Few feelings in life match that of throwing your leg over a motorcycle and going for a ride. Motorcycles stir the soul and mind. Every sense is engaged with the experience: the smell of rubber and asphalt in the air, the feel of the vibrating machine under you, the faint taste and intoxicating sound of the exhaust, and the blurring of nearly everything in your periphery contrasted with crystal clear images in your plane of focus.
Whether you’re commuting to work or are setting out in search of riding heaven, a motorcycle elevates the potentially mundane to the endlessly memorable. Well, that’s the plan, anyway. Unfortunately, it seems like it’s only a matter of time before an unexpected collision for many riders.
No matter how aware and safe of a rider you are, all it takes is one oblivious – or worse yet, aggressive – driver to hit you or force you to drop your bike. And let’s face it: When it comes to cars versus motorcycles, the rider rarely comes out on top.
Motorcycle Accidents in Massachusetts
Despite the pandemic driving down the number of commuters on Massachusetts roads, more motorcyclists died in Boston crashes in 2020 than in any of the previous 4 years. What’s worse is that roughly 80 percent of all motorcycle accidents result in serious injury or death.
Those numbers add up. Part of the excitement that comes from riding is being so close to one’s surroundings. But since riders don’t enjoy the same protection that motorists do, collisions can be serious.
Many of the riders we know are well aware of the dangers. They stay on high alert to avoid accidents, riding defensively to keep safe.
At Kiley Law Group, we’re riders too. Tom Kiley, Sr., has been riding longer than he’s been practicing law. We know the sense of freedom that comes with hopping on a motorcycle and heading to your favorite destination, whether it’s a local cafe or a distant retreat.
Here’s hoping that you never need the expertise that a personal injury lawyer brings to the table. But what if you have been involved in a motorcycle accident? Should you get a lawyer?
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Riders in Massachusetts have suffered all sorts of injuries. Most of these occur due to the negligence or recklessness of oblivious or aggressive drivers.
Which one of the following brought you down?
- A car or truck turned left at an intersection
- A driver changed lanes without shoulder-checking
- An impaired motorist hit you
- A driver was speeding and/or driving dangerously
At the risk of painting with broad brushstrokes, most drivers are only aware of cars, trucks, or other large vehicles. Motorcyclists tend to be under-respected on the road, with drivers often misjudging a rider’s speed or dismissing the motorcyclist altogether. This places riders in a precarious position.
Any rider will tell you that motorcyclists need to be defensive. But even the most defensive riders with the best lane positioning may end up victims of a motorcycle accident through no fault of their own. Did something similar happen to you or a loved one?
Before the other driver places the blame on you for a collision he or she caused, work on strengthening your position with the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer.
Why You Should Think About Getting a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Injuries from motorcycle accidents are often serious. Did you spend several days in a hospital? Are you unable to work due to your injuries? Are your loved ones depending on you as a breadwinner?
At the very least, you likely have your own bills that need to be taken care of. Do you have someone helping you out?
A personal injury or accident lawyer may be the furthest thing from your mind following a motorcycle accident. But take a minute to consider whether an experienced personal injury law firm could give you the help you need:
- Was another party involved in your accident?
- Is their recklessness or negligence to blame for your suffering?
- Could you successfully prove their accountability in a legal setting?
That last question is a significant one. If your accident was the result of someone else’s negligence, then that person should be the one footing your bills.
True, recovering monetary damages may not return everything that you lost. However, many accident victims find that netting justly deserved compensation can help to mitigate financial stressors and get them back on the road to recovery, whether that means getting up and moving again or throwing your leg back over your favorite ride.
At Kiley Law Group, we want you to get back on the road. We have successfully helped riders like you recover financial losses and gain peace of mind. That’s our value proposition. If you think you could benefit from a motorcycle accident lawyer, reach out to us to learn how we can help you.
