Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Somerville at Earley Law Group Injury Lawyers have represented injured people in Massachusetts since 2006. If another driver caused your accident, we can review the circumstances and explain what compensation may be available.
Contact us for a free consultation today with one of our Somerville personal injury lawyers.
When Another Driver Causes a Motorcycle Crash
Many motorcycle accidents occur because a driver fails to see a rider already in the roadway. Left turns, lane changes, following too closely, and distracted driving can all put a motorcyclist in a position where there is little time to avoid a collision.
We also handle claims involving:
- Rear-end collisions.
- Drivers who fail to yield.
- Unsafe passing or merging.
- Impaired drivers.
- Speeding or aggressive driving.
- Road hazards or debris.
- Vehicle defects or mechanical failures.
The cause of the crash determines who may be responsible. In some cases, that may be another driver. In others, there may be additional parties whose conduct contributed to the accident.
How Motorcycle Insurance Works in Massachusetts
Massachusetts does not require insurers to provide Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits to motorcycle operators or passengers injured while riding a motorcycle. That is different from the PIP coverage commonly available after a passenger-vehicle accident.
Because of that distinction, the available coverage may depend more heavily on the at–fault driver‘s bodily injury policy, your own motorcycle policy, health insurance, and any additional coverage that applies.
As your Somerville motorcycle accident attorneys, we can review the policies involved and explain which sources of compensation may be available in your case.
How Our Somerville Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Establish What Happened
A motorcycle rider can be seriously injured even when the physical damage to the other vehicle appears limited. For that reason, we do not evaluate fault based only on photographs of the vehicles.
We look at how the collision developed. That may mean reviewing the point of impact, lane position, traffic controls, witness accounts, available video, or the other driver’s statements.
When fault is disputed, evidence from the scene can become especially important. A driver may claim that a motorcycle was speeding or appeared suddenly when the physical evidence tells a different story.
Serious Injuries From Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle injuries often affect how you work, move, sleep, and manage ordinary responsibilities.
We commonly see riders suffer from the following injuries:
Fractures and Orthopedic Injuries
Broken bones, shoulder injuries, knee damage, and other orthopedic injuries may require surgery or lengthy rehabilitation.
Head and Brain Injuries
A concussion or traumatic brain injury may affect concentration, memory, balance, or the ability to return to work.
Road Rash and Scarring
Road rash can cause deep tissue damage, infection, nerve injury, and permanent scarring.
Spinal and Internal Injuries
Back injuries, spinal cord damage, and internal injuries may require substantial treatment and can result in lasting physical limitations.
When we evaluate your claim, we want to understand not only the diagnosis but what the injury means for your day-to-day life.
What Compensation May Be Available?
If another party caused the accident, you may be able to recover compensation for the losses tied to your injuries.
Those losses may include:
- Medical expenses.
- Future medical care.
- Lost wages.
- Reduced earning capacity.
- Pain and suffering when permitted under Massachusetts law.
- Permanent impairment or scarring.
- Damage to your motorcycle and riding equipment.
Massachusetts generally limits pain–and–suffering recovery in motor vehicle injury cases unless medical expenses exceed $2,000 or the injury falls within one of the statutory exceptions, including fractures, death, certain sensory losses, or permanent and serious disfigurement.
Preserve Your Motorcycle and Riding Gear
After a serious crash, do not assume the motorcycle, helmet, or damaged riding gear has no further value.
Those items can sometimes help show the force or location of impact. If the motorcycle is being stored at a tow yard, repair shop, or insurer, speak with us before authorizing disposal, if possible.
Photographs of the scene can also be useful, particularly when the crash involved a road defect, debris, construction, or an unusual intersection condition.
Reporting the Accident
Massachusetts requires a written crash report when an accident results in injury, death, or more than $1,000 in damage to any one vehicle or other property. The report generally must be filed within five days.
You should also seek medical care and continue with recommended treatment. If symptoms change, tell your medical provider rather than relying on your own assumptions about whether the problem is related to the crash.
How Long Do You Have to Bring a Motorcycle Injury Claim?
Massachusetts generally allows three years to bring a motor vehicle bodily injury action, although different rules can apply in some situations.
That does not mean waiting is a good idea. Video can be overwritten, witnesses may become harder to locate, and physical evidence can disappear.
If you have questions about timing, a motorcycle accident attorney in Somerville can review the specific facts of your accident and determine the applicable deadline.
What You Can Expect From Earley Law Group
We believe you should be able to speak openly with your lawyer and understand the advice you are receiving. When we represent you, we explain what we are seeing in the evidence, what the insurer is arguing, and what options are available.
We also take your injuries seriously enough to understand how they have changed your life. That includes what you can no longer do comfortably, whether your work has been affected, and whether you are facing continued treatment.
Earley Law Group handles personal injury cases on a contingency-fee basis, so you do not pay attorney fees upfront. We can also travel for consultations when necessary.
Speak With a Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Somerville
If you were injured while riding, contact Earley Law Group for a free consultation with a Somerville motorcycle accident lawyer. We can review the crash with you and explain your options under Massachusetts law.