Boston Bicycle Accident Attorneys Helping Injured Cyclists Pursue Compensation
Trusted Massachusetts Bicycle Accident Lawyers Fighting for Your Rights
Experienced Legal Advocacy In Your Bicycle Accident Case
Bicyclists are often overlooked by other motorists on Boston’s streets and roads, resulting in devastating accident injuries. Boston bicycle accident lawyer Smith and his team of attorneys provide legal representation to cyclists who have been injured by other motorists. Mr. Smith handles a broad range of personal injury cases. His experience includes representing clients in both jury and non-jury trials. He is committed to providing clients with aggressive advocacy to help them get results. Contact our office today if you were hurt in a bike accident.
Bicycle Accident Fatalities And Injuries
Bicycle accidents that involve other vehicles can leave a bicyclist with traumatic injuries. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data shows that 726 bicyclists and other cyclists were killed, and another 49,000 were hurt, in traffic collisions in 2012. In Massachusetts, one third of bicycle deaths occurred in Suffolk County. Many bicyclists die from their injuries. Those who survive a collision with a car or other vehicle are often left with incapacitating injuries. Fractures, traumatic head injuries, and other damage can lead to surgeries and years of rehabilitative care.
Liability For Bicycle Accident Injuries
Bicyclists have every right to ride their bicycles on public roads, streets, and bikeways. Like motorists, they must adhere to traffic laws and regulations. In many cases, however, a car or other driver will ignore or simply fail to see a bicyclist.
A bike accident victim can hold a car or other motorist accountable if the motorist caused the victim’s injuries. By filing a personal injury suit in Massachusetts, you may hold the driver liable under a theory of negligence. To establish negligence, a plaintiff must show that:
- The defendant owed the plaintiff a duty of care;
- The defendant breached the duty of care (by speeding through a stop sign, for example);
- The plaintiff’s injuries were caused by the defendant’s breach; and
- The plaintiff suffered actual damages.
Some bicycle accidents are caused by a defect in the bicycle itself. Product manufacturers can be held responsible for defective or dangerous products. To hold a product manufacturer liable, there must be a flaw in the product’s design or manufacture, or there must be insufficient warnings of the dangers associated with its use.
Comparative Negligence
A defendant may blame the bicyclist for the accident, but Massachusetts does not prevent a plaintiff from recovery if he or she partly contributed to his or her own injuries. You may be able to recover damages, but your recovery will be diminished in proportion to your degree of fault. Massachusetts follows a comparative negligence standard that provides that as long as your proportion of fault does not exceed the defendant’s, you may potentially recover damages for your injuries.
Recovering Damages And Compensation
Bicycle accident victims are prone to debilitating injuries, and many victims die as a result of their accidents. If you were injured while riding a bicycle, you may be able to seek compensation from those responsible for your injuries. Recoverable damages include medical and hospital expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and damage to your property. A wrongful death claim allows you to recover damages if your relative died in a bike accident. You may obtain compensation for his or her pain and suffering, medical and burial bills, and your loss of consortium.
Committed To Your Case
Boston bike accident attorney Smith and his team of attorneys provide experienced, knowledgeable legal representation to bicycle accident victims. Mr. Smith has handled a broad range of personal injury matters over the past 15 years. He can analyze your case and address your possible legal options. Mr. Smith serves clients throughout the Boston area. Call our office at 617-263-0060 or fill out our online form to arrange a consultation at no cost.
Boston Bicycle Accident Lawyers Serving Injured Cyclists Throughout Massachusetts
Cycling is an increasingly common way to travel, exercise, and commute throughout Boston and Massachusetts. Unfortunately, cyclists can suffer severe injuries when they are involved in collisions with cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles, or other vehicles.
Unlike people inside passenger vehicles, cyclists have limited physical protection during a crash. Even a collision at a relatively low speed can result in broken bones, head injuries, spinal injuries, road rash, or other serious conditions.
If you were injured in a bicycle accident in Boston, understanding how the collision happened and determining who may be responsible can be important when evaluating your legal options.
Mass Injury Group Injury and Accident Attorneys represents injured cyclists in Boston and throughout Massachusetts. Our bicycle accident attorneys investigate collisions, preserve relevant evidence, identify potentially responsible parties, evaluate injuries and financial losses, and help injured clients pursue compensation when a viable legal claim exists.
Potential evidence may include:
✓ License-plate information
✓ Vehicle descriptions
✓ Surveillance footage
✓ Traffic-camera footage
✓ Dashcam recordings
✓ Witness statements
✓ Nearby business video
✓ Bicycle-camera footage
What If a Bicycle Accident Is a Hit-and-Run?
