Massachusetts Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Learn More About Our Approach to Massachusetts Injury Accident Cases

The Goldwater Law Firm has helped the injured seek justice for over 20 years. We have built strategic partnerships with large and successful law firms near you who can help you fight for the compensation you deserve. Our co-counsels all work based on contingency, so that you can hire an attorney today with no upfront fees.

All our law firm partners are well-resourced and also have access to an extensive network of experts or specialists they can call on to support your claim. This could include medical specialists, accident reconstructionists, industry experts, and other professionals.

You can trust our law firm partners to have your best interests in mind and aggressively pursue a payout for you while handling your case with empathy and respect. Contact us today to get started.

Trust Our Co-Counsels to Show What Caused Your Crash and Identify the Liable Party

Motorcycle accident claims differ from car accident claims in Massachusetts. Motorcyclists are not covered under Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance policies. After a crash, injured motorcyclists cannot use their auto insurance to recover money for their medical bills and lost wages like most drivers can.

Instead, they must pursue a fault-based claim against the at-fault driver. If the other driver is uninsured or underinsured, the motorcyclist can use their own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, if available.

How Other Drivers Cause Motorcycle Accidents

Often, other drivers make mistakes behind the wheel that cause collisions or crashes. These mistakes could include:

• Failing to yield the right of way
• Changing lanes without checking blind spots
• Running red lights or stop signs
• Tailgating or following too closely
• Distracted driving
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Speeding or driving too fast for conditions
• Making sudden or improper turns
• Not using turn signals
• Not checking mirrors before merging or turning
• Cutting off motorcyclists or not giving them enough space

Motorcycle Accident Victims Often Suffer Severe or Catastrophic Injuries

When a motorcyclist collides with another vehicle, they often suffer serious injuries. This could include:

• Spinal cord injuries, possibly with lasting paralysis
• Traumatic brain injuries, including concussions and skull fractures
• Amputations
• Severe fractures, often in the legs, pelvis, or arms
• Internal organ damage
• Severe burns, including road rash
• Punctured or collapsed lungs
• Coma or loss of consciousness
• Crush injuries

Bikers with these types of injuries may require long-term medical treatment and rehabilitation, which could result in permanent impairments. They often receive life-saving care at one of the state’s Level I trauma centers located in Boston and Worcester.

They could require extended inpatient rehabilitation following their treatment and care at a trauma center. This level of care, support, and therapy costs a lot of money but gives the victim the best chance at a medical recovery and the ability to return to their previous activities.

What Types of Damages Are Available in a Massachusetts Motorcycle Accident Case?

Since motorcyclists cannot recover money through a PIP claim, all motorcycle accident cases in Massachusetts are based on fault. When a motorcyclist can show that another driver caused their crash, they can recover money based on a wide range of expenses and losses they incurred.

One of our law firm partners can help you develop a case and seek compensation for your damages, which could include:

• Medical costs, including hospital bills, surgeries, and related costs
• Future and ongoing care needs
• Rehabilitation costs
• Lost income for time missed from work
• Reduced future earning capacity if permanently disabled
• Property damage, including your motorcycle repair or replacement
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress, trauma, and anxiety
• Disfigurement or disability
• Diminished quality of life

What If My Loved One Passed Away in a Motorcycle Accident?

Under Massachusetts General Laws c. 229, § 2, Massachusetts law allows the personal representative of the estate to file a wrongful death action on behalf of survivors if a car crash victim passes away from their injuries. These cases allow spouses, children, parents, and other immediate family members to recover money for the expenses and losses suffered when a motorcyclist passes away.

Building a Compelling Case for Compensation After a Motorcycle Accident

When you work with one of our law firm partners to pursue accountability and compensation, they will take the necessary steps to gather evidence and build a case that will convince the insurance company or judge and jury to award you the money you deserve.

The evidence they may need to show what happened and who is legally responsible could include:

• Police reports
• Your relevant medical records
• Photos from the accident scene
• An accident scene survey
• Eyewitness statements
• Accident reconstruction reports or testimony
• Traffic camera, dashcam, or surveillance footage
• Expert testimony from medical experts
• The other driver’s admission of fault or negligence
• Any traffic citations given to the at-fault driver
• Documentation of damages

With strong evidence, a motorcycle accident lawyer from our co-counsel can demand that the other driver’s auto insurance carrier provide a payout that adequately compensates you for your injuries and damages. When successful, these cases often end in a settlement agreement following negotiations with the insurance company.

Sometimes, the insurance company is uncooperative or refuses a fair settlement. When this occurs, a lawsuit and litigation may be necessary. Your attorney will compile and file the lawsuit and prepare the case for trial. They will present the facts and evidence, asking the jury to award the money you deserve based on the documented damages.

What Is the Deadline for Filing a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts law sets deadlines for suing the at-fault driver after a motorcycle accident. This is the statute of limitations that applies in most personal injury cases. It is three years from the date of the injuries, set by Massachusetts General Laws c. 260, § 2A. The state’s wrongful death laws also set a three-year lawsuit deadline in these cases.

Missing the deadline to file a lawsuit could mean you are barred from securing a payout in the case. The judge will likely prevent you from taking the case to court, providing key leverage to settle your case outside of court.