Head-on Motorcycle Collisions in MA
Dedicated Boston Attorneys Helping Accident Victims Pursue Compensation
Motorcycle accidents are often devastating for a victim. Unlike passenger vehicles, a motorcycle leaves the rider exposed to the elements and unprotected in the event of a collision with another vehicle. Also, since motorcycles are smaller in stature, it is common for other motorists to fail to notice a motorcycle on the roadway. This is particularly true if the driver is distracted, speeding, or intoxicated.
There are many different types of motorcycle accidents, including broadside collisions and head-on motorcycle collisions. The dedicated Boston motorcycle accident attorneys at Breakstone, White & Gluck have been recognized by their peers as personal injury lawyers who fight vigorously for people who have been seriously injured as a result of another driver’s carelessness. Our team of legal professionals is ready to help you fight for the justice that you deserve.
Legal Claims Based on Head-on Motorcycle Collisions
In most cases, head-on collisions happen because one or both drivers were not paying sufficient attention or driving with appropriate care. Under Massachusetts law, each driver has a duty to drive with reasonable care and skill, using the same diligence that a prudent driver would use. If someone fails to drive a car or motorcycle with this level of attention, they would be considered negligent.
There are many ways that a driver may fail to meet this standard of care. When it comes to head-on collisions, however, there are several common shortcomings that tend to cause this type of crash. Making an unsafe lane change, speeding, and driver fatigue have all been associated with head-on crashes. Failing to obey traffic signals and signs is another lapse that drivers commit before a head-on collision, causing them to enter a lane or intersection when it is not their turn. Failing to signal while driving and or failing to yield the right of way to other motorists are other ways that drivers breach the standard of care and cause head-on collisions. If a driver violates a traffic law at the time of the event, such as weaving out of his or her lane or failing to use a signal, this violation can be used to help establish that the defendant was driving carelessly.
To recover damages from the driver who caused the head-on collision, your personal injury lawyer must show that they failed to drive according to the standard of care. This frequently involves retaining experts, gathering evidence, deposing any witnesses to the crash, and more. A seasoned motorcycle injury lawyer can help you investigate your claim and gather the available evidence. Once your attorney has proven that the other driver did not drive with adequate care, they would need to prove that this failure caused your injuries.
Massachusetts follows the comparative negligence rule, which prevents a plaintiff from recovering damages if the plaintiff is deemed more than 50 percent at fault for his or her injuries. (It reduces but does not eliminate the damages award if the victim is at fault, but not more than 50 percent at fault.) Because of this, defendants in head-on motorcycle collision cases may argue that the plaintiff also acted negligently. However, we are familiar with ways to fight back against this strategy or minimize its effects.
Finally, your lawyer will need to demonstrate the damages that you suffered as a result of the head-on crash. These can include any expenses that were a direct outcome of the accident. Injured motorcycle riders often seek compensation for medical expenses, including ambulance bills, hospitalization bills, surgeries, medications, and physical therapy. If you suffer catastrophic or permanent injuries, you may be able to obtain compensation for your estimated future medical care costs. Our personal injury lawyers also can assist you with finding experts to prove your claim.
Meet with a Compassionate Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Boston
Understanding how to proceed after you have been hurt in a head-on motorcycle collision can be difficult. Having assisted victims throughout Massachusetts, we have seen how daunting and stressful this can be for a victim and his or her family. We proudly serve people in cities such as Boston, Cambridge, Waltham, Lowell, Newton, Somerville, Quincy, Dedham, Norwood, Brookline, Attleboro, Barnstable, Brockton, Plymouth, Worcester, Lawrence, and Springfield. To schedule your free consultation, call us now at 1-800-379-1244 or contact us online.