Massachusetts motorcycle accidents can be physically and emotionally devastating. Before accident victims can even recover from the shock, the financial costs cause additional stress.
At Kiley Law Group, our focus is to secure financial compensation for those affected by the carelessness of others. We have recovered millions of dollars for our clients during our 40-year history of successful personal injury cases.
If a motorcycle accident affected your life, this guide will help you understand the potential expenses involved. For a free personalized review based on your unique circumstances, call (888) 435-1321.
How Motorcycle Accidents Happen?
Mass.gov identifies the two most common roadway fatalities crashes.
Single-vehicle crashes
When a motorcycle accident does not cause damage to another vehicle, it’s considered a single-vehicle accident. Yet, that does not mean that the driver was the only one to play a role in the crash.
For instance, suppose a car crosses a motorcyclist’s path. As the bike rider swerves to avoid a collision, he hits a concrete median.
In another scenario, a motorcycle’s brakes malfunction. The motorcyclist crashes into a tree because he or she cannot stop the vehicle.
The driver of a single-vehicle accident is not always the cause of a collision. Contact our legal team for more information if you experience any type of motorcycle accident. Some of our attorneys are riders themselves, so you can find an empathetic ear with Kiley Law Group.
Left-turn accidents
When motorists and motorists cross paths, there is always the potential for conflict. Making left turns is the second most common precursor to fatal roadway crashes.
Many left-turn accidents occur when drivers attempt to pass a turning motorcycle on the vehicle’s left side. In other cases, oncoming traffic fails to stop or yield at the appropriate time.
When passenger vehicles crash into motorcycles, negligent behaviors like the following could be to blame:
- Driving under the influence of alcohol
- Operating a car while impaired by drugs
- Driving distracted or fatigued
- Tailgating
- Aggressive driving
- Failing to yield
- Disregarding traffic signs, signals, or red lights
- Going the wrong direction on a one-way street
Various factors play into an accident, and often multiple causes are behind a crash. You can learn whether the reasons behind your collision qualify for compensation by scheduling a free consultation. Click the live chat button at the bottom of your screen to talk to an agent at any time.
Preventable Accidents Cost Lives
Motorcycles comprise only 3 percent of all US registered vehicles, yet motorcycle riders accounted for 14 percent of traffic fatalities in 2020.
Fatality rates for motorcycle operators and their passengers increased about 11 percent from 1919 to 2020. The year 2021 marked a sobering milestone in Massachusetts as well. Sadly, more motorcyclists were killed than in any previous year.
No one can put a price on the loss of human lives.
Calculating the Cost of Motorcycle Accidents
The National Safety Council (NSC) has listed the calculable costs of motor vehicle crashes on their website.
Wage and productivity losses
A worker’s wages and household production contribute to the wealth of the United States as a whole. Lost productivity is defined by the total wages, fringe benefits, and replacement-cost value of household services. In motor vehicle incidents, there might also be travel delays.
While the nation suffers these losses, the sting is most potent for accident victims and their families. As long as the injured party cannot work, the household might struggle to meet expenses.
Medical bills
Riders who survive crashes face a considerable risk of severe injury. After an accident, you might need medical attention to diagnose and treat your injuries. These expenses could include:
- Doctor visits
- Emergency room fees
- Hospital stays
- Surgeries
- X-ray, CT scans, and other diagnostic tests
- Dental services
- Prosthetic devices
- Professional nursing
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Prescription drugs
Healthcare bills make up the bulk of accident expenses. In 2020, motorcyclist injuries added up to $81.03 million.
Administrative costs
Administrative costs refer to the expense to society for public and private insurance, police, and legal costs. For insurers, administrative costs are the difference between the premiums paid by their customers and the amount they pay out in claims.
While payouts represent the cost of doing business, insurance companies try to keep as much profit as possible. Our knowledgeable lawyers can help you get what you deserve from greedy insurers.
Vehicle damage
In an accident, motorcycles can sustain significant damage that impacts their appearance and functionality. The cost of repairs and replacements for totaled bikes is included in this calculation. However, the normal cost of wear and tear is not considered damage under personal injury accident laws.