A hit-and-run can make identifying the responsible driver more difficult, but available evidence may still help investigators.
If you are involved in a hit-and-run, report the incident promptly and preserve any available evidence.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Boston
Distracted Drivingn
Drivers who use phones, adjust navigation systems, eat, or engage in other distracting activities may fail to notice cyclists.
Failure to Yield
A driver may fail to yield to a cyclist when turning, entering an intersection, crossing a bicycle lane, or approaching another location where cyclists have the right of way.
Unsafe Passing
A vehicle passing too closely or failing to provide adequate space can create a dangerous situation for a cyclist.
Speeding
Higher speeds reduce reaction time and can substantially increase the severity of injuries when a collision occurs.
Opening Car Doors Into Cyclists
A parked driver or passenger who opens a vehicle door into the path of a cyclist can cause a serious collision.
Failure to Check Blind Spots
Drivers may fail to see cyclists when changing lanes, turning, merging, or entering intersections.
Aggressive or Reckless Driving
Unsafe lane changes, sudden turns, speeding, and other aggressive driving behaviors can put cyclists at significant risk.
Impaired Driving
Alcohol or drug impairment can affect a driver's judgment, coordination, awareness, and reaction time.
Poor Road Conditions
Potholes, debris, uneven pavement, inadequate signage, construction hazards, and other roadway conditions can contribute to bicycle accidents.
Boston Bicycle Accident Attorney Frequently Asked Questions
A bicycle accident attorney in Boston can investigate the collision, gather evidence, identify potentially responsible parties, review medical and financial losses, communicate with insurance companies, and help pursue compensation when a viable claim exists.
It is generally helpful to seek legal guidance as soon as reasonably possible after a bicycle accident. Early action can help preserve evidence, identify witnesses, obtain available video footage, and ensure important legal deadlines are considered.
Yes. A Boston bicycle accident attorney can examine evidence such as traffic-camera footage, surveillance video, photographs, witness statements, vehicle damage, bicycle damage, and roadway conditions to help determine how the accident occurred.
Depending on the circumstances and applicable Massachusetts law, an injured cyclist may potentially seek compensation for medical expenses, rehabilitation, lost income, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, permanent impairment, property damage, and other legally recognized losses.
Yes. A personal injury lawyer in Boston who handles bicycle accident cases can investigate the circumstances of the crash, evaluate the severity of your injuries, determine potential liability, document your losses, and pursue an appropriate legal claim.
Useful evidence may include police reports, photographs of the accident scene and injuries, surveillance or traffic-camera footage, witness information, medical records, bicycle and vehicle damage, cycling-camera recordings, and documentation of lost income and expenses.
A hit-and-run can make an investigation more challenging, but evidence such as surveillance footage, traffic cameras, witness statements, vehicle descriptions, license-plate information, and dashcam recordings may help identify the vehicle or driver.
Yes. A bicycle accident lawyer can communicate with insurers, review available coverage, document your losses, evaluate settlement offers, and negotiate on your behalf when appropriate.
Potentially. Responsibility depends on the specific circumstances and applicable Massachusetts law. An attorney can review the evidence and determine how the conduct of each party may affect a potential claim.
A Boston bicycle accident lawyer can investigate the crash, preserve important evidence, identify potentially responsible parties, assess your medical and financial losses, communicate with insurers, and pursue compensation through negotiation or litigation when appropriate.
Why Prompt Investigation Matters After a Bicycle Accident
✓ Important evidence can become unavailable as time passes.
✓ Surveillance recordings may be deleted, vehicles may be repaired, damaged bicycles may be discarded, and witnesses may become harder to locate.
✓ A prompt investigation can help preserve relevant evidence, identify witnesses, document the accident scene, and determine who may potentially be responsible.
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
Real Stories from Real People
I got in an accident and Tyler took care of me. He was quick to respond when I had questions. He didn’t let the insurance company take vantage of me.Tyler got me what I deserved. I definitely recommend him.
– Brian Derosier
Tyler Langlais esq., quickly litigated and settled my case. He was extremely professional, down to earth, and very smart. I would recommend Tyler and his team of law professionals to all family and friends of mine.
– Jim DeStefano
This Law office is great, Tyler A. Langlais was able to help me each step of the way after my car accident. Very responsive, professional, and outstanding support. Process was quick and simple, and same goes to the rest of the Attorneys. I strongly recommend it 🙂
– Alex Ventura
Attorney Michael Smith was very accommodating. I hate traveling into the city dealing with traffic, so he met me locally. He negotiated a fair settlement and I’m satisfied with his counsel.
– Myrienne