If you’ve been injured by someone’s reckless actions, you deserve justice and fair compensation. A motorcycle accident attorney at Michael Kelly Injury Lawyers will fight tirelessly to protect your rights and recover every penny you are owed. We understand the challenges injured bikers face in Massachusetts, and we’re here to be the aggressive legal advocates you need.
- Boston Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
- Things You Should Know About Motorcycle Accidents in Boston
- Client Reviews
- Contact Our Boston Motorcycle Accident Attorney
- 30-Day, Risk-Free Guarantee
- Motorcycle Accident Case Resource Center
- Top Causes of Motorcycle Crashes in Boston
- Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries in Boston
- Compensation Available in Boston Motorcycle Accident Lawsuits
- Our Boston Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Will Help You Today
- Get a Free Case Evaluation
- 30-Day, Risk-Free Guarantee
Boston Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
Like many people in Boston, you may like to get around on your motorcycle. Why not? Motorcycles are usually cheaper to fuel and always more fun to ride than cars. However, they can be dangerous, too. As of the last reported data, there were 57 motorcyclist fatalities in Massachusetts back in 2022—that’s about 13% of all deaths in accidents involving motor vehicles. Nationally, motorcyclists represent about 14% of all traffic fatalities. While those statistics are unsettling, it’s important to know that not all accidents are caused by motorcyclists. Many drivers in Boston and throughout Massachusetts don’t know how to share the road with motorcycle riders. They often make bad decisions that lead to devastating accidents, which is where a motorcycle accident injury lawyer comes in. If a negligent driver recently caused a motorcycle crash that seriously injured you or caused the loss of your loved one, you have the right to demand just compensation according to Massachusetts law. Our Boston motorcycle accident lawyers at Michael Kelly Injury Lawyers are ready to help you pursue every cent you are due. Contact us today and get started with a free consultation about your case.
Things You Should Know About Motorcycle Accidents in Boston
You probably never imagined that you would get into a crash on your motorcycle. But as we suggested earlier, motorcycle accidents are more common than you may realize. Even though you may be a safe rider who has always followed Massachusetts motorcycle laws and the rules of the road that apply to all motorists in the Commonwealth, you need to know what to do if motorcycle accidents happen. If you are faced with the aftermath of an accident, you should know the following things:
- You need to get medical attention as soon as possible. If you wait too long to see a doctor, you put your health at risk. You also give insurance companies the chance to assert that your crash did not cause your injuries or that your injuries are not severe.
- You should keep all of your receipts and records. If you incur any costs because of the accident, you need to keep proof of them. This includes medical bills, bike repairs, and all other out-of-pocket expenses.
- You must be careful with insurance companies. You should report your crash to your insurance company as early as you can. You only need to give the basic facts. You don’t need to accept or assign blame. If any other insurance company calls, you don’t need to talk. In fact, you should simply refer the insurer to your attorney.
- You should not wait to get legal help. The sooner you have our law firm on your case, the better off you will be in the long run. Our Boston motorcycle accident lawyers will handle all communications with the insurance companies, investigate your case, calculate your damages, and aggressively pursue all compensation you are due.
In reality, an insurance company won’t want to pay any claim that you file. An insurer may actually try to blame you or your loved one for the crash. They often try to do that to motorcycle accident victims. At Michael Kelly Injury Lawyers, our motorcycle accident attorneys will protect your rights and treat you with the compassion, respect, and professionalism that you deserve.
Client Reviews
I really liked that I was always able to reach my lawyers and it wasnt extremely difficult to do so. They kept me informed and were always readily available to answer any of the questions I did have. I had a great experience and felt very personable with my lawyers and as though they represented me very well!
Gabby Santucci
Who Is Responsible for Your Motorcycle Accident?
When you’re injured in an accident, you have the right to hold the at-fault parties accountable and seek compensation for your injuries. In motorcycle accident cases, determining who is responsible involves proving liability. According to Massachusetts laws, to establish the other driver’s liability, you must demonstrate four key elements of negligence:
- The defendant owed you a duty of care.
- The defendant breached this duty.
- The breach caused your injuries.
- You suffered damages as a result of the injuries.
Negligence can include actions like speeding, texting while driving, or failing to signal. Even non-traffic violations, such as distractions while driving, can constitute a breach of duty. If the at-fault driver claims you were partially responsible, our attorneys can defend your rights and ensure that liability is accurately assigned.
Contact Our Boston Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Unlike car and other vehicle drivers, you do not have the right to file a claim for Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits after a motorcycle crash in Boston or elsewhere in Massachusetts. However, if another driver’s negligence caused your accident, you have the right to file a claim against that driver and seek compensation for all of your related medical expenses, lost income, pain, suffering and more. If your loved one died in a motorcycle accident that another driver caused, you have the right to file a claim for wrongful death damages, including the loss of your loved one’s support. You have these rights regardless of whether you are a motorcycle rider or a passenger on a motorcycle. In fact, if you suffered injuries as a passenger, you may have the right to bring a claim against the motorcycle operator or the driver of another vehicle or – depending on the facts – both parties. Our Boston motorcycle accident lawyers will fully investigate your case and identify everyone who should be held liable for your losses. Keep in mind: Massachusetts requires motorcycle riders and passengers to wear DOT-approved motorcycle helmets and eyeglasses, goggles, or a protective face shield if the motorcycle lacks a windscreen or windshield. However, even if you did not wear a helmet, you should be eligible to recover compensation if a negligent driver caused your crash. If an insurance company tries to tell you otherwise, it’s just another reason why you will benefit from having an experienced and aggressive lawyer at your side.
