Chelmsford, MA Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Many Americans choose to use motorcycles as their primary mode of transportation for a number of reasons. Motorcycles are compact, fuel-efficient, and simply fun to ride. Sadly, many motorcycle riders get into accidents just like other drivers. When motorcycle accidents happen, victims can suffer serious injuries because they are not as well protected as drivers of regular motor vehicles like SUVs, sedans, trucks, and others.
If you were injured while riding your motorcycle around Chelmsford, our lawyers can help you. We have the professionalism, drive, and experience to represent you in your case, and we will never give up on getting you the justice you deserve.
To have a free analysis of your claim, call Sheehan Law’s motorcycle accident lawyers at (617) 925-6407.
When Should I File My Motorcycle Accident Claim in Chelmsford, MA?
You should file your motorcycle accident lawsuit as soon as possible. This is because the law puts a time limit on how long you have to sue for your injuries. This is known as a statute of limitations. In Massachusetts, you have three years from when you are injured to file a claim per Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 260, § 2A. After that time, a court cannot hear your case, and you will not be able to get any damages.
There are some exceptions to this general rule that may be relevant to motorcycle accidents in particular. For example, under Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 260, § 4B – which deals with hit-and-run accidents – you have six months from when you learn of the identity of the driver in question to file your claim. This could make the statutory period shorter than the standard three-year period. You may need to take this into account depending on the circumstances of your accident.
Who Can You Sue in a Chelmsford, MA Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit?
It is very important that you sue the right parties in your claim. This is because you can only get damages from parties that actually caused your injuries. It is also generally a good idea to sue multiple parties in your claim because more than one entity may be responsible for your motorcycle accident. Of course, which parties you sue in your claim will depend on the unique facts and circumstances of your situation.
Other Drivers
You should almost always include the driver who hit you in your claim. When you file a motorcycle accident lawsuit against a driver, you allege that the other driver was negligent – or careless – and you got injured as a result.
Drivers can be negligent in different ways. First, they can violate traffic laws. For example, a driver who speeds or runs red lights is negligent because there are laws that prohibit such conduct. Second, drivers can be negligent by failing to act as a reasonable driver would under the circumstances. Whether a driver was “reasonable” or not is a question for the jury, so our lawyers will need to establish the defendant’s carelessness in your claim.
Motorcycle Designers and Manufacturers
Motorcycle accidents can also happen because of problems with the vehicles involved. A defective motorcycle can lead to an accident even if the rider does everything right. Defects can be “baked in” to the motorcycle’s design, or they could arise from a mistake made somewhere along the line when the motorcycle is built or repaired.
The Government
Road conditions can also contribute to motorcycle accidents. Potholes, debris, and other problems can cause a motorcyclist to crash and get injured. If this kind of accident happens, you can sue the entity responsible for road maintenance and safety.
Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit Damages in Chelmsford, MA
The goal of a motorcycle accident claim – or any personal injury claim for that matter – is to be awarded damages. Damages are meant to compensate plaintiffs for the hardships they have endured because of the defendant’s conduct. When you ask for damages, you have to also establish why you are asking for a certain amount.
Medical Expenses
One of the things you can base your damages on in a motorcycle accident lawsuit is medical expenses. The cost of treating injuries sustained in a motorcycle crash can easily balloon to hundreds of thousands of dollars, creating a serious financial burden. Accordingly, you can get damages to compensate you for emergency medical care, long-term treatment, and more.
Lost Wages
You can also be awarded damages for missed opportunities to earn income. You can be awarded financial compensation for missed time at work, needing to take a lesser-paying job, or being unable to work altogether.
Pain and Suffering
You can also get damages for things that are not as immediately tangible as medical bills or lost wages. You also can request compensation for physical and mental pain you have experienced because of your injuries.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are a special kind of damages that are awarded when the defendant’s conduct is particularly egregious. You usually need to prove more than mere negligence on their part to get an award of punitive damages, so you should discuss that prospect with our lawyers early on in your case.
Fighting Motorcycle Stereotypes in Chelmsford, MA Motorcycle Accident Cases
There are, unfortunately, some harmful stereotypes about people who ride motorcycles. Many view motorcycle riders as reckless thrill-seekers with no regard for their own safety. The reality could not be further removed from that perception. Many motorcycle riders are very safety-conscious and put great care into making sure they are as well-protected as possible while riding their motorcycle.
Canny defense attorneys may try to characterize you in that way in order to detract from your case, but our motorcycle accident lawyers will make sure that you are represented fairly in court.
Talk with Our Team of Chelmsford, MA Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Now
If you are thinking about pursuing a claim, do not hesitate to call (617) 925-6407 and speak to Sheehan Law’s team of motorcycle accident lawyers.
