There are plenty of motorcycle enthusiasts in Massachusetts. While most riders operate safely, there are times when the careless or negligent actions of other drivers cause serious harm to a cyclist. At Colucci, Colucci & Marcus, P.C., our dedicated team is ready to help if you need a Massachusetts motorcycle accident attorney. Our motor vehicle crash lawyers have the knowledge and experience necessary to conduct a thorough investigation into the crash in order to secure the compensation you need.
Steps to Take After a Motorcycle Crash
If you or somebody you care about has been involved in a motorcycle crash in Massachusetts, there are various steps that you can take immediately after the incident, as well as in the days and weeks that follow, to help improve your chances of recovering compensation. The Boston motorcycle accident lawyers at Colucci, Colucci & Marcus, P.C. have experience helping clients with these accidents, and they recommend the following steps:
- Call 911: Make sure that somebody calls 911 so that police, fire, and EMS professionals can get to the scene of the crash. Motorcycle accidents often result in more serious injuries than traditional vehicle crashes, so it is crucial to take all precautions necessary to secure the scene and ensure everybody is okay.
- Seek medical care: You need to make sure you seek medical care if you have been involved in a motorcycle accident. Some of the signs and symptoms of injuries are not immediately noticeable. Even if there is no immediate pain, you need to let a doctor conduct an evaluation. This will ensure that you are taken care of while also establishing a link between the motorcycle crash and any injuries you have sustained.
- Gather evidence: If you are able to do so safely, you can begin gathering evidence at the scene of the crash. This can include using a smartphone or another type of camera to take photographs of anything that you see, including vehicle damage, motorcycle damage, injuries, causes of the crash, debris, traffic and weather conditions, and more. Look to see if there are any cameras on nearby homes or businesses that may have captured the incident on the footage. Get the names and contact information of any person who witnessed your Massachusetts motorcycle accident.
- Report the incident to the insurance carrier: It is crucial to report the incident to your motorcycle insurance carrier as soon as possible. Insurance carriers have fairly strict reporting deadlines, and delaying a report could result in a delay or a denial of the claim. You do not need to go into significant detail with your initial report, but the insurance carrier does need to know that the incident occurred.
- Contact an attorney: You need to consider working with a skilled motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible. When an attorney gets involved in these cases early, they will be able to intercede with insurance carriers on your behalf while also gathering all evidence needed to prove liability.
- Continue medical care: You need to continue seeking medical care until the doctor says you have reached maximum medical improvement. If you fail to follow up with the treatment plan recommended by your doctor after a motorcycle crash, the insurance carrier for the at-fault party may use this as a sign that you were not truly injured in the incident.
Motorcycle Accidents Can Be Devastating For Victims
Motorcycles are popular modes of transportation, especially when the weather in and around Massachusetts is nice. However, motorcyclists have very little protection from the force of a vehicle slamming into them. The reality is that, in a motorcycle crash, riders and passengers often sustain injuries from two impacts – one with a vehicle and one with the ground.
It is not uncommon for our Boston motorcycle wreck lawyers to help clients who have sustained the following in a crash:
According to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, there were 1,699 total motorcycle accidents during the latest reporting year in the Commonwealth. Out of those incidents, there were 1,214 injuries and 45 fatalities. When we look at those statistics, it becomes clear just how dangerous these incidents are for motorcycle riders and their passengers.
What Causes Motorcycle Accidents?
In many cases, motorcycle accidents are caused by careless or negligent drivers. Often, drivers fail to give motorcyclists the space they deserve on the roadway. This can lead to deadly rear-end or sideswipe collisions. Of particular concern are vehicle drivers who operate while impaired or distracted behind the wheel.
When a motorcyclist is injured due to the actions of another driver, it is vital that they secure an attorney immediately. Unfortunately, insurance carriers are often biased against motorcyclists. This can lead to a higher rate of claim denials or delays. Your attorney will work to gather all evidence from the incident, including video and photo surveillance, eyewitness statements, accident reports, and more. Using this evidence, along with proof of your medical costs and other expenses, your attorney will vigorously negotiate for a fair settlement on your behalf.
Time Limit to File a Boston Motorcycle Accident Case
Every state is responsible for setting a time limit for how long motorcycle accident victims have to file lawsuits against alleged negligent parties. The personal injury statute of limitations in Massachusetts is three years from the date an incident occurs. If a motorcycle accident victim in Massachusetts fails to file a claim against an alleged negligent party within this three-year window, they will generally lose the ability to recover any compensation for their claim.
However, it is important to understand that this time limit does not apply to any deadline the insurance carriers may have in place. Typically, insurance claims must be filed relatively soon after the incident occurs, usually within a day or two. Failing to report a crash to insurance carriers within a reasonable amount of time could result in a claim being delayed or denied. The motorcycle collision lawyers at Colucci, Colucci & Marcus, P.C. will work with you to ensure that you do not miss any deadlines related to your case.
How Will a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Help This Case?
Having a motorcycle accident lawyer in Massachusetts by your side in these cases can be incredibly beneficial. Most motorcycle accident victims do not have the resources or legal experience necessary to conduct a full investigation into their case. However, an attorney will be able to:
- Obtain all evidence necessary to prove liability, including photo or video surveillance, eyewitness statements, accident reports, and more.
- Work with trusted medical and economic professionals to ensure their client’s well-being and to help calculate total losses.
- Handle communications with all parties involved in an effort to negotiate full compensation for their client.
Unfortunately, many insurance carriers have an inherent bias against motorcyclists when it comes to accident cases. Insurance carriers often paint motorcyclists as dangerous drivers, but that is typically not the case. By properly investigating the incident, a Boston motorcycle accident lawyer will work to push back against any bias from other parties involved.
Are Motorcyclists Required to Wear Helmets in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts is one of several other states across the country that has a universal law requiring all motorcyclists to wear a helmet, regardless of their age or riding experience. That being said, if a motorcyclist is not wearing a helmet and gets injured in an accident caused by another driver, they will still be able to recover compensation for their losses. Not wearing a helmet does not limit a motorcyclist’s ability to recover compensation when another person is negligent.
However, it is strongly recommended that all motorcyclists wear a helmet when operating their bikes. Helmets have been proven effective in lowering the number of traumatic brain injuries and fatalities in motorcycle crashes.
Let Our Boston Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Help You Through This Case
If you or someone you care about has been injured in a Massachusetts motorcycle accident, you should turn to a trusted attorney for help. At Colucci, Colucci & Marcus, P.C., personal injury attorneys are ready to get to work on your case today. Our team will conduct a thorough investigation in order to secure the compensation you deserve. This can include:
- Coverage for your motorcycle crash medical bills
- Compensation for lost income if you cannot work
- Mental anguish damages
- Loss of enjoyment of life damages
- Possible punitive damages against a grossly negligent driver
When you need a Massachusetts motorcycle accident attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation of your case by clicking here or by calling 617-917-3917.
