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Brockton Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
Strong advocacy for victims of motorcycle crashes in Massachusetts
Riding a motorcycle can be an exhilarating form of travel. However, a motorcyclist should know the risk of a serious accident is always present. An accident can cause a rider to suffer severe injuries. At The Law Offices of Gerald J. Noonan, we have the experience and working relationships to hold drivers accountable when they cause motorcycle accidents because they didn’t see your motorcycle, respect your right to be on the road, or for other reasons. Our Brockton motorcycle accident lawyers understand the unique challenges involved in proving fault. We help riders who suffer concussions, spinal cord damage, road rash, and other serious injuries obtain all the compensation they deserve to restart their lives. We also represent families when a motorcycle accident takes the life of your loved one.
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How we can help
- How dangerous are motorcycle accidents in Massachusetts?
- Why do motorcycle accidents happen in Brockton?
- What types of motorcycle accidents do you handle in Brockton?
- What injuries do motorcycle accidents in Brockton cause?
- Who is responsible for motorcycle accidents in Brockton?
- What laws govern motorcycle riding in Massachusetts?
- How much is my motorcycle accident claim worth?
- Do you have a motorcycle accident lawyer near me in Brockton, Massachusetts?
How dangerous are motorcycle accidents in Massachusetts?
Motorcycle accidents often cause catastrophic and permanent injuries. Many motorcycle crashes are fatal. A motorcycle is simply no match for a car or truck. Motorcycles don’t have a hood, roof, trunk, or doors to protect the rider if an accident occurs. There are no airbags or seatbelts to protect the rider. The only protection some riders have is a helmet. Also, many conditions, such as the weather and the design of the road, are more dangerous for motorcycles than for larger vehicles.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 6,218 riders died in motorcycle accidents in 2022. Additionally, more than 82,000 riders suffered injuries in motorcycle accidents that same year.
Why do motorcycle accidents happen in Brockton?
Our Brockton motorcycle accident lawyers work with investigators, the police, and, when necessary, traffic reconstruction accidents to show why your accident was preventable. We thoroughly question everyone who has knowledge of your case during the discovery phase.
Some of the causes of motorcycle accidents are the following:
- A driver of a car, truck, or another larger vehicle fails to see a motorcycle or fails to respect the motorcycle rider’s right to be on the road.
- A driver does not understand how to drive when motorcycles are nearby
- Driver distraction which includes texting, using a cell phone, eating, and looking at a GPS
- Drunk driving and driving under the influence of drugs
- Driver fatigue
Speeding and other traffic violations - Driving too fast for weather or traffic conditions
- Driving two motorcycles abreast in a lane
- The lack of experience of a motorcycle operator
- Failing to handle riding in curves properly
- Failing to understand how to ride in a group of motorcycles
- Dangerous road conditions
Unlike drivers in cars who can roll up their windows and turn on the windshield wipers, riding a motorcycle in the rain, snow, or glaring sun is dangerous for several reasons. It’s hard to focus when rain is soaking through your clothing; it’s hard to see when water is in your eyes and wet roads are slippery and treacherous.
Motorcycle accidents in Brockton may also be due to defective motorcycle parts, including clutches, electrical systems, brakes, tires, frames, engines, and fuel tanks.
What types of motorcycle accidents do you handle in Brockton?
The Law Offices of Gerald J. Noonan handles all types of motorcycle accidents, including:
- Head-on crashes
- Intersection accidents
- T-bone /broadside accidents
- Rear-end collisions
- Poor road design accidents, including accidents due to potholes, dead animals, and varying types of road surfaces
Our Brockton motorcycle accident lawyers work with product safety experts if an accident is caused by defective brakes, electrical systems, or other faulty motorcycle parts.
What injuries do motorcycle accidents in Brockton cause?
Our personal injury and wrongful death lawyers handle all types of motorcycle accident injuries and fatalities, including:
- Road rash
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord damages
- Traumatic amputation/loss of limb
- Compound, simple, complex, comminuted, and other types of fractures
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Nerve and muscle damage
- Tissue, ligament, and tendon damage
- Burn injuries
- Leg injuries
- Damage to extremities, such as knees, feet, and hands
- Cuts, lacerations, and bruises
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Death
Road rash occurs when a rider slides along the road after an accident. This injury can cause severe damage to the rider’s skin. Infections are a common risk factor. Some road rash injuries may necessitate skin grafts and plastic surgery. Road rash victims may need psychological care to cope with their scars.