Employers’ uninsured costs
This category estimates the uninsured costs of employers incurred after an accident. It represents the dollar value of the time lost performing workers’ compensation investigations, reporting injuries, giving first aid, training and replacing employees, and the overtime worked by uninjured workers.
One NSC study calculated over $11 million in expenses by totaling costs of 1 fatal, 52 injury, and 187 property-damage crashes – which gives you the estimated cost per fatality.
Another traffic safety analysis revealed that motor vehicle crash injuries (at work and off-the-job) cost employers $72.2 billion in 2018. This sum averages out to about $26,081 per on-the-job collision. Some 379,000 employees were injured while working, and more than half of all injured crash victims had to miss work.
Clearly, the societal cost of vehicle collisions is high. But what about the personal impact of a motorcycle accident?
How Motorcycle Accidents Could Affect You?
A motorcycle crash can change your life in an instant.
Fatalities
Losing a loved one is the worst possible outcome of a motor vehicle accident. Yet, more than 40,000 fatalities occur, on average, every year.
Surviving family members could make a wrongful death claim when someone’s negligence or misconduct results in loss of life. This legal action seeks compensation for the family’s financial losses due to the accident.
Your wrongful death claim could cover the cost of:
- Funeral and burials: End-of-life expenses, including the transport of the deceased, the funeral home service fee, caskets, headstones, burial plots, or cremation; Massachusetts is one of the states with the highest average funeral expenditures
- Medical bills: The cost of treatment before death
- Lost wages: The earnings that would have been earned by the deceased had he or she lived
Some wrongful death suits also seek non-economic damages such as:
- Loss of companionship or consortium: The deprivation of relationships and their benefits as experienced between spouses or parents and their children
- Pain and suffering: The mental, physical, or emotional trauma of the deceased resulting from that person’s injuries
- Punitive: Damages imposed to punish a “willful, wanton, or reckless act” that causes death
Among the factors that influence the amount awarded in a wrongful death claim are:
- The age and health of the victim and his or her dependents
- His or her previous earning history
- The injuries
- The nature of the accident
Wrongful death lawsuits are subject to deadlines. Consult our lawyers as soon as possible to ensure that you meet the Massachusetts statute of limitations for seeking financial damages. There is no obligation to get legal advice during your initial case review.
Economic hardships
Are you struggling financially after your accident? According to the American Psychological Association, stressing about money could significantly impact your physical and emotional well-being. Almost 72 percent of adults experience stress about money, some “even putting their health care needs on hold because of financial concerns.”
If medical debt or missed work due to accident injuries are taking their toll, you might think you cannot afford high-quality legal services. But at Kiley Law Group, we believe accident victims should have the compensation they need to care for their needs.
We never charge for our initial consultations, and you pay no fee until we win. Until you get your money, you can be sure that our lawyers will work tirelessly on your behalf so that you can focus on your recovery and your family.
Lack of transportation
Was your motorcycle your primary means of transport? You might need expensive repairs that take extensive time to complete. If your bike was damaged beyond repair, you might have to replace it.
At times like these, the attorneys of Kiley Law Group can fight for your rights. Our experienced attorneys can help you get fair market value for your bike or the cost of repairs.
Battling Insurers Alone
How much would you need to cover your expenses? What amount of compensation would be fair in your case? Most motorcycle accident victims cannot readily answer the above questions.
Insurance companies could take advantage of any knowledge gap. They make more money if they convince you to take less than is fair. Once you realize your mistake, it is too late.
Our law firm offers a free consultation, so Massachusetts and New Hampshire residents do not have to take this risk.
Schedule Your Motorcycle Accident Expense Review
Each case and accident victim are different. The legal professionals at Kiley Law Group examine various factors when determining the actual costs of a motorcycle accident.
You do not need to pay a dime for a case review. So why hesitate to reach out to us?
One call can make a difference. Call (888) 435-1321 to learn what your case is worth today.
