impact that results from a crash can still leave the rider with serious brain injuries that have symptoms like memory loss, fatigue, confusion, and personality changes.

The most severe injury that can result in a motorcycle crash, however, is death. If your loved one lost his or her life as the result of a motorcycle accident, then you may be able to assert a wrongful death claim to recover compensation for your suffering and losses.

In Massachusetts, a motorcycle crash can be the basis of a personal injury lawsuit. In this type of civil claim, the plaintiff must prove that the other driver owed a duty of care to drive as a reasonably prudent person would drive, that he or she failed to act according to that duty, and that the plaintiff suffered damages as a direct result of this failure. Motorcycle accidents can happen virtually anywhere, but they frequently take place in intersections when a car fails to yield the right-of-way or on the highway when a car merges or changes lanes without ensuring that the way is clear. Drivers often cause motorcycle accidents by engaging in distracted driving practices like texting, surfing social media, talking on the phone, or eating. These activities take the driver’s attention away from the road and make it more difficult for the driver to react to sudden changes.

If you succeed in showing that the defendant failed to drive with due care and caused your injuries, you can recover compensation for damages like your past and future estimated medical treatment expenses, missed wages, reduced earning capacity, and more. A dedicated motorcycle accident attorney can help you ensure that you seek the maximum amount of compensation that you deserve.

At The Law Offices of Barry Feinstein & Affiliates P.C., we can provide compassionate legal representation to the victims of motorcycle accidents and their families. We are familiar with the issues associated with the most common injuries in motorcycle accident cases, and we know how important it is for you to understand your rights. A seasoned Massachusetts accident attorney at our firm is available to help victims in areas around Boston, Cambridge, Lowell, Newton, Waltham, Dedham, Quincy, Norwood, Somerville, Brookline, and Peabody. Call us at 1-800-262-9200 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation.