Motorcycle accidents can lead to some of the most serious and catastrophic injuries for victims including traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, and debilitating back injuries. At the Law Office of Michael O. Smith, our seasoned team of Massachusetts car accident lawyers has helped motorcyclists with securing the compensation that they deserve after a careless driver causes them to suffer injuries in an accident. Although much of the attention surrounding motorcycle safety awareness month is focused on reminding riders about safe practices, it’s also about reminding drivers to be mindful and share the road.
In Massachusetts alone, nearly 800,000 residents are planning to travel for Memorial Day Weekend according to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. With the warmer weather, many may opt to take their motorcycles instead of their passenger vehicles.
Across the country, 20% of fatal accidents involve a motorcyclist even though there are far fewer motorcycle riders on the highways compared to passenger vehicles. This equates to motorcyclists being 28 times more at risk of suffering an injury in an accident compared to passengers in a regular vehicle according to the Governor’s Highway Safety Association.
It’s also important to note that three-quarters of motorcycle accidents involve another vehicle, and in most cases, the driver of the other vehicle is at fault for the crash. One of the most common ways that motorcyclists are injured is a rear end collision where a vehicle does not stop in time when coming up behind a motorcycle that is waiting at a stoplight or yielding the right of way. Motorcyclists are also often injured when a driver fails to yield the right of way in an intersection. Due to their smaller stature, motorcycles can be incredibly difficult to see especially if there is severe weather, heavy traffic, or road hazards like construction.
Some of the tips that MassDOT offers to ensure motorcycles are safe on the road are to maintain a four-second following distance when traveling behind a motorcycle, to check carefully for motorcycles before making a left-hand turn into traffic or changing lanes, and to never share a lane with a motorcycle. Motorcycles have the right to use a full lane of traffic and need that space to avoid hazards or to react safely to sudden changes in road conditions.
If you are injured in a motorcycle accident you can bring a personal injury claim to recover compensation for your injuries and damages. The first step is contacting a seasoned and experienced Boston car accident lawyer who can help you assess your potential case and determine the best way to proceed. In the action, you will need to show that the other driver owed you a duty of care, failed to drive according to that duty, and that you suffered harm as a direct and foreseeable result of their failure. If you are successful in establishing each of these elements, you are entitled to receive compensation for things like your past and future medical bills as well as any lost wages.
An accident is usually a sudden and traumatic event, especially for motorcyclists who tend to suffer more drastic injuries. We proudly offer a free consultation so that you can meet our staff and learn more about how we can help you. To schedule your appointment call us at 617-263-0060 or contact us online to get started.