Bicycle Accidents

Bicycle Accidents Lawyer in Massachusetts

Injured in a Bike accident in Massachusetts. Tracy Paulsen at Rightful Legal can help you recover money for your injuries and get your life back together.

A Massachusetts bike accident can cause serious personal injury including:

• Substantial medical bills
• Scarring
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of income
• Permanent loss of function or use of part of your body
• And even death in some cases

A Massachusetts bike accident may also involve dispute as to who is at fault:

In some cases you will want to act fast to hire an accident reconstruction expert; these experts can create evidence that can be used in court to show that you were not at fault in the accident.

• You may want to interview witnesses to establish the cause of the accident
• Subpoena cell phone records
• And or have an investigator view the scene to take pictures and document the conditions that existed at the time of the accident.

You should hire a Massachusetts Bike Accident Lawyer immediately to begin working for you and ensuring that you will not be found at fault and the party responsible will pay for your damages. Tracy Paulsen At Rightful Legal can begin this process of helping you obtain justice in your case and a fair settlement for your injuries and pain and suffering.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Suffolk County

A Massachusetts Bicycle accidents can happen anywhere, at any time, for any number of reasons. There are, however, certain situations that tend to lead to more bicycle accidents. 

• Getting struck by a car, which is the most common cause of bicycle accidents (as well as the most deadly), according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA)
• Hitting something in the road, which is also very common and can be the result of poor road conditions, poor road maintenance, or things like debris
• Swerving to avoid a person or an animal, the animal of which may be a domestic or wild animal 
• Low visibility because bicycles are small and are difficult to see, especially at certain times of the day (dusk and dawn)

Determining the cause of a bicycle accident is a critical part to recovering fair and just compensation for your injuries. When the accident was caused by another person or entity, they are liable for the damages you suffered if they owed you a duty of care. 

For example, a car driver owes bicyclists a duty of care on the road, which typically means following the rules of the road. Pedestrians owe a duty of care to be mindful of other people in and around the roads and bike paths. When pedestrians bring their animals on walks, they must control their animals and avoid interfering with the safety of others, like cyclists. 

Common Cyclist Injuries in Suffolk County

Injuries from bike accidents range from scratches to death. Like any accident, the severity is dependent on the circumstances. Common injuries include:

• Facial or dental injuries
• Road rash
• Dislocated or broken bones or fractures
• Severe knee injuries, including tears of the ACL or MCL, from the impact with the car
• Severe hand and wrist injuries from the impact with the ground
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Spinal injuries

Massachusetts Bike Accidents Caused by “Dooring”

Something unique to bicyclists are injuries caused by “dooring.” Dooring occurs when someone in a parked car opens the door without looking first. A cyclist fails to see the door open in time and collides with the door. Injuries associated with this type of accident include the above but often also include:

• Concussions 
• Whiplash 
• Internal bleeding
• Internal organ damage

Wearing a helmet and other protective gear helps prevent serious injuries, but they are not enough to protect against automobiles. In worse case scenarios, wrongful death may occur.

Tracy Paulsen at Rightful Legal Will Not Charge You Any FEE Unless You Win Money for Your Case

You will not pay Rightful Legal and Attorney Paulsen any money unless you recover money for your case. You will not be charged any fees or expenses for your case.

Bicycle Accidents in Massachusetts and Personal Injury Claims

A Massachusetts bicycle accident often leaves the cyclist with severe injuries and property damage, both of which can be expensive. Insurance companies typically make a settlement offer that they claim will cover the victim’s losses. However, insurance adjusters often rush to offer a settlement without a full evaluation of the injuries (and the potential ongoing care that may be required). Without a full and fair understanding of all losses, any settlement offer will be too little. 

An alternative to auto insurance settlement is filing a personal injury lawsuit. This process allows you the time needed to fully understand your current and future economic losses. It also allows you to compensate for one big hurdle in bicycle injury cases: the misconception of cyclists.

Cyclists are often believed to be reckless. Insurance companies assume cyclists do not follow the rules of the road like their driver counterparts. They will use these misconceptions to help build their case against you, and sometimes it can work because often it is your word against the other person’s word. Bicyclists can, therefore, be intimidated and manipulated into accepting reduced settlement payouts. That’s why you need a bicycle injury attorney helping you through the process so that you can focus on recovering while they focus on your claim to obtain full and fair compensation.

Contact a Bicycle Accident Attorney in Massachusetts Today

Bicycle accidents can produce serious injuries. If you suffered losses, it is critical to speak with a bicycle accident lawyer in Massachusetts today. At Rightful Legal, Attorney Tracy Paulsen and her Team will explain your rights and what your options are if you decide to move forward with a personal injury claim. Contact us today at 617-821-5856  to get more information and schedule a Free Consultation.