Over the past month there have been news reports of fatal motorcycle accidents in Massachusetts. Motorcycles are very thrilling and exciting to ride, especially in the springtime here in Massachusetts. However, motorcyclists are vulnerable due to the lack of protection they offer their riders and passengers and because they can be difficult to see for other drivers.
Motorcycle accidents typically result in very severe injuries, which sometimes can be fatal. When a family loses a loved one in a motorcycle accident, they will undoubtedly suffer significant emotional harm as well as financial losses. If the accident was caused by another driver, the surviving family may pursue compensation for their heartbreaking loss.
Recent Fatal Motorcycle Crashes in Massachusetts
Fox 25 Boston reported in April that a 24-year-old man was fatally injured in a motorcycle crash in Taunton, MA. The motorcycle collided with a car causing the motorcyclist significant injuries that sadly took his life.
Just this month, a 21-year-old man also lost his life in a motorcycle crash in Cohasset, MA. This young man was from Rockland, MA and he was said to have swerved off the road into a pile of wood. He suffered significant trauma in the accident which resulted in his death. Both accidents are still under investigation.
The two young men lost their lives much too soon. Our thoughts and prayers go out to their family and friends.
Some Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
The freedom and thrill of riding these powerful machines is appealing to many. But motorcycles are also very dangerous. While motorcycles account for only a small percentage of vehicles on the roads and highways in Massachusetts and across the United States, they account for many serious injuries and fatalities in vehicle crashes. Below are the some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents:
Speeding: Most motorcycles are built for speed and speed is part of the excitement. But speeding is a major cause of motorcycle crashes. Riding at excessive speeds reduces a rider’s reaction time in the event of a hazardous condition. Since motorcycles do not provide any protection to their riders, a motorcycle accident at extreme speeds often results in catastrophic injuries or even death.
Alcohol: Statistics show that almost half of all single motorcycle accidents are caused by the combination of alcohol or speeding. It is well known that alcohol reduces our abilities to perform routine movements and functions. Alcohol also effects our fine and gross motor skills, which reduces our reaction capabilities. When alcohol is combined with speed while driving a motorcycle, riders have a harder time paying attention to the other cars on the road and making maneuvers to try and avoid accidents.
Blind Spots: When a car collides with a motorcycle, the driver of the car often claims that he or she didn’t see the motorcycle. This is usually because the motorcycle may have been in the car’s blind spot. This is when the motorcycle is in an area that the other driver could not see the bike. The most common blind spot is from the side view mirror to the rear of the car. Almost half of all car vs. motorcycle accidents involve cars taking a left-hand turn. This is because the driver of the car didn’t see the motorcycle when turning. Motorcyclists should be aware of blind spots and their vulnerabilities to try to avoid accidents.
Before heading out on your motorcycle, you should be aware of these common causes of accidents and make sure you and your motorcycle are ready for safe riding.
Legal Action After a Motorcycle Accident
Motorcycle crashes can happen in an instant and often result in catastrophic and sometimes fatal injuries. After a motorcyclist is fatally injured in a crash, the surviving family members will suffer both financial losses and significant emotional harm. The family may choose to pursue compensation for their losses through a wrongful death lawsuit.
As with all personal injury cases from motor vehicle accidents, in a wrongful death lawsuit in Massachusetts, the other driver must be proven to have been at fault and the cause of the accident. In other words, the other driver must be found to have been negligent and that his or her negligence was the cause of the motorcycle rider’s death. If a family is successful in proving the other driver was negligent, they may be compensated for funeral and burial expenses, the loss of reasonably expected net income, companionship, comfort and more.
If the decedent’s family members want to seek compensation, they should consult with an experienced Massachusetts personal injury attorney. An experienced lawyer can evaluate the motorcycle accident and help protect your rights to financial compensation. Sometimes, proving the other driver was at fault in motorcycle crashes can be difficult. This is because many drivers and their insurance companies often blame the motorcycle for causing or contributing to the crash. Having an experienced injury attorney on your side should put you in the best position to get the compensation you and your family deserve.
Contact A Massachusetts Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today
Mahaney & Pappas, LLP is a personal injury law office centrally located in Framingham, Massachusetts that serves victims of accidents in Boston, greater Boston, Worcester and all other surrounding towns. We have decades of experience representing people injured in accidents, including motorcycle accidents. Our main focus is getting our clients the compensation they deserve.
If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, we are here to help and fight to get you the financial compensation you and your family deserve. We understand the stress of accidents and can help guide you through the personal injury claim process and take the immediate action needed on your case. Feel free to contact us online or call (508) 879-3500 to schedule a free case evaluation.