Who is responsible for motorcycle accidents in Brockton?
If another driver causes a motorcycle accident, both the operator of the motorcycle and any victims of the motorcycle accident can file a personal injury claim.
If a motorcycle operator causes an accident, any passengers on that motorcycle and any victims in other cars (or pedestrians who are struck) can file a personal injury claim.
Other defendants may include the owner of any vehicle (where the driver causes the accident - if the owner and the driver are not the same), an employer, and other defendants, depending on how the accident happens.
What laws govern motorcycle riding in Massachusetts?
All riders and passengers in Massachusetts must wear a helmet, especially if a rider is under 21. The helmet must meet Massachusetts’ minimum standards. Unless the motorcycle has a screen or windshield, riders must wear goggles or other protective eye gear.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts motorcycle safety website recommends that drivers:
- Give motorcycles access to the full lane of travel. Lane splitting is illegal in Massachusetts. A motorcycle and a car cannot be in the same lane. “The operators of motorcycles shall not ride abreast of more than one other motorcycle, shall ride single file when passing, and shall not pass any other motor vehicle within the same lane, except another motorcycle.”
- Signal when changing lanes.
- Check for blind spots when changing lanes.
- “Allow more follow distance - three to four seconds - when behind a motorcycle. This gives the rider more time to maneuver or stop in an emergency.”
Other Massachusetts motorcycle laws include the requirement for a proper motorcycle license. “Permit holders under 18 must satisfy all junior operator requirements and complete the Motorcycle Rider Education Program (MREP). Permit holders older than 18 must simply pass a Class M road test to obtain a motorcycle license.”
How much is my motorcycle accident claim worth?
Motorcycle accident insurance is treated very differently under Massachusetts law than compensation in a car accident case. Car owners are required to have personal injury protection (PIP) insurance. Under Massachusetts no-fault laws, PIP insurance pays car accident victims for injuries, property damage, lost wages from work, and pain and suffering. PIP insurance is mandatory for car owners. PIP insurance is not mandatory for motorcycle owners.
At The Law Office of Gerald J. Noonan, we demand compensation for the following damages:
Economic damages
Following a motorcycle accident, a court may award you economic damages. Those damages often include:
- Medical costs (current and future). These include surgeries, doctors’ appointments, and physical, occupational and psychological therapies. They also include prescription medication, including medications for psychological issues, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Current loss of wages.
- Future loss of wages if you cannot work because of long-term or permanent injuries
- Replacement or repair of your property, including the bike and anything on the bike or in the saddlebags
Non-economic damages
Courts award non-economic damages for losses that do not have specific costs attached to them. Non-economic damages can include:
- Pain and suffering, including all your daily aches, moments of discomfort, worries, and anxieties.
- Loss of comfort if you can no longer engage in activities that you normally participated in, such as cooking, cleaning, hiking, and other activities that you enjoyed doing with your family
- Loss of consortium if you are unable to enjoy a physical relationship with your spouse
- Loss of a limb. A court may compensate you for the loss of a limb, especially if the loss prevents you from enjoying life or forces you to change careers.
You may also have a punitive damages claim if the conduct of the responsible driver is unconscionable.
Do you have a motorcycle accident lawyer near me in Brockton, Massachusetts?
Yes. We are located at 555 Pleasant Street, Brockton, MA 02301. We conduct phone and video consultations. Our team can make alternative arrangements if your injuries prevent you from traveling.
We’re prepared to answer all your questions and explain your rights.
Speak with The Law Offices of Gerald J. Noonan today
Accidents are frightening. It’s natural to worry about your health and how you’ll pay your bills. Our Brockton motorcycle accident lawyers have earned the trust and respect of our clients, insurance companies, and defense lawyers for our compassion for our clients and our record of impressive results. Call us or contact us to schedule a free consultation. We handle motorcycle accident cases on a contingency fee basis.