Motorcycles Run Off the Road in Massachusetts
Tenacious Boston Attorneys Assisting Injured Riders
Among the many ways that motorcyclists can find themselves involved in serious accidents, being run off the road by an aggressive driver may be among the most frustrating. If you are run off the road, one of the biggest challenges that you may face is identifying the careless driver who caused the accident. Many motorists simply do not see or notice when they have run a motorcycle off the road. This may be because they are not paying attention or because they are intoxicated when the accident takes place. If you cannot identify the driver, you may very well be able to seek compensation through your auto insurance policy. If the driver does stop or is identified, however, you can bring a negligence claim against the driver to recover compensation for your damages. At Breakstone, White & Gluck, our Boston motorcycle accident lawyers are prepared to help you assert your rights against a careless driver.
Establishing Liability After Being Run Off the Road
Proving that the other driver ran you off the road can be difficult, especially when the other vehicle did not make contact with your motorcycle. Some incidents do involve a broadside collision, which makes the process more straightforward, but others do not.
If the person who ran you off the road stops or is identified by a witness, you can file a personal injury claim against him or her to receive compensation for your injuries and damages. In the lawsuit, your attorney will have the task of showing that the other driver did not operate his or her vehicle with the appropriate level of care and skill. Massachusetts requires each driver to use reasonable care and skill at all times behind the wheel and to act as a prudent and careful driver would. This includes keeping your eyes on the roadway, refraining from speeding or tailgating, and driving defensively rather than aggressively. Many accidents in which a motorcyclist is run off the road involve an aggressive or distracted driver who either swerves out of his or her lane or changes lanes without ensuring that the way is clear. Areas where lanes merge or narrow can also create situations in which motorcyclists can be run off the road by a trucker or distracted driver. Fatigued driving and intoxicated driving are also potential causes of this type of crash because a driver’s faculties are impaired in these situations, making it more difficult for them to notice nearby motorcycles.
A commonly contested issue in this type of case is showing that the defendant’s negligence was the cause of your injuries. In an accident in which you are run off the road, the other vehicle may not have made contact with you. Still, a critical step of your personal injury lawsuit is showing that the defendant’s negligence was the actual cause of the harm that you suffered. If your attorney is able to locate any witnesses to the accident, this can help establish how the defendant’s conduct forced you off the roadway and caused your injuries. An accident reconstructionist can also be useful in showing how the defendant’s actions were a direct cause of your crash.
After we establish liability and causation, we would need to prove the amount of compensation that the defendant owes you for your injuries and costs. When a motorcyclist is run off the roadway, the injuries that they experience can be life-changing. Unlike people in a passenger vehicle, motorcyclists are exposed to the elements and can be thrown from their motorcycles onto the road surface or flung against fixed objects. Ensuring that you receive enough compensation to cover your past and future medical expenses is a critical aspect of your claim.
Meet with a Compassionate Boston Lawyer to Discuss Your Injury Claim
If you or a loved one was injured in a motorcycle crash caused by a distracted or otherwise careless driver, the compassionate attorneys at Breakstone, White & Gluck are ready to help you understand your legal rights and to claim the compensation that you deserve. We have assisted individuals and families in the areas around Boston, Cambridge, Waltham, Lowell, Newton, Somerville, Quincy, Dedham, Norwood, Brookline, Attleboro, Barnstable, Brockton, Plymouth, Worcester, Lawrence, and Springfield. To set up your free consultation, call us now at 1-800-379-1244 or contact us online.