Quincy Bicycle Accident Lawyers
Over the years, cycling has grown more popular in Quincy and throughout the South Shore. As this continues, drivers must remember to watch for cyclists and share the roads. In Massachusetts, cyclists have the right to travel on all the same roads as motorists, unless posted otherwise. Drivers must use care when traveling near cyclists, especially when passing and turning at intersections.
When accidents happen, cyclists are often seriously injured. If you have been injured in a Quincy bicycle accident, you may ask who will pay for your medical care. What will happen if you are unable to work? These are important questions and Breakstone, White & Gluck is here to assist you with a free legal consultation. We encourage you to call; we have represented many cyclists who, like you, have been injured by negligent driving and now need guidance and help pursuing financial compensation.
Breakstone, White & Gluck is committed to safety and preventing head injuries on bikes. In Quincy, our attorneys have made a special commitment to support bicycle safety. Each year, as part of our Project KidSafe campaign, we donate free children's bicycle helmets to the Quincy Police Department and Quincycles.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents Leading to Injury Claims
Speeding. Speeding causes a large number of bicycle accidents and pedestrian accidents in the Boston area. In 2017, the Quincy City Council voted to lower the city’s default speed limit to 25 mph with a goal of reducing injuries.
Failure to yield at intersections. Drivers must yield to bicyclists traveling straight through an intersection or those approaching from an opposite direction.
Right turn accidents. When turning right, drivers have a responsibility to check for cyclists in the bicycle lane and turn at a reasonable speed. When drivers neglect to do so, cyclists can be caught in a serious right hook accident. These collisions can be fatal.
Truck crashes injuring cyclists. In Quincy, 18-wheel trucks and other commercial vehicles travel in daily from the I-93 Expressway. When drivers fail to check mirrors and take corners too quickly, the worst can happen. Cyclists can be hit, swept under a truck carriage and sometimes dragged. There is a high risk when truck drivers make right turns at intersections.
Bike lane accidents. Quincy is working to develop bike lanes to help cyclists ride safely. In 2013, the City of Quincy built its first bike lanes on Adams Street. The lanes run from the Milton border to Furnace Brook Parkway. Unfortunately, drivers do not always respect bike lanes, even parking in them at times, causing injuries to cyclists.
Dooring accidents. Drivers who park and open a vehicle's door without checking can hit a cyclist, causing severe injuries. In Quincy, dooring accidents or near accidents are common in business areas where drivers park along the side of the street, such as Quincy Center, where Quincy City Hall, Presidents Place and the United First Parish Church are located. However, dooring crashes can also happen in residential or other areas when drivers neglect to look.
Where Bicycle Accidents Can Happen in Quincy
Quincy is the eighth largest city in Massachusetts. Just south of Boston, Quincy is home to more than 93,000 residents and is served by four MBTA stops on the Red Line. Many areas are known for wide lanes and drivers must take extra caution to watch for cyclists and pedestrians before turning.
One area where cyclists are vulnerable is Hancock Street in Quincy Center, which sits along Route 3A and travels out over the Fore River Bridge into Weymouth, then the rest of the South Shore. Another area is Wollaston Beach and Quincy Shore Drive. Quincy has 27 miles of beautiful coastline and cyclists should be able to enjoy it along with everyone else. The reality is traffic is challenging. Drivers who use cell phones add another level of danger.
How to Report a Bicycle Accident in Quincy
As a bicyclist in Massachusetts, you are required to report any accident resulting in personal injury or property damage over $100 to the local police department (M.G.L. c. 85, § 11B). The Quincy Police Department is located at 1 Sea Street.
Cyclists should visit a doctor or hospital for medical treatment first. A doctor can examine you for head injuries and other serious complications, then begin treatment.
Cyclists who are involved on bike crashes on shared bikes also have a responsibility to report accidents to both police and the company providing rentals, as stated in your membership agreement.
In 2018, the City of Quincy contracted with the bicycle sharing company to bring 200 dock-less bicycles into the city. This was a short-lived arrangement. The city later contracted with LimeBike.
Financial Compensation for Injured Cyclists in Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, cyclists who are injured are provided up to $8,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance from the at-fault driver's insurance policy. This pays for medical bills, lost wages and other expenses. But $8,000 is not enough to cover losses in most bicycle accidents. This is why one wants to consult a lawyer.
Our lawyers can begin an immediate investigation, interviewing witnesses, canvassing for security camera surveillance and working with police. We can also can explain your legal rights and identify what coverage is available from the driver's auto insurance policy. If the driver has no insurance or only carries the minimum amount required by Massachusetts law, our lawyers can look at other potential sources of compensation if necessary.
Breakstone, White & Gluck's Project KidSafe Campaign Gives Free Helmets in Quincy
Breakstone, White & Gluck and our lawyers are pleased to partner with the Quincy Police Department and Quincycles as part of our Project KidSafe campaign. We donate 200 bicycle helmets each year for police officers to give away to children who need one and at community events which focus on bike safety awareness and skills training.
We launched our Project KidSafe campaign in 2013 and donate bicycle helmets across Massachusetts because we have seen the devastation cyclists and others can suffer from head injuries. Cyclists cannot always prevent bicycle accidents, but they can limit the risk of head injuries by wearing a properly fitted helmet. Our lawyers encourage children to wear helmets from their first ride.
Contact Breakstone, White & Gluck for a Free Legal Consultation
The lawyers of Breakstone, White & Gluck provide a free legal consultation. If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, contact us to learn your legal rights at 800-379-1244. You may also use our contact form.