30-Day, Risk-Free Guarantee
Motorcycle Accident Case Resource Center
Understanding Your Options & Your Case
- 9 Ways an Adjuster Will Try to Limit Your Recovery
- How to File a Personal Injury Claim
- How Your Medical Bills Are Paid
- How Much Is My Case Worth?
- Accident Checklist
A motor vehicle accident is often a stressful and perhaps traumatic event. An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer can help you navigate the complexities of Massachusetts law and explore your legal options. They will assess your case, determine liability, and work towards securing the compensation you deserve. Taking a few simple steps following the accident, however, can go a long way in ensuring the handling of your injury claim goes as smoothly as possible.
Top Causes of Motorcycle Crashes in Boston
Attorney Michael D. Kelly and our team at Michael Kelly Injury Lawyers know that negligent drivers – not motorcyclists – are the cause of most collisions between cars and motorcycles in Boston. Here are just a few of the ways in which drivers fail to share the road safely:
- Sharing lanes: Motorcyclists have the right to the full width of the lane at all times. But some drivers try to share the lane or pass too closely. They can run motorcycle riders off the road or into fixed objects like guardrails.
- Unsafe lane change: Some drivers may rely only on their mirrors before changing lanes, failing to look over their shoulder. These unsafe lane changes are one of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents.
- Following too closely: Drivers should leave at least a three-to-four-second distance between their car and a motorcycle. Bikes need room in case they need to stop or swerve to avoid potholes or other obstacles.
- Failing to signal: Some drivers fail to respect motorcyclists and don’t signal when they turn or merge lanes. While you may do your best to pay attention to other drivers on the road, you may not always predict when another driver will fail to signal.
- Inattentiveness: If they fail to check their mirrors or blind spots, drivers can easily fail to see motorcycles. This is especially true at intersections.
- Distraction: Distracted driving leads to collisions when the driver is more focused on texting or talking on their phone instead of the road.
- Impairment: Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol leads to bad decisions and careless actions. For instance, a drunk driver may be more likely to try to “beat a red light” or turn directly in front of a motorcycle.
In some crashes, a driver’s negligence is not to blame. Instead, the cause of the crash can be traced to defects such as faulty brakes, handlebars, or wheels, or it can be the result of poorly designed or maintained roads. If you have been involved in an accident related to any of these causes, you need a Boston motorcycle accident lawyer. Rest assured, our investigative team at Michael Kelly Injury Lawyers will exhaustively examine your accident and get to the cause of it.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries in Boston
Because motorcycles lack structural protection and safety features such as seat belts and airbags, riders and passengers in Boston can suffer severe injuries when they collide with cars—even in low-speed crashes. Motorcyclists frequently suffer injuries in crashes, which is why a motorcycle accident attorney is so important. The most common injuries in Boston motorcycle accidents are:
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Broken bones
The impact with the car or road often causes hip, elbow, arm, knee, leg, or hand fractures. Broken bones are considered a serious injury.
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Severe abrasions
The deep cuts and road rash suffered in a crash can be difficult to treat and expose a victim to the risk of serious infections due to the material from the roadway becoming embedded in the skin.
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Traumatic brain injury
Even if a person wears a helmet, they can still suffer concussions and more severe types of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a motorcycle crash. Head injuries can have serious repercussions on your ability to work, resulting in lost wages.
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Internal injuries
The body’s systems can be severely injured in a motorcycle accident, with consequences such as organ damage and internal bleeding, which is extremely dangerous and potentially fatal.
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Spinal cord injury
Depending on the location of the injury, a rider can suffer permanent physical impairments such as paraplegia or quadriplegia. Even a slipped disc can be debilitating and keep a person out of work.
Compensation Available in Boston Motorcycle Accident Lawsuits
To obtain compensation, you must first file a claim proving the other party’s negligence caused your injuries. In successful cases, compensation is granted for different types of damages, depending on the specific circumstances of your case. An experienced personal injury attorney can help get you the compensation you need to pay for medical bills related to necessary medical treatment, recoup lost wages, recover damages, and more. Here are the possible types of compensation victims of motorcycle accidents might be entitled to:
- Loss of income
- Loss of future wages
- Medical expenses including visits to the emergency room, rehabilitation, ongoing care, etc.
- Daycare expenses
- Transportation to medical treatments
- Emotional distress related to loss of consortium
- Damages for physical pain and mental suffering
- Damages for impact on your life and ability to participate in various activities
- Other economic and non-economic damages.
The actual amount of compensation will depend on the unique details of your case. Having an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer by your side can help you navigate this process and work towards obtaining the full compensation you deserve. At Michael Kelly Injury Lawyers, we specialize in helping you achieve fair financial compensation for your traumatic injuries. Our lawyers will work closely with you to secure a favorable outcome in your motorcycle accident lawsuit. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Our Boston Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Will Help You Today
Client service is the hallmark of our legal representation at Michael Kelly Injury Lawyers. When you work with our law firm after a motorcycle accident in Boston or elsewhere in Massachusetts, you can expect to work directly with a motorcycle accidents lawyer—not an assistant or paralegal—and to have full attention dedicated to your needs and goals.
