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Boston Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

In motorcycle accidents, riders have less protection than other motorists. Even one crash can be life-changing. You may face serious injuries, medical bills, time away from work and lifelong disability. Insurers may also try to pay less or shift blame for the crash.

Greene LLP has over three decades of experience in complex civil litigation, building a reputation for being professional and relentless. Based in Boston, we serve Dorchester and South Boston PUMA. When a rider is hurt, we act fast, gather evidence and stand up to insurers.

What To Do After A Motorcycle Accident In Boston

Legal protection begins at the scene of a motorcycle accident in Boston. These steps can protect your health and legal rights:

Call 911: Law enforcement and emergency responders can document the crash and check for injuries.
Document the scene: Take your own photos of the vehicles, damage, road conditions and visible injuries.
Get medical care: Seek treatment even if your symptoms seem minor. Early treatment creates a record of your injuries.
Exchange information: Get the other driver’s information and the names of any witnesses.
Notify your insurance company: Report the crash without giving a detailed statement.
Contact a lawyer: An attorney can help protect your rights from the start.

These steps can preserve evidence and protect your rights while you focus on your recovery.

What Causes Motorcycle Crashes In Boston?

Boston’s busy streets, curbside parking, construction zones and changing road conditions can create risks for motorcycle riders. Common causes include:

Failure to notice motorcycles: Drivers may overlook motorcycles when checking blind spots, merging or changing lanes.
Left-turn collisions: Drivers turning left may misjudge a motorcycle’s speed or distance, and cross its path.
Unsafe lane changes: Drivers in heavy traffic may fail to see a motorcycle in an adjacent lane or move into its path.
Rideshare and delivery traffic: Time pressure from app-based pickups and deliveries may cause some drivers to make rushed stops or sudden lane changes.
Dooring accidents: People getting out of cars parked along Boston’s curbs may open a door into the path of a motorcycle.
Construction zones: Lane closures, temporary traffic patterns and narrow roads can make it harder to see what is ahead.
Potholes and uneven pavement: Sudden changes in the road surface can cause a motorcycle to lose control.
Roadway debris and winter damage: Debris, salt and gravel can create hazards for riders. Freezing and thawing can also damage roads.

At Greene LLP, we examine these conditions to build a clear case about how the crash happened and who may be responsible.

Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Motorcycle crashes often cause severe injuries because riders lack the protection of a car’s frame. Common serious injuries include:

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI), even when helmets are worn
Severe road rash and abrasions, leading to infections and permanent scarring
Multiple fractures and broken bones, often requiring surgery and long rehabilitation
Spinal cord injuries and paralysis, which may result in lifelong disability
Internal injuries
Nerve damage and chronic pain
Psychological injuries, including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

These injuries can lead to high medical costs, lost income and other losses. A fatal crash may also give surviving family members a wrongful death claim, depending on the circumstances.

Massachusetts Motorcycle Insurance Issues Riders Should Know

Motorcycle insurance works differently from car insurance in Massachusetts. The state does not require motorcycle policies to provide personal injury protection (PIP) for riders injured on a motorcycle. Riders may need other insurance to cover medical bills and other losses.

Depending on the crash and the policies involved, an injured rider may have access to:

Bodily injury liability coverage: The at-fault driver’s insurance may cover injuries caused by that driver.
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage: This may apply when the driver has no insurance or not enough coverage for the rider’s losses.
Medical payments coverage: MedPay may cover some medical costs if the motorcycle policy includes it.
Health insurance: Health insurance may cover medical care when PIP does not apply. If both health insurance and MedPay apply, Massachusetts rules generally make MedPay secondary to health insurance.

Coverage depends on the policy, its limits, exclusions and the facts of the crash. Hit-and-run crashes or crashes involving more than one driver or a business may raise other coverage issues. Reviewing the policies can identify possible sources of coverage.

Compensation Available After A Motorcycle Crash

At Greene LLP, we pursue economic and noneconomic damages for injured riders. These may include:

Economic damages: Current and future medical bills, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, and property damage such as motorcycle repair or replacement
Noneconomic damages: Physical pain, emotional harm, reduced quality of life, and permanent disfigurement or scarring

A serious crash can lead to medical bills, lost income, ongoing care and lasting changes to your life. A Boston motorcycle crash attorney can pursue damages for these losses under Massachusetts law.

How Is Fault Determined Under Massachusetts Law?

In any Massachusetts motorcycle accident, proving fault is central to securing compensation. The four elements of negligence include:

Duty: The other driver owed you a duty of care.
Breach: They failed to meet that duty by acting carelessly.
Causation: Their actions directly caused your injuries.
Damages: You suffered measurable losses.

Massachusetts also uses the modified comparative negligence rule. If you are found 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover compensation.

A Boston motorcycle accident lawyer can gather evidence and challenge claims of fault. Evidence may include:

Police reports and citations that document the crash
Witness statements that support your version of events
Crash photos or video showing what happened
Medical records linking your injuries to the crash

This evidence can support your claim and challenge an insurer’s denial or lowball offer.

Why Choose Greene LLP For Your Boston Motorcycle Crash Case?

Selecting the right motorcycle crash attorney can increase the chances of a successful outcome. At Greene LLP, we have a long history of success in serious motorcycle accident claims. Our differentiators include:

Over 32 years of complex civil litigation experience.
A proven ability to handle high-value cases involving traumatic brain injury (TBI), paralysis and broken bones.
Access to accident reconstruction experts who strengthen claims with clear evidence.
Relentless pursuit of damages for lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses tied to your crash.

When facing powerful insurers, you need a Boston motorcycle accident lawyer who will not back down. We are experienced, professional and aggressive in every case we handle.

Frequently Asked Questions About Boston Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle crashes can leave you overwhelmed, unsure of your rights and facing aggressive insurance tactics. Below, we answer common questions about motorcycle accidents in Massachusetts.

Do I have to report a motorcycle crash in Massachusetts?

You must report a Massachusetts crash within five days if it causes an injury, death or more than $1,000 in damage to a vehicle or other property. If your injury prevents you from filing the report, the five-day deadline does not apply.

Send the crash report to the local police department where the crash occurred. Then follow the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) reporting process.

Can I recover compensation if I was not wearing a helmet during the crash?

Yes. Not wearing a helmet does not automatically bar you from recovering damages. Massachusetts law requires riders to wear helmets, but you may still seek compensation if you were not wearing one.

Insurers may argue that the lack of a helmet contributed to the severity of your injuries. A skilled attorney can challenge no-helmet arguments and point to any negligence by the other driver.

Ride Hard, Fight Harder

Motorcycle riders deserve respect on the road, but too often, negligence leaves them injured and struggling with bills. Our role is to turn the fight in your favor. If you or a loved one has been injured in a Massachusetts motorcycle accident, reach out to Greene LLP immediately.

We serve Dorchester, South Boston PUMA and the greater Boston area. Call us at 617-459-4512 or fill out the online contact form today and let us put our decades of litigation skills to work for you. No fee unless we win.