Boston Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Boston, you might be entitled to compensation for things like medical bills, lost wages, and ongoing pain. A Boston motorcycle accident lawyer at Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP can fight to hold all negligent parties accountable after a wreck. Call our law firm at (617)-391-9001.
We offer a free consultation to all potential clients. If you or a loved one are struggling with injuries after an accident, don’t hesitate to contact one of our lawyers today.
How Will a Motorcycle Accident Attorney Help?
Motorcycle accident victims often struggle with painful injuries for months after the crash. For many, that can also create a financial crisis at home.
You may be unable to work at the exact time when your medical bills are piling up. If someone else caused the crash, you shouldn’t have to handle the financial strain on your own.
Unfortunately, the at-fault driver and insurance company will probably put up a fight. Even if they do admit fault, they’ll try to undervalue your injury claim to increase their own profits. That’s not fair, but it might seem like there’s little you can do but accept.
That’s why it’s important to speak with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer before making any decisions. Our lawyers want to make sure you recover as much money as possible after an accident. At Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP, we have over 100 years of collective experience handling cases like yours. When you hire us to protect your rights, your motorcycle accident attorney will:
- Use our resources to conduct a comprehensive investigation to find out what caused the accident
- Determine who is legally responsible for paying your damages
- Protect you when the insurance company tries to pin blame for the accident on you
- Consult with respected experts to find out what your motorcycle accident case is really worth
- Negotiate with the insurance company to recover the most compensation available
- Communicate with you and your family every step of the way so that you know what’s happening and what to expect
Taking legal action can be intimidating. The personal injury laws in Massachusetts are anything but simple. Having a skilled lawyer in your corner can make all the difference in the world when it comes to winning the compensation your family needs.
You don’t have to wait until you’re healed to take action. Give our law offices a call today to set up a free case review with one of our motorcycle accident lawyers.
How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents?
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data shows that 4,985 people were killed in motorcycle accidents across the United States in 2018. While that represents a 5% decrease from the prior year, most of those accidents could have been prevented.
About 82,000 additional riders were injured.
Motorcyclists are 28 times more likely to be killed in a crash when compared with occupants in passenger vehicles. Nationwide, the fatality rate for motorcyclists is approximately 57.52 per every 100,000 registered motorcycles.
Massachusetts Motorcycle Accident Statistics
What about in Massachusetts? According to crash data published by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, there were a total of 1,731 motorcycle accidents in the Commonwealth in 2019.
That included:
- 46 fatal motorcycle accidents
- 1,236 injury accidents
In 2020 despite the fact that the nation was essentially shut down because of a pandemic, there were still 1,644 motorcycle accidents in Massachusetts.
What Damages Are Available to Motorcycle Accident Victims in Massachusetts?
If you were hurt in a motorcycle wreck that someone else caused, you’re entitled to financial compensation for your out-of-pocket costs and inconvenience. The exact amount will vary from case to case, but you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Future medical expenses
- Reduced future earning potential
- Physical therapy
- Long-term care
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Disability
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Damages for wrongful death
The insurance company might put a settlement check on the table quickly after your accident. If this happens, be suspicious.
While getting money in your pocket right away is appealing, you might be settling for far less than what your case is worth.
Insurance companies bank on the fact that motor vehicle accident victims need cash now.
By accepting without legal advice, you’re letting the insurance company decide what your injuries are worth. Instead, you can take action and call Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP for help. When you hire us, we bring in experts who can find out what your case is really worth.
Even better? We work on a contingency basis, so you don’t have to worry about paying us anything up front. Just give us a call today to learn more about establishing an attorney-client relationship.
How Is Fault Determined in a Motorcycle Accident?
Determining fault is a crucial aspect of securing compensation for your motorcycle accident. You must be able to attribute fault to the party whose negligence caused your accident through a solid claim strengthened by evidence.
As the plaintiff, you bear the burden of proving that the other party:
- Owed you a duty of care
- Acted negligently
- Caused the accident because of their negligence
If these three requirements are met, they will likely be found at fault and liable for your losses.
Unfortunately, fault determination can be a complex and lengthy process. It could involve multiple liable parties, and gathering sufficient evidence such as testimonies, photos, witness statements, and reports can require significant skill and foresight.
Experienced motorcycle accident lawyers can be a helpful resource. They may have the knowledge and resources necessary to help you gather evidence, build a claim that will effectively establish liability, and secure the highest possible settlement for you.
How to Determine the Value of a Motorcycle Accident Claim
The value of a motorcycle accident claim is determined by numerous factors related to the damages the plaintiff has suffered. In a personal injury case, your losses are usually divided into economic and non-economic damages. An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer may be able to estimate the value of your claim by evaluating these damages and the influence of other crucial factors.
What Are Your Economic Damages?
Economic damages, also known as special damages, are essentially the victim’s financial losses with an exact dollar value, like lost wages and medical expenses incurred due to the accident. Economic damages can also include losses such as:
- Permanent injuries
- Earning capacity
- Employment benefits
- Vehicle repair or replacement
These damages are based on quotes and/or records of payments.
