Motorcycle Accidents

There are roughly four million motorcycles on the roads in the United States each year. Unsurprisingly, there are thousands of motorcyclists who suffer serious injuries and fatalities each year as a result of traffic accidents. Massachusetts alone witnessed almost 200 motorcycle fatalities in 2013, according to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Nearly 80 percent of the victims of these devastating crashes were wearing a helmet, which is a legal requirement for motorcyclists in Massachusetts. At Barry Feinstein and Affiliates, our dedicated Boston motorcycle accident lawyer has handled many cases involving devastating accidents. This means that we have a clear understanding of what you are going through during this difficult time. To learn more about your potential legal options and how we can assist you, contact us as soon as possible.

There are many different reasons that motorcycle accidents can happen, and many of them involve carelessness on the part of another motorist. Motorcycles are much smaller than regular passenger vehicles or trucks, which means that it can be even easier for a motorist to fail to see a motorcyclist approaching an intersection or making a lane change. Many accidents result from a motorist cutting off a motorcycle rider in an intersection, failing to yield the right-of-way, tailgating the motorcyclist, swerving in front of a rider, engaging in distracted driving practices like texting, or driving while intoxicated. Motorcyclists have as much right to be on the roadway and to be treated with caution and consideration as other motorists.

In a personal injury lawsuit, a motorcycle accident attorney in Boston will need to show that the other driver did not operate his or her vehicle with the appropriate level of care and skill and that this failure was a direct and foreseeable cause of the injuries that you sustained. In other words, you must prove that had the defendant paid adequate attention or driven with due care, you would not have been injured. There are many defenses available to defendants facing liability in motorcycle accident claims, including comparative negligence. If the defendant can show that the plaintiff was 51 percent or more at fault for the accident, the defendant will not be required to pay the plaintiff any compensation.

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident, you can seek personal injury protection (PIP) coverage from your insurance company and the other driver's insurance company to help cover the costs of your medical care, lost wages, and other expenses associated with the crash. Since motorcycle accidents are so severe, however, this coverage often fails to completely cover a victim's expenses. In a personal injury lawsuit, a Boston motorcycle accident attorney also can seek compensation for any additional damages that you face as a result of the accident. These include your past expenses as well as future estimated costs.

Many motorcycle riders face permanent disabilities that prevent them from returning to their usual occupations and from engaging in their favorite hobbies. If you are unable to return to work, or to work at all, you can seek compensation for your reduced earning capacity. Your loved one may also have a claim for loss of consortium because he or she may be seriously affected by your injuries and the daily struggles that they will cause moving forward. A seasoned Massachusetts lawyer can help you ensure that you request the full amount of compensation that you deserve for your injuries and damages.

We know that the legal process can be challenging, but we are here to help. Having handled motorcycle accident claims on behalf of victims in the areas around Boston, Cambridge, Waltham, Lowell, Newton, Somerville, Quincy, Dedham, Norwood, Brookline, and Peabody, we are prepared to fight for the full amount of compensation that you deserve following a motorcycle accident, a bicycle accident, or any other type of motor vehicle collision. We offer a free consultation to help you learn more about how we can assist you. You can call us at 800.262.9200 or contact us online.