What Are Your Non-Economic Damages?
Non-economic damages, sometimes called general damages, typically refer to losses that don’t have an exact monetary value, like pain and suffering. Because there are no guidelines for calculating non-economic damages, juries must rely on the strength of your case and their own judgment to decide their value.
You Could Be Awarded Punitive Damages
In accidents where the at-fault driver was driving recklessly or while under the influence, the court may award the plaintiff punitive damages to penalize the defendant for their recklessness. Punitive damages often raise the value of a motorcycle accident lawsuit regardless of the severity of the plaintiff’s losses. Punitive damages act as a deterrent and aim to keep the defendant from engaging in the same behavior again.
Can Massachusetts Laws on Shared Fault Impact My Right to Compensation?
Massachusetts follows modified comparative negligence rules. Sharing fault doesn’t automatically disqualify you from recovering compensation. However, you will lose your right to compensation entirely if you’re found to be 51% or more “at fault” for the crash.
Even if you only played a minor role in the accident, your damages award can be reduced in proportion to your share of the blame. Say you were found to be 20% responsible. A $100,000 compensation award can be reduced by 20%, to $80,000.
Insurance companies know this. They’ll try to blame you for causing the accident or making your injuries worse. For example, they might argue that your helmet did not comply with state helmet laws. They might even try to accuse you of lane splitting, which remains illegal under Massachusetts law.
Our personal injury lawyers at Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP are familiar with these tactics. We know how to fight back and protect your right to fair compensation.
What Are the Leading Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Boston?
There are many different factors that can cause a motorcycle accident. In general, most motorcycle accidents are caused by driver negligence.
Some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents in Boston include:
- Tailgating
- Illegal turns
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Unsafe lane changes
- Drunk driving or driving under the influence of drugs
- Driver inexperience
- Failure to stop at a red light or stop sign
- Motorcycle defects
- Road hazards
- No-Contact
It’s important to find out every factor that contributed to the accident because multiple parties may share responsibility for the crash. At Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP, our motorcycle accident lawyers put in the hard work necessary to find out what happened. Once we know the cause, we can get to work pursuing compensation from all responsible parties.
Motorcycle Accidents Can Cause Catastrophic Injuries
Obeying the helmet laws in Massachusetts can save lives. The state of Massachusetts requires all riders and motorcycle passengers to wear a helmet.
Unfortunately, even with proper protective gear, many motorcyclists suffer serious injuries every year.
At Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP, our motorcycle accident attorneys represent clients who have suffered:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Burn injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Concussions
- Broken bones
- Crush injuries
- Road rash
- Degloving
- Traumatic amputations and loss of limbs
- Internal organ damage
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
Some motorcycle accidents are so serious that riders don’t survive the injuries. If that’s the case, our legal team can help surviving family members recover compensation for the wrongful death of a loved one.
Who is Liable For My Injuries After a Boston Motorcycle Wreck?
Any car accident can be traumatic. However, when the crash involves a motorcycle, it’s the riders who suffer the most serious consequences. Our attorneys will fight to hold anyone responsible for the damage accountable for their actions.
Responsible parties can include:
- The driver in another car or truck
- Employers of negligent drivers
- Pedestrians or bicyclists
- Manufacturers of a defective vehicle component
- Government transit authorities
At Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP, we take an aggressive approach to pursuing damages for motorcycle accident victims. We know that your injuries might be severe–and that the stakes are high for your family. We’ll do everything we can to hold every responsible party accountable to the fullest extent of the laws in Massachusetts.
What’s the Deadline for Filing a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit in Boston, MA?
It’s important not to let much time go by if you were hurt in a motorcycle accident. We know it’s a difficult time for your family, but you might lose your right to compensation if the statute of limitations runs out.
The statute of limitations puts a time limit on your right to sue for damages. Under Massachusetts law, you’re required to file your personal injury lawsuit within three years of the motorcycle accident. Once three years are up, you’re generally barred from filing a lawsuit–even if your injuries were severe.
What Can I Do to Reduce the Risk of a Motorcycle Crash in Suffolk County, MA?
That might leave you wondering what motorcyclists can do to protect themselves. There are some key findings on increasing motorcycle safety.
They include:
- Wearing an approved helmet and proper protective gear
- Taking a state-approved motorcycle safety course
- Becoming familiar with your particular motorcycle
- Checking the motorcycle’s tires, brakes, signals, and headlights before every ride
While these precautions can save lives, there isn’t much a motorcyclist can do about other careless drivers on the roads.
Call an Experienced Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Boston, MA for a Free Case Evaluation
If you’ve been hurt in a motorcycle crash, the best thing you can do is take steps to learn about your legal rights. Speak with an experienced Boston motorcycle accident lawyer at Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP to get answers to any questions you might have.
If you’re ready to schedule a free consultation, all you have to do is call our law offices or connect with us online to arrange a time.
Boston Motorcycle Accident Testimonial
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